Need help diagnosing an issue with my AGA T2!

[Metalhed2434]

So I finally got my AGA T2 working flawlessly, I rolled a solid wick, oxidized but didn't overdo it, wrapped a .8 ohm coil with 28g kanthal using the petar k method. I had a metallic taste at first, but it was wicking good so I dealt with it, and it didn't take long at all to get that funky taste out of it. Vaped probably a tank an a half with no issues. Changed my flavor (not sure of the difference in pg/vg on my juices, but both were fairly thick, almost the same consistency.) And it proceeded to work great for about another 3/4 of a tank. All of a sudden the metal taste came back....so I drained the tank and burned through all the juice left in the wick, and noticed I had a hotspot again, no big deal, took care of it. Tested...all good, ramped up the voltage, still good. Primed the wick, not getting any sort of funky smell....filled the tank again, and now it just tastes like metal again!!! I can't imagine the wick would need to be broken in again...that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Maybe I need to recoil it? Somehow "clean" the wick? I am still new to the RBA game, I just don't know what happened....How often do you guys recoil your wicks? Any sort of maintenance that I am missing?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[floatingtrem]

Usually when I get a strong metallic taste, it's a sign of a hot spot. Sometimes they can be very sneaky and hard to spot, not to mention persnickety buggers that come and go on a whim until you catch them.

What I usually do if I'm getting a metallic taste is pop of my top cap and blow on the wick and coil as if I'm vaping, and watch for any tiny hot spots. Usually, when I find one, it's because the coil is sitting just a hair away from the wick. Most of the time just pushing that spot of the coil up against the wick firmly is enough to nip it in the bud. If not, I'd try recoiling.

I only recoil once every few weeks, and not because my coils aren't any good anymore, just because I feel like it's time for a fresh one. I also do regular dry burns, flush the wick/coil with water, and brush off any gunk that's left over.

 

[Metalhed2434]

Well it certainly got a bit gunky from my 48 hour chain vape fest...I will give it a good cleaning, and re diagnose any hotspots.

Thanks a ton for your advice!

 

[Ceridianblu]

Metalhed, I had the same problem with my Aga T2 when I first got it, which was quite frustrating. To fix the problem I switched to using 3/16 " SS rope with a small piece of 1/16" silica sleeve slipped over the part of the wick where the coil would be wrapped. I normally use 30 gauge kanthal wire and still found I got hot spots, but much better flavor once the wick was evenly heating. Next I tried doubling the kanthal and twisting it into a tight braid using a pair of pliers to hold one end and small screwdriver to twist the other end. After the wire is tightly twisted I wrapped the rope over the silica sleeve end before putting it into my atty. once it was wrapped then all had to do was slide it into place and tighten the positive and negative post. This seems to work Everytime and makes the flavor and vapor last so much than the old method without the hassle of having to oxidize anything. I ordered some 1/16" rope also, which works well, but the 3/16" rope is my favorite. This is my favorite wrap and is so much easier for me to do on a consistent basis. Hope this help!

 

[Metalhed2434]

Metalhed, I had the same problem with my Aga T2 when I first got it, which was quite frustrating. To fix the problem I switched to using 3/16 " SS rope with a small piece of 1/16" silica sleeve slipped over the part of the wick where the coil would be wrapped. I normally use 30 gauge kanthal wire and still found I got hot spots, but much better flavor once the wick was evenly heating. Next I tried doubling the kanthal and twisting it into a tight braid using a pair of pliers to hold one end and small screwdriver to twist the other end. After the wire is tightly twisted I wrapped the rope over the silica sleeve end before putting it into my atty. once it was wrapped then all had to do was slide it into place and tighten the positive and negative post. This seems to work Everytime and makes the flavor and vapor last so much than the old method without the hassle of having to oxidize anything. I ordered some 1/16" rope also, which works well, but the 3/16" rope is my favorite. This is my favorite wrap and is so much easier for me to do on a consistent basis. Hope this help!

I remember hearing about ss rope I will have to track some down and give it a shot!

 

[Ceridianblu]

You can get some from kidney puncher, as well as the silica sleeve..it's already cut to size. I'd suggest getting both sizes to see which one you like best. The 3/32" is a tight fit, but seems to wick better...just my two cents. Here's the link for the rope: http://www.kidneypuncher.com/wire-rope-wick-7x7-3-32-37mm-3-pack/

 

[Ceridianblu]

And here's the link for the silica sleeve: XS-116 Silica Sleeving - Kidney Puncher

 

[Metalhed2434]

How well does it work without the silica? Probably not great being that it won't make contact all over it. Honestly the Silica just scares me...I still use it in my drippers, but the thought of inhaling the fiberglass crap just doesn't sit too well with me, so I have been trying to avoid it. It's not like it has been reported to be a major problem, but I have seen the tiny flakes come off and it is just a bit unsettling. Honestly I will still probably try it....ha ha

 

[Rmcgloth]

A sleeve of ss mesh about 1cm square rolls on and keeps it from shorting, with no risk of silica fibers coming off. I have also rolled the tip in a little cotton from a cotton ball and used a looser, screw wrapped coil so I could pull it out and change it when it got funky. In my experience the mesh was easier as you can just dry burn at the end of each tank, quick rinse, flake off the carbon, reload and vape away. 3/32 7x7 wicked best in my aga. I removed one strand for better venting to prevent suction, as I like to keep the fill screws in.