Need help troubleshooting with my DNA40 device

[Mattj317]

I'm very new to building my own atomizers. This is only my second build. The first one, I junked BC within less than a day I was having all of the same problems I'm having now.
Right now I'm using G-plat26 Haywire, in a Big Dripper, with my Vapor Flask.

Problems:
1. What my Ohm reader reads, and what the DNA40 reads is different. My Ohm reader will read .6ish, while the DNA40 chip reads .39-.40 Ohms. It was never my intent to go below .5 Ohms. Which leads me to...
2. I realize now that I bought the wrong gauge wire for this, maybe I need 28 or 30 gauge? There really isn't much room to work with in the Big Dripper to increase number of wraps or coil diameter.
3. The battery indicator fluctuates up and down between full, low, and nearly empty. It doesn't do this with my Aspire Nautilus tank, so there must be some noob mistake going on.
4. The display changes from voltage mode to temp mode. Since temp mode is only suppose to work with Ni200 wire, and I'm using G-Plat, is it possible that the super duper secret g-plat recipe is confusing the DNA40 chip? Or is it something else?
5. Lastly, the cotton on one coil turns darker, faster than the other. When I fire the empty coils, they both heat evenly and at the same time. My guess is since the hole from the tank to atomizer is set off to the side, I'm not allowing enough time for both wicks to saturate before hitting, causing one wick to burn.

If you can offer some advice or a solution to any or all of the above problems, I will be very grateful!!!

 

[Marc411]

Matt,

Have you used the Big Dripper on another device? Is it possible that you have a problem in the 510 or one of your posts? If you have another device that will read and fire that low give it a try. I have a couple of the DNA40 chips and haven't had those issues but someone else may be able to jump in and help.

I've never tried G-plat but I don't believe it will work in TC. Turn your temp control off by raising the temp beyond 600 degrees, once there it shuts the TC off. The description for g-plat reads "G-plat wire is an unique blend of metals" so it may be causing some confusion with the chip.

And it sounds like one coil is firing hotter then the other. When you pulse them before loading the cotton did they fire and glow at the same rate. If they did you may be loading to much wick on the one that is going dark faster then the other.

Good luck, stick with it! Between the people here and you experimenting you get it figured out.

 

[Mattj317]

Thanks, Marc!

The only other device I have is the itaste MVP 2.0. My boyfriend does have a VF as well, so when he gets home from offshore I'll give it a try.

The TC/voltage is a transient problem. It's been about an hour since it happened, so when it happens again I'll turn off TC and see if that fixes the issue.

At first, the coils didn't fire evenly. After glowing and pinching they did. Thanks for pointing out that it may be uneven wicking. I'll re-wick tonight, after my toddler goes to bed - it's impossible when he's awake lol - and see how it goes.

It's definitely fun to build my own atomizers, just gotta get over this learning curve. I'm so glad I found this forum!

 

[Marc411]

Well one problem solved. The MVP won't fire but you should be able to get a reading on your ohms. Once you get the ohms nailed down you should get a decent idea of where to set your wattage. You can move out of TC mode at any time. Have you tried NI200 or titanium G1 yet. Both work pretty well with the TC.

Yes those toddlers can keep you busy. Mine are grown now but I remember how they could keep me hopping.

And it's very cool that you are building. There are a lot of people here that have much more knowledge then I do that can help you along. It's a great site, all my education on building came from here and there are some real good folks that can teach you some cool stuff.

 

[bulldog63h]

When did you get your VF? There were some early run DNA40 boards that had problems. I'm not 100% sure what issues it caused but there is a thread here where it was discussed.

 

[Mattj317]

The MVP wouldn't read the atomizer. :/
I think it actually has a set point that it won't read under. G-plat is the only wire I've tried. I didn't know Titanium G1 would work in TC! Is there a benefit for titanium over Ni200?

 

[Mattj317]

It came in maybe two weeks ago.

 

[Mattj317]

I did try re-wicking, but after doing some more reading it seems like it's an issue with the Big Dripper and hole placement that feeds liquid from the tank to the coils. Since it's off to the side, one wick gets more wet than the other.

I'm gonna break everything down and try again tonight, this time running a piece of wick from the "dry" side to the "wet" side. I'm really hoping all of these other issues are a simple fix - like wire type, or a mistake I'm making when I'm wrapping and installing the coils - and not an issue with DNA40 chip.

 

[Mattj317]

Just an update:

It seems like the problem was the chip. I emailed vapor flask about the battery and TC. They are sending me a loner device to use while my VF is being repaired! That was unexpected, so I'm very happy with their customer service.

 

[classwife]

Moved to Variable Voltage APV Discussion from Rebuildable Atomizer Systems

 

[classwife]

and now...with the new Sub...


Moved to Temperature Control from Variable Voltage APV Discussion

 

[Mattj317]

I started using Ni200, and it stopped dropping in and out between TC/voltage.

It took a few weeks for the loner device to arrive. Now that it finally has, I have had no problems with the battery. Still awaiting instructions from VF on where and how to send mine in for repairs; but, since I have a working one to use in the meantime, I'm not in a hurry. It's their bad if they continue to ignore my email about how to send it in for repairs. Lol