New to coiling and wicking

[PoPoPoP]

Well I basically plan to build single coils with target resistances of 0.1 to 0.5 and 1.5. I'm using that website (steam engine ) which is helpful but I have doubts...

First, My setup: subtank mini with coolfirsize plus (the 70w one).
Currently I have 26, 28 and 32 awg Kanthal wires. Cottons I have are basic and Koh Gen Do. I have some tools like ohms reader, coil master v3, tweezer etc.

Now onto my doubts / questions.

1) Inter diameter of coil. My understanding is that bigger Inter coil diameter equals higher resistance due to longer wire length . Right? So if I want to target 1.5 ohms with a 26awg wire, I'd need to hit 4mm Inter coil with 5/4 or 6/5 wraps and 5mm legs (contact points?)

Is that correct ? My question: Does higher Inter diameter mean less vapour / flavour? Or it doesn't matter? Or is it better if I use a 32awg for 1.5ohms.

2) why do you make dual coils when you can make a single coil with 12 wraps?

3) I don't understand the "surface space" thing. Can someone explain it to me.

4) Squeeze coil tight or space them (a little gap between each wrap) ? I'm confused.

5) What's the best rule / method for rewicking? I assume that too much cotton is not good but how would I know? With Inter diameter size in mind, What cotton size do I need to cut so it can fit the coil? Maybe Inter diameter size times by 2? I see that you just need twist cotton to get it into the coil. But I read somewhere that if / when I move cotton in between the coil , and if the desk or mod (whatever is holding the coil) also moves at the same time then that means the cotton is too thick ? I don't get it.

6) Dry burning coil. Before adding cotton, I actually need to dry burn the coil? Looking for hot spots? What? How would I know when it's all good and ready?

7) Can coils last much longer? I read somewhere that I don't have to change the coil. Just clean it with.... Rubbing alcohol of whatever to get rid of the black ashes or old liquid and then clean it. Then rewick. Is this true.

8) now for the Gauge wires. Some is thicker some others are thinner. is the whole gauge thing just a preference ? Like I have to try different gauge and see which one is the best for me.

9) I basically want to get a better vape experience than any stock coils... Any other tips I should know ?_

Thanks very much.

 

[Baditude]

1) Inter diameter of coil. My understanding is that bigger Inter coil diameter equals higher resistance due to longer wire length . Right? So if I want to target 1.5 ohms with a 26awg wire, I'd need to hit 4mm Inter coil with 5/4 or 6/5 wraps and 5mm legs (contact points?)

Is that correct ? My question: Does higher Inter diameter mean less vapour / flavour? Or it doesn't matter? Or is it better if I use a 32awg for 1.5ohms.

IMHO, larger diameter coils allow more wick material within the coil, and makes it much easier to insert the wick. Seems to make sense that more wick will allow more liquid into the wick, and therefore make more vapor. I don't believe diameter makes much difference in flavor. I make my coils 3 mm in diameter.

2) why do you make dual coils when you can make a single coil with 12 wraps?

Most build decks are so small that a build of 12 loops or so can be quite difficult to install. It's easier to fit two coils of 6 loops. I prefer making two coils of 1.2 ohm (0.6 ohm total) which is my sweet spot for both my regulated and mechanical mods.

3) I don't understand the "surface space" thing. Can someone explain it to me.

In a nutshell, the larger the surface area, the more vapor that is produced.

4) Squeeze coil tight or space them (a little gap between each wrap) ? I'm confused.

Compressed coils vs spaced coils is a user preference. I've done both and honestly haven't noticed a difference in flavor or vapor production. I will say that compressed coils seem to hold up longer over time because they seem to be more durable than spaced.

5) What's the best rule / method for rewicking? I assume that too much cotton is not good but how would I know? With Inter diameter size in mind, What cotton size do I need to cut so it can fit the coil? Maybe Inter diameter size times by 2? I see that you just need twist cotton to get it into the coil. But I read somewhere that if / when I move cotton in between the coil , and if the desk or mod (whatever is holding the coil) also moves at the same time then that means the cotton is too thick ? I don't get it.

Less is usually better than too much. When you watch a video of someone creating a wick, you'll notice that the wick can move back and forth quite freely within the coil. You'll learn from experience how much wick to use. If you use Rayon (cellucotton), you'll need to use a little more than if using cotton or Japanese cotton. I use Rayon myself, because you can get a lifetime supply for $10. It doesn't seem to become charred like cotton can, and I never get that "new cotton" taste with a new wick.

6) Dry burning coil. Before adding cotton, I actually need to dry burn the coil? Looking for hot spots? What? How would I know when it's all good and ready?

We pulse a new coil to look for hot spots or hot legs, and to make sure the coil is balanced (coil will glow from inside out). We dry burn to burn the char off of the coils (essentially dry cleaning). I dry burn between each wick change, and rinse the coil off with running water.

7) Can coils last much longer? I read somewhere that I don't have to change the coil. Just clean it with.... Rubbing alcohol of whatever to get rid of the black ashes or old liquid and then clean it. Then rewick. Is this true.

I've had a coil last up to 8 months, with dry burning it clean between wick changes. Typically I make new coils every 3 - 4 months. I would never clean my coils with alcohol. Simply rinse under water after dry burning a few times.

8) now for the Gauge wires. Some is thicker some others are thinner. is the whole gauge thing just a preference ? Like I have to try different gauge and see which one is the best for me.

Wire gauge is a preference. Thicker wire has a lower resistance, will require more loops, and will have a longer ramp up time to fire the coil. Thinner wire has a higher resistance, will require less loops, and have a shorter ramp up time. With experience with different gauges, you'll find the happy medium which works best for you. I use 28 gauge Kanthal as it seems to be the most versatile for my needs.

9) I basically want to get a better vape experience than any stock coils... Any other tips I should know ?

Coils, Wicks, and Vapor Production:
Vapor production comes from a combination of net coil surface area, wicking and juice type, air flow... and the wattage necessary to heat that net coil surface area. If you're lacking in any of those areas, you'll come up short.

Just a few basic points, for your consideration... some IMO, some incontrovertible fact.

• The gauge of wire and overall length of that wire is what determines resistance. Coil count is irrelevant.

• Thicker gauge wire, for a given net resistance, where the finished coil(s) physically fits in the atomizer, provides the greatest surface area.

• Thicker wire, for a given net resistance, runs cooler than thinner wire, for a fixed wattage value.

• For a given net resistance, thicker wire requires more wattage to obtain the same heat flux (coil radiant heat) as thinner wire. Thinner wire, although it reduces surface area, can be used to raise heat flux where adjustable wattage (mech mod) is not an option.

• Higher wattage, for a given net resistance, produces more heat, and requires both better air flow and optimized wicking.

• "In-coil" wicking that is "loose" vs. "tight" is almost always a better choice, as overly tight fits can choke off the capillary action of the wicking medium.

• Plain old cotton balls can be "unrolled" perpendicular to the grain, to produce a flat strip of cotton.

• Always roll cotton wick in parallel with the cotton "grain".

• In an RDA, high VG juice will produce thicker "cloud" density.

(--Thanks to State o" Flux)

Information Resources for Your First RBA

• An essential read and referrance guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

 

[sonicbomb]

With a regulated device, the coil resistance isn't really important only the surface area. The mod will deliver the selected wattage to coil, it doesn't really care what the resistance is.

I had the best results with my Subtank Mini using 6 wraps 26G wire with a internal diameter of 2.5mm (target resistance of about 0.77 ohms). Wicking is key with the STM, look up some tutorials on youtube and be prepared to practice. Because of the size of the chamber and the available airflow you may struggle to put more than about 30-40 watts through it. But it's not really a cloud chucking RTA.

 

[lamarrk]

Moved to COIL BUILDS.