New to rba's

[VapeMag]

So I want to get even better flavors and want to get my hands dirty. I own an ipv3 with a kanger subtank. I'm a complete beginner. Only been vaping for two weeks. What would be a good build to begin with and where can I find good resources on how to build them? Also, am I moving to fast?

 

[93gc40]

Start with a good coil calculator: Steam-engine.org, is very detailed. Coil tool more basic.

I can't really suggest a build. For you as I don't know what kind of vape you want. I do know that tank has 1.2-1.5ohm factory coil available and since I vape in the 1ohm to 2ohm range. I would start with build around 1-1.5ohms. But then I also use UN-regulated single battery mods. With your ipv to work with I might do something else. Like a coil that would be too cold or too slow on my mech and pump up the voltage(wattage).

 

[Adan]

26 or 28 ga kanthal
contact coil on a 2.4, 2.5, or 3/32 rod
flush cut wire cutters, micro wire cutter, or precision diagonal cutter might make it even easier

 

[SLIPPY_EEL]

What rda do you have?

 

[VapeMag]

I can't really suggest a build. For you as I don't know what kind of vape you want

I like lots of flavor and cool vape

What rda do you have?

For now I only have the tfa4 rba, but want to buy a rta. Have been researching these last days and I don't know if I'm ready to start building as there are a lot of things to consider. A bit overwhelming atm...

 

[VapeMag]

Went out and bought a Serpent rta today! Also bought the coil master DIY kit and some extra kanthal 26gauge to experiment with. So far, the flavor is sooooo much better than my last build. Would say a HUGE improvement! I only have the ipv3 80w, but still there is decent vapor and for me a very good flavor

 

[TrikStari]

Try some twisted clapton wire. I was able to get 2x28 gauge with 32 gauge wrap into my Kanger Subtank. Works pretty good, although it recently started leaking for no apparent reason.

Tanks are a bit of a pain when it comes to rebuilding, I find. You can have one that works great, and then, out of nowhere, it starts leaking through the air channels for no reason at all.

 

[EvlSmrk]

Not to take anything away from VapeMag, but twisted Clapton might be a bridge too far for first build sort of stuff. Start simple. Single strand contact coils, like what 4DanK are a good start. Right now, you need to establish a beginning. You'll learn what to do from there. If you want more vapor and more heat, lower your resistance, but to even know that you need to start some where. It's a learning game, and a damn good one.

 

[VapeMag]

Yeah, I'm just getting used to it all. Tried to build a .6 ohm today and ended up with .77 and dry hit upon dry hit! Its all about wicking today

 

[edyle]

Yeah, I'm just getting used to it all. Tried to build a .6 ohm today and ended up with .77 and dry hit upon dry hit! Its all about wicking today

remember to use
steam-engine.org

with thicker wire you can use wider internal diameter of coil.

contact coils means there is more competition between wrapps for wicking;

dual coil means you have more wicking available for the same mass of hot metal.

when using a tank, wicking can change over time; I used to find the tank wicked slowly on a fresh wick and picked up gradually each day.

 

[VapeMag]

I use the vape tool app for android. Everything I need in one app.

contact coils means there is more competition between wrapps for wicking;

What do you mean with contact coils?

 

[SLIPPY_EEL]

I use the vape tool app for android. Everything I need in one app.


What do you mean with contact coils?

What he means is that you have contact wraps on your coils, contact wraps concentrate heat into a tighter wick area Vs spaced wraps where the wraps would be covering more wick and less dry hits or you could wrap on a bigger id mandrel but then you might sacrifice a little flavour.....
this is provided you have done contact wraps in the first place, i'm not certain what you have done.

 

[Adan]

.77 should work fine too.
Make sure the wicking is completely saturated.
If you are getting dry hits, your cotton may be too dense, or try reducing power.

 

[edyle]

I use the vape tool app for android. Everything I need in one app.


What do you mean with contact coils?

If you just hand wrap on a drill bit you get a spaced coil.

If you use the common kuro coiler type to wrap coils you quickly and easily get a nice neat coil but it is compact, with no spacing between the wraps. This is called a contact coil; also called a compact coil; used to be called a microcoil by riptrippers, but we don't hear that term so much anymore for it.

 

[VapeMag]

I use a coiler to wrap the coils. Made a 24g kanthal .59 ohms today. So far so good. Need to practice wicking skills. I have cotton pads and I feel they arent as good to shape as cotton balls would be. They are also a bit expensive.

 

[Adan]

Maybe someone can help you with a cheap source for cotton or rayon. I haven't bought any in a long time.
I usually get the wicking right on the first try. If I don't, I just cut another piece, and don't worry about the cost.

 

[VapeMag]

I find wicking the Serpent to be a pain in the behind! First attempts seemed to clog up the juice canal. Now I'm trying to find the correct length, which means using a lot of cotton. Can't find organic cotton balls here in Norway

 

[Adan]

I don't have a Serpent. Is that the one that has the O-ring press fit in the top and can't be replaced?

 

[EvlSmrk]

Wicking is an art form in and of itself. Each device takes a certain layout to work most efficiently, and there are trade-offs to each. Tanks are definitely harder than drippers, but it really just comes down to the layout and what each needs in order to maintain the pressure without sacrificing the wicking properties of what you're using. Not familiar at all with the Serpent RTA, otherwise I'd try to be more helpful. Just realize, it takes time...and that's ok.

 

[ErrrKT19]

I find wicking the Serpent to be a pain in the behind! First attempts seemed to clog up the juice canal. Now I'm trying to find the correct length, which means using a lot of cotton. Can't find organic cotton balls here in Norway

check these out (2 really decent build & wick videos on the serpent rta):


one of the keys to wicking these tanks,the coil diameter has a big influence on how thick your wicks will be. too large will force you to use to much cotton and result in dry hits, and too small will get you girgles and flooding.