New to Vaping: Looking for Vivi Nova Wick Advice

[danzigism]

Howdy folks. The lovely city of Boise, ID just opened up a sweet new vape shop called Vapoligy and I met some super awesome and supportive folks over there that have educated me in vaporizing. I've been extremely pleased with the results. After smoking cigs for nearly 20 years, I've been cig-free for 2 weeks which is a record for me.

I ended up buying this unit called the Wraith and it works like a dream. In conjunction with the Vivi Nova tank system and some delicious liquids, there's absolutely no way I'm going back to cigs.

I've been reading quite a bit on this forum about the use of silica wicks which can be potentially hazardous when inhaling fragments of fiberglass, which I believe the Vivi Nova comes with by default. So I'm curious to know if anybody has modded this specific tank system with a different wick such as a cotton, bamboo, stainless steel, etc?

After reading pages and pages of hardcore information by this forum's amateur chemists for which I appreciate the information, I just wanted to know if someone has a tried and true method for what materials to use, how to make the wick (or where to buy a pre-made one) that is safer than a silica?

I would be grateful for any tips and tricks or reference to other threads that might contain the info I'm looking for. Thanks guys. It's great to have a community like this.

 

[ShogaNinja]

I have a friend that uses white embroidery cotton thread and swears by its superior wicking ability, but due to the fact that it burns (unlike silica or ceramic wick) you have to replace it more like every 2 weeks as opposed to once a month. You also can't dry burn it. You'll have to boil it too for 15 minutes and let it dry to get the chemicals from the factory out of it. The nice part is that it's relatively cheap and readily available locally at craft stores instead of ordering the other synthetic wicking materials from ebay or whatever.

The choice is yours.

 

[water4choc]

Hello and welcome to ECF. I also recently got some Vivi Novas and plan to rebuild them with cotton wick, but have not yet done so. I have been reading some of the threads about rewicking and there are also some pretty good videos on Youtube - Vision Vivi Nova, Part 2 - Changing Wick (COTTON) & Final Impressions - YouTube

In the Rebuildable Atomizers thread there is a Wicking Tips and Tricks thread that also addresses how to rewick.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I'm sure others will pop in with their suggestions.

Good luck!

 

[CheekyMonkey]

Great threat/question! I'm interested in purchasing a few of the rebuildable ViVi's from one of the co-ops, and have been trying to figure out the best rewicking options.
I'm leaning towards SS Mesh, but will be keeping an eye on this thread for more information, and will add more if I find anything useful to add

 

[ShogaNinja]

SS (stainless steel) mesh requires a lot more work. Not only do you have to find the right grade of stainless steel to use, you also have to oxidize it by dry burning ejuice on it. On top of all that just rolling the mesh into a wick is troublesome for many people. I definitely wouldn't recommend it for people who are new to rebuilding their atomizers. That's the master class.

 

[danzigism]

Thanks a million everyone for the helpful information everyone. And thanks big time to water4choc for the YouTube link. It is a perfect guide for a newbie such as myself. It looks like I can get everything I need from the craft store. I can't wait to try it.

I got a little concerned at first with my silica wicks after 2 weeks of using the same one. I started tasting something funny. Not sure if it was shards of fiberglass or not, but something just wasn't right. I know there are some things to be cautious about even with cotton wicks, but it definitely seems like the way to go. Looking forward to going back to the vape shop to show them my new wick if all goes well

I've always enjoyed taking things apart and changing them up. It might not be for the faint of heart, but this guy makes it look pretty easy as long as you have a steady hand.

I'll keep everyone posted on my results. You guys are great!

 

[ShogaNinja]

Vaping Estarra - YouTube

Estarra has some good vids on how to rebuild different atomizers. Check his channel out. Yes, I'm the same ShogaNinja who wrote his theme song.

 

[danzigism]

Awesome. Subscribed. I see various sources online to buy the Kanthal wire, but do any of you guys know if this is a common wire I could pick up at a store somewhere?

** edit ** I just answered my own question. Looks like the vape shop down the street has it ready to go I'll be making a stop tomorrow morning.

 

[ShogaNinja]

Before you go buying wire you might want to do some research on it here on ECF (do a forum search). There are different properties between the two wire and I can tell you that the gauge of the wire has a big impact on the resistances you are trying to achieve. It's backwards from what you might think too. Thinner wire is for higher resistance and thicker is for lower resistance. Read up, trust me. Also you'll want to do a price check on like ebay before you go too so you don't get hosed at the brick and mortar store.

 

[danzigism]

Hey guys. I finally received my cotton candle wicks via Amazon. I ordered the same exact stuff that Estarra was using including the Kanthal wire just to start. I followed the tutorial to a T including boiling the wick for a good 10 minutes, and it worked out like a dream. I definitely like the cotton wick better than the silica wick so far. I've noticed that after long periods of vaping, I don't get the weird after taste I was getting with the silica wicks and the hits are nice and smooth. Everything was a lot easier than I thought.

Overall I'm happy and will continue using cotton for a while. It tastes great with my peach juice. I noticed that my Ohm test was at 2.2 instead of 2.8 like it says on the tip piece I slid the wick through. I wonder if my wiring was a little off or if this is normal. It doesn't effect the hits I get that I can tell.

Even though this thing will need regular replacing, I think it is worth it. Thanks for the help and advice. Looking forward to my next vape project.

Although I will say I will probably order the latest version of the Vivi Nova since it has bigger thumb screws and looks like it seals better.

 

[Lumpia]

When rebuilding the coils with kanthal wire, would something like this be acceptable?

Nickel Chromium Resistance Wire, Bright: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[danzigism]

That looks like the proper nichrome wire. I assume 32 gauge would be the best to get. Everyone says to try both. I've heard from a couple people already that prefer nichrome. Apparently it can affect taste.

 

[NancyR]

I use cotton thread and it works wonderfully, however just about everything out has been tried, this thread will give you a lot of helpful info vivi nova rebuild tutorial

 

[Lumpia]

I read through that one as well Nancy. My concern with the Kanthal is that all that I have seen has aluminum in it. Heated aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's which has a tendency to run in the family. I also am going to get some NR wire to avoid the burnt silicone if I can.

Thanks for the help. I don't even have my Vivi Nova yet, and am already ordering parts to rebuild it, I guess it's the tinkerer in me.

 

[sandybeach]

How do you replace the wicks? Do you have to go through the coil somehow? I just looked at the tutorial Nancy R mentioned. Is candle wicking or cotton embroidery thread the right stuff to use?

I had a burnt taste on my Vivi Nova 2.5 tank. I tried microwaving it for a few minutes in distilled water, then letting it sit a few minutes. I patted it dry then dry burnt it.

No go. The wicks are all fraying and burnt again. I need to replace the wicks or toss this head.

 

[NancyR]

How do you replace the wicks? Do you have to go through the coil somehow? I just looked at the tutorial Nancy R mentioned. Is candle wicking or cotton embroidery thread the right stuff to use?

I had a burnt taste on my Vivi Nova 2.5 tank. I tried microwaving it for a few minutes in distilled water, then letting it sit a few minutes. I patted it dry then dry burnt it.

No go. The wicks are all fraying and burnt again. I need to replace the wicks or toss this head.

Some do use candle wicks, I personally use the thread on mine. There is also another ECF member that uses the thread, but he uses 2 strands if I remember correctly where I use 4, tho keep in mind crochet thread like I use is different than standard embroidery thread.

If you use cotton, DO NOT dry burn it.

 

[meli.]

Well done Danzigism,
Good for you getting into wick changing so quickly I'm really pleased it's working for you

How do you replace the wicks? Do you have to go through the coil somehow? I just looked at the tutorial Nancy R mentioned. Is candle wicking or cotton embroidery thread the right stuff to use?

I had a burnt taste on my Vivi Nova 2.5 tank. I tried microwaving it for a few minutes in distilled water, then letting it sit a few minutes. I patted it dry then dry burnt it.

No go. The wicks are all fraying and burnt again. I need to replace the wicks or toss this head.

For the Wicks RockingRobin is using go here: Amazon.com: Cotton Square Braid Candle Wick - #1/0: Arts, Crafts & Sewing

The reasons your wicks are burning: wicks not wet enough, and you can't dry burn.

The best thread (IMO) to learn about safe wicks and experimental testing is: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/284030-wick-materials-safe-vs-dangerous.html there's alot of reading involved but almost everything has been tried and tested there, RockingRobin (Estarra) learnt all about his cotton wicks there too

 

[Wyzen]

Hey guys. I finally received my cotton candle wicks via Amazon. I ordered the same exact stuff that Estarra was using includ
Overall I'm happy and will continue using cotton for a while. It tastes great with my peach juice. I noticed that my Ohm test was at 2.2 instead of 2.8 like it says on the tip piece I slid the wick through. I wonder if my wiring was a little off or if this is normal. It doesn't effect the hits I get that I can tell.

View attachment 123357

Did you just slide out the existing wick into the existing coil? Or did you replace everything? I ask for two reasons: first the coil determines OHM. Also, I have been wanting to try just replacing the wick and leaving the coil alone, but I didnt think it was possible. Is it?

 

[JUDGMENT AFFIRMED]

When rebuilding the coils with kanthal wire, would something like this be acceptable?

Nickel Chromium Resistance Wire, Bright: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than i will come to answer and if not I would take ShogaNinja's advice and look for the answer on this forum.....its there. I would avoid wire with aluminum and iron. This wire has a very small % of iron and may be ok. I'm not computor savvy enough to give you a link but, Pnj Resources was linked on this forum-nichrome 80 wire,100 ft. for $8.50.

 

[Corksil]

sounds like an excellent plan!