Newbie to Cloud Chasing... advice wanted :)

[SlickRick]

Hey guys! I'll get straight to the point here and save my backstory till the end

I'm brand new to rda's but I want to get into cloud chasing. The guy recommended a tobeco tobh (not sure exactly which one but it has a picture of a tree on it) with a huge drip tip so I ended up going with that. He said that rda didn't need any modification on it or to drill the holes because the airflow was already great (3 holes on each side). Anyway, I told them I didn't want too warm of a vape, so they did the build for me which seems to be about .2 ohms or something (I could be wrong) but I am getting the weakest clouds out of that thing and I'm not sure why.

The hit is very harsh to me and I can't take consistent drags without my throat burning. Not sure what the problem is or what I need to do to start producing huge clouds... or if I'm just a wimp and can't handle the hit from a RDA


Here is some info that might help solve this issue:

- Using a StingrayX Clone
- Tobh RDA (not sure exactly which one but it has a picture of a tree on it)
- Vaping about 80vg/20pg mix
- 6 mg of nic
- E Juice has Menthol in it
- LG 18650 30amp battery

Here are the questions running thru my mind: Are my nic levels too high for a beginner to RDA? Is the menthol causing it to be too harsh? Do I need 100% VG? Is it always going to burn your lungs when you take a few drags off it? Is my lung capacity too weak? Long, slower drags or short quick ones?


I've been vaping off and on for 3 1/2 years now... and every time I stopped I ended up going back to regular cigarettes =/

I'm determined to stick to vaping and leaving the analogs in the dust, so I'm just getting back into it after a 8-9 month hiatus and noticed "buildling" seems to be the shizz right now.

Finding out that almost all the local shops here do builds for you, I went and get a mech mod (Stingray X) and a Kayfun Lite Plus (Clone) and had the guys build it for me. Took several builds to get the KFL+ just right, and it now produces good flavor and everything, but today I decided to get an RDA so I start blowing huge plumes of vapor =)

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[eyerhere]

Sounds likeca dry hit to me. If your wick is too tight it wont draw propperly.
Raising you vg will help the cloud size. I would recomend you rebuild to 0.5 dual coil and learn how things work before gowing to the lower ohms.

 

[Asbestos4004]

#1 you're battery is more than likely a 20 amp battery....not 30.
#2 menthol is probably not a good idea and 6mg is pretty high for cloud chasing. Try 3mg or less and use a max VG juice.
#3 fast, strong inhales will keep more air hitting the coils resulting in a cooler Vape.
#4 make sure your airholes are lined up perfectly with your coils.

 

[Cool-breeze]

I apologize in advance for myself and for the many many to follow you comment on the battery safety, but we would all rather you not loose your face... The vape shop you went too, IMO, did not do you a good service. Vaping to cloud chase can be done safely if done responsibly. If the ohm reader that guy used on the .2 is off by just a tiny bit you could easily be pushing if not exceeding the amp limit on your battery. That would be a bad thing. If you want to do some cloud chasing, which I enjoy occasion myself, here is what you should do IMO:

1) Never let someone you do not trust with your life build you a coil below .5ohm.
2) Do not dismiss people as being paranoid about battery safety.
3) Get a good ohm reader or 2. Do not get the cheapest one you can find.
4) Learn to use said ohm reader and practice building yourself a single 1.0 ohm coil.
5) Once you can build a single 1.0 ohm coil well, add a second coil thats the exact same. two 1.0 ohm coils = total resistance of .5
6) Menthols, 6mg+, and pg are all things known to be more harsh when used dripping. Some like it some don't but for your competition type cloud chasing its usually 100% vg and no nic. 3mg would be good for daily use.
7) pay really close attention to air flow. How the air interacts with your coils makes a HUGE difference.
8) Make sure you do not over discharge your batteries, which is really easy to do on a mech when you are learning.
9) Know you have people here on ecf who genuinely want to help you even if they sound preachy.

 

[Susan~S]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here!

+1 to all above me who commented on battery safety, ohms law, amp draw, etc.

If you are new to mech mods and rebuildables I highly recommend you spend some time with Baditude (our resident battery expert) and visit his blogs. You are now 100% in control of your own safety (and others around you). Make sure you purchase an ohm reader and a voltmeter or DMM so you can measure your builds, check for shorts and measure the remaining charge on your batteries.

Baditudes Blogs. The blogs regarding mods and rebuildables are listed below:

BATTERIES

9. Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

11. Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries Part 1
* For those who want to learn the differences between IMR, IMR/hybrid, and ICR batteries. What do those numbers and letters on batteries mean? What's an amp rating?

12. Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries Part 2
* Protected vs unprotected batteries - what's the difference? Ohm's Law 101. What is an AW battery? What is an inline fuse? What is stacking batteries?

17. Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

14. Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

16. Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

MECHANICAL MODS & REBUILDABLES

7. Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference 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.

15. Inexpensive Mechanical Mod and RDA Setup
* A response to the frequently asked question on how to get into rebuildable atomizers with a mechanical mod inexpensively. Includes a list of commonly used tools and supplies for rebuilding and where to find them.

BATTERIES - WHERE TO BUY

How to Spot Fake Sony Batteries



Only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

 

[SlickRick]

Thank you very much to every one who replied! All great posts!

So I took my mod & RDA to another vape shop and discovered the main culprits:

1) Menthol is wayyyy too overpowering on a RDA, even the veteran dripper at the shop coughed like hell after vaping off it
2) Nic level was slightly too high (have since lowered it from 6mg to 3mg)
3) The vent holes weren't completely lined up w/the coils

Since making those changes I'm getting a much better vape out of my tobh 2.5 (although still a bit harsh for me, probably going to have it rebuilt to higher resistance soon)

 

[mobraecha]

In my limits experience using rda's I'm fully convinced that harsh hits are directly related to misalignment of the coil with the air holes. If and when you get a rebuild, secure the coil a little distance away from the posts. Try to secure the coil so that it can be positioned as close to the air hole as you can without touching the cap. The extra length of the coil will also allow you to adjust the position and height. It's really important to get those three things working together, height, position and proximity, to create a smooth vape.

For what it's worth, I have wrapped a few sub ohm coils, but I always go back to about 1.3 ohms; it consistently delivers a smooth and tasty vape, with plenty of vapor.

Hope you can get it sorted.