Nickel Dripper Build on DNA 40 with TP still fouling coils...

[Cloudhound]

I was wondering if anyone can help me with this problem I'm having.

I have a Vaporshark rDNA 40 and I'm using an RTA and multiple RDA's with nickel builds. I'm using it with temperature control on at 410 degrees between 15-25 watts (depending on the build). Im using 28 and 30 gauge ni200 on a 3mm ID mandrel with organic cotton wick. The coils are spaced coils, evenly spaced.

Now, the cotton doesn't seem to be scorching but the coil starts to build up gunk on it and the flavor starts to change. The gunk starts to discolor the cotton also. I used to have this problem with kanthal, as everyone has. But I was under the impression that the dna 40 with TP would not be doing that. The fouling seems to be isolated to one portion of the coil, and that portion of the coil also seems to create some "spitting" and "popping." Are other's having this problem or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for the help!

 

[drunkenbatman]

Now, the cotton doesn't seem to be scorching but the coil starts to build up gunk on it and the flavor starts to change. The gunk starts to discolor the cotton also. I used to have this problem with kanthal, as everyone has. But I was under the impression that the DNA 40 with TP would not be doing that. The fouling seems to be isolated to one portion of the coil, and that portion of the coil also seems to create some "spitting" and "popping." Are other's having this problem or am I doing something wrong?

Hey mate, a few notes:

1. What you're describing is a hot spot, and is often caused by there being a gap beteween the wick and the wire. Could be not enough tension so the coil changes shape slightly, or the gap as mentioned above... If you play with it using a tool of choice (usually nudging it towards the wicking) it might go away. Otherwise you might need more cotton there, as it's not getting enough eliquid.

2. Is it the case that temp-control is supposed to stop kanthal and cotton from getting gunked up? I can't work out how mentally that'd be so. It can hopefully stop the cotton from getting singed, but eliquids have flavorings and they don't all get vaped away, and there's simple dirt/particulates in the air that get pulled through the system.

 

[Cloudhound]

I'm not an expert about the TP stuff but it seems to be that there is a point at which you're mod is still performing to your liking (obviously subjective), but it's not hot enough to start creating havoc i.e. gunked up coils and burned cotton. I don't know that this is so, but I've read a few posts where the dude has posted photos of his single/dual coil setups with cotton and nickel, and it reads something like "had this same setup in here for 6 weeks, and I just keep dripping on it!" And the photo shows perfectly clean coils and cotton. No discoloration whatsoever. So I think, "I WANT DRIPPING NIRVANA TOO," but I guess I haven't lead a clean enough life yet, lol!

Thank you so much for the help, I'll work with it some and see if I can fine tune it.

 

[Woofer]

I'm not an expert about the TP stuff but it seems to be that there is a point at which you're mod is still performing to your liking (obviously subjective), but it's not hot enough to start creating havoc i.e. gunked up coils and burned cotton. I don't know that this is so, but I've read a few posts where the dude has posted photos of his single/dual coil setups with cotton and nickel, and it reads something like "had this same setup in here for 6 weeks, and I just keep dripping on it!" And the photo shows perfectly clean coils and cotton. No discoloration whatsoever. So I think, "I WANT DRIPPING NIRVANA TOO," but I guess I haven't lead a clean enough life yet, lol!

Thank you so much for the help, I'll work with it some and see if I can fine tune it.

It has a lot to do with the juice you are evaporating. I have juice that will foul a coil in 4 mls and juice that leave the coil clean after 80+ mls

 

[Cloudhound]

Is there a common denominator between the juices that fowl and the juices that don't? I'm using a 50/50 blend from Mt. Baker Vapors. I'll be going with a higher VG juice for my drippers soon, and I may start buying from a local vape shop I found that I like.

So far, these hot spots are on every build, on multiple RDA's. I mean, it's not a big deal (having come up with kanthal and silica) but I was just wondering if other nickel builders were having similar issues. Thanks again for your help!

 

[drunkenbatman]

I'm not an expert about the TP stuff but it seems to be that there is a point at which you're mod is still performing to your liking (obviously subjective), but it's not hot enough to start creating havoc i.e. gunked up coils and burned cotton. I don't know that this is so, but I've read a few posts where the dude has posted photos of his single/dual coil setups with cotton and nickel, and it reads something like "had this same setup in here for 6 weeks, and I just keep dripping on it!" And the photo shows perfectly clean coils and cotton. No discoloration whatsoever. So I think, "I WANT DRIPPING NIRVANA TOO," but I guess I haven't lead a clean enough life yet, lol!

It's possible I'm missing something, it happens, but in this case I think either the guy or you misinterpreted things. Ideally, temp-control basically tracks the resistance of the coil, and since it changes in response to getting hot, lowers the voltage output when it senses it spiking so your cotton doesn't go poof. e.g., whereas normally when your cotton started to run dry it'd start to singe or go poof, the voltage is lowered to where you aren't getting much of a hit so re-drip.

Basically, gunking of the coil and cotton all comes down to flavorings. While vaporizing them at just the right temp might help more get vaped instead of cooked onto the coil, there are limits. You can put 300ml of menthol through a coil with no problems, but maybe 6ml of a rich chocolate/coffee might take it down.

Is there a common denominator between the juices that fowl and the juices that don't? I'm using a 50/50 blend from Mt. Baker Vapors. I'll be going with a higher VG juice for my drippers soon, and I may start buying from a local vape shop I found that I like.

It goes across the spectrum, but generally the darker it is and the sweeter it is the more it'll gunk. But you might have a light guava flavor that'll do it too, simply because of how it vapes. Anything organic is by far the worst, but you won't get that from mtbaker.

 

[Cloudhound]

Okay, thank you guys. I know a little better now what to expect.

 

[KurrptSenate]

I twist my ni200 wire then torch it so it's easier to work with

perhaps that might work for you

 

[DawgU]

It's mostly the juice. The coffee and custard one's tend to gunk up my coils much more quickly than the fruit flavors.

 

[shawnthor]

Tempered nickel wire.

 

[kyndig]

Hey mate, a few notes:

1. What you're describing is a hot spot, and is often caused by there being a gap beteween the wick and the wire. Could be not enough tension so the coil changes shape slightly, or the gap as mentioned above... If you play with it using a tool of choice (usually nudging it towards the wicking) it might go away. Otherwise you might need more cotton there, as it's not getting enough eliquid.

i think this is exactly my problem lol. been trying to find out why my wick (using koh gen do) keep having this burnt (black) parts. i been using thinner size of cotton for nickel build cuz i find if i use same size i use on khantal it's hard to get it through without deforming the coil. i guess i'll try using more cotton on my coil and see if it'll help. thx alot