Older Folks and Vaping Front Porch - Part Three

[MikeE3]

I don't "get it"...

Some of our most experienced builders here, having trouble building the Sub tank Mini... both the rba and the OCC... and yet--

Even though I never could get a KFL+ to do right no matter how many times I tried, I've had great success (on the first try too) with building the Mini rba and my first OCC head. Maybe I just got lucky, maybe I was "holding my mouth just right"... I don't know. I just hope I can remember, and duplicate, what I did on these two builds.

When I first got the STM, I used the 1.2Ω OCC head first, and was really happy with it for ~10 days on an iStick 30, after settling on ~14w.

After the coil gunked up enough to change out, I put some KGD in the RBA unit, using the factory coil. The amount of vapor (and throat hit) blew me away!... so I lowered the nic and upped the VG in my juice, and have been happily vaping away ever since at ~10w, and ~30pg/70vg. Good flavor, no leaks, no dry hits.

Then I rebuilt the OCC head using 28g, 7 wraps (I think), spaced, on a 7/64ths drill bit... came out to ~1.7Ω and works fine, no dry hits etc. etc. Next time, I'll do 5 wraps... 'cause now that I have a regulated mod, I'm starting to like lower ohms (and lung hits)... which reminds me -- with the exception of some experimenting, all the above is with the AFC wide open. As soon as funds allow, I'll be buying another Mini... and another iStick 30!

Anybody want a KFL+?

Now you ask - I just got another yesterday - haven't cleaned and built it yet. Likely at least another coming our way. I think I've gotten Janet hooked on the KFL nano's. I notice she's using hers a lot more lately.

We're using 2 mini ST's. One has a rebuilt OCC head and the other has the RBA head. Both work OK - but the OCC head is just too airy for both Janet and me. The RBA head is OK though - seems with going to no more than 1 air hole open on the RBA head I can still get an OK mouth-to-lung vape. Both are still on their 1st build and working fine. I haven't joined 'legs' and 'Wolf' in the trials and tribulations re: wicking, etc. as I've forgotten how I built them.

You folks that use the OCC head are you direct lung vapers or mouth-to-lung? I'll occasionally use the OCC head but only when I fell like changing up my 'style' for a bit and do lung hits with it - it really works well that way - just not my preferred vape style.

Yeah, that's where I am. Started with an ego and was content. Then stumbled across ecf. Reading here piqued my interest and got me to order an SVD. And wire, wicks, DIY juices.

Then, stumbled across a juice that's perfect for me. So while DIY and rebuilding etc. sounds interesting... also a PITA.

The first SVD came with an i30 tank. Got used to it. Pretty much all I use.

But tried the Russian, KF's and no idea how many others. But many. All sitting on the shelf. Not worth the aggravation to me. Got cotton, wire, mag glasses, torches and the whole bit. They've been kinda dusty.

Got mods that run higher watts. Still rarely go over 8w.

So I think what I'm saying is, the magic is in the juice. Find that and you're golden. All the tanks, mods, DIY paraphernalia don't matter. If you wanna have fun, DIY. If you just want to enjoy vaping... don't have to. Just sit back, relax and realize... it may not get better than what you have right now.

Well said! Nice to read how indeed it is possible to find 'your happy space' when it comes to vaping. I've pretty much settled into mech mods w/ tank attys like the Russian and KFL, my 'standard' build is ~1Ω w/ either a 2mm or 2.5mm coil of 28g. I use two juice flavs and rotate between them during the day. If I never get another new 'toy' (oh hush I know I will) I do feel I can be satisfied w/ what I have and what I'm doing.

That would be wonderful Matt. I have tried saving some of the cute giffs but they do all convert to jpgs with no movememt. They loose all the charm.

It may be a Tap-a-Talk 'thing' converting gifs to jpgs. Tap-a-Talk is all about 'trimming' what it displays in the hopes of less bandwidth and performance.

Hello my name is Dave and I'm interested in this thread. It was recommended to me by Hazy so I'm here to introduce myself. -Dave

Welcome to the Front Porch David! Saw you found our back porch too. Glad to have you join the group.

OK. I bought this kick for LittleJane. https://www.fasttech.com/p/1670801 I am usually happy with LaVamitresse at 10w. The kick is (supposedly) 15w. I turned it about 1/4 of the way down. The leg of the x which points to the five oçlock position at 15w is now at the two oçlock position. Is that about 10w? Since I am using LittleJane with a 18350 battery, if I had it turned all the way up to fifteen, I would be using the battery down faster. Even though the 18350 charges so fast, 15w is unnecessary. Ten should be my happy point, and where I have it set is ok, but should I go any lower?

I THINK I made myself understood----

0mg - I've got 2 of the 1st run Smok kicks from way back in time. I believe they max out at 10 watts. I've only used one of them for about 10 minutes - 10 watts doesn't cut it for me.

If you'd like them, PM me a mailing address and they're yours.

 

[3mg Meniere]

0mg - I've got 2 of the 1st run Smok kicks from way back in time. I believe they max out at 10 watts. I've only used one of them for about 10 minutes - 10 watts doesn't cut it for me.

If you'd like them, PM me a mailing address and they're yours.

But---but---- then I would have to get two more mechs to go with them. PM incoming.

 

[umanbean]

Now you ask - I just got another yesterday - haven't cleaned and built it yet. Likely at least another coming our way. I think I've gotten Janet hooked on the KFL nano's. I notice she's using hers a lot more lately.

We're using 2 mini ST's. One has a rebuilt OCC head and the other has the RBA head. Both work OK - but the OCC head is just too airy for both Janet and me. The RBA head is OK though - seems with going to no more than 1 air hole open on the RBA head I can still get an OK mouth-to-lung vape. Both are still on their 1st build and working fine. I haven't joined 'legs' and 'Wolf' in the trials and tribulations re: wicking, etc. as I've forgotten how I built them.

You folks that use the OCC head are you direct lung vapers or mouth-to-lung? I'll occasionally use the OCC head but only when I fell like changing up my 'style' for a bit and do lung hits with it - it really works well that way - just not my preferred vape style.

I'd be hard pressed to say why or how it happened, didn't used to, but I now prefer lung hits all the time.

With this little rig I have now, even with watts in the low teens, I can do a 2-3 second lung hit, blow gobs of vapor, and the flavor is fine for me.

 

[Ken_A]

Good morning Good Folks,

Well, I think I've reached my next plateau. Been mostly using modified Protank 2's on mech mod clones for almost two years now, waiting... patiently waiting.

I skipped the dual-coil Kangers, but after much positive talk stuck my toe in the water when Aspire brought out their BVC coils. I already had 3 different sized Aspire tanks, so I bought a Nautilus, BVC coils and "regular" Aspire BVC coils... didn't much care for them -- so back to PT2's. Then (finally, after all the talk) tried a KFL+ when they came out w/ two air holes, another mistake and unnecessary expenditure of time and money -- so back to PT2's.

And now come the Kanger SubTanks.

Folks, IMO, Kanger has knocked one slam out of the park with these. I don't care for the 25mm "full-size" one, but the other two?...

Soon enough, I'll be investing in a Nano, another Mini, more OCC coil heads; and a spare AFC base, RBA deck, and possibly spare o-rings for the Mini.

This Mini is the most hassle-free, practically effortless, and totally satisfying ADV I've tried to date.

And for the last 3 (or 4?) weeks, I've only used the Mini on the iStick 30, but forgot to plug it in last night. So this morning while it's recharging, I put the Mini/RBA deck/0.6Ω on a mech mod for the first time... and WOW... talk about a smooth, satisfying vape... and not to mention HUGE, dense clouds. The vape experience is just different on a mech -- smoother is the best way I can describe it. I think that's probably because of the straight DC connection, with no buck-boost chip in the way -- digitizing and modifying the signal.... just smooth analog DC. Oh I'll be getting another iStick, I like it that much... but not before I stock up on Subtanks and parts!

[/end gush]

Yep. Except for the dual-coil, I haven't been disappointed with a kanger product.

 

[2legsshrt]

Wolfy I don't know how you are wicking the RBA section. I take a piece off of each side of the KGD and pull it through. It has some tension but not enough that it will make the atty move then fold them up and put the first section on fold the wicks over and cut them about 1/2 to 3/8 don't know for sure just do it by eye and tuck them in with the tips first. I don't pack them it. I don't worry about the holes being clear. Soak the wick fire it for a while soak it again and put it together. No problems. Also I have found the 2.5mm size seems to work the best. It doesn't have a lot of wick in there but I don't have to rewick for at least 4 tank fulls. I use a microcoil usual manner. If I feel better this afternoon I will try to take some pics.

 

[MikeE3]

But---but---- then I would have to get two more mechs to go with them. PM incoming.

See have devious my offer was - I'm weaning you from $1/day vaping to the dark side.

I'd be hard pressed to say why or how it happened, didn't used to, but I now prefer lung hits all the time.

With this little rig I have now, even with watts in the low teens, I can do a 2-3 second lung hit, blow gobs of vapor, and the flavor is fine for me.

Speaking of the dark side - I've got a dripper w/ a sub-Ω setup. I have to run it pretty wide open and do lung hits. I bring that out occasionally and have fun blowing clouds. At those times I can 'see' the fascination the cloud chasers have with doing it.

 

[Wolfenstark]

Wolfy I don't know how you are wicking the RBA section. I take a piece off of each side of the KGD and pull it through. It has some tension but not enough that it will make the atty move then fold them up and put the first section on fold the wicks over and cut them about 1/2 to 3/8 don't know for sure just do it by eye and tuck them in with the tips first. I don't pack them it. I don't worry about the holes being clear. Soak the wick fire it for a while soak it again and put it together. No problems. Also I have found the 2.5mm size seems to work the best. It doesn't have a lot of wick in there but I don't have to rewick for at least 4 tank fulls. I use a microcoil usual manner. If I feel better this afternoon I will try to take some pics.

Tried another one with less cotton in the coil , could pull it through relatively easily.
Again good for a few vapes then the sizzle after letting go of the button then wispy tasteless air coming out.
Tried probably 12 different wicking and all the same , good for a few vapes then sizzles after letting go of button and wispy tasteless air.
No dry hits and when take apart all the wick is soaked.

ETA - I have read a couple of other people on the internet having this issue but no replies that offered any solutions.

 

[Ken_A]

Let us know if you DO find the culprit. Be good for future reference.

 

[Wolfenstark]

Just did 2legs way , good for a bit then dropped off , waited and went ok.
See how it goes.
Could be these small juice holes just take time to re soak the wick , although still not getting the wispy air coming out yet not harsh and wick fully wet.

 

[2legsshrt]

Tried another one with less cotton in the coil , could pull it through relatively easily.
Again good for a few vapes then the sizzle after letting go of the button then wispy tasteless air coming out.
Tried probably 12 different wicking and all the same , good for a few vapes then sizzles after letting go of button and wispy tasteless air.
No dry hits and when take apart all the wick is soaked.

ETA - I have read a couple of other people on the internet having this issue but no replies that offered any solutions.

What are you using it on modwise. What ohm coil

 

[2legsshrt]

If you take it apart and remove the wick and dry burn the coil what happens.

 

[MikeE3]

Tried another one with less cotton in the coil , could pull it through relatively easily.
Again good for a few vapes then the sizzle after letting go of the button then wispy tasteless air coming out.
Tried probably 12 different wicking and all the same , good for a few vapes then sizzles after letting go of button and wispy tasteless air.
No dry hits and when take apart all the wick is soaked.

ETA - I have read a couple of other people on the internet having this issue but no replies that offered any solutions.

Still not making sense. I'm sure you're frustrated. What Ωs is the coil and what watts/voltage are you vaping?

(note: I did hear that a new version of the RBA head is coming about - but it may just be a rumor.)

 

[2legsshrt]

It doesn't make sense to me. If the wick is wet and the coil is getting hot and staying hot you should have vapor. I don't understand it. You are not using a nickel coil are you? LOL

 

[2legsshrt]

I have 4 of them going right now 3 with 1.5's 1 with a 1ohm plus my rebuilt head that is still working great. 2 on Provaris 1 on DNA40 1 on my SXmini and 1 on my P3 no problems at all.

 

[2legsshrt]

Still not making sense. I'm sure you're frustrated. What Ωs is the coil and what watts/voltage are you vaping?

(note: I did hear that a new version of the RBA head is coming about - but it may just be a rumor.)

Man I hope not mine work great. Hoopefully I won't need another for a long time.

 

[2legsshrt]

I see you are going to be able to get themini RBA base replacement for 6.99 the end of March.

 

[Wolfenstark]

What are you using it on modwise. What ohm coil

Sigelei 100w its 0.9Ω this one is going better than the others.
17-23watts. 25 watts it gets harsh which is a good thing for this, I get harsh , better than air vapor and still wet wick that i don't get.

 

[Wolfenstark]

If you take it apart and remove the wick and dry burn the coil what happens.

Coil glows good.

 

[2legsshrt]

Do you run it with the air wide open.

 

[Wolfenstark]

It doesn't make sense to me. If the wick is wet and the coil is getting hot and staying hot you should have vapor. I don't understand it. You are not using a nickel coil are you? LOL

Previous ones after I get the tasteless air coming out Ive taken the tank off and just had the base took chamber off and fired it and vapor comes out.