Phoenix Atomizer help!

[Yourdog]

I am having a lot of trouble on this item, and of course I would like to try to get it right.. First off I ordered the tbc-2 from a co-op.. its very similar to the phoenix from what I have heard/seen.. So anyway, here goes.

As soon as I received this item, it came pre-coiled, wicked.. well I dripped some fluid in it, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and tried to vape on it, well I was getting this really nasty burnt taste right off the bat.. So I changed my wick and coil with some that I already had, I have the 3mm silica wick from COV, and I have Kanthal 32g, Nichrome 32g, and Nichrome 36g.. I have tried all 3 types of coil and they each give me a bad taste (IDK if it is the coil or not).. I have also tried making a SS mesh, and I had some other silica 1mm, and mc masters silica rope, tried them all.. I have also tried using 100% cotton gauze, with the gauze the taste did improve a bit, but there is a different kind of taste in it, and I can't figure out what it is.. I triple checked each coil for hot spots, and each one of them were burning evenly.. SO I need some suggestions, what is going on with all of these things? I have a lot of patience (although slowly starting to run out) and I have a lot of time to figure this out.. I love to tinker with things, but for some reason this is giving me a headache and it could be that nasty taste I am getting..

I ordered some 100% cotton unprimed candle wick, and I am currently waiting on it to make it to me, so I am hoping this will make it so much better.. I just want to taste my favorite juices and I can't because they are masked by this nasty taste that I am getting, I wish I could explain it to you all, maybe that would help figure this out a lot more..

Also I want to say I also burn my coils before installing them with a bic lighter.. Do I need to boil my silica rope? Anyone else have these problems? I also have a few questions about the tbc-1 (aka bulli atomizer) if someone is around to help Please help anyone I am desparate, and slowly running out of materials.. Thanks!

 

[mokaction]

You need to clean it and dry burn. There is still some manifacturing products and oil on there that needs to be burned off. I washed the whole Atty in hot water and dryer then dry burn the coil.

 

[Yourdog]

Clean what? The silica wick? Or the atty bare, by itself no wick and coil? And thanks for responding

 

[Yourdog]

I will do that when i get home.. does anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[LucentShadow]

First thing I'd suspect is the atty having some nastiness in it. Did you try cleaning it out very thoroughly? Are the plastic posts getting singed from the coil being too close to them?

Cotton wicks will have a silght 'wet cotton' taste. No need to be alarmed by that, and it does seem to minimize with use.

Some people dislike the taste of NiChrome, and use Kanthal instead. Some people may have the opposite problem.

Dry burning any wick that can handle it, like silica, is always a good way to burn off any impurities.

Make sure that you aren't depositing much oil from your skin, or those onions that you may have cut an hour before, and can still smell on your fingers if you really try, onto the wick and coil as you make them. I seem to do well washing my hands with dish soap beforehand.

It's best to make one change at a time when troubleshooting, but we often want to make more than one out of impatience.

I assume that you are trying them at a fairly standard wattage (6-8.) Sounds like you're looking for hot wire sections.

That's all I can think of. Good luck.

 

[Yourdog]

First thing I'd suspect is the atty having some nastiness in it. Did you try cleaning it out very thoroughly? Are the plastic posts getting singed from the coil being too close to them?

Cotton wicks will have a silght 'wet cotton' taste. No need to be alarmed by that, and it does seem to minimize with use.

Some people dislike the taste of NiChrome, and use Kanthal instead. Some people may have the opposite problem.

Dry burning any wick that can handle it, like silica, is always a good way to burn off any impurities.

Make sure that you aren't depositing much oil from your skin, or those onions that you may have cut an hour before, and can still smell on your fingers if you really try, onto the wick and coil as you make them. I seem to do well washing my hands with dish soap beforehand.

It's best to make one change at a time when troubleshooting, but we often want to make more than one out of impatience.

I assume that you are trying them at a fairly standard wattage (6-8.) Sounds like you're looking for hot wire sections.

That's all I can think of. Good luck.

Do you think I should boil the silica? I have used both kanthal and nichrome, I don't know if it is the problem, but am getting a semi-metallic taste, which destroys the flavor of the juice.. I cleaned it out and the same problem, I also trimmed the plastic on the posts to ensure this would not happen.. What would happen if I boil the kanthal/nichrome? Would it be the same or maybe more effective than burning with a cigarette lighter?

 

[LucentShadow]

I would think that dry burning would take care of anything on the silica or wire. I don't think that boiling either would hurt, though.

If it's the wire, then I'd suspect that you'd have noticed it on factory units as well, unless there is something odd about the particular wire that you have.

Some people do notice the metallic wire taste, until the coil forms a bit of 'seasoning' in the form of burnt-on liquid. Personally, I've never had a problem with NiCr that's 80% nickel, 20% chrome.

 

[Yourdog]

I would think that dry burning would take care of anything on the silica or wire. I don't think that boiling either would hurt, though.

If it's the wire, then I'd suspect that you'd have noticed it on factory units as well, unless there is something odd about the particular wire that you have.

Some people do notice the metallic wire taste, until the coil forms a bit of 'seasoning' in the form of burnt-on liquid. Personally, I've never had a problem with NiCr that's 80% nickel, 20% chrome.

Ok, well what would you think about this website: http://jacobs-online.biz/nichrome_wire.htm I ordered 32g and 36g, I have seen it posted somewhere on the forum before, thats where I got my nichrome from, and I got the kanthal from someone on ebay.. Kanthal does taste a little bit better, but it is still noticable for me..

How long approx. would I have to go until the coil gets that 'seasoning' you speak of? I can't stand that taste but I want to be able to enjoy rebuildables like everyone else!!

 

[rusalka]

That is where I got my nichrome from.

 

[SilentEcho13]

I've noticed that even with a perfectly built SS wick and kanthal coil, I'll get a burnt taste if the top cap is screwed on all the way. Another member here suggested putting a drip tip o-ring on the base of the post housing to "raise up" the top cover a bit. That way, the air hole lines up with the coil better.

 

[LucentShadow]

Ok, well what would you think about this website: Nichrome Wire I ordered 32g and 36g, I have seen it posted somewhere on the forum before, thats where I got my nichrome from, and I got the kanthal from someone on ebay.. Kanthal does taste a little bit better, but it is still noticable for me..

How long approx. would I have to go until the coil gets that 'seasoning' you speak of? I can't stand that taste but I want to be able to enjoy rebuildables like everyone else!!

I got my NiChrome here:

PnJ Resources, LLC : Nichrome 80

Looks like the stuff you got is 60% nickel, 24% iron, 16% chromium. Mine is 80% nickel and 20% chromium. Since most grades of Kanthal are largely comprised of iron, and you prefer that to your nichrome, I'm not sure I'd suggest the 80/20 kind. I don't like the iron-based wires, so I like the stuff from PnJ.

As for seasoning the coil, it shouldn't take very long. Maybe vaping 1 ml or so, depending upon the liquid.

I've noticed that even with a perfectly built SS wick and kanthal coil, I'll get a burnt taste if the top cap is screwed on all the way. Another member here suggested putting a drip tip o-ring on the base of the post housing to "raise up" the top cover a bit. That way, the air hole lines up with the coil better.

This is a good point. You may very well benefit from moving the air hole. If the coil is not in the air path, it will get hotter than it should, and the vapor will suffer in volume and taste.

 

[Yourdog]

Well I went ahead and boiled both my silica and my kanthal for about 30 minutes, the taste improved a little bit.. There is still a slight burnt taste but if I load a lot of juice in the cup then that taste is gone.. I don't think I need that much but why is this still happening? I never had any problems with fresh atomizers, I always just added juice and went with it, never any burnt taste There is a picture of my setup, measures 2.1 ohm 5/4 wrap 32g kanthal when I dry burned it was all even.. sorry forgot to take a pic of that

And I currently have the o-ring in place, been there since it was first introduced I been researching lol

 

[KTaylor]

When I make my wick/coil set up I preburn my kanthal that I'm going to use with a lighter a couple times. Then I wrap the wick. Once I have it intalled in the atty I drip a couple drops on the wick and do a wet burn (4-5 seconds each) while I lightly blow on the coil/wick. I do this 4 or 5 times. When you put the top cap on make sure to line the vent hole up so that it blows on the coil and not on a post. Hope this helps as I've never had any issues. Good little RBA's for the money!

 

[Yourdog]

I have been burning the coil with a cig lighter, I have been going over it about 5 times, to burn off anything that may be on there, well this time, when I boiled it all, I took the wire out and placed it over my burner on my stove for about 5 mins, made it all glow red hot, then dipped it in the water.. to ensure it would all be gone, but no luck

 

[LucentShadow]

Well I went ahead and boiled both my silica and my kanthal for about 30 minutes, the taste improved a little bit.. There is still a slight burnt taste but if I load a lot of juice in the cup then that taste is gone.. I don't think I need that much but why is this still happening? I never had any problems with fresh atomizers, I always just added juice and went with it, never any burnt tasteView attachment 125834 There is a picture of my setup, measures 2.1 ohm 5/4 wrap 32g kanthal when I dry burned it was all even.. sorry forgot to take a pic of that

And I currently have the o-ring in place, been there since it was first introduced I been researching lol

Ha. You posted 3 minutes after my last post, in case you missed it.

Looking at the pic that you provided, I'm curious about the very dark spot on the wick next to the binding post on the right. Kind of looks like a hot spot. I'd imagine that could be a low airflow spot.

With that configuration, I'd think that the air hole would probably be best located near the pad of your thumb in that picture.

Personally, I'd try to keep the coil on one side of both posts, and to bend it up a little higher in the atty, then make sure the air hole ends up on that side.

 

[Yourdog]

Ha. You posted 3 minutes after my last post, in case you missed it.

Looking at the pic that you provided, I'm curious about the very dark spot on the wick next to the binding post on the right. Kind of looks like a hot spot. I'd imagine that could be a low airflow spot.

With that configuration, I'd think that the air hole would probably be best located near the pad of your thumb in that picture.

Personally, I'd try to keep the coil on one side of both posts, and to bend it up a little higher in the atty, then make sure the air hole ends up on that side.

Alright, well I will be trying that.. So don't make the coil go in between the posts like the manufacturer had it? Just making sure, I want to get this right so bad..

 

[LucentShadow]

Well, they seem to recommend doing it the way you have it, but I prefer to do it like shown from one side in this pic:

http://www.liberty-flights.co.uk/help/phoenix/howto.jpg

That way, the whole coil can be lifted up a bit just by pushing it, so it's more likely in the airflow. Being near to one side can make for better airflow, too, as long as you can make sure the hole stays there on that side.

 

[Yourdog]

Well, they seem to recommend doing it the way you have it, but I prefer to do it like shown from one side in this pic:

http://www.liberty-flights.co.uk/help/phoenix/howto.jpg

That way, the whole coil can be lifted up a bit just by pushing it, so it's more likely in the airflow. Being near to one side can make for better airflow, too, as long as you can make sure the hole stays there on that side.

Alright, that sounds good.. I would really like to get away from silica wick, I want to get a liking to ss mesh or cotton/bamboo.. but if I can't get this ss mesh to work right, then I will try the cotton and bamboo when it comes in



Does it looks good? I did the cig paper trick, put the cig paper on mesh before wrapping coils, then dry burn to build a carbon layer for 'short' protection.. It all glowed perfectly, and am waiting for the taste of metal to go away, but this time it is a lot different, doesn't taste like silica, I am actually getting some flavor through, so maybe I can deal with this for a mil or so.. HOPEFULLY What if I blew air through the intake hold while holding the button down to quickly burn through that ml or so?

 

[LucentShadow]

I use #10 bamboo crochet thread, and it works much the same as cotton. That stuff is great in tanks, but you have to be careful to keep it wet on a dripper, or it'll char before you know it.

I've never really wanted to try the stainless steel mesh as a wick. Too much work for me, and I suspect that I wouldn't be fond of the taste. I have observed many setups with it, and that pic looks fine to me, as long as the mesh is not touching the positive terminal where it's leaning at the top. That would worry me a bit. If the oxidation fails/comes off, it's a short to the body (negative,) where the bottom of the wick is. I'm a bit paranoid of conductive wicks, though.

As long as the resistance check OK at the connector, it looks like a good setup, though.

 

[socalfisher]

Why does this wick look different? I got this from MOV?I know that its silica. Im I supposed to unbraid this or am I supposed to use it as is? Is there a certain way?