Protank MicroCoil Discussion!!

[MacTechVpr]

Yes, I definitely need to build a stable Microcoil that will be the same every time, and give me the same amazing results.. I just haven't been having any luck lately, maybe it's stress, not sure lol. But I'm going to try to give myself some time tonight to do a very good re-build, and I'll make sure the coil is set LOW this time.
..... The resistance-difference thing isn't a big issue for me, as long as it vapes good, (which it hasn't been lately!!).. But I'm usually shooting for the 1.8-2.1Ω range.

I usually vape around 6.5watts, but lately I've been going up further just to try it out - 10-11watts worked very nicely with my slightly wider coil (1.7ish mm, the last coil I built)! But my most recent 1.58mm, 2.0Ω 10 wrap that I'm vaping right now, is only giving me mediocre performance at best @ any wattage. Back to the drawing boards I guess..

I need a good vape for thanksgiving tomorrow!!

M don't feel bad. The same thing happened to me with cotton on the Protank. And probably for the same reason I observed to you. I'd tend to set a bit too high and miss it. But then getting the density right was problematical for me but I liked it. Started with cotton on the drippers. Got the roll just right immediately. Started experimenting, everything went South. Now I use cotton as a treat and when I'm feeling it it just happens for me. So my instinct is to go Nextel on the Protanks and Ekowool on the drippers. Unless I'm building really tight. It calls to me. Like i read someone else say here on ECF I think. Don't push the work. Let it drive you. And it does happen when it's just right. To get a little Zen on ya.

Good luck and best wishes to you and all this Holiday.

 

[M_DuBb716]

Yeah I'm sure I'll get it stable pretty soon. I'm sure using cotton doesn't help because it is hard to keep an even density sometimes, especially for the Protank/microcoil.. I think another issue I'm having might be with air pressure - since I chipped my the top glass of my PT2 a few weeks ago (and no local vapor stores have the replacement-glass, weirdly), I think the chip may have gotten bigger or spread within the past few days, which might be messing with air pressure, causing the leaking/gurgling/weak-vape..
.. I need to rinse out my regular old Protank (V1) and start messing with that banged up tank again, lol.

Thanks for the compliments and the great advice Mac, lots of valuable information in this thread
And I'd really like to get some Nextel and/or Ekowool soon, to try out. Never tried anything other than cotton & silica!

 

[M_DuBb716]

.....Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

 

[M_DuBb716]

Hope you all had a great thanksgiving, like I did

Still working on getting that perfect vape though.. Last night I built another microcoil, this time for my Protank V1. Did 9 wraps of 30ga, 1.8ohms.. Had to re-wick it a few times until I even got a decent vape though.. I'm still trying to build a better micro though, I need something that will give me a huge thick, flavorful hit of vapor very quickly.
.... I think 1 of my problems is that the Kanthal I bought recently, has kinks throughout it every inch or so, which makes it hard to get tight even wraps

And I'm still trying to figure out which amount/density of cotton works the best, for the 1/16inch Micro?? I usually tend to slide just enough cotton through the coil so there's the tinniest amount of tension when pulling it through, and than a smaller piece of cotton on top of the coil as a flavor wick.. If the flavor wick (or main wick) is too small, it leaks/gurgles and the wick can fall to the side or get sucked into the top shaft, if it's too big it chokes off the coil and I get cotton taste.
..................... So what amount of cotton works best for you guys, on the MC??

 

[M_DuBb716]

I think another problem may be the juice I've been vaping lately, I've been having problems with this juice since I bought last bought it (a few 50mL bottles of flavors that I usually mix together).. The juice seems to be lacking in flavor no matter what. And I noticed some different juice that I bought from a new vape store gives me a lot more (and thicker) vapor, and strong flavor that doesn't go away as I keep vaping it.

I think my favorite local vape store has been falling off - lots of new employees that don't know how to make my juice right, or any info that they should know.

 

[MacTechVpr]

Hope you all had a great thanksgiving, like I did And I'm still trying to figure out which amount/density of cotton works the best, for the 1/16inch Micro?? I usually tend to slide just enough cotton through the coil so there's the tinniest amount of tension when pulling it through, and than a smaller piece of cotton on top of the coil as a flavor wick.. If the flavor wick (or main wick) is too small, it leaks/gurgles and the wick can fall to the side or get sucked into the top shaft, if it's too big it chokes off the coil and I get cotton taste.
..................... So what amount of cotton works best for you guys, on the MC??

M on RDA's like various nimbus clones and the Immo I've used thick to thin and gotten great vapes. Only problem I encountered was with too much tail, or fill, impeding the airflow in the cap. Very easy. With the KPT I tended to go to thicker because I was perpetually fighting recurring flooding. And that may very well have been my problem with draw and flavor. I was trying cotton too early. Before I had gotten down doing a good tight coil build. I plan to go back and retry this. But in the meantime I'm heading in the opposite direction on the drippers M. I've been working for going on two weeks on one Immo with 3mm Ekowool on 2.5mmx5x.1 ribbon I swapped out for the excellent cotton bunny tails I had working in it. Let me tell you, the thing has matured into a ripe beast of flavor and vapor in that time. I did the same with XC-116 on another Immo into a 2.5mmx.5x.1 ribbon and almost gave up. Now going into the end of the week it too us maturing as a wick and producing almost as well as the Ekowool. So I'm not too sure. I like them all! But it sure beats swapping out wicks every couple o' three days.

My gut tells me to do the contrarian. If what we think should be workin' is not, turn around. Maybe a slightly thinner, thicker wick. Just watch the slot's full. Just sayin'.

Good luck!

 

[M_DuBb716]

I need to get an RDA/RBA!! I definitely have enough experience now..

By the way, this will be my next build >> http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/477072-bsds-vertical-hollow-core-micro-coil-build-aro-evod-protank-heads.html
... ^^ Vertical Microcoil in the Protank!! Finally got a chance to read into this thread last night! I had no idea the microcoil was hollow, and you pack the cotton around the coil - the end result is kind of like a carto-tank (which I've also never had the pleasure to vape!)

I am very excited to try this beast out!!

 

[MacTechVpr]

I need to get an RDA/RBA!! I definitely have enough experience now..

By the way, this will be my next build >> http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/477072-bsds-vertical-hollow-core-micro-coil-build-aro-evod-protank-heads.html
... ^^ Vertical Microcoil in the Protank!! Finally got a chance to read into this thread last night! I had no idea the microcoil was hollow, and you pack the cotton around the coil - the end result is kind of like a carto-tank (which I've also never had the pleasure to vape!)

I am very excited to try this beast out!!

I would never be one to dissuade you from the fun. You're up to the task if you want to be.

I'm now in the process of tightening up builds on three Immo's with fourth OTW in a few days. Since you like cotton you would like it. Here's a pic of a figure-eight wick I wound with Nextel and ribbon for one of them.



Still a bit of complexity but a lot less details to keep straight than a Protank. And cotton just work on this device, whether a straight wire build or with ribbon 2-2.5 mm thereabouts with robust bunny ears (then they don't collapse to the deck). I'm just the same going to document tight builds on these RDA's for my own reference and safety. Just not with the same urgency. I've also got an assortment of other hardware to get online so I've got my hands full. Documenting resistance values for the Kangers has helped though because I have a fairly good idea what those winds will come in at within a tenth of an ohm (as I shorten the legs). With ribbon that's another matter. And I'm working with two gauges so far.

I'm going to continue on this thread hopefully posting more verified minimum resistance installations. As well expand the gauges and diameters I run trials on. I hope others will join in. At some point I'll start summarizing and posting reports. At least that's my idea. The thread has a good title. One that beginners are likely to find or stumble across. So there's hope for them. LOL I hope more experienced builders will pop in to note the nuances particular to the KPT series and help to provide solutions as they arise.

We'll see ya here!

Good luck!

 

[vdaedalus]

..................... So what amount of cotton works best for you guys, on the MC??

Ditch the flavour wicks, thank me later. All you're doing is smothering your coil. I was taught this over the past weekend and since then have been using five different coils on five different tanks, not a leak or gurgle among them, no burning (running between 9-11W on my 1.3-1.4ohm coils) and wonderful, wonderful flavour.

As for the amount, you want it to fill the coil without feeling any resistance when you're threading it through, without having to squish the cotton too much. Snip the ends and fluff them a little, wet the wick with the juice you'll be using (a drop directly on the coil, a drop at each end seems to work for me), pop on the stem and the silicone cap and you should be good to go.

 

[Jellyfish]

Ditch the flavour wicks, thank me later.

V, I could not agree with that more. Those darned flavor wicks were the most problematic things that I encountered and I found that I don't need them in my vaping range of 8 +/- watts.

As far as the amount of cotton to use for the wick, I think that is something that you get a feel for as you build and see your results...and I think everybody has their favored technique to accomplish the same end result. A video that I found quite helpful for building my cotton wicks is:

ProTank Microcoil/Cotton Wick Build

and using this method I've been fairly successful. My microcoil builds differ slightly using the suggestions in this thread, but I found the wick forming portion (around the 15 minute mark) very helpful.

Good luck!

 

[M_DuBb716]

So are you guys wrapping a 1/16inch (1.58mm) coil, with no flavor wicks? or larger diameter?
... I'm just worried about leaking and such, thanks for the tip though. And Mac I look forward to more of your results!!

I think I'll hold off on the vertical hollow MC for now, but the way that it's built really intrigues me! I can't wait to try that one out.. But for now I'll stick with my regular horizantal microcoil tonight, I'll try re-wicking it without a flavor wick this time

 

[arilen]

I haven't bought a new coil in months, I wrap mine on a 1/16 drill bit with 30g mostly some times 28, 8-10 wraps depending on which gauge I use, I aim for 1.8 ohms, I Use cotton balls for my wick and I use no flavor wicks or top rubber grommet and have no leaking issues unless it really hot outside then I get a gurgle now and then

 

[MacTechVpr]

I haven't bought a new coil in months, I wrap mine on a 1/16 drill bit with 30g mostly some times 28, 8-10 wraps depending on which gauge I use, I aim for 1.8 ohms, I Use cotton balls for my wick and I use no flavor wicks or top rubber grommet and have no leaking issues unless it really hot outside then I get a gurgle now and then

30AWG, 8/7 1.58mm i.d. microcoil = 1.81√

 

[arilen]

I have also been playing around with peaches and cream yarn.

I have a hard time threading it thru a 1/16 micro as it comes off the roll but if a take out 1 strand from the yarn its all good.

but I cant decide which I like better cotton ball or yarn, it is easier to get a consistent amount with the yarn but I think the flavor is better with cotton balls if I get the wick density just right, which happens about every 2 or 3 rewicks.

I have thought about trying cotton candle wicks, went as far a buying some from hobby lobby but got the wrong size and the were to big to fit my normal micro coil.

has anyone tried then and is it worth me going back to pick some up.

 

[M_DuBb716]

Hmmm.. I just rewicked mine 1/16in 1.8ohm microcoil (after rinsing and dry-firing it twice), this time without a flavor wick. I turn the silicone cup on the shaft, upside-down. It leaked after letting it sit for 5 minutes, but I gave it a few dry primer-puffs and I'll let it sit for another 15 or so before I try to vape it. That is, if it's not leaking.

I just got sooo hooked up today at my local vape store, getting a e-cig kit for my fathers birthday and juice for myself. juice was 30% off and they gave us like 4 free big bottles of juice after playing a couple "games".. About to try this new juice out now - I was thinking of not going to this store anymore, but all the free stuff has changed my mind lol

 

[M_DuBb716]

Still leaking through the bottom 510 connection, while just sitting on my table. Haven't even screwed it onto my battery yet.. Do you guys use like a thicker, higher-VG juice (with no flavor-wicks)?? This juice is suppose to be 50/50 but it also seemed slightly thinner than other juices I've tried, could just be me though. Either way, the cotton is still leaking when I tried it with no flavor wick..

Btw it's 9 wraps (I believe) of 30 ga, 1.8-1.9ohm coil, and I put a nice thick piece of cotton through the 1/16in microcoil.. I may have to make do for now with a flavor-wick, if it doesn't stop leaking without one

 

[arilen]

One other problem I am having that is more then likely cause by my juice ( cinnageek which is a sweet cinnamon juice from Vapegeek.com )

I must change my wick and dry burn at least every other day or vapor and throat hit go to crap, the coil will be all gunked up and take a few to light up when I dry burn it.

could I be vaping the juice to high, 11 watts on a mvp and causing it be caramelized?

it never tastes burnt unless I have my wick to tight and its not wicking well.

I have had a coil in for nearly a week before wrapping a new one but it was still good just wanted to try something different.

How long does a micro with 30 gauge last y'all.

 

[arilen]

Still leaking through the bottom 510 connection, while just sitting on my table. Haven't even screwed it onto my battery yet.. Do you guys use like a thicker, higher-VG juice (with no flavor-wicks)?? This juice is suppose to be 50/50 but it also seemed slightly thinner than other juices I've tried, could just be me though. Either way, the cotton is still leaking when I tried it with no flavor wick..

Btw it's 9 wraps (I believe) of 30 ga, 1.8-1.9ohm coil, and I put a nice thick piece of cotton through the 1/16in microcoil.. I may have to make do for now with a flavor-wick, if it doesn't stop leaking without one

I use 50/50

If you are using cotton try just a little thicker wick, not much just a little, I used to little cotton in the beginning because of the less is more rule, but to little will cause it to leak like crazy

Edit: Sorry just reread your post and see that you said a nice thick wick not sure why it leaking then, I've never had a problem with a thick wick.

 

[M_DuBb716]

I definitely used enough cotton to slide througn the coil, there was the slightest bit of tension pulling it through. I have a good idea of how much would be too little for the 1/16in coil. Thanks for the suggestion though

But in the mean time, I took the coil back off and the shaft off, and took 2 very tiny pieces of cotton and stuck those on top of both ends of the wicks where they come out of the coil - these pieces don't go over the top of the coil though. Hopefully this fixes the leak for now

 

[M_DuBb716]

And yeah arilen - the coil itself last a few weeks or more, but I do have to rinse, dry-burn, and re-wick it with cotton every day or 2. Or every 2 tanks or so, but this doesn't take too long to do. Another reason I want to try the Vertical (Hollow) Microcoil in the Protank, is because it's suppose to last a lot longer without maintenance needed