[Question] How to use Subox Mini *properly*

[Young Lee]

Hi all,

I've had subox mini for about 2 month now and I am questioning myself if I am using this properly.
Just to explain my vaping history, Halo Triton(1.8-2.2)+ Subzero for about a year and because i was getting so much leaks on triton up and down, I decided to experience those "massive clouding mods" + "DIY juice".

Honestly, I think I am failing on both because my juice in subox mini was just toxic... I tried for few days and ended up sucking on my old leaking Triton. Subox was giving me a nasty cough with huge hot particles. I could feel a tremendous difference to Triton's vapors. Also, i couldn't taste any flavors on the subox. My juice were 10% menthol 70VG+30PG with 5mg nic(not steeped). Wattage was set to 28W because if I pull it any higher, I was sure I will burn my lips from the heat coming up. Although my juice was working well on Triton, i needed to check using a premade juice so I got few bottles of Subzero again from Halo and tried it.

Little better but same results. Since Subzero is much more fluid-y in viscosity vapor was finer but continually not breathable. 3 puffs and I would be coughing for 5 min. So I changed my coil but same stuff. Anyhow, i didn't want to give up so I kept mixing new ratio liquids and watltage / airhole and I actually came something usable. I don't know if I found the perfect setting for juice/subox or my lungs got used to these vapor.

Anyhow in short, my experience with sub-ohm wasn't what I expected. Massive clouds, finer taste, more flavor, flexible battery control was what i expected but other than flexible battery control, I lost cloud, taste, flavor to my old triton. And to the worst, it is leaking through the airholes now... so I gained nothing but experience here.

I never signed up for any English speaking forums nor listed anything on the web so my writing will be crap to understand but I really want to get this working property as I do enjoy vaping and do not want to go back to smoking. If anyone could help, I will be grateful to grab on to any suggestions.

My current question is,

- How do you determine the end of life for these vertical coils?
- Is steaming hot vapor normal when you pull it above 28W(70VG/30PG) or 40W(70PG/30VG)?
- I currently have 0.5ohm, would 1.5Ohm would solve any of my problems?

Thanks in advance for your help and I will post a separate thread for DYI juice... Cheers!

 

[stormjib]

your subtank mini came with a rebuildable section, to really get the best out of the tank, use it instead of the occ coils...those are very inconsistent

 

[MotoMudder]

Welcome to the forums. Sub box mini, SBM. has given problems to many folks.
First I want to point out that your using Watts, not volts. Speaking in volts instead of watts will cause a little confusion.
Factory OCC coils need to be primed before being used. drip some juice into the cotton inside the coil head, and outside into the holes. Then put it together, and without pressing the fire button, take a couple pulls off it and make sure you see bubbles coming from the coil, which means the coil is soaking up juice.
Then you should be properly primed. Start off around 15 watts, and go up in maybe 1w increments untill you find what your looking for.

The coughing and roughness you speak of, is most likely a burnt coil. its toast. The vapor in the .5 ohm coil will be warmer than the vape with the 1.5 ohm coil. If you want to try the 1.5, then I recommend going up from 15 in .5 watt increments.

 

[Romano Cheese]

I determine my coil life by the flavor and vapor, I don't vape my Sub Tank above 25W or it starts tasting burnt, and once you burn the cotton that taste will linger in there. The 1.5Ω might suit your needs better just start at a low wattage and increase it until you get the flavor you like. As for the coughing, you said you were using Halo 1.8-2.2, is that the nicotine MG or was that coil Ω? If it is the nicotine level you will cough your head off you need to go down to .6MG of nicotine in sub-ohming.

 

[Young Lee]

thanks for the tips guys, and yes I have verified myself ignorant with Voltage not Wattage I will try the RBA and 1.5ohm to see if they solve anything. I had no idea the roughness was the sign of burnt coil. I did oil the inside and outside the coil before use, and let it sit for an hour.

 

[Young Lee]

I determine my coil life by the flavor and vapor, I don't vape my Sub Tank above 25W or it starts tasting burnt, and once you burn the cotton that taste will linger in there. The 1.5Ω might suit your needs better just start at a low wattage and increase it until you get the flavor you like. As for the coughing, you said you were using Halo 1.8-2.2, is that the nicotine MG or was that coil Ω? If it is the nicotine level you will cough your head off you need to go down to .6MG of nicotine in sub-ohming.

1.8-2.2 is the coil ohm. I used 24mg nic and it was good fit for it. I had no idea people used lower W. Few video i saw, I thought I had to meet 40W and have always tried to hit that level. lol...

 

[suprtrkr]

Yup, that's the idea. Cut down on the power and try a higher Ohm coil. Should fix you right up.

 

[Romano Cheese]

Sub-ohm + high nicotine level = bad time. On the side of one of my Kanger OCCs says "1.2Ω 12W-25W" so they give you recommendations for the "sweet-spot" . I understand the Subox goes to 50w but that doesn't mean you have to vape it at max power, you should get good vapor production at 20W and save lots of battery life. Check your coil and start at the lowest Wattage setting, if it tastes good there leave it, if it is too weak go up a couple Watts and try again.

 

[AXIOM_1]

When you place a new coil into the tank and after you have primed the coil, start off with a very low power setting. Your coil and wick have to adjust a tad bit so using low power levels will help with that. Also, less chance of burning the wick right off the get go..... Then like others have said, slowly work your wattage up in small increments...... You do not have to have lots of power to make good vapor with those sub ohm coils. 20 or 25 watts will produce some pretty good vapor depending upon your inhaling technique and where your airflow settings are at.

 

[Young Lee]

Sub-ohm + high nicotine level = bad time. On the side of one of my Kanger OCCs says "1.2Ω 12W-25W" so they give you recommendations for the "sweet-spot" . I understand the Subox goes to 50w but that doesn't mean you have to vape it at max power, you should get good vapor production at 20W and save lots of battery life. Check your coil and start at the lowest Wattage setting, if it tastes good there leave it, if it is too weak go up a couple Watts and try again.

yes... i also have that viscosity recommendation table as well so I will cross reference both and find a "sweet spot" thank you for the direction!

When you place a new coil into the tank and after you have primed the coil, start off with a very low power setting. Your coil and wick have to adjust a tad bit so using low power levels will help with that. Also, less chance of burning the wick right off the get go..... Then like others have said, slowly work your wattage up in small increments...... You do not have to have lots of power to make good vapor with those sub ohm coils. 20 or 25 watts will produce some pretty good vapor depending upon your inhaling technique and where your airflow settings are at.

I had no idea new coils needed a slow start but it makes perfect sense... I will remember this for my new coils, my gosh this place is so helpful!!!

 

[dcfluegel]

above advice is a good!

especially important items to reiterate... if you are using sub-ohm coil, you want lower nic level than you were using with 1.8-2.2 ohm coils (i generally don't go above 6mg nic on a sub ohm coil)... make sure coils are primed - several drops in wicking/ on coil before putting tank back together, then give it a minute to sit, then do some primer pulls (do not hit power button, cover airflow holes on tank, couple of slow draws to help pull juice into wicking - priming the pump, if you will)... start with lower wattage (regardless of 1.5ohm or .5 ohm coil) and work your way up in increments (go up a couple watts, test, repeat...)

i generally run the .5ohm vertical coil at around 32-35 watts, depending on the juice I am vaping - I tend towards at least 70%+ vg though

don't give up on that rascal - you can get a great vape off of it - just have to get it dialed in

 

[dcfluegel]

and building on the rba is not a bad idea either - good way to get familiar with basics of building on a small scale - just need to watch some vids (youtube) on wicking - the wicking can be a little finicky on those

 

[edyle]

Wattage was set to 28W because if I pull it any higher, I was sure I will burn my lips from the heat coming up.

That's the problem.
You are vaping at the highest wattage you find tolerable.
You need to lower the wattage for that coil.

 

[Young Lee]

My frustration has turned into motivation thanks to all!

 

[dcfluegel]

seriously - when you get this rascal dialed in, i think you will be a happy vaper