RBA 101 looking for very basic beginner info

[xxxSapphir3xxx]

I'm looking to begin using rba and have been doing a lot of reading/searching you tube for info, from safety, to ohms, battery capabilities etc, but honestly the majority of the info is WAY over my head at this point. I'm not trying to sub ohm, not trying to make humongous clouds, don't even completely understand ohms law, but I want to get started on a very basic SAFE set up. I also have a limited budget.

So can any of the more experienced builders point me in the direction of build 101 information, whether written or in video form?

I'd also welcome information/suggestions on what equipment I need to begin doing BASIC/EASY builds, including tools & wicking material.

Thanks

 

[Susan~S]

What type of mod are you using? The safest mod to use while learning how to build will be a regulated mod.

Information Resources for Your First RBA

 

[Vaslovik]

You are wise to ask these questions, and very smart to do your homework first. Of late we have seen people post here who have jumped in over their heads with devices and builds they have no idea how to safely operate. Do you have a mod yet? What kind? You may wish to consider the MVP 2, with maybe an Nautilus or a Kayfun style atty. For building instruction YouTube is your friend.

I'm glad you are not cloud chasing, and going sub-ohm isn't for everyone. It's quite possible to get a great vape above 1 ohm, many people are doing it. The object should be to get a satisfying flavorful vape consistently and safely.

 

[DaveP]

I second the Nautilus with BVC heads or a Kayfun if you really want to build coils.

Buy a regulated VV/VW mod and be safe. Sigelei Zmax is a good one if you like a tube mod. MVP is a good choice for a box mod with a large battery.

 

[DingerCPA]

Good Morning Sapphir!

You can actually start rebuilding with something as simple as a kanger head for an EVOD or a mini ProTank2.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/coil-builds/432047-my-bad-pictorial-evod-rewicking-cotton-recoiling.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/brookj1986/6066-simple-protank-coil-replacement.html

The building philosophy is all the same, and I started with these before I picked up my kayfuns this summer. RipTripper has a number of YouTube videos where he shows you step-by-step. I watched a couple of his before I took the plunge.

Bare minimum tools (this is what's in my kit, but others have more sophisticated tools)
1. OHM READER - I use my MVP/VV3, since I'm building to about 1.8-2.0Ω Otherwise, there are plenty of stand-alone readers available from lots of different places
2. Nail clippers - to cut the wire. You might be better served with a small straight-edged wire cutter
3. Tweezers - to help compress the coil or to pull wick through (mine are NOT ceramic-tipped - I may upgrade someday)
4. Beard trimming scissors - easier to cut the ends of the wicking material
5. 28, 30, or 32 gauge wire - depending on what your topper is, you will find certain wire better/easier to use. I have a little of each for various builds
6. Drill bit/toothpick/screwdriver tip - varying diameters will yield different resistances. I typically use a 1/16" bit, but I also have a super-mini screwdriver (it's probably 2mm or a little bigger) that I use for my kayfun coils
7. Wicking material - I predominately use cotton balls, but I also have some cellucotton (rayon). Others use hemp, ekowool, silica, etc. You might try samplings of each to see what you like best.
8. Know the limits of your device. This is an absolute.

It can be overwhelming, but it's not too difficult once you get started. DO NOT fire a coil until you've checked the resistance. I am in the habit of checking, even when I'm putting a new topper on a mod - I'm just paranoid enough....

Good luck, and have fun.

 

[Shields42]

Personally when I started I bought a 25 ft roll of 28awg kanthal, and was using a nimbus clone on a smoktech Sid. Build above 1.3ish and you'll be good to go. If dripping isn't for you, try a kayfun style tank. And for at home try a genesis, like a pulse g or kraken. I use cotton and rayon in my dripper builds, cotton in my kayfuns, and ss mesh in my gennies. The Sid will cost rough 45 to 50, or you could go with a vamo, which is a touch cheaper. Then for your first rba I would actually recommend going into a B&M and trying out and looking through different ones, go home, see what you like the best specs wise and pick it out. A kayfun style can be found anywhere from 14 to 289 so take your pick, fast tech, or the aethrrtech orchid. Your choice, with lots of choices in between to muddy the waters.

 

[Shields42]

And you'll need a dmm (digital multimeter) or a ohm reader or both to be safe. The Sid has one built in, as well as the vamo, but if you plan on getting into mechs you'll need a separate one

 

[hanzo.esq]

I'm looking to begin using RBA ...
So can any of the more experienced builders point me in the direction of build 101 information, whether written or in video form?

Baditude has a pretty good starting point http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...4-7-information-resources-your-first-rba.html

Hanzo.

 

[realsis]

Good information was shared with you here. I'd also like to make a suggestion. What ever RBA you get, look on you tube for build examples of that particular rba. It can be very very helpful to see a tutorial from start to finish on your particular rba. I've been building for quite a while and I still do this when getting a new rba. It helps to see how others are wicking and building it for best performance. Watch several different build styles and try them out to see what you like best. Of course always be safe and practice the safe way. Hope this helps and best wishes.

 

[xxxSapphir3xxx]

You are wise to ask these questions, and very smart to do your homework first. Of late we have seen people post here who have jumped in over their heads with devices and builds they have no idea how to safely operate. Do you have a mod yet? What kind? You may wish to consider the MVP 2, with maybe an Nautilus or a Kayfun style atty. For building instruction YouTube is your friend.

I'm glad you are not cloud chasing, and going sub-ohm isn't for everyone. It's quite possible to get a great vape above 1 ohm, many people are doing it. The object should be to get a satisfying flavorful vape consistently and safely.

I have an MVP2, but I'm seriously considering a vamo v5 or an itaste134 mini, to be able to get slightly higher watts, which between the 2 should provide a pretty nice range. I haven't heard much about other mods, but I'm also open to suggestions.

 

[xxxSapphir3xxx]

Good Morning Sapphir!

You can actually start rebuilding with something as simple as a kanger head for an EVOD or a mini ProTank2.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/coil-builds/432047-my-bad-pictorial-evod-rewicking-cotton-recoiling.html

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/brookj1986/6066-simple-protank-coil-replacement.html

The building philosophy is all the same, and I started with these before I picked up my kayfuns this summer. RipTripper has a number of YouTube videos where he shows you step-by-step. I watched a couple of his before I took the plunge.

Bare minimum tools (this is what's in my kit, but others have more sophisticated tools)
1. OHM READER - I use my MVP/VV3, since I'm building to about 1.8-2.0Ω Otherwise, there are plenty of stand-alone readers available from lots of different places
2. Nail clippers - to cut the wire. You might be better served with a small straight-edged wire cutter
3. Tweezers - to help compress the coil or to pull wick through (mine are NOT ceramic-tipped - I may upgrade someday)
4. Beard trimming scissors - easier to cut the ends of the wicking material
5. 28, 30, or 32 gauge wire - depending on what your topper is, you will find certain wire better/easier to use. I have a little of each for various builds
6. Drill bit/toothpick/screwdriver tip - varying diameters will yield different resistances. I typically use a 1/16" bit, but I also have a super-mini screwdriver (it's probably 2mm or a little bigger) that I use for my kayfun coils
7. Wicking material - I predominately use cotton balls, but I also have some cellucotton (rayon). Others use hemp, ekowool, silica, etc. You might try samplings of each to see what you like best.
8. Know the limits of your device. This is an absolute.

It can be overwhelming, but it's not too difficult once you get started. DO NOT fire a coil until you've checked the resistance. I am in the habit of checking, even when I'm putting a new topper on a mod - I'm just paranoid enough....

Good luck, and have fun.

Wonderful info! Thank you for taking the time to write this! How do I know if the resistance is to high or low for the battery I am using?

 

[Susan~S]

CLEAN/DRY BURN & REBUILD KANGER COILS

How to Clean & Dry Burn... Kanger ProTank II & Mini ProTank II, Protank 2 Tutorial
Mini Protank Micro Coil Rebuild

 

[DingerCPA]

Wonderful info! Thank you for taking the time to write this! How do I know if the resistance is to high or low for the battery I am using?

My pleasure. What battery do you have? If you're in the 1.8-2.1 ohm range, you should be able to run on about anything

Sent from.... ooh look! Something shiny!!!

 

[Zackattack]

I agree you defiantly need a ohm reader not only do they ensure all connections are tight and there are no shorts they also provide a pretty stable base for building. I use a ohms law app for my phone to ensure I am not going to blow myself up. You just put the ohms of your coil and the volts and It will tell you the amp's being pulled from the battery (I always put 4.2 in the volts because that is what the batts are fully charged)