RBA Assistance for Beginners

[Trillhelm]

Greetings everyone! This is my first post, please excuse all of my confusion. I am apologizing in advance. But the more research I do, and posts I read the more confused I get, as I can't find all of my concerns in one location.
I have been researching RBAs for a couple of days now. My main interest in purchasing one is convenience and money saving. I get fed up with a coil dying out of nowhere and not being able to get to a store,or having just purchased one and having it die suddenly. So, I have some questions. I specifically have been most interested in rebuildable tank atomizers, as I hate to carry around a bottle of juice with me all day.I also really want a glass, ceramic, or pyrex section on the tank because I make my own juice and really enjoy Honeysuckle which doesn't work in plastic. It always ends up lost, and its annoying. I want one that I can put in my pocket without leaking. I am sort of interested in building dual coils, but its not necessary. Is it a terrible idea for a beginner to attempt dual coil builds?

I want an atty that isn't ridiculously huge, and will look alright cosmetically on my MVP 2.0. I have an Amazon gift card, therefore, I would like to purchase from there. I have narrowed down my choices to a Kayfun lite or plus (concerned about the plus being humongous), a SmokeTech RSST, or a Kraken. I really like the idea that the Kraken has adjustable airflow holes and offers the ability to build dual coils. Is it possible to get a dual coil rebuildable tank and only build a single coil on it at first?
I have also given much considered just getting a Nautlilus and teaching myself to rebuild its mini coil, and also being able to purchase its coils in a pinch.
I do not want to have to tip the atty/ecig to get a good vape, and am confused as to which wicking material is best for each set-up. I find the fact that organic cotton is readily available and cheap very attractive. I have also done research on stainless steel rope, and like the idea that it is long lasting and can be reused plenty of times if cleaned with a torch. Is it necessary to wrap the SS rope in cotton? I saw a Genesis coil build tutorial that showed the SS rope being wrapped in organic cotton. Every time I think that I am going to go with one option or another, I do research and get confused about which would be best. I am not trying to spend a lot of money right now, so I am looking at clones. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[hogheadv]

While I really like my kraken clone and it is my go to atty while at home it is not something that I carry around with me because it will leak if not left in an upright position. And it is possible to build a single coil on a dual coil tank especially the kraken because it has the ability to block off one of the air holes completely while leaving the other still adjustable. I usually just build mine with cotton wicks because I think it is easier, plenty of YouTube videos out there about rebuilding a kraken.

 

[JohnnyBGoode]

Is it a terrible idea for a beginner to attempt dual coil builds?

No but start of by making single coils to get the feeling for it. Make sure you measure your coils resistance before pressing the fire button. Either with your PV or a separate ohm meter

I want an atty that isn't ridiculously huge, and will look alright cosmetically on my MVP 2.0. I have an Amazon gift card, therefore, I would like to purchase from there. I have narrowed down my choices to a Kayfun lite or plus (concerned about the plus being humongous), a SmokeTech RSST, or a Kraken

The kayfun lite would be your best choice since the other two are Genesis style atties. Genesis style means it has a hole at the top to the build deck. The wick goes through this to the liquid in the tank. Great principle but very prone to leakage. Genesis style used to be 'the best thing' in vaping but the builds are more complicated and they lost out to kayfun and similar atties when they came about. Genesis style atties still captivate a small sub group but the vast majority doesn't use them anymore.

I have also given much considered just getting a Nautlilus and teaching myself to rebuild its mini coil

This will be much more fiddly than rebuilding an RBA. I would not buy the nautilus with that as main argument. There are good reasons to buy one but rebuildability is not one of them.

I do not want to have to tip the atty/ecig to get a good vape, and am confused as to which wicking material is best for each set-up. I find the fact that organic cotton is readily available and cheap very attractive. I have also done research on stainless steel rope, and like the idea that it is long lasting and can be reused plenty of times if cleaned with a torch. Is it necessary to wrap the SS rope in cotton?

Cotton is widely used nowadays. Organic or not, it wicks well but needs to be kept wet else it will burn. I still like silica also for my builds , don't rule it out. It will not burn as it is heat resistant, come apart or otherwise. All the fearmongers set aside it is a great wicking material.
SS mesh and wire are great for genesis style atties. It is not needed to put cotton on them. It hardly makes sense to me even why someone would do that but okay....
For a kayfun you will not need mesh or wire, just kanthal and cotton to begin with. For the other two mesh or wire is just another wick, like silica is. For genesis style atties like the kraken, you don't need cotton.

Finally, for someone beginning to build coils, a kayfun is by far the easiest to build. It produces great vape and with some fiddling can also be build dual coil which I usually do. The genesis style atties I would keep for a next purchase. They are far more difficult to handle.

 

[Trillhelm]

No but start of by making single coils to get the feeling for it. Make sure you measure your coils resistance before pressing the fire button. Either with your PV or a separate ohm meter



The kayfun lite would be your best choice since the other two are Genesis style atties. Genesis style means it has a hole at the top to the build deck. The wick goes through this to the liquid in the tank. Great principle but very prone to leakage. Genesis style used to be 'the best thing' in vaping but the builds are more complicated and they lost out to kayfun and similar atties when they came about. Genesis style atties still captivate a small sub group but the vast majority doesn't use them anymore.



Finally, for someone beginning to build coils, a kayfun is by far the easiest to build. It produces great vape and with some fiddling can also be build dual coil which I usually do. The genesis style atties I would keep for a next purchase. They are far more difficult to handle.

Thinking of pulling the trigger on Tobecco's Kayfun 26650 clone. Any reason why I shouldn't? After reading your very helpful and thorough response (thanks so much for being so quick, willing to help, and thorough), I decided that I could deal without having a pyrex/glass/ceramic or any other clear window that would accept my acidic liquid(s). Thought about ordering a "Euforia Atomizer Ceramic Chamber Clone" from Amazon, but am unaware if it's actually a Kayfun clone, as it looks way different but has a larger ceramic tank.

Amazon is also offering a "26650 Kayfun Lite Plus Clone by Hybrid,."

I like the fact that the last two options have the clear window, but the user comment regarding its leak potential, and some other things (potential of missing parts), scare me. Is the leak user error or poor product design. I've searched around here, and it seems that most users recommend the Tobeco for Kayfun clones at similar prices points.

Lastly, can I build a variety of coil designs on the Kayfun? - I think that as I become more experienced I may want to try coils that involve wrapping different wires and such. Is this soomething that I will be able to develop along with the Kayfun clone or will I eventually grow out of this device if I, indeed, venture into more complex coil designs?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Trillhelm]

Also wanted to ask what gauge, if any, Kanthal (or Royal) wire is best for beginner builds?

 

[rodeo302]

I'd recommend the kayfun since it is exactly what you ask for besides the dual coil build but you can do them and I would start with 28 gauge wire I used the ehpro clone abd liked it but decided to get a fogger and sell the kayfun since it didn't hold enough liquid for me.

 

[carrielsal]

My first RBA was a Russian 91%. It's a single coil, super easy to build, and a fantastic vape. I ended up with 4 of them. Even though I now have other RBA's and RDA's, I still use the R91's on a daily basis.

 

[Boweevil]

Are the Fastech pre-wired coils any good for rebuilding?

 

[carrielsal]

Are the Fastech pre-wired coils any good for rebuilding?

I've never bought pre-made coils. It's just too easy to make your own at a fraction of the price.

 

[JohnnyBGoode]

Thinking of pulling the trigger on Tobecco's Kayfun 26650 clone

You sure you want the 26650? Its about 30mm wide as opposed to the regular 22mm for an 18650 default one. Just a thought. You can check with a ruler how wide the top cap of your MVP is. I don't own one of those. Otherwise it should be okay.

The Euforia one don't ring a bell. If you can't find decent reviews of it, you might want to wait a bit on that one. The kayfun has been cloned by many and all with minor variations. (Not all for the better)

I like the fact that the last two options have the clear window

Most kayfun tanks consist of 3 sections of which the middle one can be a clear section. This you can always buy separately. At fasttech it will set you back a dollar or so. FT also sells quartz glass tanks for the kayfun which are great IMHO.

Lastly, can I build a variety of coil designs on the Kayfun?

Yes you can. You can use most type of builds suitable for a RBA. You can vary coil orientation, horizontal vs vertical, single vs dual coil, any size/gauge of kanthal , normal, micro, nano coils, etc.
Their are limitations to what you can build in an RBA like a kayfun. Since it has only 1 airflow hole, small chamber etc. Tri or quad coils are not really an option. That's more the domain of the RDA.
Otherwise you can pretty much do as you please.

For kanthal gauge read up a bit in other threads. I suppose 28/26? be a good starter. I do mm here, not gauge. My favorite being 0.3 mm.

 

[FallenRawToast]

You mentioned glass tank, since you like some tank cracker juices.

Cinsider maybe the Fogger V4, it is also dual coil, has adustable airflow. It does take a bit of time to learn to wick properly. To little wick in the juice channels and it leaks, too much and you get dry hits.

 

[TCombinator]

If leaking in a pocket is a big concern, I wouldn't get RSST. Although tank itself is very leak proof (it's a molded tub) the juice condensation on the top cap can leak through the air vent, especially if you drill it out (and you will It doesn't happen all the time for me and preventive measures can be taken, but it'd make you nervous.

RSST and Fogger in 18350 configuration: http://imgur.com/lBhzerF

 

[Adee]

I bought a genesis build (kraken) for my first rba. Big mistake!!

After reading what the guys and gals in here had to say I bought a kayfun lite plus and have never looked back.

Kayfuns are very friendly for beginners like us. Highly recommended

 

[djsvapour]

Thinking of pulling the trigger on Tobecco's Kayfun 26650 clone. Any reason why I shouldn't?

Not if you have a 26650 mod for it.

It sounds to me like you are trying to run a little too fast too early.

Each to their own, but there is a learning curve to all this stuff. I'd start out simple, either Kayfun 22mm (on the MVP, at a push) or rebuilding some Protanks.

 

[readeuler]

I definitely don't think there's anything wrong with getting into RBA's early. I had 3 kinds of rather cheap clearomizers, and got the EhPro Kayfun clone as soon as possible.

Building is easy, wicking can be hard. I would recommend a Kayfun simply as a rite of passage, and because I haven't tried many RBAs with tanks. The Kayfun tank is polycarbonate, but I never had any trouble with tank crackers or off flavors (at least not due to the tank material, anyway!) I wouldn't get a 26650 Kayfun clone. A lot of physics goes into designing these things, and it's a lot easier to copy the 18650 version than to scale it up. I'd be afraid it wouldn't work like it should (particularly with the wicking).

The fogger v4 is much more pleasant to me, compared to a Kayfun. It has a glass tank, far more airflow, and basically requires dual coils. That said, I'm pushing my limits with 12 watts and 30 gauge (I usually do 15 watts, but 12 is doable). Dual coils split the power, so the MVP's 11 watts mean only 5.5 watts per coil. OK for a clearomizer, but 30 ga tends to be a bit thicker than clearo coils. 11 watts may not cut it, so I wouldn't put all your eggs in this basket.

One suggestion: get a cheap dripper with adjustable airflow. I have a Trident clone, it's tiny and fantastic. It can support 1 or 2 coils, is a little harder to build than the Kayfun, but way easier to wick. I can drive for about 40 minutes without needing to redrip if I'm not hitting it compulsively. With that dripper, it'll be easier to get building and wicking practice, and you can try dual coils for yourself. I'd get a Kayfun too, but my trident saw more action than my Kayfun, when possible.

 

[MrVP]

Greetings everyone! This is my first post,

Welcome!! My first was tomorrow!

please excuse all of my confusion. I am apologizing in advance. But the more research I do, and posts I read the more confused I get, as I can't find all of my concerns in one location.

I understand you. I a noob too. I'm just starting in the microcoil world.

I have been researching RBAs for a couple of days now. My main interest in purchasing one is convenience and money saving. I get fed up with a coil dying out of nowhere and not being able to get to a store,or having just purchased one and having it die suddenly. So, I have some questions. I specifically have been most interested in rebuildable tank atomizers, as I hate to carry around a bottle of juice with me all day.I also really want a glass, ceramic, or pyrex section on the tank because I make my own juice and really enjoy Honeysuckle which doesn't work in plastic. It always ends up lost, and its annoying. I want one that I can put in my pocket without leaking. I am sort of interested in building dual coils, but its not necessary. Is it a terrible idea for a beginner to attempt dual coil builds?

Well, buddy, that i can't help. Let's move on.

I want an atty that isn't ridiculously huge, and will look alright cosmetically on my MVP 2.0. I have an Amazon gift card, therefore, I would like to purchase from there. I have narrowed down my choices to a Kayfun lite or plus (concerned about the plus being humongous), a SmokeTech RSST, or a Kraken. I really like the idea that the Kraken has adjustable airflow holes and offers the ability to build dual coils. Is it possible to get a dual coil rebuildable tank and only build a single coil on it at first?
I have also given much considered just getting a Nautlilus and teaching myself to rebuild its mini coil, and also being able to purchase its coils in a pinch. [QUOTE/]

I very suggest a Nautilus for you. And, for MVP, a nNautilus mini. I use with my Evic.
See:



It's got four airflow holes, and the last one is pure flow. But sure, you wold find better clearomizers.

I do not want to have to tip the atty/ecig to get a good vape, and am confused as to which wicking material is best for each set-up. I find the fact that organic cotton is readily available and cheap very attractive. I have also done research on stainless steel rope, and like the idea that it is long lasting and can be reused plenty of times if cleaned with a torch. Is it necessary to wrap the SS rope in cotton? I saw a Genesis coil build tutorial that showed the SS rope being wrapped in organic cotton. Every time I think that I am going to go with one option or another, I do research and get confused about which would be best. I am not trying to spend a lot of money right now, so I am looking at clones. Thanks in advance for your help!

Well, the most i understood is that you need help choosing an device.
The Nautilus i send before, attached to the Evic, and the iTaste VF RDA attached to Nemesis replica.

Take a look (left/Evic with Nautilus - right/Nemesis with iTase VF):





Vapor (Evic):




Vapor (Nemesis):




I got this two, and they fulfill my needs. You can use 18350 baterries in both os the Mod's.

 

[Trillhelm]

My first RBA was a Russian 91%. It's a single coil, super easy to build, and a fantastic vape. I ended up with 4 of them. Even though I now have other RBA's and RDA's, I still use the R91's on a daily basis.

Ok. After researching, I'm trying to decide between a russian 91% (almost everything that I am looking for in a rebuidalbe tank), or a Kayfun lite clone - both from FastTech.

Is it completely impossible to dual coil a 91%? I am not sure how into dual coils I am. After more research, I have realized that my MVP maxes out at 5.0v/11w. I am really not trying to buy a new mod at this time. Also, is the 91% leak-proof if properly built?

Also, w/ regard to both: any particular versioos (91% fogger, Kayfun Litev3.1, etc.) that are better than others?

 

[carrielsal]

Ok. After researching, I'm trying to decide between a russian 91% (almost everything that I am looking for in a rebuidalbe tank), or a Kayfun lite clone - both from FastTech.

Is it completely impossible to dual coil a 91%? I am not sure how into dual coils I am. After more research, I have realized that my MVP maxes out at 5.0v/11w. I am really not trying to buy a new mod at this time. Also, is the 91% leak-proof if properly built?

Also, w/ regard to both: any particular versioos (91% fogger, Kayfun Litev3.1, etc.) that are better than others?

The Russian 91% is a by design a single coil RBA. The only time mine leaks is if a lay it down on its side for a long time. The R91 is a good first RDA. It's easy to build and wick. I like them so much I have 4.
I don't have any Kayfun clones. I know they are cheaper, but the quality probably won't be the same.

The Fogger is a dual coil. I have a couple 4.1's and love them, but they are a PITA not only to build, but also change the wicks. I wouldn't recommend it for a first RBA. When you build dual coils, the resistance is cut in half. Using 28G Kanthal, my average coils come out to .8-.9 ohms. Probably a little low for an MVP.

I highly recommend getting verified. There are a lot of good deals to be found on the classified section and with the co-ops, but you have to be verified to view these forums and participate.

 

[Mikey6]

The Russian and kayfun (any iteration) and going to be the same concept/build style. I just picked up a kayfun lite + clone by ehpro for about $40 at my local B&M. There are so many build videos out there for a kayfun style tank it will make your head spin. For that mvp I would shoot for about a 1.5 ohm coil with 28g to keep it simple. I think it comes out to 8 wraps on a 3/32 drill bit. You're not going to get crazy Vapor out of a tank but I get some amazing flavor from my setup.

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF!