RBA problems, looking for ideas to try

[new kid]

Yesterday I got some rba's in to try for the first time. I have been building my own heads for the Vivi's for a few months but this appears to be a whole different ball game. 2 days of trying and still having problems. I have reviewed several videos so I understand the basics. Using the SS mesh that came with them and the same 32g wire I use for my Vivi's.

I am using a drill bit to build the coil, checking that, then inserting the mesh wrap (oxidized). Basically using LavaGen;'s technique from his YouTube video. Saw similar other ones as well.

First one I tried was the COV Gen 1. I build the coil around 7-8 times now. The first few times the wires burned through the hot spot between the top of the wick and the positive post. I got past that and was finally able to get one going that was glowing good on all wraps. So I filled it up and gave it shot. Amazing vapor and flavor --- for about 3 hits. Then burnt. I check and the coil is not hotspot between the mesh and the positive post. I cannot get it to go back.

Since the AGA-T is larger I thought I would give it a try. More area to work. That went well. Took some time to adjust the wire on the mesh so they all glowed well but much easier. I fill it up and again - great vape for only a few hits. Then its back to the hotspot at the top. I was able to get that fixed but now I get nothing but dry hits. I can put liquid on the mesh directly and its great for about 2-3 hits. Then dry.

Everything looks good but I am out of ideas to trouble shoot this. Any ideas? Please?

Edit: Additional info... Seams it went back to the top hot spot again and I got it fixed. Still dry hits though. the AGA-T coil checks in at 2.4 ohms, 5 wraps. The COV Gen 1 coil is at 2.0 with 4 wraps.

 

[spraintz]

sounds like one of a couple issues:

1. Yer coil might not be wrapped tight enough on the wick. If any part of the coil is not in direct contact with the wick then juice cannot get to it and then that part of the coil will run dry and you get the burnt taste.

2. Yer wick might not be wicking correctly/fast enough. Might need to experiment with different thicknesses of wick or try to roll the wick tighter.

I am betting it is #1. I do not like the "drill bit" method for this reason, the coil will look awesome but the wick will need to be an absolutely perfect match in diameter to get every coil to touch the wick. Also, sliding the wick into the coil can disrupt the "oxidized layer" of the wick if not properly oxidized.

Keep at it, a lot of the guys here like myself spent TONS of time trying, trying, testing, changing, yelling, throwing, testing, changing everything about an RBA and eventually got it to work perfect. You WILL get better at it just keep doing it. get the wick oxidized right and keep the coils in contact with the wick and you'll be set..........it's obviously not super simple but once you have a good process down it is as easy as pie.

 

[CountSmackula]

Sounds like the mesh isn't keeping up with your vape pace. What kind of mesh are you using - 325, 400, 500? Are you rolling your wick solid or with a small hole in the center. Have you tried tipping it?

 

[spraintz]

also, what gauge wire is it?

 

[rielevilnside]

To add to this a few simple things to try in order

1., measure thickness of mesh. things to look for are is there a tiny bit of wiggle room around the mesh in the wick hole? Also is the mesh thin or thick enough to keep pace with your vaping style. low ohm would require a faster wick, and high ohm obviously thicker slower wick. thin wicks fast but too thin won't hold enough juice in the wick to keep up either. my magic measurement has been working right around 25 to 27mm.

2. Make sure your screws are tight on the wire but the wrap is just subtly snug. My tension on the wire while wrapping is to keep it just taught enough to touch the wick not to dig in. Just setting against the wick. Good tip also to keep good flavor when replacing a coil and wash your hands and burn your wire to get any fibers or contaminates off. It also helps make the wire a little more manageable.

3. Play with it. It took me the better part of a month to figure out the perfect wrap, wick, oxi combo and I still have moments where I get a wild hair and wrap a low ohm coil or try a thicker wick. Just DON'T give up! wrapping a coil is most definately an art form and someone that can wrap one on a quick ride somewhere on the fly or just nonchalantly is extraordinary! hope this helps. good luck

 

[Huffelpuff]

If is hasn't been mentioned make sure that your wire is not wrapped too tightly around the center . post. It should be gently held there rather than tightly wrapped. I'd also watch the you tube video on using cigarette paper for your coils. if nothing else works take pics of your assembly and we m
ay be able to see the problem better.

 

[new kid]

sounds like one of a couple issues:

1. Yer coil might not be wrapped tight enough on the wick. If any part of the coil is not in direct contact with the wick then juice cannot get to it and then that part of the coil will run dry and you get the burnt taste.

I was wondering about that. It seamed like it should be making contact an how they were able to get it to make contact all around was a mystery. I'm going to try and wrap the mesh directly next. Thanks.

Keep at it, a lot of the guys here like myself spent TONS of time trying, trying, testing, changing, yelling, throwing, testing, changing everything about an RBA and eventually got it to work perfect. You WILL get better at it just keep doing it. get the wick oxidized right and keep the coils in contact with the wick and you'll be set..........it's obviously not super simple but once you have a good process down it is as easy as pie.

I knew when I started this it would not be easy. Reading a few posts I could figure that out. I will keep trying. I haven't thrown anything (yet). I learned to work on watches on my own in my basement (and used some adult expletives) . I figure with time I can do this, too.

Sounds like the mesh isn't keeping up with your vape pace. What kind of mesh are you using - 325, 400, 500? Are you rolling your wick solid or with a small hole in the center. Have you tried tipping it?

The listing on COV did not specify the mesh. They sell 400 separately so that might be it. I don't have anything to compare it to but since it came in a kit it might be lower. I don't think I am hitting that hard. Two or three hits, ~5 seconds or less each before it goes dry on me.

also, what gauge wire is it?

Kanthal A1 32ga

 

[j4mmin42]

Just checked, the COV Gen1 is just a DUD- but it's the cheapest I've seen the DUD selling for! $12 is a Great, nearly co-op-worthy price on the DUD when you factor in shipping and fees etc.

If you're using the mesh that comes in the kit with the DUD, I believe it is 325, which many people have problems with.

To me, it sounds like your juice/wick combination isn't working. Out of all the issues with Genesis systems, this is the one that took me the longest to get right, so hang in there. Try using a solid wick if you have a hollow one on there, and vice-versa. Same thing goes with PG/VG...if you're using VG juice, try PG juice and see if it works.

 

[new kid]

AHHa! I have seen less than stellar comments on the 325 mesh. I think what I need to do is order some 400 ish mesh and try that. I did not order any extra because I wanted to wait until I could see what I was working with.

I tried to coil the wick without the bit, had the same problem. Huffelpuff, I probably am tightening the wire too much at the positive post. I figured I wanted it tight to keep if from moving when I removed the excess. I was having problems with it coming loose when it was not tight enough. Thanks for the tip there!


I decided to put everything on the self until next weekend. I know me and I will keep messing with it until I get really frustrated. I need to sit back and think it through. I know I can do this but it will take some time.

Thank you to everyone for the great suggestions. Off to find some new mesh and review some videos again this week!

Just checked, the COV Gen1 is just a DUD- but it's the cheapest I've seen the DUD selling for! $12 is a Great, nearly co-op-worthy price on the DUD when you factor in shipping and fees etc.

If you're using the mesh that comes in the kit with the DUD, I believe it is 325, which many people have problems with.

To me, it sounds like your juice/wick combination isn't working. Out of all the issues with Genesis systems, this is the one that took me the longest to get right, so hang in there. Try using a solid wick if you have a hollow one on there, and vice-versa. Same thing goes with PG/VG...if you're using VG juice, try PG juice and see if it works.

 

[new kid]

This is the reason I decided to give it a try

Just checked, the COV Gen1 is just a DUD- but it's the cheapest I've seen the DUD selling for! $12 is a Great, nearly co-op-worthy price on the DUD when you factor in shipping and fees etc.

If you're using the mesh that comes in the kit with the DUD, I believe it is 325, which many people have problems with.

To me, it sounds like your juice/wick combination isn't working. Out of all the issues with Genesis systems, this is the one that took me the longest to get right, so hang in there. Try using a solid wick if you have a hollow one on there, and vice-versa. Same thing goes with PG/VG...if you're using VG juice, try PG juice and see if it works.

 

[new kid]

Since I am using 32g kanthal and I shoot for ~2ohms, what would you suggest for the mesh? 400?

Sounds like the mesh isn't keeping up with your vape pace. What kind of mesh are you using - 325, 400, 500? Are you rolling your wick solid or with a small hole in the center. Have you tried tipping it?

 

[spraintz]

I use 400 mesh in all of my genesis style atomizers and I don't have to "tilt" or any of that BS to get it to work

 

[ruff]

Another point that you may look at for the top hotspot problem is distance between the top of the wick to the pos post, if it's gapped too much i find that mine always has the top coil burning out, try to get it as close as possible without actually touching the center post, also may wanna make sure your wick isn't touching the bottom plate as that would ground it if it's anything like my clone

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

 

[CountSmackula]

I'm using 400 in all my Gennies. I wrap with 28/30/32ga depending on the atty & mod. My Twists, I use the Chids & 32ga Kanthal wire. Try to keep those @ about ~2 ohms. Will probably try the 30ga next time I need to rewrap one. Everything else I wrap <2Ω.

Since I am using 32g kanthal and I shoot for ~2ohms, what would you suggest for the mesh? 400?

 

[crashtest22]

Hey new kid,
your on a slippery slope with rebuildables.
its just a matter of days till you have all of em.

I have been using 500 mesh with 32 kanthal for the last few weeks and its been going well.
I have a few devices that pop coils all the time if they are not setup just right.

lately I have been using a iHybrid and its kicking ....
the new coil setup I have is 32 kanthal twisted wire a 4/3 wrap and 1.5 ohms

if you have not try to test with a very low battery and see if you can nudge the coils till they are all even with no hot spots then switch to a fresh.
I have been posting this allot and don't want to come off like I am just trying to promote but I build a coil in this video iHybrid by Faceless - E-Cigarette Review's, Tips, and Tricks and you can see how easy/quick it can be.

 

[j4mmin42]

Since I am using 32g kanthal and I shoot for ~2ohms, what would you suggest for the mesh? 400?

400 mesh is really universal when it comes to genesis setups- I use it on all of my 28 gauge builds, all of my 32 gauge builds, dual wick setups, inside my Phoenix genesis "hybrid" atty setups...the stuff is ubiquitous, heh.

 

[new kid]

Actually, that was one of the better videos. Every one I have seen so far get them to work almost perfectly right away. If your learning seeing with no problems really does not help much. The trick is learning to correct for beginner mistakes. Yours shows it like mine come out at first. I can see basically how you adjusted. Thanks!

Hey new kid,
your on a slippery slope with rebuildables.
its just a matter of days till you have all of em.

I have been using 500 mesh with 32 kanthal for the last few weeks and its been going well.
I have a few devices that pop coils all the time if they are not setup just right.

lately I have been using a iHybrid and its kicking ....
the new coil setup I have is 32 kanthal twisted wire a 4/3 wrap and 1.5 ohms

if you have not try to test with a very low battery and see if you can nudge the coils till they are all even with no hot spots then switch to a fresh.
I have been posting this allot and don't want to come off like I am just trying to promote but I build a coil in this video iHybrid by Faceless - E-Cigarette Review's, Tips, and Tricks and you can see how easy/quick it can be.

 

[DrewGrimey]

I'm having the same problem where the top coil by the top of the positive is glowing bright red before anything else. How did you fix that?

 

[new kid]

Sweet. Got some 400 and 500 mesh ordered. Just need to wait now. I hate that part.

 

[new kid]

I am still working on it but check out the video posted by crashtest22 above. He shows that problem and how he fixed it.

I'm having the same problem where the top coil by the top of the positive is glowing bright red before anything else. How did you fix that?