RBA's and selecting the RIGHT WIRE

[super_X_drifter]

It is important to select the correct wire to hit your target resistance (ohms) when you build a coil

I like to use 10 or 11 wraps to get my resistance. These days I have a preference of 1.3 to 1.5 ohms.

This handy chart can take the guesswork out of it for you. Here I rolled up 10 wrap micro coils around the .055" mandrel on the darkzero coil jig using 27, 28, 29 & 30 gauge Kanthal A1. The chart will indicate that 29 gauge is the correct wire for me to use to get the resistance I want in my coil.

27 ga:

28 ga:

29 ga:

30 ga:

I made the following notes during this exercise, noting that it's the first time I've ever used 4 different gauges back to back:

27 ga - the screws tend to loosen up if the coil is even subtly moved.

29 ga - perfect balance between ease of wrapping and wire thickness. Screws stay nice and tight.

30 ga - feels extremely thin. The most difficult to wrap a micro coil with. Deforms easily.

 

[cr12]

my rm 2.0 is arriving today and ive read tons of threads on microcoils, is ten wraps deemed to be the best number for surface area?

 

[Filthy-Beast]

It is important to select the correct wire to hit your target resistance (ohms) when you build a coil

I like to use 10 or 11 wraps to get my resistance. These days I have a preference of 1.3 to 1.5 ohms.

This handy chart can take the guesswork out of it for you. Here I rolled up 10 wrap micro coils around the .055" mandrel on the darkzero coil jig using 27, 28, 29 & 30 gauge Kanthal A1. The chart will indicate that 29 gauge is the correct wire for me to use to get the resistance I want in my coil.

27 ga:

28 ga:

29 ga:

30 ga:

I made the following notes during this exercise, noting that it's the first time I've ever used 4 different gauges back to back:

27 ga - the screws tend to loosen up if the coil is even subtly moved.

29 ga - perfect balance between ease of wrapping and wire thickness. Screws stay nice and tight.

30 ga - feels extremely thin. The most difficult to wrap a micro coil with. Deforms easily.

Another great and helpful post, thanks again Super!

my rm 2.0 is arriving today and ive read tons of threads on microcoils, is ten wraps deemed to be the best number for surface area?

I've read 7 to 8 as a target, But I thinks it's more personal and partially based on ohms and the juice you're using. but like most things in this hobby YMMV.

 

[cr12]

certainly, I just got an REO grand after using kr808's back in the day, then ego's, then a darwin, then a vmod, and now the grand, ive always been interested in RBA's, after spending 22 bucks on hh357s(which are fantastic atty's i might add) i Figure that a couple of coils will pay for itself, I also didnt realize how easy it was until I saw Super X's other thread. Thanks so much for helping take the mystery out of RBAs.

Vapemail is t-minus 4 hours and counting

 

[hubseven]

It is important to select the correct wire to hit your target resistance (ohms) when you build a coil

I like to use 10 or 11 wraps to get my resistance. These days I have a preference of 1.3 to 1.5 ohms.

This handy chart can take the guesswork out of it for you. Here I rolled up 10 wrap micro coils around the .055" mandrel on the darkzero coil jig using 27, 28, 29 & 30 gauge Kanthal A1. The chart will indicate that 29 gauge is the correct wire for me to use to get the resistance I want in my coil.

27 ga:

28 ga:

29 ga:

30 ga:

I made the following notes during this exercise, noting that it's the first time I've ever used 4 different gauges back to back:

27 ga - the screws tend to loosen up if the coil is even subtly moved.

29 ga - perfect balance between ease of wrapping and wire thickness. Screws stay nice and tight.

30 ga - feels extremely thin. The most difficult to wrap a micro coil with. Deforms easily.

You used a .055 mandrel what size drill bit is that? I wrap around a 5/64 inch drill bit, how would that change above, I use 8 wraps and get 1.2 ohms with 28 gauge wire, does that seem right to you? Thanks for help.

 

[dreamreaper]

Great post super_X_drifter!!!

 

[jifjifjif]

I wrap 28 gauge Kanthal A1 wire around a toothpick. 7 wraps gives me 1.1 ohms.

 

[timk]

You used a .055 mandrel what size drill bit is that? I wrap around a 5/64 inch drill bit, how would that change above, I use 8 wraps and get 1.2 ohms with 28 gauge wire, does that seem right to you? Thanks for help.

18 gauge luer-lock needle (0.049") will be the closest to 0.055" you'll find readily available. 1/16" drill bit is 0.0625", 5/64" drill bit is 0.0781"

Good stuff Super_X_drifter!

 

[Filthy-Beast]

.055 is a piano wire and is smaller than a 1/16 of an inch which is .0625 and 5/64 is .0781

Edit: ^^^ what he said

 

[hubseven]

.055 is a piano wire and is smaller than a 1/16 of an inch which is .0625 and 5/64 is .0781

Edit: ^^^ what he said

Thanks. Seems right.

 

[cr12]

.055 is a piano wire and is smaller than a 1/16 of an inch which is .0625 and 5/64 is .0781

Edit: ^^^ what he said

can someone convert this to a guitar string? i have some of those lying around.

fresh out of piano strings...

 

[super_X_drifter]

My man crazyarms pointed out that the 27 ga resistance should be .88 ohms not .088 ohms like I incorrectly labeled it in my chart. I'll fix it later tonight hopefully. Thanks crazyarms

 

[super_X_drifter]

You used a .055 mandrel what size drill bit is that? I wrap around a 5/64 inch drill bit, how would that change above, I use 8 wraps and get 1.2 ohms with 28 gauge wire, does that seem right to you? Thanks for help.

5/64" is a little larger. I'd suggest a 1/16" drill bit. The difference between it and the .055" mandrel is very minimal. The difference between .055" and 1/16" will slightly increase resistance or you could probably wrap 9 wraps around 1/16" and get the same resistance as 10 wraps around .055"

18 ga gets a little small. Harder to wick

 

[AmandaD]

This is wonderful - thanks! I was using an 18 gauge needle, because that was all I had, but I've discovered that 12 wraps of 30 gauge wire on the needle of a needle tip bottle gives me 1.93 or so. I'm using the original mini, so this seems to work well. But, this coil gunks up pretty quickly, and I find I have to change the cotton every day. I need DZs jig

 

[rudy4653]

It is important to select the correct wire to hit your target resistance (ohms) when you build a coil

I like to use 10 or 11 wraps to get my resistance. These days I have a preference of 1.3 to 1.5 ohms.

This handy chart can take the guesswork out of it for you. Here I rolled up 10 wrap micro coils around the .055" mandrel on the darkzero coil jig using 27, 28, 29 & 30 gauge Kanthal A1. The chart will indicate that 29 gauge is the correct wire for me to use to get the resistance I want in my coil.

27 ga:

28 ga:

29 ga:

30 ga:

I made the following notes during this exercise, noting that it's the first time I've ever used 4 different gauges back to back:

27 ga - the screws tend to loosen up if the coil is even subtly moved.

29 ga - perfect balance between ease of wrapping and wire thickness. Screws stay nice and tight.

30 ga - feels extremely thin. The most difficult to wrap a micro coil with. Deforms easily.

In your expert opinion do find the vape better at 10 wraps vs. say 7/8 wrap?
I use 30g on 1/16 and 7 wraps gives me around 1.23 ohms. Would I be better off with say 28g wire @ 8/9 wraps?
Will it give me improvement in flavor and plumes?

 

[Wickeddeuce]

I love this, it deserves a sticky... any chance of you twisting some different gauge kanthal and wrapping it and adding it? reason i ask is this is extremely useful, but for me and my abundance of 30 gauge, instead of getting 28 gauge, or 29, or 26, or whatever, if i knew twisting 2 strands of 30 i would get similar results to say 28, 3 strands similar to say 26, etc etc... this would make it beyond amazing... this would make it an invaluable source of information!!!

 

[super_X_drifter]

Replaced the erroneous chart in my OP with this one

 

[karmakatie]

EXCELLENT post SuperX!!! Myself personally have really enjoyed the old clothes hanger coil

 

[biloxi123]

Thank you for this post! Awesome pictures too!

 

[SeaNap]

Fantastic post Supe!

ATM I am running a 7 wrap around 0.055" with 28awg. I love the response time of the 7 wrap vs 10+ it's instant plumage and nice and warm, BUT 7 wraps is on the small side and its very easy to burn the wick if you're not careful.

In my experience, having the same # wraps and same ID and varying the gauge will vary the temperature of the vapor. Warmer vapor (great for tobaccos) with thicker wire, and cooler vapor (great for fruits/menthols) with thinner wire. Are there any other discernable differences in vape production/quality/flavor that you have noticed supe (or anyone)?