RBAS what are your theories on dry hits and low vapor

[sidious_999]

i have rsst, cobra and aga-t
sometimes i can set them up perfect and no issues
but other times i set them up i either get very very low vapor OR dry hits

what causes these, i use SS 400 mesh and 32g Kanthal
ive tried many methods lately i torch the mesh very well, roll it up, add VG and burn it off a few times then wrap the coil


im about ready to give up on SS Mesh and just use silica... but i got so much mesh to use!!
advice and tips please!?

 

[CrazyIvan]

Been there. I'm gonna assume you know the basics of tilting etc. What finally did it for me was dumping the 32awg wire for 28awg. I know it doesn't sound like it would solve your (apparent wicking) issue, but I found that 32awg kenthal produced inconsistent vape with SS mesh. With the RSST especially, there's almost no way to screw it up. Wrap your wick semi-thick, wrap a 3/3 or 3/4 coil, pulse it, leave the fill plug out, slap it on the mech, enjoy. pbusardo has an easy to follow RSST video (though I wrap a more solid wick).

 

[sidious_999]

yip have followed pbusardo like a creep haha, i actually had just ordered some 28g as the 32g has been kind of nit picky lately so i hear you there so thanks!

 

[Thrasher]

ive tried many methods lately i torch the mesh very well, roll it up, add VG and burn it off a few times then wrap the coil

-random thought-
do this too much and you just clogged all the pores. there is no need to torch/burn the whole wick just the part under the coil.
a wick sitting flush on the bottom wont allow fluid up the center as fast. even worse with a hollow wick, i cut mine at an angle.
the grain of the mesh not running top to bottom through the wick slows down capillary action.

you did not say what kind of resistance or voltage is in use, I use 32 exclusively for anything over 1.5 ohms. i love my cobra the most and (knock on wood) never have a problem, do you leave the fill screw out?

choking the wick with the coil can slow it down, too many wraps of wire can dry it out even faster. do make a solid wick that fills the hole? in the cobra try about 45mm wide piece of mesh with a paperclip sized hole up the center.

drill bit coils make coils more uniform and they usually perform better for me with more consistency. once you have a setup that works well remember exactly what you did and try to repete it, someties we change little things without realizing it.

 

[sidious_999]

-random thought-
do this too much and you just clogged all the pores. there is no need to torch/burn the whole wick just the part under the coil.
a wick sitting flush on the bottom wont allow fluid up the center as fast. even worse with a hollow wick, i cut mine at an angle.
the grain of the mesh not running top to bottom through the wick slows down capillary action.

you did not say what kind of resistance or voltage is in use, I use 32 exclusively for anything over 1.5 ohms. i love my cobra the most and (knock on wood) never have a problem, do you leave the fill screw out?

choking the wick with the coil can slow it down, too many wraps of wire can dry it out even faster. do make a solid wick that fills the hole? in the cobra try about 45mm wide piece of mesh with a paperclip sized hole up the center.

drill bit coils make coils more uniform and they usually perform better for me with more consistency. once you have a setup that works well remember exactly what you did and try to repete it, someties we change little things without realizing it.

Ty I will try all these things. I currently use 32g resistance wire and various mechs and vv vw mods. Always try to make the wicks that grip the hole but not too tight so it won't move and not too loose where it just falls out. I will try just torching the part where the wire touches I've heard that before. Question how do you make a center hole through the wick when sometimes it's wrapped and is already fit to the hole. Do you trim some off and use the paper clip to stretch out the mesh wick from inside out so it's proper size?

 

[Thrasher]

part of the trick is once you find one that fits always cut the same size. but if the wick is already loose in the hole theres a little room to play. what i do it force a paperclip through it and then reroll the wick like holding a roll your own cig and tighten up the mesh.
the way i roll now it just automatically makes a tiny channel up the center now.

the grain always runs top to bottom

roll from the thicker fold up to the smaller fold

about half way up you can feel the flat spot so you start crushing it and rounding it out as you continue to roll.

once done i hit it with a lighter to take the springiness out of it. and keep rolling it until it tightens up some more.
once im sure it fits the hole smoothly i torch the top half.

i always roll my wicks the exact same way now. heres the one in the photos in a cobra unoxidized.
32g @ 1.8 ohms- after the photo i evened out the coils a tiny bit and good to go.

 

[sidious_999]

Awesome advise!!