RDAs How do you really get the best out of them?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Fidola13

Totally Stashed!
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Dec 20, 2017
10,223
57,007
Boston
It seems that every RBA has their unique idiosyncrasies.

Where one needs a very thinned out tail another may need a thick one. Coil placement is different too - some need the coil as high as it can go others more in direct line of the air holes.

The best thing I did was for each rba was to search the forum, ask questions and most importantly watch as many YouTube build videos on that specific one as you can. And then rewatch them and practice!!!

It can get confusing if you have several all with different characteristics so a simple cheat sheet might help. That’s what I did on an index card. My memory isn’t too good so it helps a lot!!

Good luck!!
 

Don29palms

Moved On
ECF Veteran
Sep 12, 2014
4,162
14,595
joshua tree, ca
IN GENERAL when I get an RDA I usually start by putting the coil out as close to the airflow as possible and put the coils up high enough for the air to hit the coil at 4:30. You should be able to just see the coils through the airflow. The wicks should come down on either side of the coils and just touch the bottom of the build deck. Make sure the wick is well saturated. I usually set my wattage so the voltage is around 3.8 volts then go up or down from there.
Without knowing what RDA or mod you have it's hard to be specific. Good luck.
 

Train2

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 11, 2013
12,273
36,193
CA, USA
First, you need to figure out what YOU LIKE in terms of "heat" and airflow.
Some people like a hot vape, some prefer cool. Some want to draw hard, like a cigarette, and some want to gently breathe in the vapor. And everything in between. Preference even changes - I've shifted from tight to open draw - and have replaced a bunch of RDA's as a result.

Once you know that - it will determine the kind of watts you run, and the kind of build that's best, and the kind of RDA that's a good fit.

And THEN, you get to experiment with different wire and coil height and things like that.

At least that's my experience.

1) determine preferred airflow, heat, vapor density/volume
2) get appropriate mod/rda
3) fiddle with builds and wires
rinse and repeat​
 

Violetti Usva

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Dec 1, 2017
267
615
30
IN GENERAL when I get an RDA I usually start by putting the coil out as close to the airflow as possible and put the coils up high enough for the air to hit the coil at 4:30. You should be able to just see the coils through the airflow.

I must be missing something here, if 12:00 is straight up and you're measuring to the top/middle or bottom of the coil then 4:30 would be lower than the airflow or in line with it at best - which would be totally visible through the airflow. Could you show what you mean by 4:30?
 
  • Like
Reactions: stols001

stols001

Moved On
ECF Veteran
May 30, 2017
29,338
108,119
There are some general "principles" as far as getting a good vape out of a rebuildable atomizer the problem is that each atomizer is going to require tweaking (by you) and is also dependent on your vaping style.

My advice would be to start with a single coil atomizer with a decently sized deck. Depending on your vaping style, you will have to select an atomizer with more or less airflow and set up for your preference as far as airflow and everything else. Then you can watch some review videos on your device. Watch more than one. Don't really pay attention so much to what the reviewer thinks, but choose reviewers who have rebuilding skill. Watch a few to get a general sense of how the atomizer performs.

Then (I personally would start with a simple round wire) play with steam-engine.org to see what type of wire is going to best fit in the atomizer with the right amount of coil diameter for the build, number of wraps, etc. If you use thicker wire, you will have more surface area, and that can lead to more flavor, in fact some folks really enjoy exotic or twisted wires in their build, as there is more surface area (the tradeoff is, it will require more wattage to heat up, regardless of actual resistance).

However, the thicker your wire, the harder it can be to manipulate, you may not want to overdo it, either.

The nice thing about single coil builds is they are easier to experiment with (both in terms of size of the coil and placement in the atomizer. Also, you won't be building two of each coil every time you change something. Start playing around with builds, placement, and wicking. That will start to give you a "sense" of what you enjoy and don't (and to an extent, these skills can be generalized although I do usually watch a video or two with each new rebuildable tank, and that can help me figure out if my deck is going to have any special "things" involved, although most of the basic principles remain similar. The thing is though, everyone's individual so really my answer is: "The best way to get the most out of your rebuildable is to learn all you can about it and then start experimenting." It's really the best way-- for you and you only-- to dial in your preferences. You may find you even prefer dual coils, which is also Just Fine, but I think to get the most out of your atomizer YOU need to do these experiments as everyone is looking for slightly different things. As you figure out what works for you, you can then (most likely) expand your horizons significantly prior to figuring out what next atomizer is going to suit my needs.

I don't think there's really a short cut for personal experimentation although I also think you are doing your due diligence, which is also great, and will get you moving in the right direction.

Best of luck,

Anna
 
  • Like
Reactions: mimöschen

mimöschen

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Jul 15, 2016
1,634
3,371
47
To get the best out of an RDA depends solely on you.
You need to find your own sweetspot, because vaping styles differ from person to person. What works for me, doesn't mean it works for you and vice versa.

So my advice is, get a decent RDA, don't think too much, don't listen to what others say, and just experiment with your RDA until you get the vape you want.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: stols001

Rex Everything

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 27, 2014
476
554
Tacoma
I must be missing something here, if 12:00 is straight up and you're measuring to the top/middle or bottom of the coil then 4:30 would be lower than the airflow or in line with it at best - which would be totally visible through the airflow. Could you show what you mean by 4:30?
maybe an easier way to describe it is .....so the botom 1/4 of coil is visible through air flow holes... Don29Palms...agree?
 

Don29palms

Moved On
ECF Veteran
Sep 12, 2014
4,162
14,595
joshua tree, ca
maybe an easier way to describe it is .....so the botom 1/4 of coil is visible through air flow holes... Don29Palms...agree?
I can agree with that except I would say a bit less through the holes for me. It's a matter of preference at that point. My advice was very general without knowing specifics. You can agree more info from the OP would be more helpful. Of course the general advice I gave goes right out the window on a bottom airflow or something like the Drop. Thanks Rex.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stols001

bwh79

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Dec 11, 2014
4,600
6,643
46
Oregon
If that is what was meant, that is roughly what I do on some - how can that be 4 30 though?
455A2A68-EAD4-4C0E-9511-94A565EA5E48.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: stols001
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread