Ready To Try RBA

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BreeDee

Full Member
Nov 27, 2015
6
9
35
Hey there,

I have been using a KangerTech Top Box Nano for a year now and I love it! I just purchased the Top Box Mini Red edition because I noticed that it comes with a rba starter kit. I havent tried any rebuilds as of yet, I wouldnt even know where to begin honestly lmao I love a good cloud tho and would like to give it a go. I currently run a .5 ohm Clapton coil at around 45 watts with a high VG juice, and I get good production without having to take a huge inhale, so any advice to me on how to get started on my first RBA? Questions I have include but are not limited too: What supplies will I need and where is the best place to find them? What kind of safety precautions should be taken with these kinds of mods? I have several 18650 efest high output batteries, but I welcome any recommendations in that respect as well.

Any Information anyone can provide will be equally considered and appreciated :)
Thanks Guys!
-Bree
 

djsvapour

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Oct 2, 2012
11,822
7,901
England and Wales
I've been doing battle with the v2 Kanger RBA (long story). There are some great videos about it.
45 watts could be a challenge, but you can get close with a solid build.
Subtanks can be strange, but I think mixing up all the components (v1, v2, mini, topfill) has not helped me today. I use ordinary organic cotton and 26awg wire. No special tools (although I have) and just a bit of patience.
 
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BreeDee

Full Member
Nov 27, 2015
6
9
35
I've been doing battle with the v2 Kanger RBA (long story). There are some great videos about it.
45 watts could be a challenge, but you can get close with a solid build.
Subtanks can be strange, but I think mixing up all the components (v1, v2, mini, topfill) has not helped me today. I use ordinary organic cotton and 26awg wire. No special tools (although I have) and just a bit of patience.


Thanks for the Response! Whats the story with the different types of wire? (I have limited data and cant watch videos, unfortunately) and I am totally down with variable wattage, i just included that bit of info so everyone will know what kind of output i am looking for by comparison i guess? Not really sure how it translates to an rba since i have never tried and am not very educated on the matter :)
 

mongo74

I'm your huckleberry.
ECF Veteran
Nov 15, 2016
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You've come to the right forum, for sure. There are loads of vapers in here that will gladly assist you. As a relative newbie myself, I was welcomed quite graciously, and they're super helpful.

There are tons of vendors here with all of the supplies you'll need. Protected mods are quite forgiving, and the ideal starting point for building your own RBA. Organic cotton, 26~28ga wire, and a coil jig (or a set of mini screwdrivers from 1-3mm) would be an ideal starting point.

Cheers, and welcome to the gang!
 
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BreeDee

Full Member
Nov 27, 2015
6
9
35
You've come to the right forum, for sure. There are loads of vapers in here that will gladly assist you. As a relative newbie myself, I was welcomed quite graciously, and they're super helpful.

There are tons of vendors here with all of the supplies you'll need. Protected mods are quite forgiving, and the ideal starting point for building your own RBA. Organic cotton, 26~28ga wire, and a coil jig (or a set of mini screwdrivers from 1-3mm) would be an ideal starting point.

Cheers, and welcome to the gang!


Thank You!! I am really learning alot already just from reading all the different threads on here :) So far so good, everyone is so friendly and helpful. I have noticed that the Vape community by and large is full of really great people who are eager to educate others about the wonder of Vaping. I havent actually acquired my new Kangertech Mod yet, so hopefully in 3-5 business days when it arrives in my mailbox I will have garnered enough information to attempt a BUILD lol So Excited! Im fairly certain that the Topbox mini comes with a mini screwdriver, and some cotton if the reviews I read are to be believed, but I am not sure if it comes with wire or not....
 

BreeDee

Full Member
Nov 27, 2015
6
9
35
i find 28g wire, SS316L whether it be round or clapton... 2.5 diameter with 5 wraps works very nicely in them.

Ive read that the number of times you wrap the wire is what will determine the Ohms in the end? is this true? I would like to stay around .5 ohms for now since that is what I have become accustomed to in my vaping experience.
 
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BreeDee

Full Member
Nov 27, 2015
6
9
35
Us vapers are a decent lot...it's just those pesky outsiders that are alway uber opinionated about our life saving hobby.

Isnt it great when the ignorance of others can directly affect your life ? Like the people who know literally nothing about vaping and yet feel that they are entitled to have an opinion on regulations of such materials, Etc.... Because they watched a 45 second news clip about how "studies are inconclusive" as to whether second hand vape is harmful to their as-of-yet-unborn-grandchildren yet completely ignore the fact that the 2014 Hummer they drive is probably single handedly responsible for Global Warming (which is apparently only an Opinion now anyway?)
....Sorry I Digress ;)
 

Baditude

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Apr 8, 2012
30,394
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Ridgeway, Ohio
Rebuilding Tools:

Meters:
You'll need a digital multimeter, or an ohm reader and a 510 voltage meter, to measure coil resistance and battery voltage.

Precision Screwdriver Set. $7
Used to wrap your coils around and tighten your RDA post screws. Screwdriver bases have the diameter clearly marked on them in mm.

Stainless Steel Tweezer. $7
Used to compress the coil loops to make a compressed coils. Also helpful to tease the wick through the coil. Worthwhile to spend a little more on ceramic-tipped tweezers as you can compress coils while you press the fire button and not short out the battery.

Scissors, wire cutter, or nail clipper to cut wire and wicks.

Kanthal wire: $8
Available in different thicknesses (gauges). 26 or 28 gauge is usually recommended for novices.

Organic cotton balls, cellucotton (rayon) , Ecowool, or silica wick.



I've written a couple of blogs concerning RBA's and batteries that you may find helpful. I'd upgrade from the Efest batteries if I were you. Lg, Samsung, and Sony make the best batteries for vaping.

Information Resources for Your First RBA
  • An essential read and referrance guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.
Battery Basics for Mods: The Definative Battery Guide for Vaping
  • A popular and essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.
Are You Using a Rewrap (Rebranded) Battery?

  • Learn what a rewrap cell is. If you are using rebranded cell, does that mean it is inferior, poor quality, or even dangerous? Which batteries are suspected to be rebranded batteries.
Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
  • A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes an important commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.
 
Last edited:

Two_Bears

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 4, 2015
7,045
16,673
Northern Arizona
Hey there,

I have been using a KangerTech Top Box Nano for a year now and I love it! I just purchased the Top Box Mini Red edition because I noticed that it comes with a RBA starter kit. I havent tried any rebuilds as of yet, I wouldnt even know where to begin honestly lmao I love a good cloud tho and would like to give it a go. I currently run a .5 ohm Clapton coil at around 45 watts with a high VG juice, and I get good production without having to take a huge inhale, so any advice to me on how to get started on my first RBA? Questions I have include but are not limited too: What supplies will I need and where is the best place to find them? What kind of safety precautions should be taken with these kinds of mods? I have several 18650 efest high output batteries, but I welcome any recommendations in that respect as well.

Any Information anyone can provide will be equally considered and appreciated :)
Thanks Guys!
-Bree
If you look around the house yoy can find many of the tools you need.

Fingernail clippers to snip the leads
Screw drivers that have shafts of 2-2.5 mm Shaft
Scissors to cut the tails of the wicks

I recommend an ohm meter so you know the resistance of the coils you make

A small tackle box that fits in your pocket to hold spare screws, O Rings a few coils you make in advance

A pair of ceramic tweezers. To fiddle with your coils.

If i may be of further help just ask.

I think you wl be surprised how much more flavor you get and how easy rebuilding is.
 

Two_Bears

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 4, 2015
7,045
16,673
Northern Arizona
Ive read that the number of times you wrap the wire is what will determine the Ohms in the end? is this true? I would like to stay around .5 ohms for now since that is what I have become accustomed to in my vaping experience.
You got it. More wraps =higher resistance

But you can build the coils to where your Juice tastes best. Myself i prefer the resistance to be .8-1 ohm
 
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zoiDman

My -0^10 = Nothing at All*
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 16, 2010
41,710
1
84,983
So-Cal
Ive read that the number of times you wrap the wire is what will determine the Ohms in the end? is this true? I would like to stay around .5 ohms for now since that is what I have become accustomed to in my vaping experience.

How many Wraps is One Part of what determines the Ohms of a Coils.

The Type of Wire and How Thick the Wire is (or if there are Multiple Wires like in a Clapton), and the Diameter of the Coil all contribute to what the Ohms will be.

For someone just starting out and wants to be around .5 Ohms, I would suggest using 26 or 28ga 316/316L Stainless Steel wire coupled with Pad Cotton.

SS is Easy to work with. As is Pad Cotton.

Also, it isn't 100% Necessary. But this type of Coiling Tool makes wrapping a Coil Very Easy.

CoilMaster Coiling Kit V4 Microcoil Jig

Last thing, this site can be Very Helpful for doing "What Ifs" when it comes to Coil Building.

Coil wrapping
 

zoiDman

My -0^10 = Nothing at All*
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 16, 2010
41,710
1
84,983
So-Cal
Hey there,

I have been using a KangerTech Top Box Nano for a year now and I love it! I just purchased the Top Box Mini Red edition because I noticed that it comes with a RBA starter kit. I havent tried any rebuilds as of yet, I wouldnt even know where to begin honestly lmao I love a good cloud tho and would like to give it a go. I currently run a .5 ohm Clapton coil at around 45 watts with a high VG juice, and I get good production without having to take a huge inhale, so any advice to me on how to get started on my first RBA? Questions I have include but are not limited too: What supplies will I need and where is the best place to find them? What kind of safety precautions should be taken with these kinds of mods? I have several 18650 efest high output batteries, but I welcome any recommendations in that respect as well.

Any Information anyone can provide will be equally considered and appreciated :)
Thanks Guys!
-Bree

BTW - You don't have to wind your own Coils if you Don't Want to.

If you are Lazy (like Me!) you can buy Pre-Coiled Coils like this...

$2.16 Authentic MKWS 316 Stainless Steel Pre-Coiled Wires for RBA Atomizers (50-Pack) - 28 AWG / 0.3mm dia. / 0.6ohm at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

$1.91 Pre-Coiled Wires for RBA RDA RTA Rebuildable Atomizers (50-Pack) 50-pack - 26 AWG / 0.6ohm / 0.4mm dia. / 15*15mm leads / 5 loops at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

The Downside of buying from a company like Fasttech is that it usually takes 2 ~ 3 weeks for them to get to you if you are in the USA.

But if your Not in a Hurry, you can get a Lot of Coils for Next to Nothing.
 
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mongo74

I'm your huckleberry.
ECF Veteran
Nov 15, 2016
2,117
6,652
51
Ωhmsville
Building your own RBA is going to be very satifying, even with pre-made coils. Just how easy it is will pleasantly surprise you as long as you're patient, and take your time. Experimenting with different coil structures is fun, and can drastically alter a flavor profile.
 

djsvapour

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Oct 2, 2012
11,822
7,901
England and Wales
Hemostats have serated jaws to really clamp down on slippery wires.

Wow... I never knew what those were. I checked them out.... yes, sir..... and I have a pair! (If that's what you call them). I use them for the strangest of jobs.
The only e-cig job is pulling out nicotine bottle stoppers etc.
I use them for clamping the plastic grommets on exterior car trim too. :)
 

BreeDee

Full Member
Nov 27, 2015
6
9
35
Rebuilding Tools:

Meters:
You'll need a digital multimeter, or an ohm reader and a 510 voltage meter, to measure coil resistance and battery voltage.

Precision Screwdriver Set. $7
Used to wrap your coils around and tighten your RDA post screws. Screwdriver bases have the diameter clearly marked on them in mm.

Stainless Steel Tweezer. $7
Used to compress the coil loops to make a compressed coils. Also helpful to tease the wick through the coil. Worthwhile to spend a little more on ceramic-tipped tweezers as you can compress coils while you press the fire button and not short out the battery.

Scissors, wire cutter, or nail clipper to cut wire and wicks.

Kanthal wire: $8
Available in different thicknesses (gauges). 26 or 28 gauge is usually recommended for novices.

Organic cotton balls, cellucotton (rayon) , Ecowool, or silica wick.



I've written a couple of blogs concerning RBA's and batteries that you may find helpful. I'd upgrade from the Efest batteries if I were you. Lg, Samsung, and Sony make the best batteries for vaping.

Information Resources for Your First RBA
  • An essential read and referrance guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.
Battery Basics for Mods: The Definative Battery Guide for Vaping
  • A popular and essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.
Are You Using a Rewrap (Rebranded) Battery?

  • Learn what a rewrap cell is. If you are using rebranded cell, does that mean it is inferior, poor quality, or even dangerous? Which batteries are suspected to be rebranded batteries.
Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
  • A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes an important commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.
Thanks so much for the cornucopia of information!! I feel so much more prepared and alot less anxious :) thanks to everyone!!
 
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