RSST problems, please help a service member

[livelikecrosby]

Hey guys, I'm new to the whole rba scene, I have been vaping for a bit though. Finally decided to take the next step and get an rba, and from what I read smoktech's rsst was a decent RBA for a beginner.

So I was extremely excited when my rsst came in yesterday, came home and built it immediately. Only to be extremely disappointed in the taste. It has a terribly burnt taste. So I did some more reading, fixed my hot spots and still had that burnt taste. So I read some more and saw a guy who likes to take a few thin strands of cheese cloth run them through the center of the wick, wrap the top (where the coil will be) and then run it back down. He said that can help avoid hotspots as well as help with wicking. I tried that and it has helped a little bit, but I'm still having a bad burnt/metallic taste.

I'm using unoxidized 500 ss mesh with 30 gauge wire. Checked my resistance on my svd and it's coming up at 1.2 right now. Any info is helpful. Thank in advance

 

[Plumes.91]

Its most likely because the SS mesh & your coil isn't oxidized. Give it some time. Next time you rebuild, just take a lighter to the SS mesh to create a thin layer of carbon over the metal, and also, pulse your coil at least 50 times before adding juice. That will help quite a bit. Other than that, you could possibly have a small short that is really heating up a particular point in the coil, but I think your good if your coil seems to be turning red (when dry) evenly. My best advice to you is keep pulsing the coil for a bit, and it should dramatically decrease.

 

[livelikecrosby]

Thanks for the advice. I think I might have found part of the problem. I'd been using it on my new magneto mech mod and idk if it was just putting out too much power or what because I put it on my svd and it tasted a lot better. If I were to raise my resistance would I be able to use my mech mod? Btw, the taste is getting better, but vapor production is still terrible

 

[Miata GT]

Ditch the SS and use cotton. Vapor and flavor are excellent from my RSST on my Magneto.

 

[livelikecrosby]

Miata, are you using organic cotton balls or what? And have you drilled out your air hole?

 

[ConradM]

To start, drill the air hole out to at least 1/16th. (I use 5/64 air holes) You can get replacements for $5 if you mess it up or don't like it. 2nd, use a wet cotton ball in the shape of a horseshoe to reduce your top cap. That is you stuff the cotton ball inside the cap leaving just enough room to clear the wick and leave an opening for the drip tip.

The RSST top cap is huge and it really kills the flavor you get. Let me know if you need pictures.

Also, why didn't you oxidize the wick? Don't go straight to cotton, learn how to use mesh as some juices taste better on mesh and some on cotton.

 

[livelikecrosby]

Didn't oxidize my mesh because I am on base and havnt had the chance to get my hands on a blowtorch yet. And for the cotton ball, do you dampen it here and there to keep it wet?

 

[ConradM]

No it'll stay wet from the condensation in the cap. In fact you'll have to blot it or replace it from time to time if you like things to stay leak free. You can oxidize with a lighter too btw.

Watch this video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHsfdlGacTc

 

[ConradM]

Cotton ball top cap.



Sometimes you have to trim the cotton ball a bit. Just depends on how big it is.

 

[CloudZ]

I used to have big problems with mesh wicks in my rsst, then I think I figured it out and its been really consistent. Most of the rebuilding guides are too oversimplified and focused on total beginners (here is how you roll mesh, here is how you torch it, here is how you wrap a coil, poke out hot spots, etc), so the nuances are missed.

My breakthrough came when I took the center post out while wrapping the coil, then put it back in to secure the positive wire. The wick was solid 500 mesh, lightly oxidized, exact fit in the wick hole. I realized that the wire needs to be consistently tight everywhere on the wick, and tight enough that it touches the wick everywhere (no gaps), yet still loose enough that if you pluck the wraps with a mini screwdriver, they slide along the wick easily. Any deviation from this requires adjustment or you risk constantly battling shorts and hotspots.

A non essential but helpful tip is to make sure the wick is not pulled tightly against the edge of the wick hole in any direction by the coil. This reduces heat transfer into the deck, increasing efficiency.

Good luck!