Russian 91% help

[Zx_1989]

I realize this probably isn't the best forum for this sort of question but I can only post here, so here goes:

I have a Russian 91% (kayfun equivalent) and have done multiple builds on it. I have used two different methods. For one, I wrap 28 gauge kanthal wire in opposing directions and connect diagonally to both posts. For the second, I wrap in the standard fashion, connect to both posts and slightly raise microcoil. I'm wrapping to 0.8 ohms.

Long story short, no matter which build method I use, I seem to get a burnt taste, harsh throat hit, and little vapor. I check for hot spots before assembly. Any help is appreciated. 90 dollar rba and hate not getting anything out of it.

 

[folkphys]

what's your wick?

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Probably comes down to wicking and/or coil placement. Pics?

 

[Zx_1989]

Using pure cotton. Unfortunately cannot post pictures at the moment.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Okay, thought you were using cotton. Chances are you are using too much. It's crazy how little you can get away with.

Fortunately, it's easy to swap out, so take out your existing wicks and rewick using half of what you used. If still burnt, half it again. Start with the single coil setup - fewer variables to manage.

 

[JuRuKi]

Wick blocking juice channels?
Wick is too tight and being choked by the coil?

 

[Zx_1989]

Thank you. I thought the cotton had to be long enough to touch the bottom of the chimney (base of atomizer), though? Or am I completely off course.

 

[Zx_1989]

Also, not sure I understand these juice channels.

 

[vdaedalus]

The cotton does have to touch the shelf, near the juice channels. Like JuRuKi is saying, 'too much cotton' mostly means it might be crammed into the coil too tight. If the cotton inside the coil is too dense, there's no room for a lot of juice.

 

[folkphys]

Agreed with all the above concerning wick quantity/density. But the R91 also relies on a somewhat delicate pressure differential in order to operate correctly and efficiently. So assuming you've got a decently proportioned tuft of cotton in there that isn't stuffed onto/into the top of the juice channels (so air can get out and juice in), I must ask:

Do you prime your wick before covering the chimney and putting the tank+topcap back on?

Do you fill from the bottom (as it is designed)?

If you fill from the bottom with the R91 upside down, do you stop before completely full, thereby leaving a bit of air inside which is necessary to establish positive pressure on the juice?

Do you cover the air intake hole when re-filling, which keeps a bit of positive pressure inside the lower air pathways and blocks juice from flooding the coil-chamber?


When you fill or re-fill (and also intermittently while you're vaping) do you then see a few small bubbles tumbling upward as air from the coil-chamber trades places with juice from the tank?

Have you tried a few primer puffs when you start to get dry hits by covering the air intake hole, inhaling then releasing just before the end of your inhale?

If you answer yes to all of these, I would be both amazed and completely stumped.

 

[Harley0227]

I haven't had too many problems with my R91 since I started paying attention to the amount of cotton Im pulling through my coil. I found that a little bit of cotton goes a long, long way. Right now I'm running a 3.1 ohm coil, 32 ga., wrapped with a 1/16 drill bit, 7 wraps (give or take). Heats up super, super quick, Im pushing 4.8 volts through my Provari, and haven't had a dry or burnt hit all day so far. The amount of cotton used is detrimental on a successful build, as in, less is more. If you have to pull hard to get your cotton through the coil, you're probably using too much. A small amount of resistance pulling is good, but if it bunches up, just gently pull the excess bunch opposite your pulling direction. Hope that helps.

 

[Zx_1989]

Thanks all for the advice so far. I think I get most stumped when it comes to reinserting the cotton once I screw chimney back on. Apparently I have to shove it it without clogging "juice channels"?. Also if anyone had a picture of good wick with chimney off that would be awesome. Honestly getting stumped with this and having to revert to kangers. Ugh. I'll post a picture later.

 

[AlB53]

did my first R91 build yesterday ,all i got was burnt hits...I have 2 AGA t2 with cotton , vaping that for 5 month so I know about cotton..lol next day re-wicked with MORE cotton than I did befor, works great,no burnt hits, wicks great...

 

[betterthanyou]

Thanks all for the advice so far. I think I get most stumped when it comes to reinserting the cotton once I screw chimney back on. Apparently I have to shove it it without clogging "juice channels"?. Also if anyone had a picture of good wick with chimney off that would be awesome. Honestly getting stumped with this and having to revert to kangers. Ugh. I'll post a picture later.

Once you wick your coil with cotton, you'll probably have some extra cotton length that will need to be cut off. I suggest getting the cotton mildly wet with juice once you run it through the center of the coil; then push each end of the cotton straight down below the posts so that it rests on the same level as the channel on each side. Cut off any excess that extends beyond this point. Move the cotton wick very slightly to the side of each channel, then screw your center cone on. Shouldn't require any repositioning of the wick if you use this method after the cone is placed.

once the center cone is on fill it to 50-75% capacity with the airhole covered, and turn the kayfun upside down as you are rethreading and connecting the top piece. I fill from the top and have never had any problems with this method. And I keep the airflow control screw completely removed.