Seeking Help/Advice re: Kangertech Subox Mini

[Inni]

Hello fellow vapers!


Right off, forgive me if there is a thread that addresses all of this - I have been looking/reading - but have not been able to find something in layman's terms… basically simple enough for me to understand.


There are some really smart people on this board!


I use the Kangertech Subox mini - as it came out of the box.


I don't understand ….


What is a sub-ohm?

What is a 510 delrin drip?


What happens when you go from 7.0 watts to its max of 50 watts?


What do the different sized atomizers do? [ I believe I am using the 1.2 Ω version ]


It looks like I am also using 2.8V (top number on the display)



Issues:


The first coil lasted about 2 weeks. The re-buildable coil lasted about 10 days.


The replacement coils I purchased (1.2Ω) have been lasting less than a week - right around 6 days the taste gets harsh.


Sometimes it leaks - it seems to be the coil.


What is the difference between the "Kanger Subtank OCC Vertical coil - V2" and the "Atomizer Head for Kanger Subtank OCC" ?

[they look very similar]


I suppose, at web price $3.00 each, if the coil lasts at least 6 days -- it's a reasonable price (if you compare to analogs) -- + juice, of course.


I would like to consider a more diy approach, however - so I can change the cotton more often.
I am really looking for a steady, reliable vaping experience.


Answers, feedback and advice is all very much appreciated.







Additionally…


The website gives a LOT of specs:


Features and Specs for KBOX Mini:


•Dimensions: 3-1/4"L x 1-1/2"W x 7/8"D

•510 Threaded

•Minimum Resistance: 0.3 ohm

•Adjustable wattage settings: 7 to 50 watts using 0.1 watt increments

•Zinc alloy casing

•On/off - press the power button 5 times within 3 seconds to turn the device on or off

•Low voltage protection

•Low resistance protection

•Short circuit protection

•Reverse battery protection

•Low battery warning

•10 second cut off safety feature

•More lightweight and compact compared to the original KBOX

•Magnet battery cover

•Utilizes one high amp 18650 battery (removable and sold separately)

•Charged via USB (USB Cable included)



Features and Specs for Subtank Mini:


•Dimensions: 2-5/8"L x 7/8"D (with drip tip)

•22mm Diameter

•510 connector

•RBA Coil with PEEK Insulator

•Glass tank

•Sub-ohm 0.5ohm and LR 1.5 ohm Coil Included

•Sub-ohm Coil provides incredible vapor production and flavor

•Updated airflow control valve with dual slots

•New Organic Cotton Coil Head

•Organic Cotton made in Japan

•Mini RBA Base allows you to build your own coils

•4.5ml liquid Capacity

•Includes 1 x 510 delrin drip tip

•510 Drip tip compatible

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

hi Inni, relax. Sub ohm is a measure of the electrical current resistance. Sub ohm is any measure under 1.0 ohm. Your Subbox comes with a .5 square factory coil of .5 ohm. (1/2 ohm). You should start about 12 watts and take a hit, then bump it up. If it gets to taste funny or too hot or burnt, back down the power.

510 is the size, and delrin is the plastic/rubber the drip tip is made from. It's good for not getting too hot when vaping as opposed to the metal ones.

How long a coil lasts is determined by how much it is used, and the juice. Dark and sweeter juices tend to gunk up a coil faster. They last anywhere from a week to two weeks normal.

If you raise the wattage from 7 to 50 you're liable to burn up a coil in seconds. The 1.2 ohm coil is good to about 20 watts (use the start low method and bump it up to find your sweet spot). Using too much power burns the cotton wick and makes juice taste horrible.

2.8 volts is about 14 watts. You can control either the watts or volts, and the mod (battery) will control the other, it's a safety feature.

Leakage. Make certain the coil is screwed in firmly when you change them out. The coil head has an oring on the bottom to seal against leakage into the air flow holes and out the bottom. The glass also has orings than can leak and can also be replaced.

The 1.2 ohm and V2 (vertical) coils are very similar to use. The main difference is the direction the coil is installed in the coil head and the airflow for it. The vertical ones are more airy. The method to use is the same... start low and work your way up.

For a more diy approach you will want to use the build deck. I'd recommend a coil jig to help you make your own coils, like the Kuro Koiler. You will also need an Ohm meter Kanthal A1 wire and cotton. Check Youtube for building a coil on the Subtank Mini and you'll find many videos.

Good luck in your journey.

 

[aznnp77]

What is a sub-ohm?

-Sub ohm is just a term meaning something is able to be operated at less than 1 ohm. It doesn't have to be, but if you choose to, sub-ohming can create huge clouds when coupled with stuff like high VG (vegetable glycerin) juice.​

What is a 510 delrin drip?

-Delrin is just a material used for tips that you draw the vapor from. It's like a plastic kind of. If you're vaping high watts, sometimes a metal tip will get too hot for comfort. Something less conductive will vape cooler.​

What happens when you go from 7.0 watts to its max of 50 watts?

-Typically going up in wattage gives you a warmer vape with bigger clouds. The taste will also change a bit. When you go higher in watts it also burns through juice a little faster. You can play with the wattage and find your sweet spot. At some point, you will go too high and may burn the coil, so increase a little at a time.​

What do the different sized atomizers do? [ I believe I am using the 1.2 Ω version ]

-By atomizers I believe you mean coils. Lower ohm atomizers are intended for higher wattage and more vapor. You can use the same wattage on either coil and it will probably vape the same depending on your equipment.​

It looks like I am also using 2.8V (top number on the display)

-That's just the voltage you are using. It'll produce a wattage. Just find the setting you like the most. Most people vape in wattage now since coils aren't the standard 2 ohm anymore. It alows you to adjust without having to consult a chart on your wattage.​

Issues:

The first coil lasted about 2 weeks. The re-buildable coil lasted about 10 days.

-This is normal. Coil life depends on the user based on how high wattage you vape, how often you vape, and the PG/VG ratio of your juice, and the color of your juice (dark juices kill coils faster).​

The replacement coils I purchased (1.2Ω) have been lasting less than a week - right around 6 days the taste gets harsh.

-This is normal. Most people get about a week or two on a coil. Some people can go month(s). I rebuild mine every 2 days because I'm a flavor junkie, and rebuilding coils costs close to nothing. When I used to buy coils, they would last me 3 days tops.​

Sometimes it leaks - it seems to be the coil.

-This is normal. Some tanks leak more than others. Keep your mod out of the sunlight for extended times. Vapes are senstive to temperate changes too. Heat thins the liquid out. Mine leaks a little bit sometimes when going from AC building to outside when it's hot and humid.​

What is the difference between the "Kanger Subtank OCC Vertical coil - V2" and the "Atomizer Head for Kanger Subtank OCC" ?

-The vertical coil is build vertical rather than horizontal. People say the vertical one is better, but I've never had a vertical coil before to compare. OCC stands for organic cotton coil.​

I suppose, at web price $3.00 each, if the coil lasts at least 6 days -- it's a reasonable price (if you compare to analogs) -- + juice, of course.

-Yes, $3 for a week seems reasonable, but I rebuild mine so I only pay for rayon and kanthal. I haven't bought coils in over a year, and am on the same $5 spool or kanthal, and $10 box of rayon that will last 50 years+.​

I would like to consider a more diy approach, however - so I can change the cotton more often.
I am really looking for a steady, reliable vaping experience.

-Learn how to build coils and you will save lots of money, and recharge your flavor more often. Took me about an hour to learn from watching videos and I took my time. Now I can build the same coil in 5 minutes.​

Not sure what the point of posting the specs of your subtank are, so can't comment on that.

 

[Inni]

Thank you both VERY much!!! So helpful!!

I only posted the specs because I'm not sure what info is needed, and what is not - to give people the options to respond.

I read a lot on here, but so much of it goes over my head --- so I really appreciate this!!

 

[suprtrkr]

Hi! I was going to respond, but @aznnp77 said what I would have and faster. That's good advice. I also build my own coils and it is much cheaper. I also DIY my juice and make it of <5 cents per ml. Good luck, and holler back with any more questions.

 

[dcfluegel]

Thank you both VERY much!!! So helpful!!

I only posted the specs because I'm not sure what info is needed, and what is not - to give people the options to respond.

I read a lot on here, but so much of it goes over my head --- so I really appreciate this!!

howdy - and welcome! give yourself some time and cut yourself some slack - it's a lot of info coming at you all at once

key things are keep it safe, and keep asking questions

 

[Inni]

Suprtrkr ~


Thank you. I think I will get there - I'm just not mathematically / or terminology inclined. So - I have to sift thru a lot of information and try to let it sink in.


Dcfluegel - Thank you too - there is a lot of info., I mean a LOT of info on vaping.

It can be overwhelming.
The advice and support from this forum is just wonderful!


I forgot to ask! --- Why do the new coils POP?

 

[Baditude]

I just purchased a black delrin wide-bore drip tip for my mech/rebuildable dripper. Two thumbs up.

I'm not a fan of metal drip tips. If the atomizer creates a lot of heat, it can be transferred to the metal drip tip and feel too hot to the lips. Delrin doesn't conduct heat so stays cool to the lips.

Also, metal drip tips can attract "lip burgers" which look crusty and nasty. They are created when saliva dries on their metal surface. Delrin doesn't seem to do this.

 

[Baditude]

Why do the new coils POP?

That's perfectly normal. Pg and Vg pop & crackle like bacon frying when the coils heat up and vaporize the e-liquid.

 

[suprtrkr]

Suprtrkr ~


Thank you. J I think I will get there - I'm just not mathematically / or terminology inclined. So - I have to sift thru a lot of information and try to let it sink in.


Dcfluegel - Thank you too - there is a lot of info., I mean a LOT of info on vaping.

It can be overwhelming.
The advice and support from this forum is just wonderful!


I forgot to ask! --- Why do the new coils POP?

Popping is usually caused by too much juice on the coil when you first fire it. There can be a number of causes. You said in your top post "sometimes it leaks." when it does, that's probably why.

 

[Inni]

I just purchased a black delrin wide-bore drip tip for my mech/rebuildable dripper. Two thumbs up.

I'm not a fan of metal drip tips. If the atomizer creates a lot of heat, it can be transferred to the metal drip tip and feel too hot to the lips. Delrin doesn't conduct heat so stays cool to the lips.

Also, metal drip tips can attract "lip burgers" which look crusty and nasty. They are created when saliva dries on their metal surface. Delrin doesn't seem to do this.

hahahaha ... yeah, "lip burgers" do not sound good! I think I know what you mean too - I tried a metal tip on my Kbox, and it looked crusty real quick - so I went back to the hard plastic.

Thank you! - I guess I could have googled Delrin - but it's awesome to get info plus first hand experience info!

 

[Inni]

Popping is usually caused by too much juice on the coil when you first fire it. There can be a number of causes. You said in your top post "sometimes it leaks." when it does, that's probably why.

OK! .... the first time it leaked - the guy at the shop said he thought it was the coil. He changed it out, and voila!

Then, yesterday, when I replaced the coil - I noticed it leaking again - so I opened it back up and sure enough the coil was loose.

After I tightened it up, it seems OK --- but it's still popping a bit.

In fact, anytime I change the coil it pops - so maybe I'm putting too much juice on it with the dripper..... so it doesn't burn. I'll try to cut back a little.

From what I understand, you have to wet it - so it doesn't give you the dreaded dry hit! I've had one of those, omg!

 

[suprtrkr]

OK! .... the first time it leaked - the guy at the shop said he thought it was the coil. He changed it out, and voila!

Then, yesterday, when I replaced the coil - I noticed it leaking again - so I opened it back up and sure enough the coil was loose.

After I tightened it up, it seems OK --- but it's still popping a bit.

In fact, anytime I change the coil it pops - so maybe I'm putting too much juice on it with the dripper..... so it doesn't burn. I'll try to cut back a little.

From what I understand, you have to wet it - so it doesn't give you the dreaded dry hit! I've had one of those, omg!

It doesn't bother me all that much. My Lemo 2s have a 6mm chimney, they make *big* vapor. So much so, it condenses back inside and runs back down on the coil. THey pop just about every time. I think it adds a bit of personality...