Depends how you define 'success'
For me, it means that it should at least match the performance of the standard (1.8 and 2.4 ohm) heads that came with it. But since I've had bad luck on mine, the bar's pretty low. Don't get me wrong - when they work, it's good but I'm new to all this and I only have the standard ego-c kit to compare with so take all of this with a lot of salt.
I did read through the huge thread on re-building vivi's and watched most of the videos. I've built probably close to a dozen ss wicks for the nova but only used 2. They were all working - I just wasn't satisfied enough to risk a
tank full of
juice. For all my experiments, I 'fake' vaped them by using half a tank of 99%, no-nic VG.
Here are some of the things I tried: (all 32 gauge wire, 316 ss - I know, 500 is the one to use)
0) did the usual oxidize mesh, quench and
juice burn
1) paper clip, hollow wick - can't really tell the difference between a tightly packed one.
2) ss wick with cotton on top - didn't work too well. I think I over did it which made the draw too tight.
3) smooth bend ( u-shape, no kinks) - this one kinda worked for me. I noticed that I didn't have to do the tip and roll as much. This can be done by using the paper clip technique or just keep rolling while making a bend. (did the former)
4) in all of the trials, 'poking' the coils took the longest time. Watch out for the stems/ends of the wire where they connect to the atty head - I think mine were touching a bit and squishing the coil towards the centre helps. Sometimes I have to pause and let my batt/mod cool down a bit because everything was getting hot (sure sign of a short?). Eventually, I always got them to glow pretty evenly.
5) doubling the legs to lower resistance - tried it once but putting back the grommets and plug was harder. I didn't notice any burn marks so I think I don't need to do it. Didn't try non resistant wire.
6) break in - needed about half a tank but I used my coffee based juices on both times.
7) notch silicone cap - again, over did it on one and ended up with gurgling and leaks through the centre post. I does help even on the standard heads. I noticed that the caps were not consistent in size (fake or quality issues?). Especially on my mini nova, I can see it 'butterflying' past the ridge when I tighten down the top cap. I just trim evenly all the way around.
8) dremel/drill out atty slit - did that this weekend. Over did it again (?!?). Went too low and now I have make sure to prop up the wick horizontally so as not to touch and block the plug that has the needle-like air hole. Talk about a tight draw! This does help on my cotton wick set up.
9) trying soon - cig paper around ss wick and do burn. Supposed to help create an insulating layer. Also want to try the hybrid cotton-in-the-middle wick.
All this and in the end, I'm using cotton yarn daily for my regular tank and a mini with the factory head for back up. It just works for me but I think there is something better. I enjoy all of this and even though I wish it would just work, I see it as practice for the time I get a genesis style atty. (I can target and hit 2.3-2.4 and 1.6-1.8 ohm coils pretty consistently)
Not much help - sorry...
