Tech know how

[Trakeen]

I've been smoking for the last 13 years, and am I EVER TIRED OF IT!

So I started with a local shop, bought some clearomizer that didn't make it through the day... Went back and bought a kanger, and so far so good. Have a Vision Spinner 1300mah battery and things have been going good for the last 4 days. I've only smoked 10 real cigarettes in 4 days from a pack a day.

I see a lot of techie jargon, and damn am I a techie. I build computers, trouble shoot hardware and software problems, build cars from scratch, electronics and all. However, I haven't found much in the way of a glossary of the stuff used here.

Ohms, variable wattage / voltage, great, but how does it effect my vaping experience? I can understand the voltage issue, spinning up to 4.8 OMG. I usually leave my spinner down to 3.3 - 3.8, 4.8 if I really want a great hit (for whatever reason), but I haven't seen much on the ohm and wattage reasoning.

If you guys can point me in the direction of some of the more technical posts I'd appreciate it. I'm pretty good at researching stuff, but so far all I can find online is this vendor or that vendor promoting X item with Y features. No real info on what all the added features do for me.

I'd really like to know more about the atomizers, what's crap and what's not (locally an atomizer with no vendor or tech info goes for 1.99). I like cheap, but how long will it last, what brand is it (there are no markings on the atomizer itself). I don't mind spending more if I can find an atomizer that's going to last months instead of weeks, and works with my existing setup. So far I'm $80 invested, juice, battery, atomizer, and tank.

Also I've read about cleaning out the tank, and some seem to last for months, others a few weeks. What's a good way to sustain the life of your clearomizer and your atomizer for optimum life. Is there even reason to clean the tank besides build up? I would think the wicks on the atomizer need the most cleaning, but I'm a newb!

One more thing, I've seen a few sites out there offering 100% PG free, I'm assuming this is propylene glycol, but what are they using, and what's the advantage (besides inhaling antifreeze?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Stosh]

Welcome to ECF!!

The ohms, volts, wattage are just a way of regulating how much heat your coil and juice get when you take a draw. A good starting point is about 2.2-2.8 ohms, this will produce vapor, flavor and less chance of burnt tastes. This chart will give you an idea of the successful power ranges...http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/469/wattage.png But don't get hung up on numbers, it's the flavor and vapor that matter.

Variable voltage gives you the ability to adjust the heat your coil produces, makes it easier to dial in your preferred heat...

If you browse around the forum, there are tales of super low ohms, high wattage, more power, MORE power.... and you may want to experiment with this at some time. As a noob it's better to learn how to drive before jumping into a NASCAR powered to take a spin.

The atomizer (atty) your B&M has will likely work reasonably well, check with them for what resistance it is, and they are consumables, as is your tank. Always have some spares on hand, build up a stock as you find which you like the best. The toppers (attys, cartos, clearos,..etc) are like your disposable cigarette lighter, use it for a while but not forever.

If you run into trouble just ask, lots of folk around willing to help.

 

[Sthur]

Welcome to ECF, in regards to 100% pg or propylene glycol juice. This means it made from 100% vegetable glycerin or vg. Some people are allergic to pg, so to vape they get all vg.

Most juices are pg, vg, water(sometimes), flavoring, and nic.

Recommend cleaning you tanks weekly or every 5 or so tanks, keeps the junk away. Clean with hot water and air dry if possible. I heat coffee cup in micro for 1 min, add tank taken apart, soak for 10 min, air dry, fill, good as new. Keep a spare tank for cleaning days too.

Happy vaping.

 

[Sthur]

Hit button too many times to post

 

[Scarey]

In simplest terms, wattage is the driving force behind your vape. Tweaking your coil resistance and voltage help get you to the wattage you like. There are also devices that you can just set the wattage you like and forget it.

That said, there are other variables that go into it. Coil configuration, coil surface area, air flow, the type of topper your coil is in, etc. Those are better tested, as they are all matters of personal preference. Every thing about vaping is based on preference. Hopefully, since you have an understanding of the physics of ohm's law, that explanation should give you a better idea of why we do the things we do.

Note, that whole anti-freexe thing is a rumor. The FDA did some very early, preliminary testing of the liquids from a bunch of vendors. ONE of the liquids came up with sub-toxic, trace amounts of diethylene glycol: anti-freeze. Since they were shot down in their attempt to regulate e-cigs as medicine, they cranked up the propaganda machine, and started calling propylene glycol anti-freeze, since they can say it with a straight face, as it is used in some anti-freezes. Specifically, the child and pet safe variety, as a non-toxic alternative to diethylene glycol.

 

[Baditude]

Vapor's Table: Education for Beginning Vapors

Videos for Virgin Vapors

 

[Steam Turbine]

So here is a glossary of most of the lingo that you will hear around here.

As stoch said, at first, it's all about power... Power in the electrical sense of the word. Watts. In the vaping world power is manifested in the form of heat. Using ohm's law you can see that a 1.8 ohm atomizer running at at 3.7 volts will be more powerful (hot) than a 2.8 ohm atty (atomizer) running at the same voltage. And the hotter the coil gets... the more liquid it will evaporate. Again, as Stoch said... Alot of different factors will infulence the "quality" of the vapor... Not only power.

However, power is not that important when it comes to safety.

Ohm's law becomes very important for people that builds coils themselves. Electric current (amps) is of capital importance. Every batteries has what is called a maximum discharge rate rated in amps. It is very easy for coil builders to ask more current out of their batteries than what the battery can safely allow. So using ohms law to make sure that you stay under your batt. amp limit is important.

 

[madqatter]

Ohms, variable wattage / voltage, great, but how does it effect my vaping experience? I can understand the voltage issue, spinning up to 4.8 OMG. I usually leave my spinner down to 3.3 - 3.8, 4.8 if I really want a great hit (for whatever reason), but I haven't seen much on the ohm and wattage reasoning.

There are loads of charts like this around the web, and they can be somewhat useful as guidelines, but the "green zone" isn't set in stone (some juices are better at a higher wattage, others better at a lower wattage, and personal taste is subjective). Basically, you can adjust your vaping results by adjusting resistance (with your coil), voltage (if you have a variable voltage device, as you do), or watts (if you have a variable wattage device, which you don't). Plug in any two numbers into this Ohm's law calculator and you'll get the others in the equation.

No real info on what all the added features do for me.

Check out the ECF Library and blogs. Lots of good stuff.

I'd really like to know more about the atomizers, what's crap and what's not (locally an atomizer with no vendor or tech info goes for 1.99). I like cheap, but how long will it last, what brand is it (there are no markings on the atomizer itself). I don't mind spending more if I can find an atomizer that's going to last months instead of weeks, and works with my existing setup. So far I'm $80 invested, juice, battery, atomizer, and tank.

There are lots of threads about equipment on ECF, and lots of great reviews on YouTube by folks like GrimmGreen and PBusardo. Keep in mind that some elements of this are subjective-- some of us prefer clearomizers, others of us prefer cartomizers, some of us prefer dripping, etc. Over time you will see that some themes recur despite preferences, though. GrimmGreen and PBusardo do not personally prefer vaping clearomizers, for example, but they both recommend Kangertech Evods to beginners because it's quality equipment. I do not own a ProVari mod and have no plans to buy one, to choose another example, but having read all the positive reviews and good experience stories by ProVari owners I would have no qualms about recommending one.

I would think the wicks on the atomizer need the most cleaning, but I'm a newb!

Yes. Many of us regularly soak ours in pure grain alcohol or vodka, others simply soak them in hot water. Some of us do more thorough cleanings with dry burning (look for demonstrations on YouTube). Cleaning your coil heads can extend their lives somewhat.

One more thing, I've seen a few sites out there offering 100% PG free, I'm assuming this is propylene glycol, but what are they using, and what's the advantage

Some people are allergic/sensitive to propylene glycol (PG) and need less/none. Some people just prefer the more visible clouds that a higher percentage of vegetable glycerin (VG) produces. But PG does, according to some, deliver flavor better. Try some different ratios and see what suits you. Both are used in food grade quality, neither is known to be dangerous unless a person has an allergy/sensitivity.

 

[Trakeen]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll be sitting down soon to go over all the links and get to know some of this as soon as I can.

Nice to see a helpful community is out there!