The Billow v2!

[Noserenity]

Alright, so my 2 velocity rda's that came in kept me from playing with my v2 for quite a little bit now, but I just rebuilt it today.

I have noticed now for the first time (I read about it here and paid attention as I built the deck) that between coil fiddling and dry burning you really do need to keep winching in those grub screws! My prior builds all had fluctuating voltage and also dry hits from time to time.

Well so far so good. Just chained vaped her for about 30 minutes or so. Will report back in a couple of days. Love my drippers, but I'm going on vacation in a couple of days and really want a tank to bomb around with on the road.

 

[Thor Cloudchaser]

I have to say, the Billow v2 is amazing. On the other hand, newbies are not recommended, as the problems that can come up are no big deal to those who have dealt with coils, wicking and such for a while. The four post design helps, alot, but the wicking can be hell and if you don't know how to troubleshoot problems that arise you will be endlessly frustrated. Start with a Troll rda, built identical to this but much larger. I have a Delta 2 as well and that rba deck SUCKS, too small and can only do a single coil (dual coils are by far my preference). Once it is working right though, it can't be beat. This is truly the new tank to beat, and best of luck, I hope to see the results. And still no SS tank, sadly.

 

[jj6404]

I have to say, the Billow v2 is amazing. On the other hand, newbies are not recommended, as the problems that can come up are no big deal to those who have dealt with coils, wicking and such for a while. The four post design helps, alot, but the wicking can be hell and if you don't know how to troubleshoot problems that arise you will be endlessly frustrated. Start with a Troll rda, built identical to this but much larger. I have a Delta 2 as well and that rba deck SUCKS, too small and can only do a single coil (dual coils are by far my preference). Once it is working right though, it can't be beat. This is truly the new tank to beat, and best of luck, I hope to see the results. And still no SS tank, sadly.

+1

I don't consider myself a newbie. I've built and wicked a dozen rdas and figured those out well. But the only "rta" experience I had before the billow v2 was the rba base of the STM. I still don't have this billow v2 figured out perfectly. I don't remember if I already mentioned this in this thread but ironically the wicking method that has been working the best for me is the most haphazard one. I've been trimming the wicks to the deck, fluffing them up a little on the ends, screwing the chimney on, and then using a screwdriver to lightly stuff the ends down toward the juice channels. With this method I get no dry hits or leaking going 40-43 watts on 0.28 ohm claptons. I find this ironic because my first two weeks with the billow I was taking my time meticulously trimming, juicing, and placing the wick ends carefully in the notches but it wasn't working for me. I still say I don't have this thing figured out fully though because I can't chain vape it like some people claim and I can't vape it above 43 watts without going dry. I figure if a subohm clearomizer like the Herakles can go 80 watts I should be able to do 50-60 with this right??


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[m00shie]

My pervious tank was the Lemo 2. I have to say that it was an awesome tank. Then came the UD Zephyrus...it has better flavor and cloud but...don't really know how to describe the feeling but I personally feel that it's kinda unbalanced.

3 days later, my B2 finally arrived. The built quality is awesome compared to the Zephyrus. I was so excited to build it but my first attempt (followed wicking method on one youtube video) failed terribly. Then I gave it a second attempt (follow rip tripper's method) and failed again. I then gave myself a rest...and the next day. ..i took everything apart...wash it and rebuild again. This time, I tested my wicking based on some comments in this thread. Oh wow...the tank is awesome! I think my new Zephyrus will be somewhat lonely in the cupboard.

 

[Thor Cloudchaser]

I go for a pleasant vape instead of how much power I can run through it, but that is my wicking method to a "t". If I go over 40 watts there is no chain vaping, but I can get a hit or 2 before it goes dry. You can run the Herk with machine made coils higher than you can this, hell you can run RDA's higher than this, but I am getting as good of a vaping experience from my 40 watts as I did out of the Herk (tried a friends, was not impressed). The power you have to run that at to get a decent vape is too high, kills batteries. If the vape at 40 isn't enough vape or isn't warm enough that is one thing, but if you are just looking for numbers, I am not the one to help you, my friend.

 

[Thor Cloudchaser]

Also my newbie comment was for the fellow who didn't know the difference between the zeph and the bv2. Not trying to be mean, but until you have fought to get the most coil from the least space, this may not be the best tank for you. I would take a picture to show my build, but it's pointless, looks just like everyone elses around these parts.

 

[jj6404]

Also my newbie comment was for the fellow who didn't know the difference between the zeph and the bv2. Not trying to be mean, but until you have fought to get the most coil from the least space, this may not be the best tank for you. I would take a picture to show my build, but it's pointless, looks just like everyone elses around these parts.

Oh no I know you weren't calling me a newb, I just wanted to preface my statement with that one to emphasize how much of an advanced user device the billow v2 is. I'm not about numbers, I'm about the experience. I feel like I have to take very long hits to get "as much vape" as I need to be satisfied from my current build/wick. This is why I want to be able to vape it higher. On my drippers, I vape 26/36 dual fused claptons at 75-80 watts for the perfect vape for me. The flavor is awesome at 45 watts on my billow with my 0.25-0.28 build but I want more vapor with shorter hits. And I guess it's kind of just a logic thing that I'm trying to understand. I'm just saying that if a factory made cookie-cutter coil head can wick well enough to keep up with 80 watts then I'd like to think that a well machined rta base with four sizeable juice channels can as well. Who knows, maybe they're still using ceramic fibers in those mass produced coil heads and that's why they can keep up. And what do you mean by getting the most coil in the smallest space? My favorite build on my billow v2s for now are 5 wrap 26/36 claptons. I tried 28/36 fused claptons in it once but I was getting dry hits way too frequently.

Oh, another reason why I want to be able to take it to around 80 watts is because I want to be able to keep the same +\- 0.2 ohm build in it and use it on a mech and regulated device interchangeably without getting dry hits. As it stands, I can't pop this build on a single 18650 tube mech with a fresh battery without going dry on past 3 seconds on a hit.

Do you consider this fighting to get the most coil out of the smallest space?



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[Thor Cloudchaser]

Coming from the delta 2 w/ rba, getting enough titanium or nickle in there for a good build is nearly impossible. Newbs should start with a troll or other rda to learn, then attempt this. What juice pg/vg are you using? I'm guessing max vg, as I am. That may be our problem on getting lots of cloud in a short time, vg doesn't move quickly, ever. The coils on the Herk and Artic have HUGE holes for juice, so that may be the big one there, I think they both use organic cotton. I am loving the bv2 as is, so am little to no real help to you, sadly. I will be trying temp control next, so that may have answers for you.

 

[jj6404]

Coming from the delta 2 w/ rba, getting enough titanium or nickle in there for a good build is nearly impossible. Newbs should start with a troll or other rda to learn, then attempt this. What juice pg/vg are you using? I'm guessing max vg, as I am. That may be our problem on getting lots of cloud in a short time, vg doesn't move quickly, ever. The coils on the Herk and Artic have HUGE holes for juice, so that may be the big one there, I think they both use organic cotton. I am loving the bv2 as is, so am little to no real help to you, sadly. I will be trying temp control next, so that may have answers for you.

Yeah I want to get into temp control eventually and definitely with one of my billows. I'm using somewhere between 70/30 to 80/20 vg/pg. I know I'm pushing it to its wicking limits but hearing guys chain vape 80/20 vg and upwards with no dry hits, and assuming they are not exaggerating, I feel like I'm failing miserably.


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[Thor Cloudchaser]

I wouldn't say miserably, you're getting decent vapor with no leaks, I'll call that progress. Also very clean setup, nice!!

 

[Noserenity]

I have 9 rebuildables in my collection, 5 drippers 4 rta's, and it has been my most difficult experience with an rba so far, as far as figuring it out. I'm on my 4th tank full since yesterday, though, and I think I've got this one working. If my hypothesis was correct, my wicking wasn't even the issue. I really think that, upon firing, a coil wasn't making good enough contact and all the wattage was being directed more towards one coil than the other causing the burning dry hit. I've never had such issues with grub screws backing out so easily. It would also explain why I have had this thing working great for a day, and with heating and cooling, would then start giving me dry hits after a day and a half or so before now. We shall see.

Currently running dual 8 wraps 24g kanthal 2.5mm, around .24 ohms, at around 50 watts or so and it's really keeping up (so far). I think I may bring it down to a 2mm though, because the 2.5 id really fills up that area with the wick and all and seems to restrict the airflow a bit. After work..

Also, my juice is about a 90 vg 10 pg mix diy. At work I have to vape fast at times, so if I'm going to get a dry hit chaining it will happen there eventually. Though it was good last night, 2 nights in a row will be the ultimate test for me.

 

[Thor Cloudchaser]

I'm at 2mm, couldn't make anything larger fit properly. The screws backing out was part of my earlier rant, in that this has so many problems come up that if a newb gets this device they may just give up and go with something much more user friendly, like an atlantis 2 or something. Being more experienced you persevered, but not all will continue to fight to get it to work properly. Fantastic once it is working though!

 

[jj6404]

I have 9 rebuildables in my collection, 5 drippers 4 rta's, and it has been my most difficult experience with an rba so far, as far as figuring it out. I'm on my 4th tank full since yesterday, though, and I think I've got this one working. If my hypothesis was correct, my wicking wasn't even the issue. I really think that, upon firing, a coil wasn't making good enough contact and all the wattage was being directed more towards one coil than the other causing the burning dry hit. I've never had such issues with grub screws backing out so easily. It would also explain why I have had this thing working great for a day, and with heating and cooling, would then start giving me dry hits after a day and a half or so before now. We shall see.

Currently running dual 8 wraps 24g kanthal 2.5mm, around .24 ohms, at around 50 watts or so and it's really keeping up (so far). I think I may bring it down to a 2mm though, because the 2.5 id really fills up that area with the wick and all and seems to restrict the airflow a bit. After work..

Also, my juice is about a 90 vg 10 pg mix diy. At work I have to vape fast at times, so if I'm going to get a dry hit chaining it will happen there eventually. Though it was good last night, 2 nights in a row will be the ultimate test for me.

Yours came with grub screws? Both of mine have Phillips head screws which I hate.


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[Noserenity]

Yours came with grub screws? Both of mine have Phillips head screws which I hate.


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Thanks for the correction, I should have said deck screws. Bad habbit calling them all grub screws.

 

[Noserenity]

I'm at 2mm, couldn't make anything larger fit properly. The screws backing out was part of my earlier rant, in that this has so many problems come up that if a newb gets this device they may just give up and go with something much more user friendly, like an atlantis 2 or something. Being more experienced you persevered, but not all will continue to fight to get it to work properly. Fantastic once it is working though!

Everything here I totally agree. They seem so close with this design though. A tweak here and there and they'd have a tank no other maker could touch.

 

[sos2001]

I'd rate the B2 at about a 7/10. I'm a 22-30 watt lung hitter. I've not have wicking or leaking issues so far...I use a 50/50 blend almost exclusively. I am still a big fan of the flavor and clouds I get from the B1. Even as I type this, I've got the B1 with a .4ohm build at 22.5 watts on my HB50 mod. If it were not for the that @@##!! weeping from the afc bottom screws, this would be my best tank...and I own 2. But never put them on any more expensive mod.

I got the B2 to solve that issue and it did. The flavor and clouds are close to the B1...but not quite. Every so often, there's an odd aftertaste with the 2. Not quite sure what that is. Right now, it's getting an extended soak to see if that helps.

 

[jj6404]

I'd rate the B2 at about a 7/10. I'm a 22-30 watt lung hitter. I've not have wicking or leaking issues so far...I use a 50/50 blend almost exclusively. I am still a big fan of the flavor and clouds I get from the B1. Even as I type this, I've got the B1 with a .4ohm build at 22.5 watts on my HB50 mod. If it were not for the that @@##!! weeping from the afc bottom screws, this would be my best tank...and I own 2. But never put them on any more expensive mod.

I got the B2 to solve that issue and it did. The flavor and clouds are close to the B1...but not quite. Every so often, there's an odd aftertaste with the 2. Not quite sure what that is. Right now, it's getting an extended soak to see if that helps.

How are you getting more clouds from the v1 when the v2 has more airflow?


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[sos2001]

How are you getting more clouds from the v1 when the v2 has more airflow?


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I have no idea...maybe a more saturated and flavorful cloud would be a better term. That odd aftertaste means I don't use the 2 as often. I suppose I'm still experimenting.

 

[jj6404]

I have no idea...maybe a more saturated and flavorful cloud would be a better term. That odd aftertaste means I don't use the 2 as often. I suppose I'm still experimenting.

Are you using the same build on the billow v2 as the v1? I favor claptons on mine. Wet, flavorful vape.


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[sos2001]

Are you using the same build on the billow v2 as the v1? I favor claptons on mine. Wet, flavorful vape.


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I have not "graduated" to more complicated builds. Still using basic micro coil...26ga @ .4 ohms on most builds. About the time i was reading up on other builds along came temp control and building nickel coils (which I'm getting good at) took up more time. I've seen prebuilt claptons, but that goes against my reason for building my own coils.