Trouble wicking Subtank OCC coils

[KenD]

I've been struggling with wicking Subtank occ coils but just can't seem to get it right. Often, though not always, I can reach around 25w, but never the 30w I could with the stock .5 ohm coil. I've tried different builds, around .7 with 26 ga kanthal, from 1-1.8 with 28 ga (all spaced coils). I've tried different wicking styles, a little cotton (muji pads), a lot of cotton, leaving a short tail outside the coil housing, cutting the cotton as close to the liquid holes and tucking into the housing. Nothing seems to work. I've watched plenty of rebuild videos on youtube and it feels like I've tried everything.

You who've successfully rebuilt/rewicked the occ coils, could you please offer some advice?

 

[Katmar]

Hi Ken, Honey! I can't believe no one has come along to help. At least my post will bump you up to the top again....

 

[workman70]

I rebuild my occ coils all the time. It takes a bit of tinkering. I've built some that wouldn't wick, that wicked too much, etc. Just keep at it. I use organic boiled cotton balls, not japanese organic. For me, it matches up best to the original and wicks the best. i cut the wicks between an 1/8-1/4 inch outside hole and tuck them in. I also manipulate the wick after it's been tucked in to make sure it's lined up perfectly on the holes (which usually happens any way when tucking them in). I try to use the original coil as long as possible, as it it R-NR wire and traditional wire can end up cooking the insulator at the base if chain vaping or taking long hits. I have built my own as well, and they work just fine.

I don't deconstruct the whole build either. I remove the old cotton from the sides. Carefully working it out while holding the coil in place with a toothpick or dental pick. Then reinsert my cotton. I've found that the wick should be somewhat rolled, but not too tight and not to loose. needs good contact all around the coil, but not so tight that it constricts wicking.

I've also found not to give up on your build. Some that I built that didn't seem to wick well "broke in" after sitting a bit and forced priming. I only vape at 24W, but they go to 30 no prob.

 

[KenD]

By some strange happenstance I built a coil/wick that manages 30w without any problems. I don't see that I did anything different from before. Weird

 

[workman70]

I think it all has to do with how much cotton you use and the restriction of the cotton. Too tight, poor wicking and dry hits. Too loose, flooding. Gotta find the sweet spot. just enough for some resistance without moving the coil seems to be right and cut off all the rolled portion.

 

[KenD]

That's the weird part. I've been rebuilding for more than I year and I'm pretty adept at it (not great but good enough). The Subtank occ coils just don't seem to operate on any logic I'm used to. I get no flooding when using less cotton, but burnt hits instead. When I stuff more cotton through the coil than I'm comfortable with I actually have less problems with dry hits.