Trying really hard to get taste/vape right on RM2. Please help me.

[edricketts]

Hey guys, first off, I got my grand and RM2 this week and you guys have been great. Part of why I want to make this work so bad is I've spent about 30 hours reading and watching what you guys are able to achieve with these REOs. I've read dozens and dozens of other posts where you've helped someone figure this stuff out. It is obvious you know your vaping waaay better than I do, so I am 100% sure this is user error. Plus, for some odd reason, at this point it almost feels disloyal to give up and go back to my old gear.

Before this, I used a Triton from Halo with a clearomizer. If you haven't seen it, I guess it basically is like an Ego battery from what I can tell. It isn't variable voltage. The resistance is 2.2 to 2.4 ohms. I got big clouds of delicious vapor, but dry hits when the tank gets below 2ml (meaning I have to fill up every .5 ml of vaping), and would have to buy new clearomizers (or at least coils) when it happened. And after a bunch of research, I landed squarely in Reoville for the next (hopefully final) step.

Yet I cannot get the RM2 on my Reo Grand to give me the flavor I know is in my ejuice. Not nearly as good as the Triton anyway. (If it helps, the ejuice is Halo Tribeca, which is a kind if sweet, maybe nutty a little, tobacco flavor that is a light yellow clear color. No idea the PG/VG because they say it is "proprietary.")

That being said, I feel like I've figured out enough to at least ask some of the right questions.

1. First question is about coil build. I've now done a bunch of coils ranging from 30g around silica, to various microcoils. Ohms have ranged from 1.8 to 0.8. The lowest ohms was on 6 wraps of 28g Kanthal around a 1/16 Allen wrench. Unless my multimeter stinks, which could be I guess. Currently I've got 30g twisted (to double it) with 9 wraps on a 1/16 Allen wrench measuring 1.4 ohms. With the microcoils, I have been using cvs sterile rolled cotton or organic cotton. I have used too much cotton, and so little that it burns 3 seconds into pressing the fire button. Here is the current set up

Do you see anything I should be doing different with the coils builds?

2. Second is about coil position. I have tried very near the posts, and very far from the posts. Far is better flavor, but not as good as I'm used to (I checked on the Triton clearomizer to see if it is vaper's tongue, it isn't). I tried putting it way low, it is better for me than when it is up by the air hole. When I position the air hole so it aims to blow through the coil, I get a TH that feels less like a Lucky Strike (which I used to like at one point), and more like I inhaled ground pepper, so I stopped doing that. I now aim it to hit on the squonk hole side, and perpendicular to the coil and that helps the TH feel more "normal" and the taste some. Do you have any thoughts on positioning, or its correlation to the coil I build, that could help?

So that this doesn't become so long it is stupid, I'll stop there. I'll try whatever you vape geniuses (I mean that, not being sarcastic) suggest, even if it means figuring out dual coils or buying new wicking material or something. I'm actually kind of desperate, because I know that this thing can be amazing, yet I am sitting here writing this while vaping on my old clearomizer just so I can have a warm, flavor-rich treat before turning in for the night.

Thanks again for your help.


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[Justice]

Lift the coil up off the deck like close to the top of the posts give that a shot where you have it is way too low for my tastes I will check back in in a bit

 

[pdib]

Does the draw seem looser to you on the RM2? If you're getting more air than you're used to, that's gonna lessen the flavor for you. If so, you need to build a more intense coil to match the increased airflow. You said you tried a .8Ω coil; but you also said you tried a bunch of other stuff (so I don't know if you tried the stronger build with all the other factors being right). You don't want to mis-direct the airflow, that doesn't approximate "less", necessarily. Try half covering the airhole with your finger (like muting a trumpet or something) on a build that is normal for you; but make sure the airhole is centered on the coil both side-to-side and up-and-down. If that helps, you can try lower res. builds (you may find you have to go as low as .5 or .6Ω), or you can order a replacement cap/or atty that isn't drilled, or is drilled to a smaller air hole size. Meantime, you can put a piece of tape over the airhole and experiment with poking holes in that to find the size you like.

 

[Joshinthecity]

Lift the coil up off the deck like close to the top of the posts give that a shot where you have it is way too low for my tastes I will check back in in a bit

Shouldn't his coil be just high enough to ensure it easily flows juice back down the hole.? I think it's a little low, but I also think the top of the posts is too high.
It's a very good noob coil.
O.P. Try raising the coil a little...mostly on the end closest to the hole.

You will get the vape you expect. Maybe not from my tip alone, but we (they) will get you there....
j.

 

[edricketts]

Thanks for the input. I'm flying across the country today (so is the grand), so I'll report back with updates on the improvements when I can.

The tighter draw thing is interesting. That makes a lot of sense because this is an airier draw. When I did 0.8 ohms, the ejuice would vaporize and cotton would burn up quick (like mid draw). Did that just need more wick? For that half draw, it was the closest Id gotten to it being awesome if I remember right.


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[clstearns]

Is the air hole lines up with the coil? When the cap is screwed on look down through the drip tip hole and see where the air hole is. It should point directly at the coil. I'd send a picture, but I'm on my phone at the moment.

If it isn't lined up correctly, try lining it up (it may be loose) so that you can get a vape with the hole right in front of the coil. If this provides a satisfactory vape, then buy another couple o-rings either from Rob or a #41 from the plumbing section at Home Depot and put it around the threads below the cap. This will allow you to place the air hole in the correct position. There's a post somewhere where super_X discusses this.

Good luck!

 

[ancient puffer]

Just as an aside, batteries can make a huge difference in the performance you're getting. Are you using AW IMR's, and are they coming off the charger at 4.19-4.21 volts?

Something else to check is the firing pin. File the tip with a rough file (don't be afraid to really use firm pressure), then put a small dab of noalox on it.

Check the spring, too, and make sure it's making a good connection to the bottom of the battery, AND to the REO itself. Some folks remove the spring and scrap away the paint below the spring and noalox that too.

Since you mentioned that you have a multimeter, try taking a voltage reading off the battery AND at the 510 connection with the battery installed, when you press the fire button (be very careful not to short out the mod by allowing the leads to touch or slip off and short) and see how many of the 4.?? volts are making it to the 510 connection.

 

[e30ernest]

I was in the same situation until about a week ago. Experimented with some builds, coil positions and resistances, and eventually I got my RM2 to perform much better than all my other atomizers in terms of vapor and flavor. Here's what worked for me:

Build
- 1/16" micro coil using 28G Kanthal, 8 wraps netting 0.8 Ohms
- Wicked with organic cotton wool (Mother Care brand)
- Coil aligned parallel with the posts with the end of the coil next to the juice hole.
- Coil angled slightly so that the end near the juice hole is raised (about 3mm) and the other end set low (about 1-1.5mm off the deck).

Modifications to the RM2
I drilled the air hole to 1/16" on my RM2. The stock air hole was a tad small so I wasn't getting enough air flow to keep my coils from overheating and cooking my juice. 1/16" is still small enough for non-lung hitters like me and I found it perfect for my 0.8-1.0 ohm builds.

Stuff to check on the Reo
It has been mentioned by @ancient puffer, but I'll say it again, it is very important to ensure you are getting good electrical flow from your battery to your atomizer. Clean the positive pin add Noalox (if you have access to dielectric grease and if you don't, petroleum jelly works fairly well) to prevent the pin from oxidizing quickly. Press your fire button in the dark and check for sparks on the battery. As much as possible, you don't want sparks there. Bad conductivity will prevent your coil from vaporizing your juice efficiently making vapor production poor and flavors muted.

Good luck and I hope you find the setup that works for you.

 

[pdib]

Thanks for the input. I'm flying across the country today (so is the grand), so I'll report back with updates on the improvements when I can.

The tighter draw thing is interesting. That makes a lot of sense because this is an airier draw. When I did 0.8 ohms, the ejuice would vaporize and cotton would burn up quick (like mid draw). Did that just need more wick? For that half draw, it was the closest Id gotten to it being awesome if I remember right.


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So, I don't have issues with cotton burning up @ .5Ω on a 1/16" Micro; meaning, we can solve this issue too. I looked at your build pics and see nothing wrong there (and particularly, nothing that would cause such major wicking issues); so, I says to myself, I says, "squonk technique". Take off your drip tip so you can peek in there and watch what happens when you squonk. Here's how it oughta go. Press firmly on your juice bottle for the count of three; but more importantly (depending on how full/empty your juice bottle is) hold down your press until you see the juice slowly rise up until your wick and coil are at least half submerged (all the way submerged is good too). Now release and watch the juice drain back down the RM2 juice hole until all you're left with is a nicely wetted wick (and no pool of juice). Now vape that @ .8Ω and see what you think.

Note: when your juice bottle is completely full, the juice won't drain away, so try this experiment with a 2/3 full bottle. When the bottle is full, just a 1-2 count squeeze with less conviction is plenty.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

I am kind of weird in that I tend not to use micro coils. I usually take a 1.5mm piece of Ekowool and wrap a normal coil around it. Then I push all of the wraps close together. That way I get kind of the effect of a micro coil, but without having to use cotton or a drill bit.

It still puts out a ton of clouds. It is a great setup.

 

[dustinmj]

Every time I roll another coil, I come back to this one. 28 gage, for instance, never gives me what I'm looking for even at half an ohm.

Food for thought: 30 gage kanthal 5-6 wraps microcoil on a #56 (.0456") bit with cotton ball cotton. I roll on the bit, then trim the legs and pinch with tweezers torch until hot then usually dip in a cup of water to quick cool. After that back on the bit and use the tweezers to bend the legs out (90deg bends, 2 per leg) to accommodate for the wider posts without pulling the coil apart when inserting. Then assemble, res check (.5-.7 at this point) and fire then release button and pinch with tweezers when hot if it's not glowing right. The legs will always glow red on the first fire, then subsequent fires the coil glows like it should. This little coil hits like a train. Usually ends up about .8-1ohm. The bit is odd sized, but I can't seem to get the same effect with 1/16".

I make sure the cotton slides freely, if it pinches it's too much. I don't roll it very hard/tight, just enough to be somewhat round, then make a needle point at the very end to thread it through. Then trim to about .375" outside the coil.

Oh, and my airholes are just under 1/16", batteries are AW IMR 1600mah.

 

[VapesAlot]

The biggest diffrence I find is the diameter of the coil. Try changing your diameter of your coil, this also changes the number of wraps and the size of your wick changing the vape. Bigger coils you don't have to squonk as often more juice in the wick

 

[Filthy-Beast]

Wrong thread

 

[edricketts]

Reporting back in.

Okay, rebuilt tonight using as many of the pieces of advice I could. Huuuuuge difference. I am finally making big clouds! Flavor is about the same as the clearomizer, which is a big improvement. I know there are new heights to hit to make it all perfect, but I think I am finally starting to "get it" about how to at least start the tinkering process to get there.

Tonight's build, done in a hotel bathroom so my wife can sleep, is 28g Kanthal on 1/16th bit (which is what I have access to) with 8 wraps. Tilted up a hair at the air hole and the whole wrap raised off the floor 1mm from where it was.

Thanks for the squonking advice! I think I wasn't getting how much/often I've got to do it since I never dripped before!

You guys are really great people. I am really grateful you've taken the time to help guide me. For sure not the last questions I'll have, but I am really encouraged at this point. Alright, I gotta get some sleep.

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[ancient puffer]

Excellent! And keep us posted on your progress. There's always a couple of bumps on the road to REOvana, but at least now, the town hall is in sight

 

[mackman]

I too want to thank you all. I have had my Reo for about a month. I am using a .6 coil wrapped with 28g on a .8mm precision screwdriver.
I thought everything was good. Reading through the posts I found that my coil was too low and the whole coil was not directly in front of the air hole. So just these two small alterations made a world of improvement. The vapor is thicker and wetter, the clouds bigger and the flavor is much improved.

 

[Joshinthecity]

Awesome result.

This pleases me no-end..

j.

 

[SeaNap]

Build
- 1/16" micro coil using 28G Kanthal, 8 wraps netting 0.8 Ohms
- Wicked with organic cotton wool (Mother Care brand)
- Coil aligned parallel with the posts with the end of the coil next to the juice hole.
- Coil angled slightly so that the end near the juice hole is raised (about 3mm) and the other end set low (about 1-1.5mm off the deck).

Modifications to the RM2
I drilled the air hole to 1/16" on my RM2. The stock air hole was a tad small so I wasn't getting enough air flow to keep my coils from overheating and cooking my juice. 1/16" is still small enough for non-lung hitters like me and I found it perfect for my 0.8-1.0 ohm builds.

This set up is gold, and its what I was using for quite a while. Having that slight "\" slant works wonders. As far as the air hole, I took a pocket knife and spun it around the stock air hole a couple times, this allows you to slowly work up to the size air hole you want, jumping straight to 1/16th may be a big jump (however, after vaping for a while you may find that this is where you want to be)

pdib brought up a great point about squanking. These coils love to be saturated, especially when you get in lower resistance. My trick is to take a vape, then press and hold firmly unil I see vapor seeping out of the air hole AND the top of the mouth piece (about 2-3sec) then wait 1-2 sec for the extra juice to get sucked back down (read - don't vape instantly after squanking)

If you get adventerous, you should try playing around with Mundy's Magic wire http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...92-alexander-mundys-magic-twisted-ribbon.html amazing flavor.