I finally received two Augvape Merlin RTAs I ordered a few weeks ago from FT. I tried doing a 1.4 ohm, 10 wrap, 4mm inner diameter, single 28 gauge SS 316L build that ended up reading 1.15 ohms. Not too big a deal as I just wanted to tryout TC for the first time on my iStick Pico.
I noticed neither tank sits entirely flush on my iStick Pico (less than half a millimeter gap), but then noticed apparently none of my other tanks did either, so I stopped being concerned with that. I used the installed (but removable) deck airflow hole restriction screw, which reduces the bell chamber's air hole size to about a 2.5mm diameter, then also switched out the wide bore drip tip for one of my preferred narrow bore MTL ones.
These tanks appear to be well machined, but they are an average height 510 drip tip taller than a Goblin Mini V3 because they hold 4ml of juice. I like the extra juice capacity, but I'd prefer a shorter setup. The Merlin is a 23mm outer diameter tank - that just (barely) fits on my iStick Pico without any rubbing, or other fit and function issues.
The Augvape Merlin's velocity deck is pretty easy to work on, just like the GM V3. The design of the wick chambers (cups?) and juice flow holes makes these tanks easier to wick in comparison to the GM V3 or Serpent Mini. I did not trim my rayon wick quite as much as I have on previous builds. This has worked out well. I have topped off one of the tanks a few times now without any seepage or leakage issues thus far, but I have only been playing with the tank one day.
Now I'm just trying to figure out good TC settings for this mouth-to-lung setup. It seemed to run just a little hot and harsh at first (using 3mg nicotine level juice), so I dropped the temp down to around 400F at around 12W. That seemed to work okay, though the taste I'm getting seems a little weird regardless. Is a break-in period required to improve the taste? A 4mm inner diameter coil is pretty big. I may need to use more rayon, as I could be tasting the SS coil too much?
I'll try getting closer to a 1.4 ohm build next time. With TC I'm not sure resistance matters all that much, but I still want this to be a fairly low power using setup. I also want to try my hand at rebuilding my GM V3 and Serpent Mini RTAs - as I don't think I used long enough, or thick enough, wick in those. Maybe there is still a chance I can get some use out of them. I am hoping so. In the meantime I am pleased with my results thus far with the Augvape Merlin. I'd like to try a 30 gauge double twisted SS 316L build on this too, but am having a hard time finding it online. Anyone know who would have that? Such an animal does exist, right?
This is a pic of my current Merlin build. The wire wrap and spacing is far from perfect, but it works. I apologize for the lack of clarity. Photo taken with an iPhone 5.
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