What the hell is wrong with my vape?

[lilskeep]

I'm fairly new to vaping, I bought a mod from an acquaintance about a month ago. I have a charger and two batteries, I switch the batteries out as needed. It was working alright, however I often got dry hits even though the cotton in it wasn't particularly dry, (BTW, it's a Stingray.) I don't really know any terminology, soo, I'm just gonna go ahead and post a few pictures of it.. I apologize for the poor photo quality. Anyways, lately, when I push the fire button, it doesn't immediately heat up, it takes about 30 seconds. The battery gets very hot and very little to no vapor is produced. I have the vents lined up to the coils, and no matter how much or how little cotton I use, it doesn't change the production. I tried cleaning the coils and I read somewhere that using a q-tip with rubbing alcohol could be efficient after dry burning it. I waited until the coils were cool to use the q-tips and one of my coils was moving all over the place.. are they burnt out? I also cleaned the inside of the battery compartment including where the battery meets on both ends. This all may sound realllyy stupid, but I am completely ignorant to all of this. lol. I would appreciate any advice, thank you in advance

 

[supertrunker]

If it's moving all over the place - the coil is shot - don't use it again until you have replaced it.

Your batteries look like Sony's, but a moving coil is a recipe for a short (bad.). Make sure all 3 screws are tight in your atty and if the coil still moves, then you need to make a new one.

T

 

[lilskeep]

Thank you so much! If you don't mind my asking, how exactly do I do that?

 

[Topwater Elvis]

What you have is called a mechanical (the tube with the battery, switch or button & 510 connection) with a re buildable atomizer (the thing you put juice in)
These are designed for and intended to be used by advanced vapers and can be dangerous if used without the proper knowledge.

I suggest you discontinuing using it until you have the necessary equipment to test resistance & voltage and the knowledge it takes to use a mechanical safely.

Welcome.

 

[dchemist]

It's hard to tell from the first photo, but your coils (and possibly wick) look charred. You probably should build some new coils. How many Ohms is your RDA currently reading?

 

[supertrunker]

What you have there is a RBA - a rebuildable atomiser. I'm not trying to be harsh here, but if you cannot make coils for it, then you maybe ought not use it.

Get something easier to use. Like a tank or clearomiser setup. If you MUST use it - take the broken coil out - the one that moves all over the place, and run with just one. Find a vaper that rebuilds coils and ask them to help you out.

This is the problem: if your moving coil shorts to the side or the topcap, your battery will start to get very hot very fast and it's not safe.

I am appalled that someone let you loose with such a setup given your inexperience and my advice is simply safety over everything else. None of the above is meant to be condescending to you and i hope you realise that.

T

 

[The Ocelot]

Did you build the coil yourself or did your friend or someone else? I don't want to sound condescending, but from the questions you asked I get the feeling you aren't very experienced with building coils or using mechanical devices. You may already have one, but if not, I suggest you get a solid mid-range regulated battery device and a tank, then you can vape away while researching how to safely get the best performance with a mechanical.

 

[lilskeep]

Thanks everybody! I think I'm going to take the broken coil out until somebody can help me tomorrow. I don't have an RDA so I should probably look into buying one. I appreciate everybody informing me on this.

 

[lilskeep]

Yeah, buying one easier to understand would probably be a good idea, when I bought it I had absolutely no idea what the difference was.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

RDA = re buildable drip atomizer.
RBA= re buildable atomizer.
RTA= re buildable tank atomizer.

You need an ohmsmeter / multimeter.

 

[The Ocelot]

Yeah, buying one easier to understand would probably be a good idea, when I bought it I had absolutely no idea what the difference was.

Do you have any other devices? If you give us an idea of what you have use previously it will help us recommend a better set-up for you at the moment. Also, do you have a preference of body type, like tube or box style?

 

[lilskeep]

Lol oh. Thank you.

 

[lilskeep]

I would prefer a tube. I don't have anything else, but I have used friend's ecigs that have tanks.

 

[lilskeep]

I just like a HUGE cloud. I don't know why, but that's the only way it's truly satisfying for me.

 

[Dana A]

You can learn how to rebuild it SAFELY here. If you know someone who builds coils you can ask them to help you out as well. It was really crummy of another person to sell you that setup knowing you don't have the knowledge to safely and successfully use and care for it. That's not the end of the world though. You have come to the right place to learn all you need to know. Post what batteries you have and someone here will post some links of what wire to use,where to get it and how to rebuild what you have safely. Welcome to ECF. Sorry you had to end up here under these circumstances.

 

[lilskeep]

I want to say it's a Sony 18650 Green Battery... should I post this in another thread?

 

[ElConquistador]

I've been at this for 1 1/2 years and just now feel I know enough for a mechanical mod. You're flirting with fire until you know what you're doing.

 

[The Ocelot]

I just like a HUGE cloud. I don't know why, but that's the only way it's truly satisfying for me.

There are ways to get big clouds safely. Maybe not in cloud chasing territory, but you have to learn to drive before you jump behind the wheel of a Ferrari.

ETA: It's also good to have a regulated mod in your arsenal for those times when you don't want to use a mechanical.

 

[oplholik]

For now, I'd put that thing down, call and ask your friend if he has a starter battery, and tank, something like an ego-c twist you can use till you can get to a B&M and buy your own. Then start reading and learning how to build your own equipment, starting with single coil set-ups.
I hate to say it, but if your friend turned you loose with what he gave you, I question just how much he really knows.
Don't be discouraged tho, just start over with a safe s/u, and learn from there. Good luck to you.

 

[realsis]

Hi, there are two basic types of mods, mechanical, like you have and regulated. The mechanicals have NO safty features installed at all what so ever.. the regulated mods usually do. What this means..if you have a short in your coil with a regulated mod the mod usually won't run it. It simply will shut off. But if you get a short in your coil with a mechanical mod, it WON'T shut off and can be extremely dangerous. Here are some basic things you need to know if your going to use a mechanical. One, your batteries limitations. All batteries have their limit, know yours. Second know ohms law. Their is a formula you can use to ensure you are not pushing your battery past it's limits. Know the formula and do the math. Third you will need a ohm reader to read the resistance of your coils. The major thing here is NOT pushing your battery past its limit. If you do a chemical reaction can take place within the battery and it will vent and if continued can actually explode. So before you use the mechanical mod again figure out the resistance you can use without stressing your specific battery and keep your coil within your safe range. They are making the newer regulated mods with the ability to vape at a lower resistance safely. Some even allow a sub ohm down to .2. But with the safty of being a regulated mod. That may be something you might want to look into, before you start using mechanical mods.just do your homework and be safe first and foremost. I hope this information helps you out. There is much to learn before you should use a mechanical mod. These are some reasons. Don't be discouraged though, you can learn these things with time. Because you like big clouds I recommend a regulated mod that can run a low resistance like the ipv2 50 watt box mod. You can run it at a low resistance safely with a good RDA that you can learn to build on. I don't think with your vaping style a ego type will satisfy you. Their are good regulated mods that allow sub ohm vaping. You might want to look into those.