What's your favorite RBA?

[adrkaushal]

Actually, I wish to learn and understand what people prefer and why? The purpose of this poll is to know what people prefer using as their favorite RBA.

I have tried a few different RBA so far, to name a few: AGA T2 (top coil atomizer with a tank which can also be used as a dripper), Fogger V2 (bottom coil atomizer with tank), i-Atty (top coil atomizer with a tank which can also be used as a dripper) and the Helios dripping atomizer (a dripping atomizer that has no tank at all).

I have learned a lot of things about RBA with my limited experience of 10 months and have figured out that if you do not experiment with these advanced atomizers, you will only waste money! For example, when I first got my AGA T2s, I couldn't get them to work properly because they are top coil with stainless steel mesh as the wicking material. But the mesh isn't too good with wicking 100% VG juice that I LOVE vaping. So I had to try different things to get it working. What do you guys do if your steel mesh doesn't wick properly and gives burning taste? This is why I bought the Fogger V2 to see if the bottom coil will help in delivering enough juice to the steel mesh wick and give me a better vaping experience.

So, what has worked for you in the RBA world? Please share and if you can give me a few tips for my 100% VG juices, please do so. Would love to know your tips and tricks

Happy vaping!

 

[Raycecar]

All my juices are 100 VG.
Using a Genesis type atomizer, I use cotton as the wick and it works great.

 

[adrkaushal]

All my juices are 100 VG.
Using a Genesis type atomizer, I use cotton as the wick and it works great.

Oh wow! Just in the right time! I just finished boiling cotton in water and its drying out right now. I have surgical cotton that gives some bad taste when I use it in my atomizers. So someone here suggested to boil it in water before using. Gave tripple boil (10 mins boiling each time) and the cotton will be ready in a few hours. Just left it to dry it out before using

I guess, cotton is the best wicking material to use with 100% VG eLiquids!

 

[t8kiteasy]

Right now my favorite RTA is my new Russian 91% and my wick of choice is Ceramic Rope,youcan get it at Mcmaster-Carr.I love to use Silica,Ceramic Rope,and Bamboo.My favorite of the bunch is the rope though.My favorite RBA would have to be my Immortalizer (excellent,excellent Vape) and I like a dual coil build of bamboo at .5 for this one,it makes for an outstanding vape.Next in line would be my Helios and TF Hornet,stellar vapes on these also and my Igo-W I like to experiment on with quad builds.While my 91% has taken over as my top RTA,I left one out,my Terminator-C.I use the Ceramic Rope in the Term.-C.

 

[adrkaushal]

t8kiteasy, I'm so happy to know you have Helios too! Its an expensive dripping atomizer but really worth buying. I never thought there are so many people using dripping atomizers. I thought "bottom coil RBA" would win the round but I see totally unexpected results on the poll!

Only shows how much I have to learn about atomizers/attys. Please keep it coming, I'd love to know more about what people love using.

I'm so enthusiastic about trying more dripping atomizers now. I think my next PV would be based on dripping atomizers, perhaps a REO Mod!

 

[adrkaushal]

Right now my favorite RTA is my new Russian 91% and my wick of choice is Ceramic Rope,youcan get it at Mcmaster-Carr.I love to use Silica,Ceramic Rope,and Bamboo.My favorite of the bunch is the rope though.My favorite RBA would have to be my Immortalizer (excellent,excellent Vale) and I like a dual coil build of bamboo at .5 for this one,it makes for an outstanding value.Next in line would be my Helios and TF Hornet,stellar vapes on these also and my Igo-W I like to experiment on with quad builds.While my 91% has taken over as my top RTA,I left one out,my Terminator-C.I use the Ceramic Rope in the Term.-C.

I've never read about anyone using Ceramic Rope and Bamboo! Wow, that's some new info to me. I'm checking on McMaster-Carr and also Googling to check if it has any health hazards.

The rope can take up to 1100 degree F! That's awesome! However, there's an article on this link: James Walker - Valcor® Hi-Temp

"Please note that normal ceramic fibres, as often used in the manufacture of very high temperature compression packings, are around 3µm diameter. These much finer fibres are now considered hazardous to health, with WHO and EU restrictions applied to the products that contain them".

Since you are using it, you must have already researched on Ceramic Rope, what are your thoughts about its usage as a wick for vaping? I'm not trying to criticize, just trying to learn

Also, wanted to ask you about the bamboo wicks. Do you buy them online or do you just DIY at home? Your post is really interesting and you seem to be pretty experienced!

Thanks for the info my friend!

 

[LeoRex]

I'm a simple man.... My current fav is an IGO-l (single coil) and the V5 RDA (Nimbus clone, 4 holes) for dual coil coming in a close second.

Both are simple, easy to deal with and put out a spectacular vape. I run microcoils with cotton ball wicks on both.. (10-1/16 28g)1.4 ohm on the IGO and (2x10-1/16 28g) 0.7 ohm on the V5. The IGO is a more of a relaxed vape... the dual coiled V5 is a vapor producing beast.

I have an RSST (#400 SS mesh, 4/3 28g .9 ohm) that I really like... I finally got the mesh wick sorted out... removed some of the mesh to thin it out a bit and loosen it up.. really helped the wicking.

But the two little, humble RDAs just work. I haven't had anything can can match either RDA, flavor-wise to be honest, other than maybe one of the little 510 dripper attys I have.

 

[Vego]

The kayfun is the best atty I've ever used in terms of ease of setup, a full days vape with no fiddling on a full tank, perfect draw, no leaking, consistency, and especially intensity of flavor in a silica device.

 

[adrkaushal]

I'm a simple man.... My current fav is an IGO-l (single coil) and the V5 RDA (Nimbus clone, 4 holes) for dual coil coming in a close second.

Both are simple, easy to deal with and put out a spectacular vape. I run microcoils with cotton ball wicks on both.. (10-1/16 28g)1.4 ohm on the IGO and (2x10-1/16 28g) 0.7 ohm on the V5. The IGO is a more of a relaxed vape... the dual coiled V5 is a vapor producing beast.

I have an RSST (#400 SS mesh, 4/3 28g .9 ohm) that I really like... I finally got the mesh wick sorted out... removed some of the mesh to thin it out a bit and loosen it up.. really helped the wicking.

But the two little, humble RDAs just work. I haven't had anything can can match either RDA, flavor-wise to be honest, other than maybe one of the little 510 dripper attys I have.

Lots of logical thinking and experimenting there my friend. I like what you mentioned about thinning the ss mesh wick. I didn't think of that on my Fogger V2 which was setup by the manufacturer. It was giving a burning taste, so I just pulled it apart, pulled out the ss wick, inserted cotton in the same coil and cut it on both ends. I should've tried thinning the mesh wick and then see if it pulls enough juice.

Ideas flowing, my learnometer is moving up to the next level lol. When my cotton wick is done and I need to change it, I will try to use a thinner mesh wick and see if that helps wicking. I really like ss wicks because their life is longer than any other type of wick (especially, when you use 100% VG eLiquids).

Thanks for sharing your favorite RBAs, really loved your post

 

[LeoRex]

Yeah... I've read where people say to wrap that mesh as tight as possible, which is exactly what I did... But the thing would go dry really fast.

I'm, by no means, an expert in fluid dynamics, but I wondered if the layers were too compressed... So I pulled the wick, unraveled it a bit, cut some out and rolled it up... it sat a lot looser in the hole and had a little more play. I figured that with the layers not so tight, I'd get better capillary action...

Knew right away that it worked... I could take longer draws without the wick going dry... now I really have to honk on it to feel the vapor starting to drop out.

Still.. my IGO can hang with the RSST....But give a cooler vape in the process.

 

[t8kiteasy]

The Ceramic rope is not hazardous,and if it is,it is no dangerous then my 35 years of smoking marlboro.I get the bamboo at highdesertvapes.Back to the Ceramic Rope,the temp. at which we vape do not heat the ceramic up to the temp. at which anything would come apart from it.The rope takes an extremely high temp. for a long duration.Nothing sheds from the rope,no fibers or dust and when you clean a rope wick after a lengthy use,it still looks and vapes as if it was just wicked.

 

[adrkaushal]

Yeah... I've read where people say to wrap that mesh as tight as possible, which is exactly what I did... But the thing would go dry really fast.

I'm, by no means, an expert in fluid dynamics, but I wondered if the layers were too compressed... So I pulled the wick, unraveled it a bit, cut some out and rolled it up... it sat a lot looser in the hole and had a little more play. I figured that with the layers not so tight, I'd get better capillary action...

Knew right away that it worked... I could take longer draws without the wick going dry... now I really have to honk on it to feel the vapor starting to drop out.

Still.. my IGO can hang with the RSST....But give a cooler vape in the process.

If IGO is a bottom coil RBA, it will give cool vape because of the distance. So far, the hottest vapes I had were on the boge cartomizers. Darn it used to get HOT while vaping. But, it was a bit too hot for my lips so just put them in the "dead vaping stuff" box haha.

I believe, hot vapes can be attained through Dripping atomizers or through the top coil atomizers. At least, its what I think. Do you have any tips for top coil ss mesh wick atomizers? For example, AGA T2 or i-Atty RBA. I have both but don't like using them because they just don't wick properly and keep giving burnt taste. So I just put them in my "To Experiment" Box

 

[adrkaushal]

The Ceramic rope is not hazardous,and if it is,it is no dangerous then my 35 years of smoking marlboro.I get the bamboo at highdesertvapes.Back to the Ceramic Rope,the temp. at which we vape do not heat the ceramic up to the temp. at which anything would come apart from it.The rope takes an extremely high temp. for a long duration.Nothing sheds from the rope,no fibers or dust and when you clean a rope wick after a lengthy use,it still looks and vapes as if it was just wicked.

True that, the Ceramic Rope can take more than 1000 degree F. I guess, with such a material in your coil, you just don't have to worry about damaging the wick at all. I have it on my "to buy" list and sometime in near future, I will buy it for sure. I will also check at Fasttech if they have it. I really wonder why people use Silica wicks, may be cuz they're lower in cost? Oh well ..

Its amazing different stuff people use for vaping. I'm checking the highdesertvapes website right now. Is Bamboo better or is the Ceramic Rope better?

By the way, my current setup is the Fogger V2 with cotton wick. Do you think the bamboo wick will be better than the cotton wick? Thanks for the info!

 

[t8kiteasy]

My favorite set up has to be my Terminator -C with a dual coil ceramic build,is it the best wick,vaping is like juices,subjective to what each person likes.Between bamboo and cotton,I have a thirty foot roll of cotton here that I have never used so I can not compare the two for you.Bamboo,like the ceramic rope,is going to be subjective again.Fasttech does not sell ceramic rope only two places do,mcmaster-carr,and one other I forget but I have it tagged on my laptop,I am on my cell right now.EDIT:The other site for the ceramic rope is minsealorder.com.

 

[adrkaushal]

Terminator-C seems like a very elegant device ...

Found it on GreyHaze.co.uk .. its about 32 pounds .. not bad at all! The image is actually of the extended version of Terminator-C and named as Nautilus RBA. Looks gorgeous!!

I really wonder why vaping stores do not keep Ceramic Ropes? Everything I've read so far is just great about them. Merchants, I hope you are reading, would love to know your thoughts!

Thanks for sharing the links t8kiteasy!

 

[ricks]

I think the ceramic rope is very similar to silica wicks. I need to look into this some more. I have some wick that is hollow. I don't remember what it was called. I need to find that receipt.

 

[ricks]

I used to use SS mesh but stopped using it because some said it was not safe. I then went with ceramic wicks, then AO wicks. Used cotton balls for awhile. Now I'm trying silica wicks with good results.

 

[adrkaushal]

I used to use SS mesh but stopped using it because some said it was not safe. I then went with ceramic wicks, then AO wicks. Used cotton balls for awhile. Now I'm trying silica wicks with good results.

Well AO wicks are new to me, not sure what sort of wick is that hmmm. But for the silica wicks, I hope they work for you. I know, its darn annoying when wicks burn out so quickly. I'd be happy if some wick doesn't burn out for at least a week .. I guess, its not too much to ask for. Really can't imagine changing wicks everyday or every other day. Good luck ricks

 

[adrkaushal]

you guys were correct about the cotton wick .. it started giving burnt taste in less than 2 days *facepalm*

Now this may have happened because of 2 reasons ...

1. Cotton wicks just suck!
2. May be there was too much cotton that didn't allow enough eLiquid to flow through to the coil.

Ok .. back to ss mesh wick but this time I'll make sure to leave enough room for the liquid to flow through

 

[ricks]

Here is a pic of the AO wicks. They last forever as long as you don't break them... They are a little fragile.