Why can't I get big clouds with my mechanical mod?

[Susan~S]

I highly recommend you spend some time with @Baditude & @Mooch (two of our resident battery/safety experts) and visit their blogs. You are now 100% in control of your own safety (and others around you). Make sure you purchase an ohm reader and a voltmeter or DMM so you can measure your builds, check for shorts and measure the remaining charge on your batteries.

Here are links to some of Mooch's blogs:
* No matter what is printed on the battery wrapper: There are no 18650 batteries with a genuine rating over 30A!
* Links to all his battery tests to date: List of My Battery Tests | Mooch's Blog
* Picking a Safe Battery to vape With: Table of 18650 Battery Safety Grades | Mooch's Blog

Baditude's Blog - Table of Contents: The blogs that address battery safety, Ohm's Law, CDR (continuous discharge rating/Amps) and how they all work together are detailed below:

batteries

Battery Basics for Mods - The Ultimate Battery Guide
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

Purple Efest Batteries not as Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

Ohm's Law Explained for Vapers
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

REBUILDABLES

Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

 

[Mooch]

Because a lot of people suggested I get an RDA so I went looking for RDAs and I want to make sure I get the best one, so far that's the only one I have found. But I am still looking before buying.

Ahhh...ok. There are a bunch of threads here on ECF debating the pros and cons for a lot of different RDAs. Worth checking out while you come up to speed on everything else.

 

[SomeTexan]

Well I am looking to find the best RDA I can find, I haven't bought anything yet. I am not saying I like it cause it looks good, So far it's the best one I've found in the shop I normally get my stuff from.

If you are looking at the same shop that sold you a mech mod and a Nautilus, go elsewhere... Look online, you can save yourself 50% or more. There are quite a few clones avalible in the $10 range.

 

[MattyTny]

Hey looks like you already have some good suggestions to follow. Good choice on the infinite Stingray X, great mechanical. I'd suggest giving it a thorough cleaning to make sure it's performing at it's best. Just soap and hot water.

I don't want to say you jumped into the wrong thing, but I'd suggest you getting a regulated device from a respectable online retailer. They are very affordable and give you a safer option. I'd go with a Sigelei unit, they are pretty low in price. Use that while you learn ohm's law and how to build and wick properly. After some practice you'll feel better about how to use your mechanical.

Check out my blog for a very easy explanation on Ohm's law using Steam Engine calculator as a guide. I also provide some links for other great blogs you should read at the bottom.
Ohm's Law and how it applies to personal vaporizers | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Canadian_Vaper]

Your absolutely right 'turtle, There are so many popping up right now and the lack of knowledgeable sales folks is the problem. Young kids is what I typically see, a few older, but for the most part, just kids who think vaping is cool and know next to nothing about proper safety. I only frequent a few shops around here whom I know are serious vapers and respect it.

Went to a small mall I rarely go to because there's a farm supply shop there that sells gallons of PG, was hungry went to the food court, just off the food court there was a new vape shop I hadn't seen before so I went to check it out, she immediately assumed I was a smoker looking for my first vape and tried to sell me a evod and tobacco flavored juice package they have, pulled out my mod (iStick 40w TC + Subtank mini @.5 Ohms) and blew a relatively small cloud at a lower wattage out of respect for the people eating in the food court and she seemed amazed lol, she then began to ask me questions about vaping meanwhile I'm thinking how the hell did you get this job? Asked her how long she's been vaping and she said 3 weeks...

How the hell is someone that has been only vaping 3 weeks going to know what to recommend to people!!! Drives me crazy!!

 

[Bunnykiller]

big clouds depend upon "your" lung capacity.... I have in my CLT a build that is identical to a professional contest winning cloud blower that won the contest with a CLT ( in fact she built the coils and wick for me) and I cannot reproduce the volume of clouds that she can with the same build due to the fact that my lung capacity is not even close to hers.... so, the build doesnt make a bit of difference, it can be the same but its how you, and your physical condition accounts for the output of cloudz....
ever watch American Ninja Warrior?? the course is the same, but its the participants that make it to the end, that finish.....

 

[Bunnykiller]

Went to a small mall I rarely go to because there's a farm supply shop there that sells gallons of PG, was hungry went to the food court, just off the food court there was a new vape shop I hadn't seen before so I went to check it out, she immediately assumed I was a smoker looking for my first vape and tried to sell me a evod and tobacco flavored juice package they have, pulled out my mod (iStick 40w TC + Subtank mini @.5 Ohms) and blew a relatively small cloud at a lower wattage out of respect for the people eating in the food court and she seemed amazed lol, she then began to ask me questions about vaping meanwhile I'm thinking how the hell did you get this job? Asked her how long she's been vaping and she said 3 weeks...

How the hell is someone that has been only vaping 3 weeks going to know what to recommend to people!!! Drives me crazy!!

at least she had 3 weeks more experience than some one who hasnt vaped
there is 1 thing to know ... you may know more about something than others, but there are others who know more

 

[Gothicmace59]

As an old guy vapor on a budget.. I always look for deals.. some of the best I find at Mt. Baker... but that being said.. I wanted to try this RDA vaping I read up on. I watched a ton of videos on You Tube and actually have five people I follow on there now. I purchased a Mad Hatter Mini after a great review by Robert The Armed Vapor.. he is an older gent like I am... Bought an ohm meter.. wire.. organic cotton.. coil jig.. and proceeded to make two coils which when mounted read 0.5 ohms. Wicked this little RDA with some organic cotton.. applied some Cloud Sauce in Vanilla Bean Icecream.. stuck this ontop of my little Cool Fire IV and grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the front porch. Set the wattage at 25 watts.. and fired this puppy up... the Flavor was OMG... just WOW.. and the cloud that came out left me with a total amazement that well.. this old puppy made this cloud... I have not looked back. I continue to do different RDA coil builds.. have added a Plume Veil to the RDA stable... and am just loving yet another aspect of this hobby. I like the safety of using a regulated mod.. I have upgraded to an MVP 3.0 Pro that I really love.. its a small brick but allows me to get max flavor while cloud chucking. Sometimes I get carried away while driving to and from work and my car looks like a scene from a Cheech and Chong movie.. LOL
Oh.. my original set up with all the goodies and juice was under 100 bucks.
Happy Vaping
Cheers
Mace

 

[iamteresah]

As an old guy vapor on a budget.. I always look for deals.. some of the best I find at Mt. Baker... but that being said.. I wanted to try this RDA vaping I read up on. I watched a ton of videos on You Tube and actually have five people I follow on there now. I purchased a Mad Hatter Mini after a great review by Robert The Armed Vapor.. he is an older gent like I am... Bought an ohm meter.. wire.. organic cotton.. coil jig.. and proceeded to make two coils which when mounted read 0.5 ohms. Wicked this little RDA with some organic cotton.. applied some Cloud Sauce in Vanilla Bean Icecream.. stuck this ontop of my little Cool Fire IV and grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the front porch. Set the wattage at 25 watts.. and fired this puppy up... the Flavor was OMG... just WOW.. and the cloud that came out left me with a total amazement that well.. this old puppy made this cloud... I have not looked back. I continue to do different RDA coil builds.. have added a Plume Veil to the RDA stable... and am just loving yet another aspect of this hobby. I like the safety of using a regulated mod.. I have upgraded to an MVP 3.0 Pro that I really love.. its a small brick but allows me to get max flavor while cloud chucking. Sometimes I get carried away while driving to and from work and my car looks like a scene from a Cheech and Chong movie.. LOL
Oh.. my original set up with all the goodies and juice was under 100 bucks.
Happy Vaping
Cheers
Mace

I used to get my stuff from vaprzone until beginning of this year (back then I used those smaller Ego twist ones until I got a mech. mod and I got it from MT. Baker too. The only thing I'm worried about building anything is 1. I suck at building things and would probably mess up even with watching tons of tutorials. 2. I don't consider myself a good learner, I mean cause I am new to this whole advanced vaping stuff so everything confuses me cause I don't even know which stuff is the best or not y'know. I also don't know of many vapor vendors other than the two I've mentioned.. so I'm probably not getting the best deal price wise. I know I have lots of learning to do, but I don't even know the right questions to ask half the time or what to type in on youtube to get what I'm looking for. So far I've only seen a few reviews on a battery (the one I have) and some mods that I don't have so I am just clueless I suppose, especially with people saying that this and this are very great then there are people who say it isn't. Months ago people suggested I get a mechanical mod and I did now I'm hearing that mechanical mods aren't the best and stuff. I just want something good to where I can get big clouds.. that's really all I am looking for and for the cheapest I can possibly get it.

 

[iamteresah]

Hey looks like you already have some good suggestions to follow. Good choice on the infinite Stingray X, great mechanical. I'd suggest giving it a thorough cleaning to make sure it's performing at it's best. Just soap and hot water.

I don't want to say you jumped into the wrong thing, but I'd suggest you getting a regulated device from a respectable online retailer. They are very affordable and give you a safer option. I'd go with a Sigelei unit, they are pretty low in price. Use that while you learn ohm's law and how to build and wick properly. After some practice you'll feel better about how to use your mechanical.

Check out my blog for a very easy explanation on Ohm's law using Steam Engine calculator as a guide. I also provide some links for other great blogs you should read at the bottom.
Ohm's Law and how it applies to personal vaporizers | E-Cigarette Forum

I have the infinite stingray mechanical mod clone not the infinite stingray X

 

[Susan~S]

Months ago people suggested I get a mechanical mod and I did now I'm hearing that mechanical mods aren't the best and stuff.

It's not that they can't be great but that they require you to educate yourself and they do have limitations (all mods do).

With a mechanical mod the only way to "fine tune" your vape is to build a new coil. With a high vv/vw regulated mod (and its buck/boost circuitry) you can "fine tune" with a push of a button. On a mechanical mod your voltage drops as you vape, with a regulated mod this does not happen. Your first hit is just as good as your last hit.

I just want something good to where I can get big clouds.. that's really all I am looking for and for the cheapest I can possibly get it.

Look at the Kanger Subox Mini Kit. It includes a vv/vw battery, a subΩ clearomizer and even includes a RBA base should you wish to build your own coils. You can even use your current Efest battery (20A CDR). Video review => Kanger Subox Mini Kit

It sells for between $50-$60 depending on where you buy and if there are any coupons/sales.

I keep this thread bookmarked: Deals and Steals | E-Cigarette Forum

I often use vapeCrawler to see who has the best pricing. If I only want to see suppliers from the USA I make sure USA is "green" and all the others are "gray". If you go down to the very bottom of the page you can see all the vaping websites vapeCrawler searches.

 

[Woofer]

Not enough tats bro, simple as that.

 

[Canadian_Vaper]

I used to get my stuff from vaprzone until beginning of this year (back then I used those smaller Ego twist ones until I got a mech. mod and I got it from MT. Baker too. The only thing I'm worried about building anything is 1. I suck at building things and would probably mess up even with watching tons of tutorials. 2. I don't consider myself a good learner, I mean cause I am new to this whole advanced vaping stuff so everything confuses me cause I don't even know which stuff is the best or not y'know. I also don't know of many vapor vendors other than the two I've mentioned.. so I'm probably not getting the best deal price wise. I know I have lots of learning to do, but I don't even know the right questions to ask half the time or what to type in on youtube to get what I'm looking for. So far I've only seen a few reviews on a battery (the one I have) and some mods that I don't have so I am just clueless I suppose, especially with people saying that this and this are very great then there are people who say it isn't. Months ago people suggested I get a mechanical mod and I did now I'm hearing that mechanical mods aren't the best and stuff. I just want something good to where I can get big clouds.. that's really all I am looking for and for the cheapest I can possibly get it.

So basically you want big clouds, if you want to use your current mech mod they can be amazing but you really need to use a rda aka dripper with it to reach its full potential. If you don't want to do a whole bunch of learning I'm sure someone here can suggest a rda and some premade coils you can buy that'd suit your needs. Now if you have a budget there's tonnes of near foolproof stuff we can suggest as well just need to know what you're looking to spend.

 

[triple7vapes]

So last week I bought my first mechanical mod.. an infinite stingray mechanical mod clone and I could never get those big clouds you'd see other people who have mods get. I use an 18 mg nicotine with 50% PG and 50% VG (I also have juice with 100% VG and juice with 0 nicotine but those are 50% VG) and I use the purple efest 18650 3.7V 2500mAh battery. I've fully charged the battery and I still don't know why I can't get big clouds. I didn't try the 0 nicotine juice with it yet, just the 18 mg nicotine 50 vg. Am I doing something wrong to not get big clouds?

I understand every single thing that could have possibly been said has probably been said already.

However it breaks down to some simple aspects of your vaping experience. I want this to be my first post on this forum because I have a Stingray 18650 mod clone and I LOVE it. I just recently upgraded to a Stingray 26650 mod (not authentic but I wouldn't consider it a clone since even the authentic JD Tech company doesn't even make a 26650 version)

Anyway.. sorry for the construed statements. I blame it on the ADD, baby!

So.. juice juice juice. You've gotten this reply for sure. Higher VG = thicker clouds. No brainer there!

Second would be your tank or RDA. I'd recommend coils that are .3 ohms or lower. The thicker gauge, the hotter it gets! Someone explained the gauged wire as a highway. Using cars as your current. If you have a thicker-wider gauge, current can squeeze through easier. Make sure your RDA or tank is in working condition. I've seen some loose RDA's that prevented connectivity or only provided very weak connectivity. I'd recommend taking every single piece apart to its bare bones and wiping it all down (I use a Q-Tip, you can use whichever items you have available to you.) Sometimes juice will leak into even the smallest of crevices resulting in huge loss in conductivity. Also you want an RDA with a gold positive post (or copper/silver but gold is most conductive) I can direct you to a website with an 18650 RDA (good price too!) that has a 24ct gold positive post. Also make sure every single piece of the RDA is tightened and touching each other to allow a full circuit. I had a poorly built RDA once that came loose and firing it was nearly impossible until I took it apart and tinkered with it.

Third, I should mention the type of wire. I know I mentioned coils in the paragraph above but I've done research that nichrome wire is ideal because it can heat up to roughly 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Hotter than kanthal and pure nickel.

Fourth, this one is the most overlooked in my opinion but.. this was the problem that I had at first. Cotton placement! Getting the right amount of cotton placed correctly is a HUGE decider in the clouds you achieve. Don't use too much cotton or the juice will lower the temperature of your overall build. Don't use too little cotton or.. well.. the simple answer would be you'd have to rejuice constantly or you'll taste burnt cotton real quick. Make sure the cotton is plenty saturated to prevent this.

Fifth, the reasons above should cover 99% of the issues. However, definitely make sure your inner workings of your mech mod is in good order. Since I know the Stingray 18650 mod very well, an issue could be in the positive end. Make sure the silver pin on the inside where it's touching the battery is pressed in all the way, if you press it too deep downwards via the 510 thread in the mod, the 510 thread on the tank or RDA might not be connecting properly. Since that particular mod uses a magnetic firing pin (I LOVE that feature instead of a spring loaded one) you might want to see if the magnets are in good shape. Over time my magnets broke which is why I upgraded to a 26650 instead since the spare parts cost almost as much as a new mod!

If anything doesn't make sense (since I have a weird way of constructing my statements together) let me know and I'll elaborate.

I just want to get these 5 newbie posts out of the way so I can partake in the rest of the forum, so I didn't bother reading the 50 something responses to this thread. I'm sure everything I mentioned was covered. Anyway, happy vaping!

edit: I FORGOT TO MENTION. Big clouds are blown with 0mg of nicotine! Nicotine provides a harsher inhale and therefore lung capacity in tolerating the harshness is a lot lower. 0mg juice feels like the air you breathe, so you can puff max cloudage.

 

[triple7vapes]

I highly recommend you spend some time with @Baditude & @Mooch (two of our resident battery/safety experts) and visit their blogs. You are now 100% in control of your own safety (and others around you). Make sure you purchase an ohm reader and a voltmeter or DMM so you can measure your builds, check for shorts and measure the remaining charge on your batteries.

Here are links to some of Mooch's blogs:
* No matter what is printed on the battery wrapper: There are no 18650 batteries with a genuine rating over 30A!
* Links to all his battery tests to date: List of My Battery Tests | Mooch's Blog
* Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With: Table of 18650 Battery Safety Grades | Mooch's Blog

Baditude's Blog - Table of Contents: The blogs that address battery safety, Ohm's Law, CDR (continuous discharge rating/Amps) and how they all work together are detailed below:

BATTERIES

Battery Basics for Mods - The Ultimate Battery Guide
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

Purple Efest Batteries not as Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

Ohm's Law Explained for Vapers
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

REBUILDABLES

Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

This is fantastic to add onto the information I provided. I should have added safety information too. Tisk tisk for me!

Anyway, I'd 100% recommend the Coil Master DIY kit. (A quick Google search is all it takes) It includes an ohm reader, cotton cutting scissors, pliers, flush cutters, a jig in all sizes, a screwdriver with any head you can think of, ceramic tweezers, needle-nose tweezers, a plastic case to store your extra coils and bits of wire, and a very nice carrying case to store it all in! Retail is roughly $50 which is basically a steal since the ceramic tweezers alone are roughly $10. The ohm reader (very accurate, I tested it personally with multiple other ohm readers) is also roughly $10-$20. Then the other tools definitely put the value over $50.

Also you can purchase an RDA for as little as $5 if you know where to look! I have a $5 18650 RDA that rivals any other RDA that I use solely to test the ohm reading on the coils. (Don't worry! I ended up testing wires on multiple RDA's and the ohm reading is the same just to test if the $5 pricetag resulted in a faulty RDA)

 

[SomeTexan]

@triple7vapes you need to do some more research. First off, .3 ohm is not a good starting point for a beginner. Second, good batteries understanding how to use them safely, and an understanding of ohms law comes before going that low. Third, you don't need 2000 degrees to get good vapor production. You need surface area. A clapton coil would work better. Go too hot and you get fire, not a good thing. Look up temp control mods, most only allow 600ish degrees and that is uncomfortably warm for many. Nickel wire is only to be used on temp control, not a mech or even vv/vw mods.

 

[tjeco]

So last week I bought my first mechanical mod.. an infinite stingray mechanical mod clone and I could never get those big clouds you'd see other people who have mods get. I use an 18 mg nicotine with 50% PG and 50% VG (I also have juice with 100% VG and juice with 0 nicotine but those are 50% VG) and I use the purple efest 18650 3.7V 2500mAh battery. I've fully charged the battery and I still don't know why I can't get big clouds. I didn't try the 0 nicotine juice with it yet, just the 18 mg nicotine 50 vg. Am I doing something wrong to not get big clouds?

What is your Dripper/Atty?

 

[triple7vapes]

@triple7vapes you need to do some more research. First off, .3 ohm is not a good starting point for a beginner. Second, good batteries understanding how to use them safely, and an understanding of ohms law comes before going that low. Third, you don't need 2000 degrees to get good vapor production. You need surface area. A clapton coil would work better. Go too hot and you get fire, not a good thing. Look up temp control mods, most only allow 600ish degrees and that is uncomfortably warm for many. Nickel wire if only to be used on temp control, not a mech or even vv/vw mods.

The whole beginner thing is a matter of opinion, my father has never vaped a day in his life however he went to college for electrical engineering. He'd be a "beginner" and I bet he could take on an unregulated mod with an even stronger (26650) battery as his first vape, RDA and all. (His lungs may not be able to though, lol!) It takes literally half an hour of reading to learn not to blow your hand off and stay safe. In the replies to this thread, it wouldn't even take 30 minutes, more like 10. Saying anything different is undermining everyone's intellect and assuming everyone is an irrational ..... that buys broken junk. (Which I get you have to do when it comes to dealing with a topic such as this one since you are holding so much power and responsibility in your hands) but I'm just being real and sue me for not thinking everyone is an idiot. I'd like to think people care about their lives enough to not make faulty mistakes. That's a huge problem in this world, the bar is so low on everything so lots of people are left never coming close to their full potential. (Off topic a bit..) People are very opinionated in how machines are costing people their jobs; however, people can do so much more than, for example, flipping patties.

Back on topic, I purchased an 18650 Stingray mod when I was a "beginner." Only vaped for a month beforehand on hand-me-downs. I really do respect your post but you're telling me I need to do some more research when I'm only here to provide helpful information since I own the exact mech mod this thread is about. It baffles me you'd assume such things since I am taking the time to provide a detailed explanation and not posting mere riffraff to get my five posts in. I don't like to make this about anything but what the thread is about, but you don't know who's on the other end of the computer you're using. I could have a masters in electrical engineering for all you know. With that said, I do completely understand the other end of the spectrum. I could be a complete imbecile that doesn't take in consideration the dangers of electrical current.

Moving forward.. They sell pre-built coils for an Aspire Atlantis tank that are .3 ohm. The peeps at the local vape shop mention they have customers come in with ohms as low as .01 fluctuating between that and .00 and still vaped with no self harm. Now as I'd never recommend going anywhere near that low. Going that low, I'd understand holding the ground to tell someone to do more research on safety. I think .3 is definitely a fair ohm to use.

The 2,000+ degrees mentioned is a safety topic in itself. I've never mentioned getting that hot was necessary, but the melting point (sorry I messed up the degrees a little bit and neglected to pinpoint that it was the melting point) is 2,550 degrees Fahrenheit.

With these topics, safety is obviously 1st priority. However, I feel strongly most topics concerning safety (videos, forum threads, blogs, etc.) provide a huge safety net for worst possible scenarios, like faulty equipment, to scare people into not even coming close to dangerous ohm readings.

This isn't even a thread on safety, my first post was on the various problems with low vapor production. I don't know if you're having a bad day or what, but please show me some respect. I understand these are my first few posts but I have many more on other forums. Actually, I was told this forum had the best community; which is the whole reason I joined in the first place. Not to have people put other people down like the other forums' users thrive and feed on doing. Anyway, hope you have a great day. I'm sorry if you may be going through a stressful time, but please be more polite. I'm pretty good at reading tone, even tried to read your response in multiple positive tones and none fit unless you were being happily sarcastic; which is highly unlikely. I get that this whole response is in reply to one sentence, and I understand that replying in such a manner is because I got even the tiniest bit offended in the first place. Kudos, it's hard to get a response from me like this but I treasure my intelligence and expect to use this forum fairly often. It's a little discouraging to be shot down when I'm posting with the best intentions.

 

[Mooch]

There can be passionate reactions to various topics here at ECF, especially when it comes to safety.
@triple7vapes, I hope you stick around and stay a member of our community.

 

[triple7vapes]

There can be passionate reactions to various topics here at ECF, especially when it comes to safety.
@triple7vapes, I hope you stick around and stay a member of our community.

I understand! Thank you so much.