WTB Vivi Nova that actually wicks...

[Bob92985]

I got 2 new smok Vivi Novas in the mail today and to my suprise (not) they don't wick. Someone's probably going to ask me why I bought them if I suspected they wouldn't wick. I got my 1st nova when they were new and they worked well for a bit and then something happened and they just wouldn't wick anymore. My protanks have been giving me some problems with airflow. So I thought hey, people still love these things for some reason, and this website has them rather cheap. So I decided to give them another go.

Right out of the box, filled em up... waited 10 minutes, tipped em upside down, vaped it... BURNT! I waited some more, vaped again... burnt. I don't understand how these things are like this! Why do people love them!? I don't understand what I'm doing wrong here... I'm putting 70/30 in em, giving them plenty of time to wick, doing dry hits and vaping the 2.5ohm heads at 8 watts... What the actual $@%& is the problem with these things!?

 

[Vermonster13]

ProTank problem solved.

Kanger Airflow Control Valve - KangerTech US, LLC

 

[Bob92985]

ProTank problem solved.

Kanger Airflow Control Valve - KangerTech US, LLC

yeah 2 of those coming in the mail tomorrow (thank god)

 

[Vermonster13]

Learn to make your own coils for them and you'll have a decent vape.

 

[Bob92985]

Learn to make your own coils for them and you'll have a decent vape.

Honestly I started trying RBA stuff months ago and I don't think it's for me. I had zero luck in getting a good vape. I tried my own nova heads, protank heads and my AGA T+. I either get low res problems or burnt hits. I tried silica and mesh and it's just too frustrating a venture for me. I'll probably try again later but atm it's just something I find more frustrating than its worth to me.

I am thinking about getting a dripper RBA however. Seems pretty hard to NOT get that right

 

[Vermonster13]

Hemp fiber works best IMO.

 

[440BB]

The only Vivi Novas that work well for me are the Vision version 2.5. They have been leak free and wicked well with the stock heads, with long head life before a rebuild. All the copies with the metal pip sticking up from the head have been fails for me.

 

[Stosh]

I've been using the Vision brand Vivi, and if you cut the wicks short and fluff them up a bit so that the juice can easily get to the coil, they work well. Take a look at the last picture of this rebuild ....Rebuilding a Vivi Nova | VAPE News Magazine

I've never tried a Smok Vivi, but reading the threads here there seems to be more issues with them.

 

[Mutescream]

This is weird. The viv has definitely had its share of woes for me, but not wicking has never been the problem. I've had them leak, mixed results on coil life, and sometimes the center pin slides in too far and won't seat for crap to make a connection.

My latest adventure in them is tweaking the coils for vfates to work with them. Then again, I'm also using the vision version... ymmv.

 

[69CamaroSS]

I agree that something has changed with the Vivi. I got one in a PV starter kit and loved it. Screwed up the coil (noob at the time) dry burning and cleaning....ordered some replacement coils and just like you, did everything correct but now can't vape at anything over about 4-4.5W without horrible burnt taste! I wasn't sure of it was just the different juice that I was using this time around and haven't cleaned it out and changed to another juice. Now I just double toke to get a decent vape from it. Gonna try a diff juice and see

 

[69CamaroSS]

Honestly I started trying RBA stuff months ago and I don't think it's for me. I had zero luck in getting a good vape. I tried my own nova heads, protank heads and my AGA T+. I either get low res problems or burnt hits. I tried silica and mesh and it's just too frustrating a venture for me. I'll probably try again later but atm it's just something I find more frustrating than its worth to me.

I am thinking about getting a dripper RBA however. Seems pretty hard to NOT get that right

Have you looked at ordering some of the pre-made coils for MODs? There seems to be quite a few suppliers popping up selling them and they're relatively cheap from what I've seen. I haven't made the switch yet either...the last thing I need is MORE stuff to start buying and testing!!!

 

[Bob92985]

I've been using the Vision brand Vivi, and if you cut the wicks short and fluff them up a bit so that the juice can easily get to the coil, they work well. Take a look at the last picture of this rebuild ....Rebuilding a Vivi Nova | VAPE News Magazine

I've never tried a Smok Vivi, but reading the threads here there seems to be more issues with them.

Thanks I'll try that

 

[Rickajho]

Burnt as in - dry hits? Or burnt as in - nasty burning rubber taste?

Some coils have bad builds with that insulator either out of place or upside down resulting in a burning rubber taste.

Some coils have bad builds with overheating legs that singe the insulator.

I tried Vivi. Spent more time screwing around with them than actually vaping. Not for me.

 

[Bob92985]

Have you looked at ordering some of the pre-made coils for MODs? There seems to be quite a few suppliers popping up selling them and they're relatively cheap from what I've seen. I haven't made the switch yet either...the last thing I need is MORE stuff to start buying and testing!!!

I know right? My wife is more sick of that than I am at this point lol

 

[Bob92985]

Burnt as in - dry hits? Or burnt as in - nasty burning rubber taste?

Some coils have bad builds with that insulator either out of place or upside down resulting in a burning rubber taste.

Some coils have bad builds with overheating legs that singe the insulator.

I tried Vivi. Spent more time screwing around with them than actually vaping. Not for me.

Dry hits. I'm not getting a funky taste like the wrong thing is burning, just that dirty scratchy nasty taste when your wick is dry.

 

[Unforeseen]

Moved to Assorted PV Topics - Clearomizers

 

[Heabob]

My Vision Vivi Nova's had the same problems, tight draw and dry hits.
Most all of the stock heads are wrapped to tight on the wick, choking it off, the silicone cap on top also chokes it some.
And the silica wick just seems to tightly woven to wick good.
I drilled out the bottom 510 holes to 1/16", and also the center pin on the bottom of the head to free up the airflow.
Then a micro coil and organic cotton ball wick, works much better now.
Getting the right amount of cotton is "trial and error".
Don't twist it up to make it fit, just the tip, to get it started through the coil.
The ends should be "very fluffy", to fill up the slot.
Long wicks are ok, but short wicks seem to feed better as long as you "tip & twirl".
Now using mostly pyrex BCC's, an RSST, and an Igo-L dripper, (Kraken clone on the way).
You can get a BCC for 12-18 bucks, Pyrex tank so you can run ANY juice.
I suggest Anyvape Davide or Kanger Protank 2, same head (atomizer), and get the Kanger airflow controller (like Airotank has).
It also works on the Davide.
It will keep the juice out of your mod and lets you adjust the airflow to your own liking.