How to determine what coil to build

[jerryprague]

Two months into coil building, and I can't seem to find the answer to the simplest question.

How do you figure out what is the best coil to build? What I mean is, yes, we know resistance, and types of coils, but, how do you know which is the coil that will give you the results you want, I am not finding this.

What I mean really is, exactly, or roughly, if you want say a certain result, meaning, great flavor, or great clouds, how does one know what gauge wire to use, how many wraps, what kind of fancy coils (Claptons) will give the best vaping experience? From all the materials on hand, which ones to use for the results we want to get-and I realize this is subjective. I can't seem to find an answer on this. Yes there are tons of youtube videos, great ones, that show how to build coils, but none I see tells how to determine what coils give the enjoyable experience (subjective of course...varies...) each of us are looking for.

I hope this is clear and I am not overlooking anything obvious. I seem to be able to build coils properly now, but often the result is too harsh, or the flavor is not strong enough, etc...

Thanks for the clarification, for me, this should be a sticky....

 

[ScReWbALL]

Are you asking in general for reference material that will give you the info or do you have something specific you are looking for and just needing an answer to it?
If it’s the first, I think you’ve seen your answer, which is there is no central hub of information created somewhere for you to read and print off telling what what configurations will give you certain effects as the variables are astronomically high with the different options you have between mods, batteries, atomizers, airflow in atomizers, type of coil, size of coil, type of alloy used to make said coil, etc. Your best bet would be to find a large group of individuals who have been building a while and can give you ideas to try to see if it hits the marks you want. We have a good group of folks here that have a ton of experience if you have specifics you’re trying to hit, we can usually point you in the right direction, if nothing else.
I know this is more of a non-answer than an answer, but that’s why we have these groups set up...I can’t count how many times I’ve been stuck and asked for help and gotten the exact info I need from these talented folks. So, my suggestion is don’t be shy and cast a line...we’re here to help
Any variables you can list to help narrow down what you’re looking to do is always helpful, such as the mod you’re using and atomizer, if you’re trying to hit a certain ohm range, along with desired effect - just clouds with no flavor, all flavor with no regard to clouds, MTL or DTL hits, ramp up/down speed, preferred material (Kanthal, Nichrome, Stainless, Pure Nickel, or Hybrid) . If you’re limited on supplies, it would be a good idea to list what you’ve got on hand to try to tailor what you’re looking to do around what you have rather than telling you to build a certain coil with materials you don’t currently have.
The question may already be answered for you too, with topics asking “What is the best cloud chasing/flavor chasing build”. You’ll see the answers can vary somewhat, but you can at least cross certain types of coils off your search list, typically, by using the information you get from those threads.

You're not drinking water are you?! You realize that stuff is found in antifreeze!?!

 

[CrazyChef v2.0]

For me, it really depends on why I'm building a particular coil. Am I building for a specific atomizer? A specific mod? Or am I building a specific coil, and will match it to an atomizer/mod combo after I build it? There are many variables at play. 7 different coils could be "the perfect build" depending on various circumstances.

 

[jerryprague]

Are you asking in general for reference material that will give you the info or do you have something specific you are looking for and just needing an answer to it?
If it’s the first, I think you’ve seen your answer, which is there is no central hub of information created somewhere for you to read and print off telling what what configurations will give you certain effects as the variables are astronomically high with the different options you have between mods, batteries, atomizers, airflow in atomizers, type of coil, size of coil, type of alloy used to make said coil, etc. Your best bet would be to find a large group of individuals who have been building a while and can give you ideas to try to see if it hits the marks you want. We have a good group of folks here that have a ton of experience if you have specifics you’re trying to hit, we can usually point you in the right direction, if nothing else.
I know this is more of a non-answer than an answer, but that’s why we have these groups set up...I can’t count how many times I’ve been stuck and asked for help and gotten the exact info I need from these talented folks. So, my suggestion is don’t be shy and cast a line...we’re here to help
Any variables you can list to help narrow down what you’re looking to do is always helpful, such as the mod you’re using and atomizer, if you’re trying to hit a certain ohm range, along with desired effect - just clouds with no flavor, all flavor with no regard to clouds, MTL or DTL hits, ramp up/down speed, preferred material (Kanthal, Nichrome, Stainless, Pure Nickel, or Hybrid) . If you’re limited on supplies, it would be a good idea to list what you’ve got on hand to try to tailor what you’re looking to do around what you have rather than telling you to build a certain coil with materials you don’t currently have.
The question may already be answered for you too, with topics asking “What is the best cloud chasing/flavor chasing build”. You’ll see the answers can vary somewhat, but you can at least cross certain types of coils off your search list, typically, by using the information you get from those threads.

You're not drinking water are you?! You realize that stuff is found in antifreeze!?!

OK, for example.... few days ago, I put in an alien coil into a Vandy Vape Pulse RDA, and squonked it in a mech box (vandy vape BF). Could not keep from coughing, flavor was nice but it was I don't know too hot or too much vapor. Checked the Ohms and it was .25. So, I am thinking, maybe something with more resistance, so I did a dual build of 28 Kanthal, 9 wraps, .96 ohms, 3.0 coil diameter. Two coils mind you, but the flavor is very weak. All this takes time to make the coils, it's not like you can just dial it in especially with a mech that you cannot adjust. Would be nice to know in advance what works before you build it....

 

[kevin littell]

so, try something different.... The first coil was too hot and the second coil was too cool. Split the difference.



In a Boreas I use 2 26 ga twisted 5/6 wrap 3mm's, in my top loaders I use 26 ga 5/6 wraps single wire. keeps the watts below 50....Batteries last longer.


Trial and error my friend. Trial and error.

 

[ScReWbALL]

OK, for example.... few days ago, I put in an alien coil into a Vandy Vape Pulse RDA, and squonked it in a mech box (vandy vape BF). Could not keep from coughing, flavor was nice but it was I don't know too hot or too much vapor. Checked the Ohms and it was .25. So, I am thinking, maybe something with more resistance, so I did a dual build of 28 Kanthal, 9 wraps, .96 ohms, 3.0 coil diameter. Two coils mind you, but the flavor is very weak. All this takes time to make the coils, it's not like you can just dial it in especially with a mech that you cannot adjust. Would be nice to know in advance what works before you build it....

Do you have any experience with building parallel coils? You split your resistance without having to build a dual coil setup. It shouldn’t be as extreme as the alien, but you still get a bunch of good surface area without having to split the power to two coils. I don’t have the particular RDA you’re using, so I’m not sure what kind of room you have to work with, but I used to take 3 strands of 26ga Nichrome 80 and do 7 wraps (21 in total) and vape on that on my Mechs.

Or a two strand parallel using 24ga Nichrome 80 wrapper 8 Times (16 total).

Gives you tons of surface area without sacrificing much in the power department. You might find a happy medium using that in some way. I used to run them as duals, but I don’t think your RDA is setup for that.
You can also play around with using Claptons and straight wire in parallel...I sometimes run a 28/36 N80 Clapton in parallel with a straight round piece of 26ga N80...it’s called a Staged Clapton if memory serves.

You're not drinking water are you?! You realize that stuff is found in antifreeze!?!

 

[The Cromwell]

OK, for example.... few days ago, I put in an alien coil into a Vandy Vape Pulse RDA, and squonked it in a mech box (vandy vape BF). Could not keep from coughing, flavor was nice but it was I don't know too hot or too much vapor. Checked the Ohms and it was .25. So, I am thinking, maybe something with more resistance, so I did a dual build of 28 Kanthal, 9 wraps, .96 ohms, 3.0 coil diameter. Two coils mind you, but the flavor is very weak. All this takes time to make the coils, it's not like you can just dial it in especially with a mech that you cannot adjust. Would be nice to know in advance what works before you build it....

.3 - .4 works for most people on mechs with round wire builds. .5 - .7 for a cooler vape.
It is kind of trial and error but once you find the right coil for YOU it was all worth it.

 

[Neunerball]

Another factor to consider, is the juice you are using. Not every juice tastes/feels the same at different wattages. Out of my experience, some of my DIY juice I like to vape at 30 W, where another is good at 70-80 W. Therefore, I build a coil for a mech mod, according to the wattage I think is suitable to the juice. However, if I can't build a coil, safe to be used on a mech, I just stick with my regulated mods.

 

[jerryprague]

so, try something different.... The first coil was too hot and the second coil was too cool. Split the difference.



In a Boreas I use 2 26 ga twisted 5/6 wrap 3mm's, in my top loaders I use 26 ga 5/6 wraps single wire. keeps the watts below 50....Batteries last longer.


Trial and error my friend. Trial and error.

Great advice mate! This morning I put a pre built Clapton into the vandy vape pulse, .62 ohms, single coil, vape better without killing the lungs... Trial and error you're right.

Sent from my Mi Max using Tapatalk

 

[Zohmbiebuilds]

Imo nichrome has given me the ability to enjoy such simple builds.

It all depends on the atty you're building for. There is no x*y/g= the right coil. There are just too many options and ways to go about it and opinion and personal preference muck up facts and math involved.

That being said, I have been into dual parallel as of late. That it simple nichrome slightly spaced.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[Zohmbiebuilds]

Do you have any experience with building parallel coils? You split your resistance without having to build a dual coil setup. It shouldn’t be as extreme as the alien, but you still get a bunch of good surface area without having to split the power to two coils. I don’t have the particular RDA you’re using, so I’m not sure what kind of room you have to work with, but I used to take 3 strands of 26ga Nichrome 80 and do 7 wraps (21 in total) and vape on that on my Mechs.

Or a two strand parallel using 24ga Nichrome 80 wrapper 8 Times (16 total).

Gives you tons of surface area without sacrificing much in the power department. You might find a happy medium using that in some way. I used to run them as duals, but I don’t think your RDA is setup for that.
You can also play around with using Claptons and straight wire in parallel...I sometimes run a 28/36 N80 Clapton in parallel with a straight round piece of 26ga N80...it’s called a Staged Clapton if memory serves.

You're not drinking water are you?! You realize that stuff is found in antifreeze!?!

I don't agree. A parallel still uses two coils this splitting the power between them.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[The Cromwell]

I don't agree. A parallel still uses two coils this splitting the power between them.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

Parallel coils are more efficient at producing more vapor from the same wattage as if you has wound two separate coils.

 

[Zohmbiebuilds]

Parallel coils are more efficient at producing more vapor from the same wattage as if you has wound to separate coils.

That's right, it's basically 2 coils therefore that "coil" is two coils so that being said that coil is 2 wires that share the current

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[The Cromwell]

That's right, it's basically 2 coils therefore that "coil" is two coils so that being said that coil is 2 wires that share the current

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

Same as the same 2 colis do when used a duals instead of parallels.
But more efficient when used as parallels.

 

[Carambrda]

Try 27g Ni80 / 36g Ni80 aliens, 3.5 wraps, 2.5mm ID, dual coil build at .09 ohms. Next, tell me you still don't like aliens.