Question about building coils.

[Horizon]

Hi. I'm fairly new to Vaping and I recently began making my own Clapton Coils. I ordered the Coil Master V3 Kit to make the process easier, but I don't know what size posts I'm supposed to be using for my Claptons. They range from 1.5mm to 4mm. What exactly is the difference and how do I know which one is suitable for my coils? And, how many wraps do I need for each size post? It's so confusing. I'm using 26G Kanthal and 36G Nichrome, and I have a Vertical Style Deck if that helps. Thanks.

 

[Neunerball]

Depending on your atomizer, at least 2.5 mm up to 4 mm. A larger ID will prevent dry hits. Utilize http://www.steam-engine.org/wirewiz.asp to figure out the wraps.

 

[Horizon]

Depending on your atomizer, at least 2.5 mm up to 4 mm. A larger ID will prevent dry hits. Utilize http://www.steam-engine.org/wirewiz.asp to figure out the wraps.

Sorry forgot to mention I have the Griffin RTA if that helps. And not sure what an ID is or dry hits.

 

[Neunerball]

Sorry forgot to mention I have the Griffin RTA if that helps. And not sure what an ID is or dry hits.

I think, a 2.5 mm, maybe even a 3 mm ID (inner diameter) coil works. You'll have to try and see. The coils must not touch the deck, or the chamber.
A dry hit occurs when the wicks can't transport eJuice quick enough to the coil(s). In a worse case scenario, the wicking material even gets burned. The least, it tastes like shit.

 

[Horizon]

I think, a 2.5 mm, maybe even a 3 mm ID (inner diameter) coil works. You'll have to try and see. The coils must not touch the deck, or the chamber.
A dry hit occurs when the wicks can't transport eJuice quick enough to the coil(s). In a worse case scenario, the wicking material even gets burned. The least, it tastes like shit.

Thanks. What can occur as a consequence of the coil touching the deck or the chamber? And you also mentioned how a larger inner diameter can prevent dry hits. How does this work? Thank you.

 

[Neunerball]

Thanks. What can occur as a consequence of the coil touching the deck or the chamber? And you also mentioned how a larger inner diameter can prevent dry hits. How does this work? Thank you.

1.) you can get a short, or at least a bad metallic/burned flavor (when the coils a too close to the chamber, in order to cause sparks).
2.) In simple words, more wicking material, makes it easier for the wick to get the liquid into the coil(s). There are some coil builds, where the wicking material is around the coil, due to smaller ID, e. g. Dragon Coil.

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

I have the Coil Master DIY V2 kit and love it. I use the coil jig to make all of my coils, but I don't use the part of the jig that wraps the coil for you. I do it by hand, the reason for this is while that coil jig will make pretty looking coils, it doesn't make good ones. A coil needs tension and so wrapping by hand is the best, which you can still do with the ID bar & the main piece of the coil jig. Simply use your hand

To know if you have a short, you screw the deck into your ohm reader and if it doesn't read your coil, reads a difference in ohms more than 0.2 from your desired resistance, or frantically reads random and extremely different ohms; you have a short. Also when testing your coils, make sure before you wick it that you check the resistance of your build with the Griffin's tank on, to make sure there is no shorting from the coil with it on. Or else you'll waste cotton!

Simple fixes for a short that may work are making sure all screws are snug, making sure your coil isn't in contact with the deck or posts, and making sure the deck is screwed all the way on the ohm reader. If none of those fix the short, make new coils and try again.

 

[Horizon]

I have the Coil Master DIY V2 kit and love it. I use the coil jig to make all of my coils, but I don't use the part of the jig that wraps the coil for you. I do it by hand, the reason for this is while that coil jig will make pretty looking coils, it doesn't make good ones. A coil needs tension and so wrapping by hand is the best, which you can still do with the ID bar & the main piece of the coil jig. Simply use your hand

Thank you. Although I don't really see the reason to manually wrap it if the Coil Master already makes it easier for you to do your wraps with. They seem to come out perfectly wrapped every time and I just started using it. Seems kinda silly to do it with your hand lol.

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

Thank you. Although I don't really see the reason to manually wrap it if the Coil Master already makes it easier for you to do your wraps with. They seem to come out perfectly wrapped every time and I just started using it. Seems kinda silly to do it with your hand lol.

I explained in my post why I don't use it, nor do a few people I know. Simply because a coil looks pretty, doesn't mean it's the best it can be. You want the coils to have tension and to be close as possible when making a micro, the wrapping part of the coil jig cannot do that for you. All it does is loosely wrap it. Pretty doesn't equal efficient

 

[Horizon]

I explained in my post why I don't use it, nor do a few people I know. Simply because a coil looks pretty, doesn't mean it's the best it can be. You want the coils to have tension and to be close as possible when making a micro, the wrapping part of the coil jig cannot do that for you. All it does is loosely wrap it. Pretty doesn't equal efficient

I see. So are you saying the coils that the Coil Master wraps are inferior to manual wrapped coils? Is there an actual tangible difference? Are your manually wrapped coils performing better than the ones you wrap with the CM?

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

I see. So are you saying the coils that the Coil Master wraps are inferior to manual wrapped coils? Is there an actual tangible difference? Are your manually wrapped coils performing better than the ones you wrap with the CM?

Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying.

In my experience, coils wrapped with tension by hand are much easier to get heating evenly than with a coil jig. You generally have to fiddle with them much less, and they stay where they're put versus a coil that's been gently wrapped.

I don't think there is a difference in vaping experience, but the less you have to fiddle with coils on the deck to achieve proper heating is a win in my book. All of this is two fold when making dual coils.

To me it's simply more logical to put the required tension on the coil during the wrap, than instead doing it on a loose coil while it's in place on the deck. It's much more difficult to achieve that balance between dual coils, I've never used a single coil RBA, but you likely could get away with it easier on one of those if that's what you're using.

 

[Horizon]

Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying.

In my experience, coils wrapped with tension by hand are much easier to get heating evenly than with a coil jig. You generally have to fiddle with them much less, and they stay where they're put versus a coil that's been gently wrapped.

Hm, so you're saying that when you manually wrap your coils, it places just the right amount of tension on the coil and that helps to reduce the possibility of things like hot spots and heating problems from occurring?

 

[Horizon]

Depending on your atomizer, at least 2.5 mm up to 4 mm. A larger ID will prevent dry hits. Utilize http://www.steam-engine.org/wirewiz.asp to figure out the wraps.

Thanks. Can you help me fill this wrap calculator out? For the "Material Profile" I have it set to A1 Kanthal. Then I left the next option at "Round" because I have no idea what this means. Then it asks for the "Diameter" of the wire, and I guess since I'm using 26G that would be the diameter. Then the next option I set to "Single Coil" since I only have one at the moment. Then the confusing one is "Target Resistance". I have no idea what to put for this since I don't really understand Ohms yet and all this resistance stuff. Then it asks me for the inner diameter of the coil and I have it set to 3mm since you told me to use around that size And then "Leg Total" Idk what to put here. :S

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

Hm, so you're saying that when you manually wrap your coils, it places just the right amount of tension on the coil and that helps to reduce the possibility of things like hot spots and heating problems from occurring?

Essentially, yes. It eliminates some unnecessary fiddling with it after you install it and check for shorts. In my opinion, it makes building much easier. It took me forever to eliminate hot spots and to keep coils heating evenly when I first started using the coil jig, now I still use it, but wrap it with my hand instead. It's really not that hard after a few goes

 

[chinacatsunflower-]

Thanks. Can you help me fill this wrap calculator out? For the "Material Profile" I have it set to A1 Kanthal. Then I left the next option at "Round" because I have no idea what this means. Then it asks for the "Diameter" of the wire, and I guess since I'm using 26G that would be the diameter. Then the next option I set to "Single Coil" since I only have one at the moment. Then the confusing one is "Target Resistance". I have no idea what to put for this since I don't really understand Ohms yet and all this resistance stuff. Then it asks me for the inner diameter of the coil and I have it set to 3mm since you told me to use around that size And then "Leg Total" Idk what to put here. :S

Round means that your wire is round, it is round when you are using a single piece of wire. Twisted is multiple round wires twisted together to form one wire, and ribbon is a flat type of wire.

26ga is the diameter, but check your spool for the exact specified diameter in mm, if you can't find it on there, don't sweat it.

Coils are made out of resistance wire, the coil you wrap determines the resistance it has or the "ohms". Certain factors can have an affect on the final resistance of the coil such as the amount of wraps, type of wire, inner diameter, and type of coil. That is what the calculator is for.

If you do not have at least basic knowledge of Ohm's Law, I highly advise you refrain from making further coils and go do some research before continuing. You saying you don't have any grasp on ohms, and referring to resistance as though it's a separate thing is quite worrisome.

Making coils can be dangerous if you do not have the basic knowledge to do so, which every vaper should take the time to read and absord. It shouldn't take long and it's something that is absolutely imperative for anyone who is trying to rebuild or using any type of vaping device.

 

[Horizon]

Round means that your wire is round, it is round when you are using a single piece of wire. Twisted is multiple round wires twisted together to form one wire, and ribbon is a flat type of wire.

26ga is the diameter, but check your spool for the exact specified diameter in mm, if you can't find it on there, don't sweat it.

Coils are made out of resistance wire, the coil you wrap determines the resistance it has or the "ohms". Certain factors can have an affect on the final resistance of the coil such as the amount of wraps, type of wire, inner diameter, and type of coil. That is what the calculator is for.

If you do not have at least basic knowledge of Ohm's Law, I highly advise you refrain from making further coils and go do some research before continuing. You saying you don't have any grasp on ohms, and referring to resistance as though it's a separate thing is quite worrisome.

Making coils can be dangerous if you do not have the basic knowledge to do so, which every vaper should take the time to read and absord. It shouldn't take long and it's something that is absolutely imperative for anyone who is trying to rebuild or using any type of vaping device.

Great explanation, thanks Cat. And yes, I agree. I have honestly been neglecting to learn things like Ohms law and all of this important information because it seems kind of difficult to understand but perhaps that's because I haven't really sat down and really tried to read it and absorb it. I mean I've skimmed over videos on Youtube of Ohms Law and there is a lot of complex concepts introduced in them, so it's just something I really need to prioritize. I really truly hope I can learn this technical Vape related stuff. It's all very fascinating to me and I really enjoy this hobby so why not devote more of myself to it ya know.