Smok TFV16?

[vuJim]

Didn't want a fourth tank brand and model to add to the Falcon Kings, Falcon, and Mini Supers I had already, but a TFV16 is coming with my new mod. So that's that.

What coils have y'all had the best success with in the Smok TFV16 tank? Flavour is more important to me than massive clouds, and I'd put longevity right up there with (nearly?) equal importance to flavour. I am not tolerant of leaking problems. Nothing will provoke me into abandoning a tank faster than leaking issues.

I tend to run at pretty low wattages: 35-48W. I draw fairly long DTL, and like a somewhat warmish vape.

FWIW: I have not personally experienced a massive difference between the M1 and M2 coils in my Falcon, or between the M-Dual and M-Triple coils in my Falcon King. (I'm going to try a set of M1+ coils in one of my Kings, next.)

TIA!

 

[vuJim]

Have had this bad boy in hand for a couple days. Follows are my initial thoughts.

It came with the 0.2 ohm Conical Mesh coil installed, and that was more in the power range I wanted to be than was the dual, so that's what I've been using. Break-in was pretty fast. I'd say on the order of w/in a ml or two of juice. Produces a nice, flavourful vape at 65W. Vape is a bit airier than I like. I tried closing-down the air a bit, but didn't care for the result. (See below re: the juice I'm using.) There was a bit of leakage after overnight storage with a full tank, on the second night, but nothing worse than what I've occasionally experienced with any of my other tanks.

I think I'll try to pick up another coil locally so I can do a juice swap. It's hard for me to tell how I like this tank with the juice I've got in there. It's a tasty juice, a cinnamon apple, but the hit is sometimes a bit harsh for me. I'll need to try one of my more mellow dessert flavours to know better how this tank works for me.

The top fill works well enough, but the sprung top on my Falcon Kings is a bit handier, in my view. The Falcon King tops also operate more smoothly than does the top on my TFV16, as do the release buttons.

One positive is it sure holds a lot of juice.

So far I like it well enough, but I'm not sure well enough to get equal time with my Falcon Kings, much less displace them.

 

[vuJim]

Well, that didn't take long!

Syringed-out the tank for a flavour swap. Took out the coil and stored it. Rinsed and dried the tank. Put a new coil in. Primed it. Assembled the tank. Filled it. Went to close the top and the top gasket distorted, bunched-up, and became useless. I've got the replacement gasket installed and, by carefully closing the top managed to keep it, too, from being destroyed.

Not. Impressed. Not at all.

I don't think I'll be buying any TFV16 tanks--or even more coils for this one. When the three coils I have are done, I think I'm gonna send this tank off to the landfill.

ETA

The local vape stores didn't have any of the single mesh conical coils in stock. Closest I could come was the non-conical single mesh coil. Like the conical coil that came with the tank: It broke in quickly and it vapes nicely, but seems to be a bit leak prone and inclined to flood. More disappointment.

It's too bad, really. If you're willing to burn through the juice you can get both great flavour and generate some pretty impressive clouds with this tank. It doesn't even take an excessive amount of wattage to do it. But it's turning out to be quite a disappointment for me. I really wanted to like it, but I think it's destined for the scrap heap. I'd be annoyed if I'd actually paid for this thing.

ETA2

The TFV16 is retired. I cannot abide by a leaky tank.

I found, in the process of cleaning and re-assembling it, what is the nature of the problem: The fill port gasket fits way too tightly to the top of the tank. If it's dry, as it would be directly after being cleaned and dried, it binds when you try to close the top. When this happened to me the first time, not realizing right away what was going on because the thing had always been a bit difficult, I muscled it. That trashed the gasket. This time, after verifying that's what was happening, I applied a bit of straight VG to both the gasket and the top of the tank, and was able to close it with only minor difficulty. I would note I've never had this problem with either of my HorizonTech Falcon King tanks.

The TFV16 strikes me as more poorly designed and more poorly made than the Falcon King.

 

[Just Frank]

It's made for cloud bro, bros I'm pretty sure. Flavor has been on par with most of the other top brands. The coils are constructed well too. They look put together just as good as Freemax/Horizon ect. But most of the coils made for it are really power hungry. I've had zero problems with mine. It performs as it should. I don't usually vape 90W+ most of the day so it would never be an all day type tank for me. I do use high wattage tanks for occasional drags thoughout the day. I just can't get into huge plumes all day.

Its a pretty big tank. It has huge coils, airflow, and liquid capacity. I think this was supposed to be an updated version of the Cloud Beast King aimed at high wattage vapers. I think they improved a lot of things. Mine hasn't leaked. I don't think it should as long as you know what you're doing. But who ever asked for slip on drip tips to come back? It has that old Fireluke/Cleito styled tip.

This is nowhere near my favorite tank to use but I wouldn't say it's garbage either. It is what it is. It does high wattage well and has huge airflow.

 

[vuJim]

I'm not saying it's "garbage," @Just Frank. But the specimen I received, at least, is definitely not the machining quality of my Falcon or Falcon Kings. Despite that, I think it probably would've been ok if the material they'd used for that fill port gasket hadn't been such a soft material that gets somewhat grippy when it's dry. The thing being more inclined to flood and leak a bit is another issue. One that I may have been able to overlook had it not been for the fill port gasket issue.

It is a cloud beast, though, and no mistake. And I'll admit it was fun to blow gigantic clouds with it

 

[Izanagi7]

I'm not saying it's "garbage," @Just Frank. But the specimen I received, at least, is definitely not the machining quality of my Falcon or Falcon Kings. Despite that, I think it probably would've been ok if the material they'd used for that fill port gasket hadn't been such a soft material that gets somewhat grippy when it's dry. The thing being more inclined to flood and leak a bit is another issue. One that I may have been able to overlook had it not been for the fill port gasket issue.

It is a cloud beast, though, and no mistake. And I'll admit it was fun to blow gigantic clouds with it

I had a TF8 Cloud King, and that too, was as loose and leaky as a spinster of ill repute. It's triple coil was a heck of a cloud chucker, with pretty good flavour. In the end the leaky RBA was too annoying to deal with.

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using Tapatalk

 

[gsmit1]

I have a Big Baby Beast, 4 Princes and a Cloud Beast, all with that same top fill gasket, and none of them leak. At all.

I'm using the RBA in all of them, but I don't think that's it. if I had to guess off the top of my head, I'd guess that you damaged both the gaskets, or the second one isn't seated properly or something. A bad seal will make any tank leak.

The one time I did have a leak with these tanks was waaay back. I had a T6 coil in the BBB, which doesn't have the button lock on the top cap that later Smok tanks do and I had inadvertently opened it slightly when forcefully pulling the Procolor out of my pocket in the car. I used to set in the compartment next to me in the door.

When I went to pick it up a little while later, the mod was covered in juice and it was then I noticed that the top cap was slightly to the side and the tank was unsealed. It was this issue that prompted Smok to start making the button lock. I cleaned it up, refilled it and it never leaked again.

I bet you're not getting a good top seal.

 

[vuJim]

I bet you're not getting a good top seal.

That's possible. I had to apply an unusual amount of force to get the thing apart just out of the box. I was this >< close to resorting to pliers. It may be I inadvertently wrenched the top slightly askew in the process, though I was trying to be very careful. That might explain both the problems with opening/closing the top, and the leaking/flooding.

If that's the case, then this tank is fit only for the landfill.

 

[gsmit1]

That's possible. I had to apply an unusual amount of force to get the thing apart just out of the box. I was this >< close to resorting to pliers. It may be I inadvertently wrenched the top slightly askew in the process, though I was trying to be very careful. That might explain both the problems with opening/closing the top, and the leaking/flooding.

If that's the case, then this tank is fit only for the landfill.

You were pressing the button on the cap right? Just asking.

 

[vuJim]

You were pressing the button on the cap right? Just asking.

No, I mean, literally, tanking the tank apart. As in to change the coil, clean, etc. I had to apply a great deal of hand strength to unscrew it.

These tank manufacturers don't seem to be aware, when they machine-assemble these things, that, after they sit for a while they lock up tighter than a drum.

 

[gsmit1]

No, I mean, literally, tanking the tank apart. As in to change the coil, clean, etc. I had to apply a great deal of hand strength to unscrew it.

These tank manufacturers don't seem to be aware, when they machine-assemble these things, that, after they sit for a while they lock up tighter than a drum.

Sounds like the clamp screws on the Profile.

It's tough doing this kinda thing over the internet.

Do you feel the rubber engaging when you screw the parts back together? No metal on metal? Top and bottom of the coil? Top and bottom of the glass? If so, my bet is still on the top fill seal. Unfortunately, I'm having a whale of a time find that deal. EVERY other Smok tank, but that one. I doubt you're going to get much help from Smok. I would doubt that about most companies though.

Did you get it in a shop or online. Sorry, I can't remember.

 

[vuJim]

See my previous post: Not only does the seal engage, but I have to take care not to push down on the top while closing it, to keep that gasket from binding. No metal-on-metal feeling. In fact: The way that top seal is designed/manufactured, metal-on-metal would be unlikely, because the gasket protrudes ever so slightly.

I just went and fetched it back out of the box. TBH: I think the top is fine. I don't think anything's out of alignment or mating poorly. I think the leaking I'm experiencing is because the coils are so huge, the juice ports in them so large, and they wick so efficiently that, left to sit for a while, it's inevitable you'll get some flooding and a bit of leakage.

 

[gsmit1]

See my previous post: Not only does the seal engage, but I have to take care not to push down on the top while closing it, to keep that gasket from binding. No metal-on-metal feeling. In fact: The way that top seal is designed/manufactured, metal-on-metal would be unlikely, because the gasket protrudes ever so slightly.

The metal on metal I was referring to was when tightening the rest of the tank assembly back together after changing a coil and or cleaning it. A bad seal there could cause leaking too.

I just went and fetched it back out of the box. TBH: I think the top is fine. I don't think anything's out of alignment or mating poorly. I think the leaking I'm experiencing is because the coils are so huge, the juice ports in them so large, and they wick so efficiently that, left to sit for a while, it's inevitable you'll get some flooding and a bit of leakage.

Well that could be.

Don't throw it away though. I mean I'm not ordering you around, but I'll take it to experiment on even it isn't a tank I would ever buy. Only because I don't use subohm tanks anymore.

Which brings up another topic I have a feeling you've considered and rejected though. A good RTA and building your own does away with all of this.

 

[vuJim]

No, no metal-on-metal anywhere. I'm not going to toss it immediately. Hell, I may even load it up one more time to try it again. I was just a little miffed the other day. But, if it ends up unused, back in the box, then, someday...

I have an RTA. An AugVape Intake Dual. Easy enough to build on. Very, very dense, tasty vapes. Airflow is a bit more restrictive than I'd like. My next on-line order will likely include a GeekVape Zeus Dual.

 

[OneBadWolf]

I had to apply an unusual amount of force to get the thing apart just out of the box. I was this >< close to resorting to pliers.

As a last resort, I have a 8 inch section of bike inner tube. I put the atty inside it, grip each end through the tube and give it hell. I've never needed pliers since, but if it ever came to it, with the tube, you could still use pliers, without marking up the atty, and if the glass shatters, you wont be cut, and its contained in the tube, easy to clean up.

 

[OneBadWolf]

If they made a RBA for the 16 , I'd get one. My TFV12 top pin twisted out, and nothing I've tried has repaired it. With a massive bulb glass, and the triple RBA in it, it was great.
Cannot even find them new anymore. What would be amazing I think, would be a mesh RBA for the 16.

 

[gsmit1]

If they made a RBA for the 16 , I'd get one. My TFV12 top pin twisted out, and nothing I've tried has repaired it. With a massive bulb glass, and the triple RBA in it, it was great.
Cannot even find them new anymore. What would be amazing I think, would be a mesh RBA for the 16.

I think I may have that triple deck around here somewhere. I think I ordered it by mistake a long time ago. I like the RBA decks for the Smok tanks. Especially for the BB/BBB.

 

[OneBadWolf]

I think I may have that triple deck around here somewhere. I think I ordered it by mistake a long time ago. I like the RBA decks for the Smok tanks. Especially for the BB/BBB.

I had a real love/hate thing with the 12. building and wicking the triple was not for the faint-hearted, but when you got it right, It was spectacular. Almost like drinking the juice. The problem with the 12 was the top cover. The new button release would solve it.

I grabbed a couple of the Vandy Vape Mesh 24 attys, one SS, one black, they were on clearance for $10. I'm really liking everything about them, but the limited capacity. Such a nice quiet smooth whoosh. I still use my TFV-RTA, with the single, dual and quad RBAs. It's been hangin in there, still vapes great. Smok's best design I think. Has it all. Juice control, you can fix your build with a full tank and not spill a drop, I think my ultimate atty would be one of those, scaled up 50%.

I even DIYed a bubble tank for it. took out all the seals, centre pin, and insulator, blocked the drip tip and 510 with high temp silicone, placed the 510 nub in the chuck of my drill, set the speed, locked the trigger, and put the torch to it. The air inside the tank expanded as it heated, and the centripetal force did the rest, bulging out the centre. Held 6-7 Ml after. Looked a little Roswellesque. lol

Did not survive the GF though. The thinner glass was not too drop resistant.

 

[Just Frank]

If they made a RBA for the 16 , I'd get one. My TFV12 top pin twisted out, and nothing I've tried has repaired it. With a massive bulb glass, and the triple RBA in it, it was great.
Cannot even find them new anymore. What would be amazing I think, would be a mesh RBA for the 16.

Have you heard of the Cigpet Eco12? Eightvape had them for $5 at one point, $10 most of the time. You can use your TFV12 RBAs in that I'm pretty sure. Threaded top cap too. I'm almost certain I used one that way for a while. I can double check if you're interested.

I think pretty much every company has abandoned the RBA/Coil head concept. The last ones Smok made was for the Prince/Baby Prince. Every company is trying to do pod RBAs now though.

The Prince RBA works well and has tons of airflow. It's kind of like the TFV12 triple where you're breathing strait air no restriction. It's a velocity deck though.

Have you ever used a single coil in the TFV12 Triple RBA? I've seen picture diagrams but it didn't make sense. One juice port or hole would be open. Maybe you'd just need to ball up some cotton and plug it?

 

[gsmit1]

The Prince RBA works well and has tons of airflow.

if you look down the middle you can see a piece of of a single coil insert from some rda I had that I cut down and wedged in there real good. On the underside you can't see it has this triangular shape. This is a very crude illustration with the red being the huge airflow hole, the circles being the coils and of course the middle shape being the piece I'm talking about. If you looked at it turned 45 degrees it would look like a square. The flat ends wedge it right in the airflow hole perfectly.

 

[OneBadWolf]

Have you heard of the Cigpet Eco12? E

I remember people making fun of the name lol. I didn't know it would accept the tfv12 RBAs though. I'll try and track one down.

I never tried a single coil on the 12. I have a much modded Geek Vape Mage, a even more frankenstine-d Lemo II, a Serpent and the excellent TF-RTA G1 single coil RBA that do the single coil stuff. I went through hell tracking down a G1 for the TF-RTA, it wasn't brought to North America, and I had loved the TFV4 TF-RCA, the regular TFV4 single coil RBA, the TF-R1 being awful, except as a modded vertical like this.

http://vapingunderground.com/threads/new-tfv4-vertical-coil-rba.141246/#post-712983

It looked to me like Smok had spare parts from the TFV4 TF-RCA, and used them to make the TF-RTA G1.

The TFV4 TF-RCA

The TF-RTA G1

 

[OneBadWolf]

Was looking for the Cigpet Eco12, and found this!

Nicer than Smoks I think.

 

[Just Frank]

I remember people making fun of the name lol. I didn't know it would accept the tfv12 RBAs though. I'll try and track one down.

I never tried a single coil on the 12. I have a much modded Geek Vape Mage, a even more frankenstine-d Lemo II, a Serpent and the excellent TF-RTA G1 single coil RBA that do the single coil stuff. I went through hell tracking down a G1 for the TF-RTA, it wasn't brought to North America, and I had loved the TFV4 TF-RCA, the regular TFV4 single coil RBA, the TF-R1 being awful, except as a modded vertical like this.

http://vapingunderground.com/threads/new-tfv4-vertical-coil-rba.141246/#post-712983

It looked to me like Smok had spare parts from the TFV4 TF-RCA, and used them to make the TF-RTA G1.

The TFV4 TF-RCA

The TF-RTA G1

I didn't know you were the one that made that TFV4 verticle single coil thread. I saw that a long time ago and thought that was some clever shit goin on!

I have both the G2 & G4 deck TF-RTAs. I never knew there was a single coil deck. That's awesome. But I'm pretty sure they're all gone at this point. Same for that TFV8 single coil RBA. I'd buy both if I had the chance. I like to have options lol. I think I just like collecting things.

 

[OneBadWolf]

Same for that TFV8 single coil RBA

I never knew about a single for the TFV8. I almost did a vertical build for it, but the dual RBA is fairly good. I'm with you as far as options. I think the ability to switch decks makes a atty more desirable.

Like the 16 in this thread. I'd buy one, IF there's an RBA. It's also insurance against obsolescence. Companies might discontinue making coils, go out of biz, or importation might be prohibited. The days of rebuilding factory coils are thankfully gone.

 

[Just Frank]

I never knew about a single for the TFV8. I almost did a vertical build for it, but the dual RBA is fairly good. I'm with you as far as options. I think the ability to switch decks makes a atty more desirable.

Like the 16 in this thread. I'd buy one, IF there's an RBA. It's also insurance against obsolescence. Companies might discontinue making coils, go out of biz, or importation might be prohibited. The days of rebuilding factory coils are thankfully gone.

Forgot to say that Prince RBA modification is pretty sweet. I've thought about closing that center off but never did anything about it. Thanks for posting that visual. I could probably find something to wedge in there. Pretty neat hack..

 

[Just Frank]

The days of rebuilding factory coils are thankfully gone.

It's funny you said this. I rebuilt or rewicked I should say, a Caliburn pod yesterday.

I've been using a V9 Max kit. I don't want to have to buy coils all the time. So today I got out the hammer and a punch on a mission to see how these things ate put together. I knew this first try would probably wreck the mesh.


It's pretty much the same concept as that little Caliburn coil, only on a much larger scale. What I need now is cotton facial tissue. Factory coils have always had these little cotton pads, reminded me of dryer sheets or something. Anyways, a flat thin wicking material would make this easier to put back together I think. It's just a matter of twirling it around the coil until it's ready to be slid back in.

I think cotton facial tissues might be the answer lol.

 

[OneBadWolf]

I think cotton facial tissues might be the answer lol.

I would stick with cotton. I know what you refer to with the factory coils, and recently for fun, I rebuilt a Nikola mesh. I used the the front and back part of a cotton sheet, the parts you usually peel off and toss. Cut to size with scissors (heightwise), wrapped the mesh around a screwdriver, sized so there was a gap, and using tension, wrapped the cotton around the mesh until it just fits into the coil body. I find it easier to leave it on the screwdriver, removing the screwdriver only when it is snugly in place. Works perfectly.

It just takes more effort than a RBA or RTA. As well, eventually, the legs will separate from the mesh.

 

[gsmit1]

Forgot to say that Prince RBA modification is pretty sweet. I've thought about closing that center off but never did anything about it. Thanks for posting that visual. I could probably find something to wedge in there. Pretty neat hack..

Like I say. I used a piece of a single coil insert that I'd never use that was provided with some rda, because I knew it would be heat resistant. and it has been.