What exactly is a micro coil and who should use it?

[rj9923]

I have a CE5 (I know, spare me the lecture on how I should upgrade), and have been learning to rebuild. From my understanding, a micro coil is where the wounds touch each other. So does that add or reduce resistance (I'm guessing it reduces) and is it appropriate for cheap clearomizers?
I tried making one today. Five tight wounds with 32 gauge kanthal. I wrapped it tight on a screwdriver and then pressed it gently with forceps and applied heat with a bic lighter. It was not successful at all. The lighter left it filled with carbon. Is there a reason you have to use a butane lighter? Do those not burn the coil like mine did?
Anyways, I didn't even end up using that coil since it was burnt.

 

[efektt]

I have a CE5 (I know, spare me the lecture on how I should upgrade), and have been learning to rebuild. From my understanding, a micro coil is where the wounds touch each other. So does that add or reduce resistance (I'm guessing it reduces) and is it appropriate for cheap clearomizers?
I tried making one today. Five tight wounds with 32 gauge kanthal. I wrapped it tight on a screwdriver and then pressed it gently with forceps and applied heat with a bic lighter. It was not successful at all. The lighter left it filled with carbon. Is there a reason you have to use a butane lighter? Do those not burn the coil like mine did?
Anyways, I didn't even end up using that coil since it was burnt.

Dude... I know this isnt what you want to hear, but get a real rebuildable like a kayfun. It will save you a lot of trouble. No need to make a micro with that thin of wire. Its difficult to do. Much easier with thicker wire. With a real atty, you wont need to torch. Just install, pulse it and while its hot pinch it with tweezers, but dont fire it while the tweezers are touching it.

 

[Lefty]

CE5 aside. 32 gauge is pretty thin and springy, not ideal for micro coils. It will take a light touch on the squeeze and be pretty easily deformed when wicking. You are getting carbon build up from the flame not being hot enough and not burning cleanly. A pen style micro torch with a little more oomph to the flame would work better. Leave it on the screwdriver while installing so that it holds it's shape. You really need to know that you have no shorts before trying to fire the coil, especially on an ego style battery. Either a dedicated ohm meter or a multimeter is a must. Once you have it in there and are sure it's good you can fire it with the battery - turned down if possible - and see if it heats evenly from the center out. If not you can take the tip of your screwdriver and gently rake it across the top of the coil. Like strumming an instrument. Once or twice should take care of it if it's going to. You might end up wanting to either use 30 gauge or just go with a standard coil.

 

[rj9923]

CE5 aside. 32 gauge is pretty thin and springy, not ideal for micro coils. It will take a light touch on the squeeze and be pretty easily deformed when wicking. You are getting carbon build up from the flame not being hot enough and not burning cleanly. A pen style micro torch with a little more oomph to the flame would work better. Leave it on the screwdriver while installing so that it holds it's shape. You really need to know that you have no shorts before trying to fire the coil, especially on an ego style battery. Either a dedicated ohm meter or a multimeter is a must. Once you have it in there and are sure it's good you can fire it with the battery - turned down if possible - and see if it heats evenly from the center out. If not you can take the tip of your screwdriver and gently rake it across the top of the coil. Like strumming an instrument. Once or twice should take care of it if it's going to. You might end up wanting to either use 30 gauge or just go with a standard coil.

I also have some 30 gauge if that works.

 

[Lefty]

I also have some 30 gauge if that works.

I think you'll find it easier to work with and more durable. Back when I used to redo Kanger style heads with micro coil and cotton that's what I had the best success with.

 

[Mike H.]

I also have some 30 gauge if that works.

Ive built micro coils with both 32 and 30g without any problems.

Its one thing to just make a coil but ,its more rewarding building to suit your need not just copying something you saw on youtube.

Micro coils are considered better for flavoring as compressing the coils covers more of the wick which burns more e juice and gives a larger concentration of flavoring.

What size wire you chose plays a big part in this as well..However a thicker wire will take more power from the battery to heat up but allows more wraps for better flavor and vapor production.

You didnt mention what battery you are using but, just some info for you here if you are using a little pen style ego battery along with it.

Youll advance in time with something different im sure ,as most eventually do.

Ive used 32 and 30 in a simple evod tank and just found i can use 28g but im using a more powerful battery as well so its not a big deal..Ive gone as many as 13 wraps with 30g in an evod for almost 3.0 ohms...your pen battery (if this is the case) wont fire that very well however.

 

[omghax]

A CE5 clearomizer? I've never been able to wrap a micro coil in those :/ battery shorts out.

 

[manson]

32 awg ??? it's hard enough with 30 awg. I now only use my 30 awg twisted in my mech. 32 is very unforgiving. unless you wrap it with something else. Trying to turn 32 awg will give you premature greys and wife beating frustrations. Stick with the lower gauge wires

 

[Wasim]

I've been rebuilding CE4 and CE5 for quite some time now. CE4 mainly with 32 and 36 gauge wires and CE5 with 36. So far did'nt have problems with ego batteries of yesteryear . I also put a strand of cotton over the coil in addition to putting one through it. Vapes great... of course not like mods but I'm happy with it. Did both micro and macro.... spaced coils and touching coils. Using stainless steel heat resistance wires. But it gunks ups pretty fast as I add more VG and some flavours to my juice both to reduce the nicotine level and increase the volume of the juice to last longer... very cheap and I'm happy with it... cheers guys