Another wicking question (but my first)

[tonystr]

My turn to ask a wicking question.

I'm always building 3mm coils in my RDAs. Sometimes after vaping for a while a small gap opens up between the coil and the cotton. I dont think this is good. Seems that the cotton is shrinking a bit inside the coil.

I'm sure i'm using enough cotton (muji) and have just got some cotton bacon v2 and some fiber freaks to try out.

Hope someone can advise. Thanks

 

[tonystr]

Just had a thought with the muji. Normally i peel the outer layer from each side of the pad then cut 3-4mm wide strips, which i put thru the coils. So this time i tried cutting some slightly wider strips and fluffing/teasing them before putting them thru the coils, this seems to work better.

 

[gary68]

I usually fire it without the cap off to see if jets of vapour are escaping the ends of the coils. Then use a pointy thing (technical term) to tease the wick into filling the end of the coil. Sometimes the wick also discolours at the gappy bit.. This is usually a tell tale sign

 

[technoman]

It's got to fit like a glove.. Using Muji I normally don't discard the top and bottom layers and just cut a strip and gently roll it on my chest or leg without applying any pressure.

I go for the wick being about 10 or 15% thicker than the diameter of the coil, pinch one end and pull it through while using my finger and thumb to almost funnel it through gently the other end. Then work it back and forward a couple of times until it fits snugly (not tight, not loose). Then using some needle nose tweezers I run down the length of the wick either side to separate the fibres followed by some blowing to fan them out.

What works for me might not work for you and of course is going to be different for different atty's. I mostly use RTA's and genny's but a wick is a wick right?

One thing you could try doing with an RDA is wicking underneath / around the coil, not through it - making sure not to block any airflow of course.

 

[tonystr]

It's got to fit like a glove.. Using Muji I normally don't discard the top and bottom layers and just cut a strip and gently roll it on my chest or leg without applying any pressure.

I go for the wick being about 10 or 15% thicker than the diameter of the coil, pinch one end and pull it through while using my finger and thumb to almost funnel it through gently the other end. Then work it back and forward a couple of times until it fits snugly (not tight, not loose). Then using some needle nose tweezers I run down the length of the wick either side to separate the fibres followed by some blowing to fan them out.

What works for me might not work for you and of course is going to be different for different atty's. I mostly use RTA's and genny's but a wick is a wick right?

One thing you could try doing with an RDA is wicking underneath / around the coil, not through it - making sure not to block any airflow of course.

Thanks for that ^^^^. Really clear advice. I think i didnt use enough cotton. I will try separating the fibre like you say.

I found once i cut the strips of muji a bit wider and fluffed them by separating the strands before pulling thru the coil, i got a much better vape that i noticed straight away

BH thought i'd cracked this vape lark. Just shows always more to learn.

 

[technoman]

Absolutely, every day is a school day and I wouldn't have it any other way.. I've been using cotton for about 2 months now (I think) and 90% of that time has been trial and error, watching wicking videos and reading, and it's only in the last few weeks I've found my own happy way.

 

[tonystr]

thanks Technoman

I'm experimenting more with my wicks now. Muji workin' fine but i find its important for me to really fluff up the cotton before inserting it and use a bit more cotton than i was.

Really does smooth out my vape. Gonna experiment a bit more with coil position too.