Bigger coils vs small coils

[HgA1C]

So I have been playing with my cyclone build, and found that larger coils >2mm seem to work better with the REO and Japanese cotton. I tried a 3mm 26gauge and found the vape to be way to cool. I switched to about a 2.5mm 26gauge build and find the vape to be much more to my liking, but may try a little smaller to get more heat.

Overall what I am noticing is that the wick does not burn, but changes flavor when I forget to sqounk. I have not had any dry hits since making this switch, and the larger size seems to give a substantial warning before burning. I mean it makes sense as there is more wick and thus harder to dry it out to the point of burning it. Any thoughts or observations on coil diameter?

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

I find that at the resistances I like to run (duals netting .4-ish), the smaller diameter gets me longer coils and so, more contact with the wick. That works for me in terms of the desired vapor production (as in lots of it), but I do know what you mean regarding running the wicks dry - it's definitely something that has me squonking every second hit, so you've got me thinking. Just to see, I'm going to wrap a thicker gauge at a larger diameter to net the same resistance at somewhere near the same length. I suspect the issue will then turn to heat up time, given more wire in play.

 

[HgA1C]

I find that at the resistances I like to run (duals netting .4-ish), the smaller diameter gets me longer coils and so, more contact with the wick. That works for me in terms of the desired vapor production (as in lots of it), but I do know what you mean regarding running the wicks dry - it's definitely something that has me squonking every second hit, so you've got me thinking. Just to see, I'm going to wrap a thicker gauge at a larger diameter to net the same resistance at somewhere near the same length. I suspect the issue will then turn to heat up time, given more wire in play.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes. I did not notice a difference in vape production at same ohm levels using less wraps. I do notice a difference in the temp of the vapor. The larger coils just seem to run cooler even with similar heat up times. Changing airflow helps adjust vape temp.

Overall, I am much happier with the larger coils as the wick does not degrade like it does on the smaller coils. I primarily vape chocolate or cinnamon flavors so coil and wick life are issues. I have had to lower my ohm on a single coil to compensate for the heat-up time and larger wire. I was running 2mm 28gauge 1ohm, and now running 2.5mm 26 gauge 0.8ohm. Honestly I think I am getting more vapor/flavor out of the larger diameter, larger wire setup. even though they are about the same wraps.

 

[Ian444]

I was running 2mm 28gauge 1ohm, and now running 2.5mm 26 gauge 0.8ohm. Honestly I think I am getting more vapor/flavor out of the larger diameter, larger wire setup. even though they are about the same wraps.

Watts - 25% increase
Wicking ability - 56% increase (arguable)
Coil surface area - 61% increase

It's always good to find an improved coil build that you like better I can see why some people like to have the in-between wire gauges on hand (27g and 29g) and I think its because jumping 2 gauges is a bigger step than they would like (when they are fine tuning). For example Super_X and Filthy-Beast, they both still use 29g as far as I know, and with their extensive experience, I'm guessing that's because neither 30g or 28g work as good as 29g (for them and their fave coil builds).

 

[Rule62]

It's always good to find an improved coil build that you like better I can see why some people like to have the in-between wire gauges on hand (27g and 29g) and I think its because jumping 2 gauges is a bigger step than they would like (when they are fine tuning). For example Super_X and Filthy-Beast, they both still use 29g as far as I know, and with their extensive experience, I'm guessing that's because neither 30g or 28g work as good as 29g (for them and their fave coil builds).

I like having the 'in-between sizes too. Lately, I've been using 6 wraps of 27g on 2mm diameter. It's a nice compromise between 26g and 28g.

 

[Evilocity]

I've always made really nice, tight coils that looked great and vaped great. After a day or two I found myself changing the wick because of a burnt taste. A few weeks ago I decided to try an ugly coil of sorts and left spaces in my coil. I'm still running . 8 ohms and I've found that I never seem to get the burnt taste anymore. I've decided that the tight coils keep the very middle of my wick from getting the juice it needs after it gets gunked up and causes a burnt taste. The spaced coils allow the wick to always get juice.

Sorry for the long winded post, just wanted to share what's been working for me.

 

[jdeedler]

I've always made really nice, tight coils that looked great and vaped great. After a day or two I found myself changing the wick because of a burnt taste. A few weeks ago I decided to try an ugly coil of sorts and left spaces in my coil. I'm still running . 8 ohms and I've found that I never seem to get the burnt taste anymore. I've decided that the tight coils keep the very middle of my wick from getting the juice it needs after it gets gunked up and causes a burnt taste. The spaced coils allow the wick to always get juice.

Sorry for the long winded post, just wanted to share what's been working for me.

Hi, I am no expert at making coils, but when I took apart my New CE4 and rebuilt it I spread the coil wraps a little and found I get better results. I am going to get into building coils and such in the future so it's interesting to read results from people. It may be there is better air flow or for cooling so the fluid travels to the middle better. Every single bad used CE4 that I have torn apart has had the same problem it forms a hard ball of residue where the coil is wrapped. When unwrapping the coil inside is solid and the wick is pretty much useless there.

Thanks. Jim

 

[unsure]

I am new to wrapping my own coils and my OCD demands each to look perfect even though I know it will make little difference. I am stoked that I can now even if it take 5 times longer than most. I think after the game today I will attempt a twisted wire single coil. With any luck it should take me about an hour to complete one. lol

 

[supertrunker]

My regular coils are dual spaced 26g. I run RxW wicks in them, because i hate the fuss of cotton and the constant maintenance. I expect my gear to last from weekend to weekend with little to no intervention from me.

If you want a warmer vape (!!) then you can go a little lower still and the last 2 weeks have seen me adding a wrap and using 24g duals. The heat-up time is noticeable on these and so is the cool down time, so i find myself releasing the fire button sooner, but continuing to draw on the atty.

They are all wrapped at 2mm i.d. using a precision expensive coil maker screwdriver.

T

 

[unsure]

My regular coils are dual spaced 26g. I run RxW wicks in them, because i hate the fuss of cotton and the constant maintenance. I expect my gear to last from weekend to weekend with little to no intervention from me.

If you want a warmer vape (!!) then you can go a little lower still and the last 2 weeks have seen me adding a wrap and using 24g duals. The heat-up time is noticeable on these and so is the cool down time, so i find myself releasing the fire button sooner, but continuing to draw on the atty.

They are all wrapped at 2mm i.d. using a precision expensive coil maker screwdriver.

T

My math isn't the best but mine are wrapped at 5/64 ID which is pretty close to 2mm. That diameter is easy to wick for me.

 

[Filthy-Beast]

Watts - 25% increase
Wicking ability - 56% increase (arguable)
Coil surface area - 61% increase

It's always good to find an improved coil build that you like better I can see why some people like to have the in-between wire gauges on hand (27g and 29g) and I think its because jumping 2 gauges is a bigger step than they would like (when they are fine tuning). For example Super_X and Filthy-Beast, they both still use 29g as far as I know, and with their extensive experience, I'm guessing that's because neither 30g or 28g work as good as 29g (for them and their fave coil builds).

Exactly, I pick an ohm range I want and then pick the wire that will get me there with as close as I can get with 8 wraps, a coil calculator helps figure this out. two good ones are;

Coil wrapping | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators

Coil Toy - Online calculator for e-cigarette resistance coil building

 

[BigB_117]

For me I wrapped 1/16 coils for the longest time. These worked great at 0.5-1ohms. However, with my Reo I found myself liking an airy draw, and a warmer vape so I dropped my ohms down to around 0.3-0.35ohms. I then noticed that while a 1/16 coil at 0.5ohms worked great, that same size coil at 0.3ohms used juice faster. It still vaped and tastes great but if I took a long drag the end of the drag would taste slightly dry/burnt. Short drags worked fine.

By moving from a 26ga 1/16 6 wrap coil to a 26ga 5/64 5 wrap coil I was able to keep the ohms the same but increase the wick diameter slightly. Now I'm able to take big long drags without the eng of the drag getting that dry taste. I figure that the surface area touching the wich stayed basically the same but the larger coil is able to hold just slightly more juice inside itself between squonks because the wick is a little larger. It's also easier to rewick.

I've played with some macro coils (1/8ish size) but they always heated up to slowly for me in a dual coil configuration. I plan to try some 1/8 single coils in my veritas atty with thicker wire (24-22ga) to see if I can find one that heats quickly.

 

[ElConquistador]

I've been using the 1/16" mandrel on the Gizmo, I think it's 7 wraps with 30 gauge wire for about 1.2 - 1.3 ohms. Just for fun today, I made a mandrel for the Gizmo out of some 7/64" coat hanger wire, then put a 4-40 thread on it with an old tap & die set I stumbled upon out in the garage. The #4 die was perfect for the coat hanger wire. The idea is to get tensioned, perfectly spaced "ugly" coils by wrapping and following the threads. I haven't tried it yet, it might take 20 minutes to "unscrew" the coil back off the mandrel, though.

 

[supertrunker]

Buying a machine screw might have been faster. I typically wrap a regular coil and then just prise the coils apart with a blade.

T

 

[ed101z]

Coil wrapping | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators

Coil Toy - Online calculator for e-cigarette resistance coil building

Drill Size Conversion Table

Wanted to add the drill bit chart as well. Some very handy Bookmarks to save above. These links will help anyone zero in on a specific coil. I was able to pinpoint the #50 drill bit ...which is between 1/16 & 5/64 standard sizes. Ace Hardware has the single numbered drill bits for less than $3.00.

Also, here is a cool thread to check out for homemade coil wrapping ideas. I've used something similar to the very first picture. Have no problems at all wrapping perfect coils.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/494533-homemade-coil-wrapping-tool.html

 

[ElConquistador]

Buying a machine screw might have been faster. I typically wrap a regular coil and then just prise the coils apart with a blade.

T

Bordom factor.

 

[HgA1C]

Well after much experimentation I have settled on a 3mm, 26 gauge ugly coil at around 0.8 ohms. I tried 2.25mm and 2.5mm with different configurations. However the 3mm ugly coil gives the right combination with my cyclone. I figured as much as Rob prefers the ugly coils.

 

[CMD-Ky]

2.778 mm (7/64") at 9 wraps with RXW 3 MM - it is durable, burnable with the wick in place, warm not hot, great flavor and vapor. It works for me.

 

[SoftSell]

I've been using 24ga 5/6 wrap around a 2.4mm bit in my Odin, comin in just over .2ohm. Thinking of trying the 3mm, as I agree with the bigger coil working well. Only get a real mean throat hit when I'm using Boba's, even at that low of a build.

 

[ed101z]

Been experimenting with many coils using Kanthal 30g; 29g; & 28g on a 5/64 drill bit with CelluCotton.

I've tried .8ohm with a 30g parallel build; 28g single coil @ 1.0ohm_6/7 wrap; and 29g single coil @ 1.3ohm_6/7 wrap.

Found that hotter coils are a little to hot for the NET juice that I like to vape. I've discovered a sweet spot at 1.3ohm using 29g on 5/64 bit. Fire up is really fast with 29g wire. 5/64 is also good for removing the wicking material for dry burning the coil, and then re-inserting it - IF you need too.

I've tried a 3/32 drill bit, which gives a bigger diameter and more wicking material. One would think this would reduce dry hits, and would result in less squonking; but however, it didn't work to good for me. Don't know why. I really tried to make it work. Went back to 5/64 because it fired better, and produced just as much flavor and vapor.