How do you set your Voltage with new battery/juices

[stardust.hero]

I've owned a Provari for almost a year now and use mainly clearomizers (the protank being my go-to). I generally like to use 2.4ohm coils, but I still have yet to understand the science behind setting a good voltage. I've read charts saying what volt limits to stay between.

I usually find myself jumping around voltage to get a good taste quite often and I'm not sure if it actually hurts the coil--clogs/burns it up by doing so. I generally keep a 2.4ohm between 3.7 and 4.0 volts. What would be the correct voltage I should be aiming for?

Also when I put in a new coil head I prime it by starting out at around 3.2V and moving up after about 10 puffs to 3.4V, then 3.6 and then 3.7~.

Can anyone enlighten me. I feel like an idiot asking these questions but it's something that bugs me and I feel as though no matter what I read I'm doing it incorrectly. So what I'm asking more is what is personal preference and what do you believe is the best technique (if there is even a technique).

Thanks

 

[Thomasis]

Your not doing anything wrong.

Start with your voltage low and raise it until you like the taste/warmth/vapor production.
If it starts to taste a little burnt turn it down a bit. This does not damage your coil unless your putting way to much voltage to it and it pops your coil. The more voltage you use, the shorter life of your coil, and the shorter life for your batteries between charging. That's about it.

 

[PLANofMAN]

I've owned a Provari for almost a year now and use mainly clearomizers (the protank being my go-to). I generally like to use 2.4ohm coils, but I still have yet to understand the science behind setting a good voltage. I've read charts saying what volt limits to stay between.

I usually find myself jumping around voltage to get a good taste quite often and I'm not sure if it actually hurts the coil--clogs/burns it up by doing so. I generally keep a 2.4ohm between 3.7 and 4.0 volts. What would be the correct voltage I should be aiming for?

Also when I put in a new coil head I prime it by starting out at around 3.2V and moving up after about 10 puffs to 3.4V, then 3.6 and then 3.7~.

Can anyone enlighten me. I feel like an idiot asking these questions but it's something that bugs me and I feel as though no matter what I read I'm doing it incorrectly. So what I'm asking more is what is personal preference and what do you believe is the best technique (if there is even a technique).

Thanks

I do everything you do except for the priming part. Most of my juices I vape between 3.9-4.2v and there's one I vape at 3.3-3.5v.

 

[stardust.hero]

Thanks Thomasis, that's what I always thought in the back of my head when I doubted myself. I was running it at 4.0v for a long while and just started with some new coils staying at or around 3.7v (my logic being mechmods, original ego's--my first device were set at 3.7v of course they dropped voltage during the course of use but 3.7v seemed to be the chosen sweet spot(?)). I really like 3.7v but I have come across a few threads where people recommend for a 2.4ohm to be run at 4.0v-4.4v and I know I'd get a burnt taste so it had me questioning what I thought I knew.

Glad to hear that it's really to taste and that I'm not really doing anything wrong. I've learned that using less voltage saves battery but I didn't know that it also elongated the life of the coil head as well. That's great to know.

I appreciate the reply as it's been bugging me as I try to know as much as I can and I felt I really didn't quite know what I was actually doing was correct or if the charts were really something you needed to follow.

I really like it at 3.7v. For a 2.4ohm coil 3.7v seems like it could be about right? Right? lol

EDIT: just saw your post PLAN, it seems that I'm doing it right after all. that settles it. Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It's bugged me for some reason and this settles my mind that I'm not just running some random setting for no reason.

Is there any reason you don't prime? Is there no need to prime? I read of course, that priming keeps the wick from burning out because it's new. If this isn't the case I'd happily skip that step as it's a pain anyway.

Thank you guys

 

[Thomasis]

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with lower voltages at all. While raising your voltage MARGINALLY shortens the life of your coil, I tend to start a new coil off around 3.9 and work my way up through the life of the coil. The buildup on the coil changes vapor and taste production. To be totally honest I always seem to change out my heads way before they pop on their own. The vapor production just decreases way too much for my liking. Also, every juice is different for me when it comes to voltage adjustment. If I'm vaping something fruity or sweet the voltage is way down. If I'm vaping tobacco juices I turn it up to bring out the lighter notes of the juice.
As far as priming is concerned, I have a different view. My voltage is lower on a new coil because it's more efficient than a coil that's broke in. If I set the voltage high on a new coil it vaporizes the juices much faster and I get a burnt taste if I'm not drawing hard. I like a nice slow draw so I can burn juice quick if I'm not careful.

 

[Rickajho]

There is no magic or math to this - no need to over think it and ponder charts. "This" designed device at 2.2 ohms is going to behave differently than "that" 2.2 ohm device built very differently at the same voltage. That's why it becomes problematic to think there is any particular right or wrong voltage. The only right voltage is what's working for your particular device and your particular liquid at that particular point in time.

As already said, you always start low and move up until you find your sweet spot. It may be one voltage for one liquid, while a different liquid is better at a different voltage - be it higher or lower. A suggested chart of "right" voltages can't factor for that. So throw the chart away.

The one other point about starting low: A nice clean new coil will work wonderfully at a lower voltage than a coil you have been using for days. As the coil and wick gets mucked up with use you up the voltage to overcome that. So dial down again when starting a new coil or you may get an unpleasant surprise when your brand new coil tastes really harsh at the higher voltage you were running for your old, used coil at.

 

[stardust.hero]

Ah, so over the life of a coil you may want to raise it as buildup occurs. This makes a lot of sense and I think in the back of my head I was doing this automatically. I would raise it slightly as the coil got older, maybe to 3.8 or 3.9. It's also interesting to hear that certain juices take better to different voltages. I seemed to like 3.7v so when I got a flavor and it wasn't taking to 3.7v as the best taste it had me confused. That makes sense. I think I'll enjoy some juices more now that I know it really is "to taste" and I should change the voltage accordingly. For some reason I thought there was some exact voltage science I needed to follow--and from what I'm reading here, that's not the case.

Also, what do you mean by "pop", I see you've mentioned it a few times. I feel like I sound terribly uninformed, as my coils will make a satisfying crackling noise when I'm getting a good vape on. This isn't the popping that you're referring to? Perhaps I'm missing the pop that you're referring to and noticing this will help me tell when the optimal time to change a coil is.

Rick, thank you for that bit of info, that makes a lot of sense since my priming of a new coil helps me determine when I've reached the optimal voltage. So I'll continue to prime.

Very much appreciated. I feel like I learned a lot. Wish I asked this sooner as it's been bugging me slightly in the back of my mind for a while now.

Also to just throw this in here, I don't know what my aversion to 1.8ohm coils is, but I seem to like 2.4. Which do you guys prefer and what is the advantage? Or is it just a personal preference? I know lower ohm will produce a hotter vape, but honestly I haven't noticed this with the protank. Is there any advantage of using either?

 

[Thomasis]

Ah, so over the life of a coil you may want to raise it as buildup occurs. This makes a lot of sense and I think in the back of my head I was doing this automatically. I would raise it slightly as the coil got older, maybe to 3.8 or 3.9. It's also interesting to hear that certain juices take better to different voltages. I seemed to like 3.7v so when I got a flavor and it wasn't taking to 3.7v as the best taste it had be confused. That makes sense. I think I'll enjoy some juices more now that I know it really is "to taste" and I should chance the voltage accordingly. For some reason I thought there was some exact voltage science I needed to follow--and from what I'm reading here, that's not the case.

Also, what do you mean by "pop", I see you've mentioned it a few times. I feel like I sound terribly uninformed, as my coils will make a satisfying crackling noise when I'm getting a good vape on. This isn't the popping that you're referring to? Perhaps I'm missing the pop that you're referring to and noticing this will help me tell when the optimal time to change a coil is.

Very much appreciated. I feel like I learned a lot. Wish I asked this sooner as it's been bugging me slightly in the back of my mind for a while now.

The reference I made to "pop" I meant when the coil no longer fires. Dead... Sorry for the confusion. The popping your talking about is pretty normal if your a slow draw kind of person. That has a lot to do with airflow or lack thereof. The more air you allow into your tank the less popping your get, however if your using a bottom coil clearomizer (BCC) if you have too loose of a draw you won't feed the juice properly. The opposite happens with too tight of draw, you will flood the tank and get gurgling and leakage to your center pen. No worries though, I'm probably talking too much... I tend to ramble sometimes early in the morn.... lol

 

[Rickajho]

I don't know what my aversion to 1.8ohm coils is, but I seem to like 2.4.

That's where I was going with the design matter. These are small coils with tiny wicks in Kanger BCC's. Lower resistance coils get hotter, faster. From my experience the 1.8 ohm Kanger coils are just too hot. Even at 3.2 volts it's vaping off liquid faster than the small wick can absorb it. I agree with your assessment and prefer 2.2 ohm or higher with the Kanger stuff.

Some people though like the 1.8 ohm coils. It might work better with very thin, high PG liquids. Or people compensate by removing the top wicks in order to get more liquid to the coil faster. (That can create problems too.) For me, the best option is to not use them.

 

[stardust.hero]

Oh, I understand heh. Yes a dead coil, I can figure out when that happens . Early morning ramble is good I've learned a lot from everyone who's chimed in I appreciate it a lot. I honestly thought there was an exact science to voltage in regards to ohm, and it was something that was holding me back sort-of-speak.

This has really given me a new take on things.

Especially since with a new coil while priming I will get to around 3.4-3.5v and get a satisfying vape/flavor but think I need to get to 3.7v for some reason. Hearing that a new coil can take to a lower voltage to start puts it into perspective. I can keep it at 3.5v and move up, not after my 10 puffs of priming, but when I feel like it needs to be moved up.

I feel like I've gotten in touch with my inner provari. We have a better understanding of each other now. lol (early morning ramble there).

Rick, that makes a lot of sense, it seems I've really been feeling it out this entire time thinking I've been going at it blindly and possibly wrong but I haven't in actuality.

Personal preference and adjustment according to several different factors is what it's all about. (which I've been doing), glad to find out that I've been doing it right for the most part already. Though I've learned a bit more here to better enjoy my vape.

Thank you guys .

 

[Rickajho]

Get more Zen about all of it!

The beauty - and some times the curse - of vaping is all the flexibility we have to get what you want from the experience. Don't be a stranger - jump in and ask questions whenever you need!