Welcome! You’re here for a reason. Let’s sort through the maze of vaping: Atomizers versus variable mods, both very popular. Which one is right for you?
There are mechanical and variable voltage/wattage mods and three kinds of RBAs: Genesis, bottom fed, and dripper. Most people prefer IMR batteries which are safer than standard rechargeable batteries.
Stainless steel mesh wicks are used in Genesis vapes. Others use standard silica as the wick. Resistance wire (or heating coil) is usually always Nichrome or Kanthal. Sub-ohm has resistance Less than 1 ohm of resistance is called sub-ohm. Since resistance affects power, power affects vape volume, temperature, and flavor.
Mechanical mods have no circuitry and are hollow tubes with a switch, and are preferred for sub-ohm vaping. Voltage/power can be adjusted up and down with a variable mod. It also contains a protective circuit against shorts and can’t be used for sub-ohm vaping.
There are 3 types of atomizers: Top-fed, bottom-fed, and the dripper. Drippers are called rebuildable dripping atomizers. Top-fed atomizers contain stainless steel mesh that's rolled and torched as a wick. Standard builds use silica as the wick.
Rebuildable mods have 2 core sections. A lower ‘case’ that holds the battery is the mod. At the top is the coil and rebuidable atomizer with mechanical and variable voltage and wattage.
Nichrome and Kanthal resistance wire are used in atomizers but Kanthal is more robust. Torching prior to use is recommended to burn off manufacturing residue. This wire is used in heating and ventilation systems, and in small appliances like toasters, coffee pots, and irons.
Drippers do not have a tank. Add a few drops of e-juice onto the coil between puffs. Drippers have fewer problems and you can switch flavors easily.
Wrapping lengthens the wire and increases the resistance. Since resistance is power, power equals voltage square over the resistance. Batteries equaling 3 volts with resistance of 1 ohm, the power is 9 watts. Increased resistance = reduced power. Decreased resistance = increased power.