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The Merlin RTA by Augvape and Roxy

52anddone

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^^^^^^^^^^^ that, and it's on my mod, too. If I don't see it quickly, it runs down my mod. I take a tissue inside the 510 and that part is dry.

I used to do this, too. I close off the JFC, fill it, recap, turned it upside down.... leaks. So I was trying it without turning it upside down. It stayed dry for 2 fills then started up again.

I'm bummed. Flavor has been fantastic - airflow adapter in place, super simple spaced coil on 28g about 1 ohm with 70pg. I've considered that it's from the heat of summer making the juice super thin, but even max VG peeps are having the issue. I've tried the JFC partially open up to wide open. Doesn't seem to matter.

I just checked my email and I got a response from STS on 0624 hrs. Saturday that they will send me a replacement base, so I'll see if that works better. I also sent an email to them that I now have leaking, which I didn't for the first few days. I just close off the JFC and fill, put the top back on, then open the JFC and vape on. Been doing that since the beginning, my 510 is also dry. I stay indoors most of the time in an air conditioned house so summer is not to blame for my leakage I don't think, and I run 50/50 of my own mix along with a Twisted 30g Kanthal build at 1.25Ω @ 11.5-13 watts with Rayon. I usually notice the ring of juice after the first tank refill (a small juice ring around the base but not running down the mod like yours). I think it's the o-rings of the airflow controller slots not sealing correctly and letting juice out of the base, but where is the juice coming from to begin with, the coil dripping juice down the airflow tube ? Like I said, my 510 is always dry, and the air slots seem dry compared to right under the base diameter where the juice ring is. I have NO gurgling when I take a draw, it sounds clear so IDK. Anything I find out I will let you know Huckleberried, sounds like you have the very same problems I do. We must have gotten a bad batch, as others don't have any problems at all. I'll keep you posted though. For those reading this post, Please keep in mind that just a few of us are having problems from what I have seen, the majority are not, just like anything else it's usually the first adopters that go thru all the growing pains and after the first few runs have gone out then things are usually OK.
 

52anddone

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Fused Clapton with different sized cores. 1 - 24g ss316l, 1 - 28g ss316l, wrapped in 32g N80. 0.30 ohms and a 4.75mm ID.

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Beautiful Build Red, and Great Photography also. Damn Nice Job.
 

52anddone

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I got a 0.002 difference in my juice control top part and thats enough to allow juice to seep by and enter the air flow control and seep out the bottom
Thats what gave me the idea to close down the juice control from the quarter opening I was using

Now that I just got to your post about the JFC being out of spec possibly, I will try that myself. Thank You dave. ;):idea::)
 

52anddone

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So for you leakers do you turn the jfc off when not vaping or leaving it on or does it not matter?

I leave mine on all the time, even when sleeping. I will now try it set to half open when in use and see what happens to the seeping. When I first got my Merlin, I would close the JFC when not in use (when sleeping) and that lasted until I forgot to open the damn thing and noticed my vape disappearing right before my eyes (I use Rayon) as in NO Vapor. That's when I started leaving my JFC open ALL the time. Thank God I wasn't using KGD, I would have gotten a real nasty hit at some point.
 

mgmrick

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I have had seepage before but zero leakage or seepage in last 24 hours. Same coil and wick just refilled in last 24 hours.

Running my normal 70pg juice control wide open and some time spent in my back pocket outside in the 90's
 

Huckleberried

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Morning...

So, overnight, with the JFC just the teeniest bit open, having re-wicked using what will heretofore be known to me as, "the @Ryedan Method", (AKA longer wicking stuffed into the juice cups) I didn't have any leaking. Since the glass broke yesterday, new build on 3mm kanthal. instead of 2.4mm. wicked with Rayon.

fingerscrossed.gif
 

DP2Raja

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So could the build have alot to do with leakage?
I believe it does, especially with thinner juice. If the juice cups overflow and there is no wick in the deck well, or filling the juice cups it may find it's way into the air tube and into the AFC area or the inside nooks and crannies of the deck.
I use long tails across the juice cups, and gently placed on into the deck well outside of the juice cups. I have never had a leak. But I use 80VG. Not sure if that helps.
 

mgmrick

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That's why no way in hell I am putting my name on an advanced atty... way too much can go wrong when it's being built by the consumer.

The advantage of a rebuildable also has a huge negative. I built mine exact to the pics included. Most times no seepage and never leakage as in the tank empties out. The little bit of seepage I do get once in a while is not an issue for me. I have much worse seeping rta's that I like how they vape so I continue to use them
 

52anddone

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Dont know how much you will have to close yours it will depend on build and how much its out of tolerance
Both mine have stopped seeping with one tank almost closed off and the other a 1/4 open

I'm starting with 1/2 open, just to see how it goes. I'm running a 3mm 30g triple twisted at .74Ω @ 11.5-13 watts with the air reducer installed and Rayon, and a vape band around the closed airflow slots to tighten up the airflow some more (mine has some serious Blow-By also). Hey, it's worth a try. Good Idea dave, Thanks for that.
 

DP2Raja

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Yeah, there are sooooooo many variables such as pg/vg ratios, rayon or cotton, low or high coils, ID of coils...etc. So giving a diagram/instructions on how to wick or build on a specific deck is good as a starting place only. We know we have to adjust based on our style and builds.
 

52anddone

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So could the build have alot to do with leakage?

A couple of years ago that was the first thing everyone looked at when something went sideways. I would have thought that nowadays we were Past all that. Guess I'm Wrong, Again, as a couple years ago it was just Bad Designs or Not quite 1:1 Cloning, Nowadays I guess it's Bad QC.
 

52anddone

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That's why no way in hell I am putting my name on an advanced atty... way too much can go wrong when it's being built by the consumer.

The advantage of a rebuildable also has a huge negative. I built mine exact to the pics included. Most times no seepage and never leakage as in the tank empties out. The little bit of seepage I do get once in a while is not an issue for me. I have much worse seeping rta's that I like how they vape so I continue to use them

Yep, the only way you Really know it's done right, is to do it ALL Yourself when building an Atomizer, or anything for that matter. Pride of Workmanship has left the building a long time ago. A person can have a brilliant design, but if the execution sucks, well, .....
 

Mark1963

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I got the first round of these when it came out. For what it's worth as far as wicking goes, my first wicking I just placed the tails in the cup. They barely touched the juice holes. I lost the whole tank of juice right then. So, I still kept the tails in the cups and used my tweezers to nudge the middle of the tail to the juice holes. Haven't had a leak since.
 

Ian91

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I set up another Merlin with the orings in the 510. It had been leaking prior and I did not change out the wick. I ended up leaking again. The first one that I set up with the orings in the 510 and changed the wick, has not leaked at all. Both are set up exactly the same (just under 1ohm, 3mm, wick stuffed into the cup, same juice) so no idea if the orings do anything or not. I also tried closing off the AFC on the one that is leaking. Ended up with a dry hit after only a few minutes so that does not work for me. I have a new base coming this week. Interested to see if that does anything.
 

dave61

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I'm starting with 1/2 open, just to see how it goes. I'm running a 3mm 30g triple twisted at .74Ω @ 11.5-13 watts with the air reducer installed and Rayon, and a vape band around the closed airflow slots to tighten up the airflow some more (mine has some serious Blow-By also). Hey, it's worth a try. Good Idea dave, Thanks for that.


From what Im seeing some may be so far out of tolerance a replacement is the only cure

Im thinking the machinist making these is only checking one out of a hundred and as his die gets hot its allowing all this variance we are seeing
And I would bet hes taking one good piece to QC to be checked so he can save his job
We have already seen they used the wrong oring in some
Others have loose air flow or loose juice control
They need a QC manager thats just not to lazy to get up and go to the machine and check a few parts
 

rolf 2

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I set up another Merlin with the orings in the 510. It had been leaking prior and I did not change out the wick. I ended up leaking again. The first one that I set up with the orings in the 510 and changed the wick, has not leaked at all. Both are set up exactly the same (just under 1ohm, 3mm, wick stuffed into the cup, same juice) so no idea if the orings do anything or not. I also tried closing off the AFC on the one that is leaking. Ended up with a dry hit after only a few minutes so that does not work for me. I have a new base coming this week. Interested to see if that does anything.
ian !
you seem tohave the same problem then me . my leaking does not come from the 510 so o rings did not help .
closing off the jc is not the anser either ! the sock I made from silicone works ...til now . so I tried something else ...used some scotch tape around the base (upside down ) extended about a mm and put some aquarium sealent in there to build up a seal ..a little heavier on the outside over the pressfitt seam . that seems to work as well and looks better to. now srewing the atty down on this washer seals the press fit portion on the deck .
so far no leaks ..not even a drop so if and I mean if I am on the right track then some epoxy rubbed into that seem would do it to , and without making it look ugly .so let us know how the new bases will work out.
 

dave61

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I set up another Merlin with the orings in the 510. It had been leaking prior and I did not change out the wick. I ended up leaking again. The first one that I set up with the orings in the 510 and changed the wick, has not leaked at all. Both are set up exactly the same (just under 1ohm, 3mm, wick stuffed into the cup, same juice) so no idea if the orings do anything or not. I also tried closing off the AFC on the one that is leaking. Ended up with a dry hit after only a few minutes so that does not work for me. I have a new base coming this week. Interested to see if that does anything.


I have one with the AFC almost closed and still no dry hits
Another is open about an 1/8in
Neither have seeped in 16hrs
Right now Im running 26ga single at 1.02ohms and 15.6 watts 4v
 

rolf 2

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From what Im seeing some may be so far out of tolerance a replacement is the only cure

Im thinking the machinist making these is only checking one out of a hundred and as his die gets hot its allowing all this variance we are seeing
And I would bet hes taking one good piece to QC to be checked so he can save his job
We have already seen they used the wrong oring in some
Others have loose air flow or loose juice control
They need a QC manager thats just not to lazy to get up and go to the machine and check a few parts
dave !
I think you hit the nail on the hat !!
 

Ian91

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ian !
you seem tohave the same problem then me . my leaking does not come from the 510 so o rings did not help .
closing off the jc is not the anser either ! the sock I made from silicone works ...til now . so I tried something else ...used some scotch tape around the base (upside down ) extended about a mm and put some aquarium sealent in there to build up a seal ..a little heavier on the outside over the pressfitt seam . that seems to work as well and looks better to. now srewing the atty down on this washer seals the press fit portion on the deck .
so far no leaks ..not even a drop so if and I mean if I am on the right track then some epoxy rubbed into that seem would do it to , and without making it look ugly .so let us know how the new bases will work out.
Will do. If you get the bottom sealed, will it not eventually leak out the airholes? Seems to me that the internal leak has to go somewhere.
 

Heartsdelight

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Product page listing QC... boo.

As far as the "seepage", I really don't think it's condensation. It's too concentrated. I'm still getting it. For 2 fills, I didn't, but it's happening again. It's not like half a tank at a time, but it's enough to be seriously aggravating. Especially when you don't think about it for a bit and have a mess to clean up on your mod and hands.
Me too, having the same issue :(
 

anavidfan

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So could the build have alot to do with leakage?

Of course.... If the wick is not just right, it cant hold back the liquid from overwicking and filling up. It will leak because it just cant hold off the overflow.

I have never had a leak, no oozing ( the Merlins, I have 3 from 3 different batches) , I refill without closing off the JC. It all depends on how thick your liquid is , thin liquid, more wick in the area where the liquid comes in., Thicker juice, less wick , etc.....

If yours are leaking, something is wrong... Either an oring is not where it should me or slightly off or your wick is not quite right.

Not saying that it CANT be a flaw, just that ANY atty, highend or lower can leak if not set up properly.
 

rolf 2

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Will do. If you get the bottom sealed, will it not eventually leak out the airholes? Seems to me that the internal leak has to go somewhere.
don't seem that way so ...air holes don't leak at all ..well so far .
jc about one third open to barely open don't seem to make much difference either .
maybe there is a internal o ring not sealing and letting air leak in ?
just tried something else ..I have some stuff called anchor-dit which is a wax paste used in mold making . massaged that on the bottom
almost seems the press fit is letting air in and that makes it leak ???
for the last hr of chain vaping , taking of the atty to check ..not one hint of wetness .
 

Heartsdelight

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I had my moradin sitting on the desk, totally unharmed and nothing touching it at all. I was working and I hear a pop. Look over and thr glass had shattered. Out of nowhere. And those glass are not replaceable so now I have a moradin shaped paper weight

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
That happened twice on my Smok micro stock 3.5mm & 5mm tanks.
 

rolf 2

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Of course.... If the wick is not just right, it cant hold back the liquid from overwicking and filling up. It will leak because it just cant hold off the overflow.

I have never had a leak, no oozing ( the Merlins, I have 3 from 3 different batches) , I refill without closing off the JC. It all depends on how thick your liquid is , thin liquid, more wick in the area where the liquid comes in., Thicker juice, less wick , etc.....

If yours are leaking, something is wrong... Either an oring is not where it should me or slightly off or your wick is not quite right.

Not saying that it CANT be a flaw, just that ANY atty, highend or lower can leak if not set up properly.
all true ! but the wicking is fine ..starts intermittent w same build and wick without changing anything . fine for a while and than for no reason leaks again
so far no leaks ...same build same wicks same pg-vg .on both .
just by sealing on the outside of the press fit
 

Heartsdelight

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I believe it does, especially with thinner juice. If the juice cups overflow and there is no wick in the deck well, or filling the juice cups it may find it's way into the air tube and into the AFC area or the inside nooks and crannies of the deck.
I use long tails across the juice cups, and gently placed on into the deck well outside of the juice cups. I have never had a leak. But I use 80VG. Not sure if that helps.
So no wick goes into the juice cups?
 

Ian91

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First time that I wicked, I kept the cups clear but since then I have filled the cups thinking that it was juice overflow causing the seeping. I use 55pg juice. Didn't stop the seeping and the only dry hit I have had is when I tried closing off the jfc this morning. I don't open the jfc more than 1/3 at most.
 

anavidfan

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Yes the wick goes into the cups.

Thats why depending on thickness you need to modify the amount of wick in the cup and how close ou place it near the opening.

THin juice the wick legs will need to have it closer to the hole to keep it from over wicking and thicker liquids need a bit more space from the hole.

You can see my wick tails thru the holes if you look, I use 90 VG or more. I also do not have such thick wicks as you see. If you have thinner liquid than your wick tails will need to be stuffed thicker in the cups and maybe around it too. Its a matter of a little minor adjustments to suit your liquids and ambient temp.

I am in a home that does not have AC so I have to use a bit more material this time of the year. I also use a smaller diamter coil so I dont get gurgles. In cooler weather I can use a larger diameter coil etc.

Maybe some of you are using thinner liquids with too large diameter of coils? To keep the liquid from over flowing youd have to jam those wick holes/ cups with just enough material to keep it from going dry and flowing.

ad13f79a-b831-41df-abd3-cb287d89f83b_zpsqwaqz9ne.jpg


Disclaimer, this photo was done for a friend, so I have no idea if it had problems, Probably just by looking it would or might leak as that is a FAT coil and probably would need more wick material to keep it from flooding..

My wicks look just like that but with a single 28g SS wire, at 2.4 diameter coil.
 
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TrollDragon

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The seepage between the AFC and base has absolutely nothing to do with wicking or build, It is not getting down the air hole. There's no juice dribbling out the air slots, it all appears underneath the base, pooling on the mod.

If I don't close off my juice control after filling I get zero seepage. If I close it off to fill, then open it again after filling, there will be a pool of juice under the Merlin very shortly. It appears to be leaking between the moveable tank bottom, the chimney and the base. If I don't move the tank I don't get any seepage.

This has nothing to do with poor QC, I bet there is an o-ring getting nicked in the base when the press fit sections go together. This would be a poor design/fabrication IMHO. When my replacement base arrives this week, the seeping one will be taken apart to have a look.
 

rolf 2

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The seepage between the AFC and base has absolutely nothing to do with wicking or build, It is not getting down the air hole. There's no juice dribbling out the air slots, it all appears underneath the base, pooling on the mod.

If I don't close off my juice control after filling I get zero seepage. If I close it off to fill, then open it again after filling, there will be a pool of juice under the Merlin very shortly. It appears to be leaking between the moveable tank bottom, the chimney and the base. If I don't move the tank I don't get any seepage.

This has nothing to do with poor QC, I bet there is an o-ring getting nicked in the base when the press fit sections go together. This would be a poor design/fabrication IMHO. When my replacement base arrives this week, the seeping one will be taken apart to have a look.
exactly my thoughts !
my juice is not coming out of my air hole either and wicking is ok to . I have the same symtons then you. come to think of it ...trying to adjust juice flow hmmm ...
sure hope that you will document taking it apart and let us know
 

mgmrick

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My setup... Black merlin with tint scraped off the glass from subtank supply
2.5mm coil 1 ohm 28 kanthal vaped at 26 watts
packed cotton wick... real tight in coil
fluffed coil ends....some going in the cup and some on the deck. Cotton is above the juice holes
juice control wide open
thinner home brewed 70pg juice

For the most part mine stays dry.... never flooded out leaking. All my other rta's seep a little juice here and there with the merlin being the driest
 

dave61

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Member For 4 Years
I tried something different not for those not mechanically inclined
since this tank is press fit I repressed the base
If you use pliers or vice grips you will scar the base just a warning
It seems on mine anyway the base wasnt fully seated
I did it about an hour ago no seepage so far with juice control fully open with same build it was seeping with before
 

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