DIY vaporizer help... what thickness nichrome wire is best?

[scottio19]

Hello all, I am thinking of building my own vaporizer by wrapping a nichrome heating wire around a test tube (im trying to mimic a soldering iron or VHW-type vape), but I am unsure of what guage nichrome wire to use. Ive been looking through the topics, but this is not discussed that much. I will be connecting it to a wall socket which is about 110 volts, and i will connect it to a dimmer so I just need it to achieve a maximum temperature of at least 365 degrees. I am wondering what size I should get, because I understand some thicknesses heat up faster/retain heat better.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

Here's some info that might be useful:

Approx Amperes to heat a straight oxidized wire to a given temperature
AWG DIA-IN 400F
8 .128 22.4
10 .102 16.2
12 .081 11.6
22 .0253 2.9
32 .0080 0.68
40 .0031 0.24

OHMS/FT @ 20 deg C
AWG DIA-IN NiCrA
10 .102 0.06248
12 .081 0.09907
22 .0253 1.015
32 .0080 10.16
40 .0031 67.64

From the Wikipedia article on Nichrome

NiCrA is also called Nichrome 80, 80% Nickel, 20% chromium. in my experience, this is preferrable to NiCrC (Nichrome 60, 60%Ni/15% Cr/25% Fe), which will tarnish/rust after several months. Nichrome 80 is considered medical grade.

i personally don't like the idea of plugging into 120vAC, even with a dimmer -- i always use DC to power the heater coil.

i started out using 21AWG (72") but these days i've standardized on 16AWG (24"). i think a 120vAC soldering iron uses something like 32AWG. A lot of it. You probably should go to Radio Shack, buy a soldering iron and take it apart. Also, i think a soldering iron is running around 600F.

 

[scottio19]

Thanks!! I was reading your "Bud Toaster" thread earlier and I am very impressed. I agree with the fact that an AC current isn't a good idea, and a little unsafe for an amateur like me. I already have a soldering iron, so maybe ill do what you said if I can find a good enough battery.