What is an RBA base and which tanks work with it
Atomizers can be divided in a few categories of products like clearomizers / tanks, RDAs (rebuildable dripping atomizers) and RTAs (rebuildable tank atomizers) and each one comes with some unique features. The main difference between a clearomizer / tank and an RTA is that a tank works with replaceable atomizer heads while the RTA works with DIY coils and wicking. With today's models, the differences in flavor and vapor production between tanks and RTAs are not that big, however, with an RTA users have a greater flexibility and don't have to spend a good amount of money on the monthly atomizer head supply (which can range from 1 or 2, to a maximum 4-5 – with a total price of nearly $20).
An RTA consists of a base, deck and chimney that are surrounded by the Pyrex or stainless steel tube and have a drip tip mounted on top of your vape mod. The user has to create a micro coil, mount it between the positive and negative post, insert the cotton or silica wick and then assemble the chimney and fill up the tank. In some cases RTAs work in dual coil mode and thus the user has to make parallel builds for an bonus in terms of vapor and flavor.
A clearomizer tank consists of a base onto which the users screws the atomizer head and then assembles the Pyrex tube after filling the device with e-liquid. These atomizer heads usually come in a narrow range of resistances and don’t last for a very long time. While they do manage to produce a sometimes equally satisfying amount of vapor or flavor, they can't compare with the performance and versatility of modern RTAs.
But what if you could have the best of both worlds, and buy a product that lets you use regular atomizer heads, as well as a rebuildable head for when you feel like experimenting or taking things to the next level? Well, the good news is that such a device exists, and in fact you can get it from a wide range of manufacturers with some of their recently released clearomizer tanks. So, if you’ve ever wondered what is an RBA base or what purpose it serves, let's shed some light on the subject.
The word RBA derives from 'rebuildable atomizer' and an RBA base is therefore a rebuildable section of a clearomizer tank that comes with the same threading as regular atomizer heads and which can be mounted inside the device. The term rebuildable refers to the fact that the coils inside the section can be made and replaced by the user as well as the wicking material. Depending on the type of clearomizer and mod you're using, you can build your coils with resistances as low as 0.15 – 0.20 Ohms and as high as 2.5 – 3.0 Ohms. The resistance on the RBA base depends on the gauge of Kanthal wire you are using, the number of wraps, and the diameter of the wraps.
Rebuilding the coils gets easier and easier with time and once you master the technique you can also try some complex configurations like Clapton coils or twisted coils. This is why an RBA base offers so much versatility and why it's so great to have one inside the box of your clearomizer tank.
But the main thing you need to understand is that not all of these RBA bases are the same and they are only intended to work with the clearomizer tank they were designed for. If the manufacturer of your tank didn't include such an accessory inside the box, nor you can't buy one separately on the official website then chances are you need a new product. If you are looking to buy such as device, then our suggestion is to go with the Subtank Mini V2 (the newly redesigned Black and White models) that come with one of the best performing and easily rebuildable RBA bases on the market today. The performance of the Subtank Mini is impressive with the standard coils alone, but with the RBA section it absolutely shines.
Other tanks that come with RBA sections are the Aspire Triton, the Zephyrus Sub Ohm Tank by UD, the Delta II by Joyetech, the Uwell Crown, and the Cloupor Z4.
TIP: If you landed on this article and have no clew what the difference is between all these types of vape tanks. Here is the chance to find out more on what vaping is about .