Crossover – What It Means in Vaping Devices & E-Liquids

Definition

A Crossover in vaping refers to a hybrid style of coil or atomiser build that blends characteristics from two or more traditional designs—most commonly mesh and round-wire, or Clapton and single-strand—to deliver a middle-ground experience between flavour intensity and cloud production. By fusing differing resistances, surface areas and ramp-up speeds, a crossover setup lets Australian vapers chase richer taste without sacrificing the dense vapour normally reserved for exotic builds. Beginners can think of it as a “best of both worlds” option: easier to wick than a chunky alien, yet more satisfying than a basic round-wire coil.

Technical Details

Crossover coils are manufactured by wrapping, pressing or laser-cutting two conductive materials into one unified structure. Typical specs range from 0.2 Ω to 0.4 Ω for dual setups, with a mass 15–25 % lighter than pure Claptons of the same resistance. Core variations include:

• Mesh-over-round: a strip of Kanthal or SS316L mesh lightly twisted around a 24 GA core, raising surface area by ~30 %.
• Clapton-over-twisted: a 26/36 GA Clapton jacket wrapped over two twisted 28 GA strands, balancing ramp-up and capillary action.
• Cartridge crossovers: stock pods that integrate a miniature mesh sheet on a traditional coil former, giving 50 % more vapour without extra Battery Drain”>battery drain.

Because resistance is determined chiefly by the inner wire, crossovers fit most regulated mods operating 40–70 W, while still performing in temperature-control mode when SS316L is used.

Usage & Tips

Install crossover coils the same way you would a Clapton: pinch and strum hotspots out before wicking. Use medium-density cotton (Japanese organic or 100 % bacon) and trim tails flush with the deck wall to prevent pooling. Start at the manufacturer’s lowest suggested wattage and creep up 5 W at a time until the vapour feels saturated. Common issue: spit-back from uneven mesh—solve by spacing the wrap slightly or raising coil height 1 mm. Always confirm resistance on a Mod“>regulated mod before firing; crossover builds can read 0.05 Ω lower than expected due to added surface material.

History & Context

The crossover concept emerged in 2017 when Australian builders sought a middle path between restrictive MTL and high-wattage cloud chasing. Early DIYers sandwiched mesh strips inside twisted wire to fit single-battery squonks, and manufacturers quickly commercialised the idea in drop-in cartridges for pod systems, cementing crossovers as a mainstream choice for flavour-focused vapers nationwide.