Firing Delay – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Firing Delay is the tiny lag between pressing a vape device’s fire button and the coil actually heating to produce vapour. Also called “activation lag” or “ramp-up delay”, it measures how quickly the mod’s chipset, battery, and coil circuit respond. A short firing delay gives an almost instant vape; a long delay can feel sluggish and mute flavor, especially noticeable with high-mass Fused Clapton coils or low-powered setups. Understanding firing delay helps vapers choose mods, coils, and wattage settings that deliver the snappiest, most satisfying draw.

Technical Details

How It Works

When the fire button is pressed, the chipset reads resistance, checks battery voltage, then applies power through the 510 connector to the coil. The coil’s wire must reach e-liquid vaporisation temperature (~200–250 °C). Total delay is the sum of:

• Chipset processing time (0.001–0.05 s on modern boards)
• Battery sag under load (higher Nicotine“>freebase nicotine setups may use lower wattage, reducing sag)
• Coil mass & material ramp-up (SS < Ni80 < Kanthal < massive claptons)

High-end mods list “instant fire” specs of <0.015 s. Mechanical devices have zero chipset lag but depend entirely on battery condition and coil build.

Usage & Tips

• Reduce Delay: Use lower-mass coils, increase wattage within safe limits, or select “hard” preheat/curve modes.
• Common Problems: Worn battery, loose 510 pin, or flooding can lengthen delay; check connections and re-wick.
• Safety: Do not stack batteries or exceed CDR to chase faster ramp-up; ensure the Port“>fill port is sealed to prevent leaks onto the board.

History & Context

Early 2010s eGo-style batteries had noticeable 0.1–0.3 s delays. The 2014 DNA40 and 2015 RX200 chipsets cut lag below 0.03 s, making “instant fire” a marketing benchmark. Today’s Australian market expects <0.02 s for both freebase nicotinesub-ohm and nic salt MTL devices.