RBA Deck – What is it in Vaping?
Definition
An RBA Deck (Rebuildable Base Assembly Deck) is the metal platform inside refillable atomisers—such as RDA, RTA, or RDTA—where users install their own coils and wicking material. Its purpose is to give vapers control over resistance, flavour, and vapour production by allowing custom coil builds rather than using pre-made coil heads. The deck contains post holes or clamps to secure coil legs, a terminal for electrical connection, and channels or wells for cotton wicking.
Technical Details
Constructed from food-grade stainless steel or gold-plated brass, an RBA deck typically measures 16–25 mm in diameter and 4–8 mm in height. Posts are arranged in common layouts: two-post, three-post, post-less, or clamp-style. Each post has 2–3 mm terminal holes to accept wire from 20 to 32 AWG. The 510 positive pin protrudes 3–5 mm and is insulated by PEEK or Delrin. Juicing ports, measuring 2–4 mm wide, feed e-liquid to the wick in RTAs and RDTAs, while RDA decks rely on manual dripping. Variations include velocity-style decks for dual coils, single-coil decks for mouth-to-lung vaping, and squonk-ready decks with hollow positive pins.
Usage & Tips
- Wicking: Trim cotton flush with the deck wall; too long causes flooding, too short leads to dry hits.
- Resistance Check: Always test coil resistance on an ohm-reader before firing; aim within your mod’s safe limits (0.1–3.0 Ω).
- Hot Spots: Pulse coils at 20 W and strum with ceramic tweezers to eliminate hot spots and ensure even heating.
- Safety: Avoid over-tightening screws to prevent thread stripping or wire snapping. Ensure battery amp draw exceeds calculated amperage.
History & Context
The first commercial RBA decks emerged from the 2010 modding forums, evolving from genesis-style tanks to the user-friendly velocity deck in 2014. Their adoption accelerated when TPD-style regulations increased demand for refillable, rebuildable systems, cementing RBAs as the bridge between convenience and customisation in Australian vaping culture.