My First Day (and problems) with a ZAP

[andyman97]

I gave up on the first wick because the flavor was so metallic I thought I had killed it. I made a new one and it tasted better, coils are even, but no flavor. Resistance is 2 ohms. No errors during usage. At this point flavor seems to be the only issue, but I taste no metal at the moment.

It probably would have helped to have done some homework first before ripping the pre made wick and coil out. All it needed was a coil adjustment. They don't burn up like a regular atty. They will last for months with minor coil adjustments needed here and there. The video right on provapes zap product page has zen showing exactly everything you need to do from start to finish to adjust the device. If you don't want to give it a shot, sell it but a day is hardly giving a great device a chance... There's a reason so many people use them and provape can't keep them in stock. I would think about that before deciding to sell.

 

[GreekLion]

It probably would have helped to have done some homework first before ripping the pre made wick and coil out. All it needed was a coil adjustment.

I did some homework, Zen said the same thing in the video. The truth for me was in the taste.

 

[andyman97]

Best of luck to you

 

[GreekLion]

Best of luck to you

I havent given up on RBAs, shipped the ZAP today to a fellow ProVari owner and am picking up a Penelope. I may find myself at Vapestock going only to figure out what I am doing wrong haha.

 

[fraghole]

I officially quit. Will be on the classifieds page in a day or 2

Don't give up. Just lay it to the side for a while and chill out, use a carto for a day or two, do some research, and try it again.

I've noticed when the wick and coil are new, flavor will definitely be muted. Even if I keep a wick, and just change the coil, it will still seem muted, and sometimes metallic as well for a little while.

Keep trying, and be patient. There are several methods, you will find the one that works for you.

I prefer uwicks, they are supposed to be more difficult, but for some reason, I have way more problems when I try straight wick setup. I don't think think the Z Atty's can do uwicks, but its just an example of what works for me.

Your lucky to have one. Don't give it up so easily.

 

[justinred]

I havent given up on RBAs, shipped the ZAP today to a fellow ProVari owner and am picking up a Penelope

The Penny you can build blindfolded and it will still vape like a dream.

 

[GreekLion]

The Penny you can build blindfolded and it will still vape like a dream.

VERY happy to hear that, I just took the money from the ZAP sale and bought me a Penny!

 

[Thrasher]

yea you might have to try thinning the juice a bit and use the 325 wicks.
also the wicks that come with a ZAP while they work fine are a bit dated in the way to do things you may want to try and roll a 325 solid wick and see if that helps.

 

[pAth77]

I got my ZAP the other day, and you're not the only one having a hard time setting it up properly. I have a DID that I can pretty much set up blindfolded so I figured that I could use the exact same process for the ZAP. The DID isn't insulated so I decided to remove the insulator from the ZAP. I used my usual coil/wick process (my take on the Petar K) but I kept getting E1s and E2s. So I threw the ZAP on one of my mech mods and no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of the hot spots and shorts. After trying a few other methods, including Zen's video, I decided to put the insulator back in. It's up and running now, but the insulator requires that the wick be so thin that wicking isn't very good at all.

I think that I'm gonna set it aside for a couple days and then try again this weekend. But I still can't understand why I can't set up the ZAP the same way I set up my DID. I must be doing something wrong but I can't put my finger on it yet...probably cuz I'm a bit frustrated with it.

 

[markophonic]

I recieved my ZAP yesterday and just set it up about 30 minutes ago. I'm using a 60/40 DIY Vanilla Cola juice. Tons of vapor but the flavor not really there...yet. I'm getting a hint of a machine oil flavor that I'm assuming is from the new wick and coil. I didn't wash the thing at all as I didn't want to disturb the existing wick and coil. I 've experienced this on my other RBA's so I'm not concerned and expect this to pass as it breaks in.

I must say that it is a very nicely made unit. I will need to get used to the VERY open draw...much more open than anything else I vape on.

I think my Vaperfextion ProV SS cartomator tank, that I got last week, might be sitting on the bench for a few days!

 

[GreekLion]

I recieved my ZAP yesterday and just set it up about 30 minutes ago. I'm using a 60/40 DIY Vanilla Cola juice. Tons of vapor but the flavor not really there...yet. I'm getting a hint of a machine oil flavor that I'm assuming is from the new wick and coil. I didn't wash the thing at all as I didn't want to disturb the existing wick and coil. I 've experienced this on my other RBA's so I'm not concerned and expect this to pass as it breaks in.

I must say that it is a very nicely made unit. I will need to get used to the VERY open draw...much more open than anything else I vape on.

I think my Vaperfextion ProV SS cartomator tank, that I got last week, might be sitting on the bench for a few days!

Please keep us updated, I'm curious how it works out for you and wondering if I should have stuck it out.

 

[Buzzsaw46]

Mine just came, took a couple seconds to get the coil glowing evenly filled it up and it's working. Flavor is a bit muted compared to my DID clone but the DUD has a few tanks through it, so the wick and coil are more seasoned. Hmm that last drag was pretty tasty!

I'm liking the open draw on this, the DUD has a pretty tight pull

 

[GreekLion]

Mine just came, took a couple seconds to get the coil glowing evenly filled it up and it's working. Flavor is a bit muted compared to my DID clone but the DUD has a few tanks through it, so the wick and coil are more seasoned. Hmm that last drag was pretty tasty!

I'm liking the open draw on this, the DUD has a pretty tight pull

Now that its working, how would you compare it to a carto-tank?

Also, I realized I hadn't cleaned the inside of my mouthpiece in 6 months and found a body. Flavor is starting to come back all around so I'm wondering if thats why my ZAP didnt work out but could just be a coincidence.

 

[Buzzsaw46]

I'm going to hold judgement till I get a couple tanks through it. I read that the flavor gets better as the wick and coil get some use. Initial impression is pretty close, like I said the DUD with 3-4 tanks through it has better flavor than the ZAP with maybe a couple dozen drags, and I'm getting a drag thats a bit off here and there.

I need to tone it down though I'm feeling a bit over nicked. Chain vaping the DUD and ZAP is too much

 

[Buzzsaw46]

Ok, I have about 3/4 of a tank through the zap now and haven't noticed any funky flavors since the first half tank I put in it. I seem to be getting more complex flavor out of the dud. I feel like both of them are giving a bit cleaner taste than the carto tanks, it is subtle differences though. I will still use carto tanks in some cases just because there is less chance of leaking. I'm starting to think there are good reasons to have multiple delivery systems for different situations. Jeez I'm chain vaping again try to quantify this some how and you just cant.

I'm hoping as my wick and coil season in the ZAP I start getting the more complex flavors that my DUD is delivering now. I post more to this thread if I notice any changes in flavor.

 

[GreekLion]

Ok, I have about 3/4 of a tank through the zap now and haven't noticed any funky flavors since the first half tank I put in it. I seem to be getting more complex flavor out of the dud. I feel like both of them are giving a bit cleaner taste than the carto tanks, it is subtle differences though. I will still use carto tanks in some cases just because there is less chance of leaking. I'm starting to think there are good reasons to have multiple delivery systems for different situations. Jeez I'm chain vaping again try to quantify this some how and you just cant.

I'm hoping as my wick and coil season in the ZAP I start getting the more complex flavors that my DUD is delivering now. I post more to this thread if I notice any changes in flavor.

Appreciate the update. Would you say so far that the work you put in as well the wasted liquid trying to get it to work is worth the effort now that its almost working like its claimed to?

 

[Buzzsaw46]

Appreciate the update. Would you say so far that the work you put in as well the wasted liquid trying to get it to work is worth the effort now that its almost working like its claimed to?

Your welcome, hope it doesn't seem like I'm rubbing it in.

For your question, I think it will depend on how long the wick and coil last. My cartos last about a week before needing to be replaced, who knows how much juice is in them when they get thrown away. If the ZAP needs a new wick or coil after a week I will be disappointed, if it lasts months like some have reported it will be well worth the few seconds it took to get the coil glowing evenly and the half tank of weird flavor.

 

[GreekLion]

Your welcome, hope it doesn't seem like I'm rubbing it in.

For your question, I think it will depend on how long the wick and coil last. My cartos last about a week before needing to be replaced, who knows how much juice is in them when they get thrown away. If the ZAP needs a new wick or coil after a week I will be disappointed, if it lasts months like some have reported it will be well worth the few seconds it took to get the coil glowing evenly and the half tank of weird flavor.

For me, the convenience of being able to put in a $1.75 carto in a flash outweighed the problems I was having at the time. If it had worked easily out of the box like I expected it would have at least shown me what to expect, but it seemed like too much of a mess.

I would honestly like for it to work for you so at some point I can go back and get one with a little more confidence. I never got mad during the entire ordeal but it didn't live up to what I expected it to be when I sort of had it working. I'm hoping the Penelope works out as the silica wick will be much easier to deal with (so I expect...) but I see myself coming back to genesis types. Part of me deciding to sell it was it seemed like a waste of good juice, but I am hoping that it really does work out for you.

 

[Buzzsaw46]

I cant see the gennys being my all day vape, I still do like the carto tanks for leak resistant out and about vaping. Like pbusardo said about the ZAP, its more of a kick back at the end of the day relax with a nice after dinner juice. I also received my first Vivi Nova today so we'll see where that fits in my vapetine, I hope it can be a less expensive repairable replacement to the carto tanks.

I would like to try a Terminator-c (Ody clone) just to see how those are also.

 

[eHuman]

General good practices: (May or may not apply)
There is machine oil residue on your prized new toys:
Wash any new RBA with hot water and soap when you first receive it or before you use it.
Wash any new SS mesh with hot water and soap when you first receive it or before you use it.
Wash any new Kanthal with hot water and soap when you first receive it or before you use it.
Flavor:
If you have a hot spot on your coil, it can taste burnt and/or mute flavor.
If your air hole is not lined up with your coil, the TH is harsher and your flavors can be muted.
If when you drip and your flavor is great (and the air hole is in the same location as "normal"), your problem is not the air hole.
If you have a wicking problem, your flavor can be muted and it can taste like metal.
If it tastes like crap unless you drip, your problem is wicking.
Your tank needs make-up air to release the vacuum caused by sucking on your drip tip...
400 mesh SS cloth wicks PV or VG just fine.
500 mesh SS cloth wicks PG just fine.
A tighter rolled wick promotes better capillary action.

I would bet dimes to dollars that your RBA was just fine and that your vaping buddy who received it will be stoked.

Just some random things to concider.