New ZAP Users

[Preloader]

I'm getting some progress!!!!

The coil setup was fine. Sure it may have room for improvements, but I'm glad I didn't rip it out and start another because I would have invited even more frustration.

I just think there is no way around the fact that it will take most people a couple days to get the hang of vaping on a genesis style rba.

Last night I took the ZAP away from my vapestation where I was trying too hard to get it right. I sat in front of the TV and just kind of vaped on it without thinking so hard...... and boom. My taste buds and lungs figured it out for me.

I think I was drawing too softly because of the airy draw, and thinking I wouldn't get vapor thickness unless I just barely pulled on it....... WRONG.

Here's a couple tips:

Draw on it til it whistles and then back off just enough until the whistling disappears. That's where you wanna be.

If you are getting metal taste, you are running the coil dry and/or too hot. Once the wick is wet, you don't need to get it glowing red to produce quality vapor.

If you are not getting it after going at it for more than 5-10 minutes...... Walk away. Come back to it later. Trying harder won't magically make it happen, IMO.

 

[HolmanGT]

Preloader,

Sounds like your zeroing in on the fine points.

As far as the airy draw I had a few days getting used to the first Kanker Pro tank I tried. For me however I easily adjusted to the airy draw easily because I never liked the top feeder crystal (ego style) that I had. With those it was like sucking a milk shake thru a swizzle stick.

I was always a cigarette smoker but I wanted a draw on my APV more like the draw of a tobacco pipe not something that sucked my cheeks concave.

 

[Preloader]

For a heavy smoker of 18 years I think it was habitual for me to prefer tight draws. As time goes on, I'm opening up more to airy draws.

In the beginning, I wanted my vaping experience to mimic smoking accurately. Now it doesn't matter so much because I'm entering a new world of satisfaction.

 

[Bimini Twist]

Ahhhh, here is mention of SS "cable"...... Not sure if that refers to rolled SS mesh or actual coil wire though.

SS cable (AKA Wire Rope) for wicking. I haven't tinkered with it yet, but was monitoring this thread with great interest some time ago: Wire Rope for Wick?

Now that I have more devices to play with, I expect I'll get some and give it a try - where does the time go?

 

[Bimini Twist]

Forgot to mention that I haven't tried building my ZAP yet (got it from the classifieds). I only have one ceramic to play with and only so much time.

 

[HolmanGT]

Bimini,

Thanks for the information. I didn't really thing it was for coil use but ya never know.

I don't see how you could use it for wick material even though the post you linked indicated that was the intended use. The steel wick be it rolled mesh or even steel "rope" counts on the material being oxidized to form an insulation coating. I think trying to oxidize SS material would be almost impossible. Kind of an oxymoron when you are talking about Stainless Steel.

If you just wound the coil around the SS I would think you would end up with a giant short zero Ohm coil. Then there would be the heat sink effect of the metal wick.

I don't know, think I will wait to see how it goes for you Bimini if you decide to try it lest us know how it goes. Personally if I was you and had a brand new (to you) ZAP I would just go for the new ceramic wicks.


PS - Bimini, I tried to read thru the post you linked... Ugh! I was looking for talk about insulating the SS wick. I never found any talk about that aspect but the post is hundred of pages long. Anyway being lazy I thought I would wait for you to give it a try and do all the work for me.

 

[Bimini Twist]

LOL! It's been a while since I read that thread and it has grown considerably. IIRC, people were using mesh, ekowool or even a little cotton around the cable - just above the deck and where the coil gets wrapped.

Seems like a lot of trouble to me. Maybe it's worth it if it lasts forever, but I've been using my SS mesh wicks in AGA-T2s for months. And I don't have any complaints about SS flavor. I might try the cable in a spare RSST or AGA. I will definitely try the ceramic wick in the Z-Atty when I get the chance to build it - tonight maybe?

 

[HolmanGT]

LOL! It's been a while since I read that thread and it has grown considerably. IIRC, people were using mesh, ekowool or even a little cotton around the cable - just above the deck and where the coil gets wrapped.

Seems like a lot of trouble to me. Maybe it's worth it if it lasts forever, but I've been using my SS mesh wicks in AGA-T2s for months. And I don't have any complaints about SS flavor. I might try the cable in a spare RSST or AGA. I will definitely try the ceramic wick in the Z-Atty when I get the chance to build it - tonight maybe?

OK on the cotton and stuff as an insulator. I suppose you have to do the same with SS mesh? I would suppose that the ceramic wicks if they are manufactured correctly would do the job as good as any of those more complicated SS + echo + whatever.

I have never used a solid rod type wick but I would also think as long as you treat it carefully so as not to break it, you should be able to take it out and use a small torch to clean the gunk buildup off. I have tried every solvent I have read about hear and none of them work for me. the only thing that will clean a coil it to dry fire until the gunk turns to whitish ash then brush it off with a small stiff brush and take a torch to the wick material and essentially perform the same deal as the coil.

Just for grins I even tried the high proof Vodka... I am beginning to think the folks that say that works were testing the "Vodka Neat" without a chaser before they started the cleaning process. You know how that goes, everything looks good at closing time.

 

[Bimini Twist]

I just did a quick scan of the Wire Rope for Wick thread and they call those insulators "diapers". No need to insulate SS mesh since it builds up an insulating oxidation layer very quickly. Early SS mesh wick tutorials showed folks doing all sorts of burning to oxidize it before coiling, but lately people just pulse the coil in short bursts to oxidize only where the coil touches. That may not be the method to use when using the SS mesh as a diaper on SS wire rope, though.

ETA:
I don't take my mesh wicks out at all. Just rinse in hot water, dry burn as you mentioned, refill and vape. Never torched one after coiling it. I tried alchohol and vodka back in my plain carto days, but . . . yech! Both for the carto and that method for cleaning.

 

[HolmanGT]

I just did a quick scan of the Wire Rope for Wick thread and they call those insulators "diapers". No need to insulate SS mesh since it builds up an insulating oxidation layer very quickly. Early SS mesh wick tutorials showed folks doing all sorts of burning to oxidize it before coiling, but lately people just pulse the coil in short bursts to oxidize only where the coil touches. That may not be the method to use when using the SS mesh as a diaper on SS wire rope, though.

ETA:
I don't take my mesh wicks out at all. Just rinse in hot water, dry burn as you mentioned, refill and vape. Never torched one after coiling it. I tried alchohol and vodka back in my plain carto days, but . . . yech! Both for the carto and that method for cleaning.

Diapers... I think I like your method the best. Dry burn and use it until it drops.

On the Vodka cleaning I even heard one that suggested "Polident" yup the stuff you use on false teeth. Never tried the Polident but I did try 40% hydrogen peroxide and it just sat there and did absolutely nothing, it didn't even bubble. "Dry burn seems to be the only thing that works at least on the ceramics.

 

[Preloader]

Just a little update. I'm am loving my ZAP. It took a while to really get dialed in. I've learned to back the wattage off a bit because it was overriding the flavor. I'm currently running 4.2v on the same 2.1 coil that came on it.

It's becoming my preferred delivery at home when I'm in front of the computer or TV.

 

[HolmanGT]

Just a little update. I'm am loving my ZAP. It took a while to really get dialed in. I've learned to back the wattage off a bit because it was overriding the flavor. I'm currently running 4.2v on the same 2.1 coil that came on it.

It's becoming my preferred delivery at home when I'm in front of the computer or TV.

Preloader,

Do you notice much change in vapor production over time. With my pro tank after about a day I have to bump up the voltage for a spell to get the vapor level back up then I can drop the voltage back down and go for about another day or half day before repeating the process.

I did try some NET e-juice but it seem to clog up my pro tank to an unrecoverable point after about two days.

 

[Preloader]

So far so good. It's still my biggest cloud producing topper.

I've noticed the coil has gotten a little gunned up, so I dry burn pulsed it a couple times and brushed it up. Hitting great.

If you're new to the ZAP...... It is key to not get frustrated. For the premium price, I was not going to give up, but I did have to take a break from it each time I was getting frustrated. Now that I've gotten the hang of it, I am very pleased. Plus it is by far the cheapest maintenance item I own. I'm still using the original coil, but it came with enough spare kanthal to last at least a year if not more.

 

[HolmanGT]

So far so good. It's still my biggest cloud producing topper.

I've noticed the coil has gotten a little gunned up, so I dry burn pulsed it a couple times and brushed it up. Hitting great.

If you're new to the ZAP...... It is key to not get frustrated. For the premium price, I was not going to give up, but I did have to take a break from it each time I was getting frustrated. Now that I've gotten the hang of it, I am very pleased. Plus it is by far the cheapest maintenance item I own. I'm still using the original coil, but it came with enough spare kanthal to last at least a year if not more.

Thanks Preloader,

That is kind of what I wanted to hear. Even if it gets gunked up you can clean it. With the Pro Tank I have tried cleaning them as shown in some videos but it is near impossible to do without destroying the wicks. I did have one that the flavor wicks lifted out like in the video but the ones I got from ProVape... well lets just say I ended up with a mess of fiberglass in a wad. With the ZAP I don't think I would have much trouble dry burning and lightly brushing the coil.

I believe you said you saw something about cleaning ProTank coils did you ever find a link to it?

My ZAP and stuff is sitting in my ProVape cart - I don't know why I am having so much trouble clicking on do it. Normally my problem is quite the reverse.

 

[Preloader]

Hahaha. I didn't the same hover over the order button with my first ProVape order...... Not on my second or third order.

I watched a couple YouTube vids on cleaning the PT. They're plentiful on YouTube.

 

[HolmanGT]

Hahaha. I didn't the same hover over the order button with my first ProVape order...... Not on my second or third order.

I watched a couple YouTube vids on cleaning the PT. They're plentiful on YouTube.

Well I agree it does get easier each time, except for this item. I just want something that I can vape anything from standard synthetics to NETs but I keep telling myself if this doesn't do what everyone says it will... Well you know the story.

OK - I am off to watch YouTube - my cat just loves it when the computer starts talking. She goes into the bedroom crawls under the blankets and pouts because she thinks I am paying more attention to another human instead of her (Sure hope Ocelot doesn't read this).

 

[ItTechy]

I have one also!

SS Mesh wicks pre-oxidixed are available from Provape, you will also need the wick insulators if you did not get any if you choose not to use the ceramic.

325 x 325 VG based (primarily) liquids
400 x 400 PG based (primarily) liquids

Ok here is what I have found and has been confirmed by the Zen gurus:

The ceramic is the most durable if you break it in like the video (I did).

Run your Zen at about 4.7 volts (that's what I use).

The flavors are not as strong, menthol's and mints are stronger with the ceramic wicks.

If you want to adjust the air flow skip the tig, place a piece of scotch tape over the hole from the backside, and use a TINY sewing needle to poke a hole in it. (I am used to the airy draw).

SS mesh will give you better flavor saturation (haven't tried but I have the wicks, waiting on insulators from Provape).

Use a small O ring over the shaft to allow (cause) interference so you can line the wick up with the fire button (It WORKS)!

To clean the ZAP, suck the juice out and do a few dry burns, refill with new flavor (It works)!

The ceramic is the least maintenance of all the wicks, you do not have to change the wick when you change flavors, same with SS, but not as durable. Silica sucks!

As of right now being my first RBA I am amazed, It's GREAT!

Did I miss anything?

 

[ItTechy]

If it is broke in you can crank it up to 4.7 volts a .1 at a time.....

Still on my first coil also...the Zen gurus are pretty helpful!

Just a little update. I'm am loving my ZAP. It took a while to really get dialed in. I've learned to back the wattage off a bit because it was overriding the flavor. I'm currently running 4.2v on the same 2.1 coil that came on it.

It's becoming my preferred delivery at home when I'm in front of the computer or TV.

 

[ItTechy]

My cat gets on my laptop in front of me, and sits on my keyboard, I think he is jealous of my attention to the computer...

Kitties I wuv 'em

One of my only soft spots! (stop making fun of how I talk to my kitties)!

Well I agree it does get easier each time, except for this item. I just want something that I can vape anything from standard synthetics to NETs but I keep telling myself if this doesn't do what everyone says it will... Well you know the story.

OK - I am off to watch YouTube - my cat just loves it when the computer starts talking. She goes into the bedroom crawls under the blankets and pouts because she thinks I am paying more attention to another human instead of her (Sure hope Ocelot doesn't read this).

 

[HolmanGT]

ItTechy,

(stop making fun of how I talk to my kitties) How the heck did you know what I was thinking.

Actually I may say things like that to my cat also but I will never admit it in an open forum. I'm not as brave as you. The only time my cat climbs on the keyboard is when she wants something and I have the audacity to ignore her and if I continue to ignore her she will escalate her intrusion into what ever it is I am doing. And she knows exactly what will get to me and trigger her desired response from me.