New ZAP Users

[Bimini Twist]

I broke the ceramic that came with my classies ZAP, so built a SS mesh coil. That worked as expected and I really do like SS mesh in genny style atties. However, the ZAP just seems too finicky when filling the tank. It kept spewing juice out the wick before the tank was even half full - even though I was tilting while filling.

So I went with a micro coil and cotton wick as I'd already done ages ago on an RSST. As mentioned earlier (in this thread?), feeding the cotton wick through the coil and below the deck is really easy on the ZAP with its removable glass tank. This setup is great on the ZAP. No need for primer puffs to warm up coil/wick - it is just instant on vaping. Flavor and vapor is outstanding.

 

[HolmanGT]

The wick is the darker color ceramic. It has three grooves and they have a very slight spiral to them. Not even a third of a turn down the length of it. The wick that came installed in the ZAP and the replacement in the tube were the same. Came straight from provape.



Sent from my Lumia 1020

OK - I think I'll go to the manufactures site and see if I can find a reference to it. Both of mine are groove-less - story of my life.

On thing I have be wanting to try that I say on a YouTube "How To" vid was a guy rapped the coil end of the ceramic wick with cotton thread prior to winding the coil to help prevent dry hits when the unit has just been standing unused. I don't know just another thing to try. Something about silk purses and sows ears. Probably should stick to the old adage "If it ain't broke".

 

[HolmanGT]

Only problem with that is that it changes the vapor/throat hit. I tried the o-ring on the shaft and I still had to screw it to the same place just to make contact. Ah well. It's really not a big problem.

Bimini,

Any of the shim things I have tried for anything be it airflow or orientation I had the same problem as you... "No connection" or at best a weak connection.

 

[HolmanGT]

I broke the ceramic that came with my classies ZAP, so built a SS mesh coil. That worked as expected and I really do like SS mesh in genny style atties. However, the ZAP just seems too finicky when filling the tank. It kept spewing juice out the wick before the tank was even half full - even though I was tilting while filling.

So I went with a micro coil and cotton wick as I'd already done ages ago on an RSST. As mentioned earlier (in this thread?), feeding the cotton wick through the coil and below the deck is really easy on the ZAP with its removable glass tank. This setup is great on the ZAP. No need for primer puffs to warm up coil/wick - it is just instant on vaping. Flavor and vapor is outstanding.

Bimini,

I also have had the problem of juice getting pumped out the wick port when filling. I usually wrap the tank with a tissue prior to filling to catch the excess. I also noticed that filling really slow helps this problem.

Anyway what I wanted to ask is how long does the cotton wick hold up for you? I have not tried cotton on any of my atomizers believing that with my luck I would just burn it to charcoal.

That said it is hard to ignore you statement "No need for primer puffs to warm up coil/wick - it is just instant on vaping. Flavor and vapor is outstanding." which pretty much covers all the complaints I have about the ceramic or mesh wicks. I probably spend as much battery on bring things up to temp as I do vaping. Plus I hate the delay and have found myself upping the voltage to help minimize the delay.

Bimini, how often do you have to replace the cotton and can you replace it without rebuilding the coil?

Regards,

Afterthought: What resistance coils do you use with the cotton?

 

[darkgear]

5 days with the ceramic wick and everything is great. I do know what preloader means about the terrible taste of the dry hits though. The grooved ceramic wick was wicking 75% VG juices with no problem. Everything is working great and I am loving it.

THEN yesterday I was juice hunting in a local B&M. The shop owner asked about the ZAP because he had never seen one and never heard of one. I hand it to him and he immediately pops the cap off. He asks about the wick and I tell him its ceramic. With a puzzled look he touches the wick and breaks it

I ordered more ceramic and SS mesh wicks 3 days ago so hopefully I'll have them soon. I think I'll try the SS mesh one first.

What is the wire that comes with the ZAP?

 

[tnt56]

The ZAP comes with 32 Kanthal.

 

[HolmanGT]

5 days with the ceramic wick and everything is great. I do know what preloader means about the terrible taste of the dry hits though. The grooved ceramic wick was wicking 75% VG juices with no problem. Everything is working great and I am loving it.

THEN yesterday I was juice hunting in a local B&M. The shop owner asked about the ZAP because he had never seen one and never heard of one. I hand it to him and he immediately pops the cap off. He asks about the wick and I tell him its ceramic. With a puzzled look he touches the wick and breaks it

I ordered more ceramic and SS mesh wicks 3 days ago so hopefully I'll have them soon. I think I'll try the SS mesh one first.

What is the wire that comes with the ZAP?

DarkGear,

The bad taste that Preloader was talking about (for me) was when the wick was new and dry... it reminded me of the smell you get from some glass pumice sanding stones - like Poo-Poo, rotten eggs, sulfur.

Sorry to hear about your wick. That is why I hate handing over my toys to looky-loos.

The wire that comes with the ZAP is 32 ga K-wire or .2 mm. I had to break out the clipers to verify.

I also think the problem Preloader had with the ceramic not wicking was when he shifted over to 100% VG. As soon as he primed the coil end of the wick everything started working. But that was the last status I heard from him. He has not commented since.

 

[HolmanGT]

Oh I forgot to mention that Bimini Twist said he used cotton for the wick with his ZAP and it worked much better than the Mesh or Ceramic.
He said it gets instant on... Vapor immediately.

It is something that really appeals to me I just haven't gotten around to trying it but something to day I will. I have just been holding off because I just put a new ribbon K-wire coil on and hate to take it off after being so careful to get it perfect. Ugh!

 

[Bimini Twist]

Bimini,

I also have had the problem of juice getting pumped out the wick port when filling. I usually wrap the tank with a tissue prior to filling to catch the excess. I also noticed that filling really slow helps this problem.

I have no patience.

Anyway what I wanted to ask is how long does the cotton wick hold up for you? I have not tried cotton on any of my atomizers believing that with my luck I would just burn it to charcoal.

That said it is hard to ignore you statement "No need for primer puffs to warm up coil/wick - it is just instant on vaping. Flavor and vapor is outstanding." which pretty much covers all the complaints I have about the ceramic or mesh wicks. I probably spend as much battery on bring things up to temp as I do vaping. Plus I hate the delay and have found myself upping the voltage to help minimize the delay.

Bimini, how often do you have to replace the cotton and can you replace it without rebuilding the coil?

Regards,

Afterthought: What resistance coils do you use with the cotton?

Sorry, but I can't give you a good answer. I've been spending so much time with my KFL and Russian 91% that the ZAP is in 4th seat position now. I have run 2 1/2 tanks through it already. I only replaced the cotton in my RSST once a week or so. Not as convenient as SS mesh or ceramic, but it is really easy to re-wick - no re-coiling to do. And with a long enough tail in the tank, you might be able to pull some of it up before re-wicking.

 

[HolmanGT]

I have no patience.


Sorry, but I can't give you a good answer. I've been spending so much time with my KFL and Russian 91% that the ZAP is in 4th seat position now. I have run 2 1/2 tanks through it already. I only replaced the cotton in my RSST once a week or so. Not as convenient as SS mesh or ceramic, but it is really easy to re-wick - no re-coiling to do. And with a long enough tail in the tank, you might be able to pull some of it up before re-wicking.

"I have no patience." Me either !!!

Re-wicking once a week... I can live with that especial if I can reduce my power. I have the voltage cranked up a lot higher than I would normally use in an attempt to compensate for the slooow heat up of the ceramic wick. Remember that "No Patience" thing.

Is there much performance difference with the KFL and Russian compared to the ZAP?

Thanks for the reply, I was beginning to think you had found the edge of the Earth.

 

[Bimini Twist]

Thanks for the reply, I was beginning to think you had found the edge of the Earth.

Close! The Destin Fishing Rodeo runs the entire month of October and even though I'm not entered, it is really fun to watch the weigh-ins. The weigh master (MC) is a good friend and is really entertaining.

I see I didn't answer one of your earlier questions. I try to make 1.4 ohm coils, but somehow lost count on the ZAP and made a 1.7 ohm coil. That is still within my sweet spot, though.

This pic shows how I have the long tail in the tank that I think I will be able to pull up through the coil before needing to re-wick. I haven't tried that yet.


And this one shows how it goes through the coil and down outside just a tad.

Is there much performance difference with the KFL and Russian compared to the ZAP?

There is a big difference. The KFL is just amazing. I still prefer using one of my genesis devices for HHV's Pirate's Booty, but the KFL is becoming my choice for most of my other juices. It is extremely versatile, too. People have built a wide range of coil/wick setups on the KFL and R91. It's a big thread, but you might want to peruse http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/rebuildable-atomizer-systems/436118-kayfun-lite.html

 

[HolmanGT]

Close! The Destin Fishing Rodeo runs the entire month of October and even though I'm not entered, it is really fun to watch the weigh-ins. The weigh master (MC) is a good friend and is really entertaining.

I see I didn't answer one of your earlier questions. I try to make 1.4 ohm coils, but somehow lost count on the ZAP and made a 1.7 ohm coil. That is still within my sweet spot, though.

This pic shows how I have the long tail in the tank that I think I will be able to pull up through the coil before needing to re-wick. I haven't tried that yet.
View attachment 268394

And this one shows how it goes through the coil and down outside just a tad.
View attachment 268395



There is a big difference. The KFL is just amazing. I still prefer using one of my genesis devices for HHV's Pirate's Booty, but the KFL is becoming my choice for most of my other juices. It is extremely versatile, too. People have built a wide range of coil/wick setups on the KFL and R91. It's a big thread, but you might want to peruse http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/rebuildable-atomizer-systems/436118-kayfun-lite.html

Bimini,

I really appreciate your reply and going to the trouble of sending pictures. I'm sure that it was difficult out in the field. That said "difficult" is going to a fishing tournament and not doing the fishing. I know why the handle "BiminiTwist". I used to be an avid Saltwater fisherman when I lived in CA but since moving inland I have focused most on catch and release Bass fishing. Not quit as exciting as some of the larger faster and stronger saltwater species but challenging none the less. I am a ultralight barbless fisherman which adds quit a bit of challenge to the sport and some degree of a sporting chance for the Bass. Actually they win most of the time. - Ugh!

OK - if you get some time to comment on the cotton as I look at it if you didn't tell me it was cotton I would swear it was ceramic rope. How did you get such long ropeish looking cotton? Did you take sheet medical cotton and cut a strip?

I have cotton balls (not personally) that I will try to stretch and twist until it look close to what you have. I have seen one video were a guy twisted cotton until it would spin up inside a coil and then afterwards he did a little un-twist to make the cotton fit a little tighter in the coil. I guess the same strategy would work going thru the hole in the header block.

In any case it looks like a winner to me. Actually I may try some ceramic 2 mm rope first only because I have some and it seems like it might be easier than trying to push limp spaghetti thru the header hole. have you ever tried ceramic rope?

Bimini, if you don't have time to reply to all my questions I completely understand. A man has to keep his priorities straight and we all know where fishing stacks up even if my ex-wives never could understand or accept my sense of priorities.

 

[Bimini Twist]

LOL! Fishing Rodeo is over and we're loafing around recovering from a great night.

I use cotton balls that I absconded from my GF. I'm not sure where she got them, but it does say "Sterile" on the bag. Most recommend getting the cotton from the first aid section of CVS or Walmart rather than from the makeup section.

They're actually rolled into the ball shape, so I unroll it first. Then I tear off a strip about 1/4" or so. Next I roll it between my fingers to form that limp noodle - no twisting. I do twist the end so it is small enough and strong enough to pull through the coil and deck. It should be just thick enough to feel some slight resistance while pulling through the coil, but not so tight that it chokes the coil when wet. I don't fluff it either, cotton swells quite a bit when juiced. This is MUCH easier on the Z-Atty than on the RSST.

I haven't tried any ceramic yet. I was curious about SS rope for a while, but I think that takes even longer to heat up than SS mesh.

 

[HolmanGT]

LOL! Fishing Rodeo is over and we're loafing around recovering from a great night.

I use cotton balls that I absconded from my GF. I'm not sure where she got them, but it does say "Sterile" on the bag. Most recommend getting the cotton from the first aid section of CVS or Walmart rather than from the makeup section.

They're actually rolled into the ball shape, so I unroll it first. Then I tear off a strip about 1/4" or so. Next I roll it between my fingers to form that limp noodle - no twisting. I do twist the end so it is small enough and strong enough to pull through the coil and deck. It should be just thick enough to feel some slight resistance while pulling through the coil, but not so tight that it chokes the coil when wet. I don't fluff it either, cotton swells quite a bit when juiced. This is MUCH easier on the Z-Atty than on the RSST.

I haven't tried any ceramic yet. I was curious about SS rope for a while, but I think that takes even longer to heat up than SS mesh.

Bimini,

Well I am certainly glad I wasn't taking you away from the action.

Thanks for the how to description it will make a big difference in my frustration level. I did discover that the cotton balls are roll up about 3/4 inch wide strips and spent the last 20 minutes trying to roll the strip like a cigarette from one edge to the other. With my cat looking over my shoulder that didn't bother me but when she started giggling... well I put it aside until I could dream up a better way.

Sure glad you told me about the 1/4 inch strip and then just roll it between my fingers. I thought I was going to have to call my doctor for some additional Valium.

On the serious side the "SS Cable" I feel as you do. I just can't imagine how long it would take to heat up. I have seen one build that used the cable and then covered with Ekowool (the hollow stuff) slid down over the coil end of the cable then the coil wound over that. I think it was to compensate for to things, insulate the coil from shorts to the SS cable and to thermally isolate the coil from the GIANT heat sink. Short story SS cable is not on my to-do list.

Again thanks for the tips and if the cotton works half as good as it does in my cheap dripper tank it will be fantastic. I may still try some 2 mm ceramic rope just "cause". But if you get a week out of the cotton and then pull up some of the slack out of the tank and go for another week I don't think the ceramic rope would be any better and some of the Natural Extracted Tobacco juices tend to plug up ceramic wick fairly quick. I have gone thru Kanger Pro Tank wicks in about a week before it is like sucking a milkshake thru a swizzle stick using some brands/flavors of the "NETs".

Thanks again Bimini, my patience has waned and I am off to try ZAP 101 Bimini style.

 

[darkgear]

Bimini,

Another thanks for the pics and description. I tried a cotton wick for the last few days. Also using a 400 SS wick in my other ZAP. I think I like the cotton better but time will tell. I may not like it as much as I have to change it more often.

Can't wait to get some XC-116 and try that.

 

[HolmanGT]

Bimini,

Another thanks for the pics and description. I tried a cotton wick for the last few days. Also using a 400 SS wick in my other ZAP. I think I like the cotton better but time will tell. I may not like it as much as I have to change it more often.

Can't wait to get some XC-116 and try that.

Darkgear,

What is XC-116?

I also tried Bimini's cotton and it worked well and IMHO improved the taste... BUT the big thing I was looking for was the "Instant On" and I didn't get that. It might be a little faster than ceramic but nothing like my Pro Tanks. With the Pro Tank you push the button and it is putting out vapor.

I hate having to hold the button down with my ZAP for five seconds while it comes up to temp.

 

[darkgear]

Braided Ceramic Wick

XC-116

 

[HolmanGT]

Braided Ceramic Wick

XC-116

What is the difference between that and EkoWool?

Thanks for the link to the WEB site selling it but boy is it unfriendly to IE-11 (but then what isn't)

 

[HolmanGT]

Braided Ceramic Wick

XC-116

Darkgear,

Have you tried the XC-116 yet?

I just got a sample. It is just a hair under 3mm so I pulled the cotton wick that Bimini suggested and put the XC-116 in and it started to wick on its own.

I did prime it a little just to make sure and started vaping. So far so good. I think I am going to go order a couple of feet and just use it from now on with the ZAP.

The taste is very clean and it doesn't get all frayed up on the ends like regular ceramic or ekowool. I will let you know how it holds up. But it only took me about a minute to install and I would imagine it to be like that when it comes time to re-wick.

Anyway - so far -

 

[dvs_taz]

I'm new to the Zap and rebuildables as a whole, although I've been vaping for a couple of years, but I'm confused. Are you using the the XC-116 by itself, with the coil wrapped around it? Or using it as a core inside the SS? I have 3 feet of the XC, but mo SS. I'm not thrilled with the flavor of just ceramic. Thanks for your help in advance.