Hey guys
I got my ZMax V5 & everything is peachy with this device, but I've noticed the bottom of the cap gets a little hot
when I vape, not horribly hot but enough to feel it. Is this normal??
I'm using an Efest 186500 batt (brand new) with a 3.0 carto running with voltage around 4.3 to 4.5.
Thanks!
No. Heating of the cap is a sign that the tube and battery cap threads need a cleaning to improve conductivity. Clean the battery spring and the inside of the battery cap as well. A little Noalox on these contact points will help.
If I recall it was PaulBHC who first mentioned a related phenomenon some weeks ago. I didn't really know how to respond because I hadn't experienced this before. He reported feeling a hot spot where his fingers contacted the battery tube during firing.
I can now tell you that I have experienced this X-File sensation for myself and I think it is real. I have felt the heat on my skin but could not feel a hot spot on the tube immediately afterward by touching it with my other hand.
I don't think the battery has much to do with it. I was using 18500s when it happened several times during the last month while using my V5.
Keep in mind that I haven't used Noalox on my V5. I use it on my two V3s with fine results but have avoided using it on the V5 as sort of an experimental control. I have been using the V5 almost all of the time for the last five months excluding some down time for a switch replacement.
There are some factors in common during the several times I felt a hot spot on my hand while firing the V5.
-Atmospheric temperatures were warm when it happened. The skin on my fingers and hands were moist allowing improved electrical conductivity.
-The contact point on my hand was the inside of the outer ring finger joint. This is where I felt the "heat". The skin is thin there and nerves are located close underneath (if I remember my anatomy correctly).
-The heat effect was momentary. It was not easy to replicate the effect after it happened by holding the V5 the same way and firing. Skin pressure and moisture on the V5 tube must be exactly right to feel this effect.
I don't think I felt "heat" as much as I felt electrical current. The nerves in my finger simply felt the B- current off the tube and interpreted it as "heat".
For some reason the B- path from the tube to my finger was better than the ground path for the V5, so my finger got a small jolt. Electrical current always takes the path of least resistance.
How to avoid this "heat" feeling in the future?
1. Improve the ground path (B- path) of the rig by cleaning the tube threads, battery cap threads and battery terminals for better conductivity. After cleaning, Noalox on the threads will improve the ground path even more.
2. Make the skin a better insulator by keeping it dry while vaping or using gloves (not very practical).
