Smok Z-Max Mini--Very Short Battery Life?

[jessd]

Hi Guys!

So, I had the pleasure of winning a brand new Z-max Mini through the Got Vapes weekly contest. (yay!)

I got a couple AW 18350 batteries for it along with a trustfire charger.

Everything seems to be in perfect working condition..except...the very tiny of window of time I get to vape before the battery life is depleted.

Max charge is at 3.6 volts and it dies at 3.2. That gives me a span of 45 minutes to 90 minutes of vape time (it varies with how much I'm actually using it--I'd say 45 minutes when I'm chain vaping and 90 minutes at absolute maximum...but there have been instances where it only works for 30 minutes).

Is this normal? I mean..it's something I can live with at home because the AWs charge pretty darn fast but it's disappointing that I can't really take this little guy on the go because I am constantly switching its batteries. Bummer dude!

NOTE: I typically have the voltage set to about 3.5-3.8 v and I switch back and forth between 1.8 ohm and 2.0 ohm coils.

NOTE 2: When it "dies" it gives me a message on the screen that reads "LOU" or "LOV" (the U looks like a V on this particular screen so I assume it means Low Voltage? I have no idea)

 

[DreamWithin]

That doesn't sound right. Those batteries fresh off the charger should be in the vicinity of 4.2 volts, not 3.6. I would suspect there's something wrong with either the charger or the batteries

 

[State O' Flux]

I got a couple AW 18350 batteries for it along with a trustfire charger. Max charge is at 3.6 volts

Following in dream's correct assessment footsteps... two additional items for consideration.

1. Are these genuine AW IMR batteries, exactly as in the image shown below, as borrowed from trusted AW retailer, RTD Vapor?
2. A trust fire charger eh? Never trust any China product brand with the words "trust" or "fire" - and when combined... run.

 

[DreamWithin]

Do you have another charger you can try using? That would at least rule that out of the equation.

 

[classwife]

I got a couple AW 18350 batteries for it along with a trustfire charger.

Were these batteries bought new ?

 

[jessd]

Following in dream's correct assessment footsteps... two additional items for consideration.

1. Are these genuine AW IMR batteries, exactly as in the image shown below, as borrowed from trusted AW retailer, RTD Vapor?
2. A trust fire charger eh? Never trust any China product brand with the words "trust" or "fire" - and when combined... run.

Yes the batteries and the charger are from RTD Vapor. Batteries look exactly the same as that picture

They both max out at 3.6 volts. I've tried both of them on a different charger, as well (that I know definitely works-my boyfriend uses it for his MOD). Same thing! 3.6 volts at max charge. I've even let it sit for an extra 15 minutes (on accident) and they've never gone above 3.6.

It's so weird...my crappy old Ego lasts 4 times as long as this thing!

Could it possibly be the Z-Max itself?

 

[jessd]

Were these batteries bought new ?

Yes they were bought brand new (as far as I know!) from RTD Vapor who I am told us a very trusted vendor

 

[jessd]

Do you have another charger you can try using? That would at least rule that out of the equation.

Yeah I've tried with a different charger that I know works fine (it charges up my boyfriend's batteries good and well) and same result--3.6 volts

 

[DreamWithin]

Hmm, if they're coming off two different chargers at 3.6 volts, one of which you know is good, then I would say there may be a problem with the batteries. It wouldn't be a bad idea to contact the vendor about your issue (be sure to include that you've tried two chargers), they may have suggestions for you or even ask you to send them back to evaluate.

Even the best products and QC can still allow a couple duds to go through. The vendor should be able to help you determine if that's the case here

 

[jessd]

Hmm, if they're coming off two different chargers at 3.6 volts, one of which you know is good, then I would say there may be a problem with the batteries. It wouldn't be a bad idea to contact the vendor about your issue (be sure to include that you've tried two chargers), they may have suggestions for you or even ask you to send them back to evaluate.

Even the best products and QC can still allow a couple duds to go through. The vendor should be able to help you determine if that's the case here

Sounds like a great idea to me! So the 18350 batteries should be maxing out at 4.2 volts for sure? I was thrown off because of the "3.7 v" printed on the unit itself (I'm a noob, as you can see!). Thanks for the help, though, you guys! I will try contacting RTD today.

 

[DreamWithin]

Yep, 3.7 is the "nominal" voltage, but fresh off the charger most battery chemistries used for vaping (such as those AW IMR batts) will be around 4.2

There are other battery chemistries with different voltages, but they are not common in the vaping world nowadays. For example: the LiFePo4 batteries are 3.2 volts nominal (3.4-ish fully charged).

The sticky thread in this forum has links to a lot of good battery info if you want to educate yourself further

 

[Ed_C]

So, out of curiosity, how are you determining that they are charged to 3.6 volts? Are you putting them on a multimeter or is this what your Zmax reads it to be. I just seems really odd the two batteries are doing the same thing. One bad battery yes, two that are behaving the same, that's odd

 

[jessd]

Yep, 3.7 is the "nominal" voltage, but fresh off the charger most battery chemistries used for vaping (such as those AW IMR batts) will be around 4.2

There are other battery chemistries with different voltages, but they are not common in the vaping world nowadays. For example: the LiFePo4 batteries are 3.2 volts nominal (3.4-ish fully charged).

The sticky thread in this forum has links to a lot of good battery info if you want to educate yourself further

Thanks for the info, DreamWithin

So...I feel like a total dangus right now but....yeah...I figured it out!!!

My Trustfire charger has this teeny-tiny hidden switch on the side that gives you two options. "3.1" or "3.6". Well, it was on 3.1 so I tried switching it over. Sure enough...2 hours later and I have a couple of fully charged batteries reading at 4.2 volts.

Sorry for all of the trouble you guys! But I really appreciate those of you who cared enough to help a clueless girl out This forum brings together such an amazing group of people. I have yet to see any un-kind words or bullying. I was afraid I would get a bunch of "eye-rolling" or demeaning comments as commonly seen on many other discussion boards. But ECF and all of the beautiful people who log on here never cease to amaze me! Much love to you all!

 

[Ed_C]

Glad you figured it out and it's working fine now. I'm still confused as to how they only charged to 3.6V on your boyfriend's charger as well. Any ideas?