Smoktech Vmax Owners - tips, tricks and quirks

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matrixxu

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Circuits that run on a single battery are either boost ( they raise the voltage to the setting ) , buck-boost ( they raise or lower voltage ) like the Provari , and circuits that run on two batteries are step-down ( switching being the most efficient, and linear less efficient and prone to heating up when using low resistance ) .

Two fully charged 3,7v nominal batteries offer 4,20v x 2 = 8,4 volts total. The circuit needs some voltage to operate, usually ~1-1.5v and the rest is available to select a setting. In the case of the vmax 6v is the highest you can set it, my V2 Vmax's 6v setting feels like 6.3v.

The eGo Twist is definitely a step in the right direction and does a lot more than expected out of it for that price, but end of the day, it doesnt hold voltage, 4 drags and you're down 0.5v underload, it can't deliver good voltage when using LR *mizers on it, and the battery will not last a long time, neither in vapetime or longevity. I bearly get 2.5-3ml out of an 1000mAh Twist. I would still recommend that as a cheap and good alternative for a starting vaper.

Vmax is far from being precise in it's setting, but it feels good, looks good, delivers plenty of power,holds voltage and has very nice usefull functions.
 

Optimo

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Not sure I agree completly, only hits harder because of the pwm...

The +1 was for the Provari being way overpriced...when comparing performance and price of both devices the VMax wins by far. It has alot higher amp limit and it has a longer vape time for less than half the price. The Provari might be built better but not by that much...a stainless steel tube is a stainless steel tube. It's what's under the hood that counts. Provari's had their issues when they first came out as well. Just a matter of time before the VMax is perfect.
 

kaysesoze

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i just got my Vmax yesterday, and when you put the batteries in the device, it defaults to 3.0v. I thought this is the v2 version. The V1 version starts at what voltage ??
just making sure which version I received. came with instruction manual, ordered from Crystal Clear Vaping
Hi everyone. I bought the vmax from Vaping Zone. They sent it with two 18350 "no name" batteries. Mine defaults to 5 volts, so I think I have a "good one". Problem is, the threads are crooked, the batteries only last two hours, and I'm not getting the "kick" everyone talks about. Do I just need different batteries? I found the E'Fests at Discount China Wholesale Efest IMR 18350 800mah 3.7V Limn batteries with Nipple [3041]- $4.65 - PowerWholeSale but I don't want to buy them if I just have a junk vMax. Any tips?

Thanks,

Doug
 

MatrixTech

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The +1 was for the Provari being way overpriced...when comparing performance and price of both devices the VMax wins by far. It has alot higher amp limit and it has a longer vape time for less than half the price. The Provari might be built better but not by that much...a stainless steel tube is a stainless steel tube. It's what's under the hood that counts. Provari's had their issues when they first came out as well. Just a matter of time before the VMax is perfect.

I just hope they keep the price around the same as it improves...it's hitting pretty nice with The Penelope. Not sure about the headcap on this v4 as I like a flush top..Most of my real nice tanks are about 3/4" in diameter.

The 3v I have it on feels like about 4.2v :) Not complaining ;)
 
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Jejune43

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kaysesoze:6795923 said:
i just got my Vmax yesterday, and when you put the batteries in the device, it defaults to 3.0v. I thought this is the v2 version. The V1 version starts at what voltage ??
just making sure which version I received. came with instruction manual, ordered from Crystal Clear Vaping
Hi everyone. I bought the vmax from Vaping Zone. They sent it with two 18350 "no name" batteries. Mine defaults to 5 volts, so I think I have a "good one". Problem is, the threads are crooked, the batteries only last two hours, and I'm not getting the "kick" everyone talks about. Do I just need different batteries? I found the E'Fests at Discount China Wholesale Efest IMR 18350 800mah 3.7V Limn batteries with Nipple [3041]- $4.65 - PowerWholeSale but I don't want to buy them if I just have a junk vMax. Any tips?

Thanks,

Doug

The v2 defaults at 3.0. I got mine from Ccv as well. The vmax is great.
 

Errol

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A full-day's worth of chain-vaping. That's some good stuff right there! :) I'll pick up some of those E'Fests. Does anyone have experience with PowerWholesale?

Thanks,

Doug

I tried to buy 4 pairs of the Efest 18350 from them. When I finished the checkout I was directed to paypal but at no point was there an indication the sale had been completed and no shipping charge was shown in the final price. The next day I got the bill and the shipping was nearly as much as the batteries, I cancelled the order. I found it cheaper to buy in the states.

CCV has a pair for $11 with free shipping Crystal Clear Vaping

Errol
 

Scribbles

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Apr 24, 2012
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Hi everyone

Have been a lurker here for quite a while. After reading this entire thread I can't find the answer to my problem so sending out and SOS to all the experts here.

Just received my V2 Vmax in the mail yesterday and just can't get the thing to work.

Unpacked the Vmax and popped 2 freshly charged AW IMR 18350 batts in. Display flashed 123...456...789. Cool I thought, seems to be working. Took tank off Provari and stuck it on the Vmax. Checked the voltage and set to 3.0, and thought after reading this thread "I'll leave it at 3.0 for now". Took a drag, WOW!!!!! This thing hits hard and is AWESOME. Took second drag, more AWESOMENESS. Took a third drag and NOTHING. Tried again, NOTHING.

Took the batts out, took the tank off, put the batts back in and tried to fire, blue button flashes 3 times. Changed batts to a freshly charged set of Trustfire 16340 ones, same thing, blue button just keeps flashing. Thought maybe I needed an atty on it to work (fark knows why LOL was just troubleshooting) and that made no difference.

Is there a trick to this? Am I have a blonde female moment? This my second Vmax. The first one I got when they were first released and after 3 hours the button ended up in the tube, so sent it back. Thinking I'd wait until they ironed out the problems, I ordered the latest version and still having problems.

Anyone out there with any advice? Thanks in advance.
 

fuzzione

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Hey Martin, yeah they have nipples LOL. Both sets have nipples (cause everyone loves nipples)

Perhaps this might help?


I'm on page 186 of 189 so hopefully you have found a solution by the time you read this.

I had the same problem on a couple of occasions but got it to work by trying different combinations of batteries. Finally discovered the spring in the cap wasn't making a good connection. Used a small needle nose plier to rotate the spring back and forth to make sure the surface between the spring and cap were clean then turned it clockwise until it felt firmly seated in the cap. Haven't had a problem since.

Errol
 

VAPNJ350

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Google translation about the next Vmax (bad translation - any Greeks here?) sounds very good and a tad insane;

Tube Style VMAX DISPLAY LIKE switchable wattage Or Between varible voltage 5 to 17 watts Take 5/1 Dual coil to 07.05 volts and twenty-four Stage Programming Use Or un-stacked stacked battery's.


So these specs sound VERY VERY familiar. Maybe the same chipset that starts with a "N".....ends with a "L" .....and sounds like "ivel" in the middle. For anyone who knows about it.....YES it's pretty much the same concept if not spot on.

Also.....so I was playing around earlier....I had 1 of the early "short wick" stardusts. A company sent me like 7 boxes of these things a while back to try...after the 1st one I never opened another. Well somethin told me to break it down and "RE" build it how I would've done it using simple "LOGIC" . Sooo0O00oo I did.....3 wicks....2 long, 1 short....32awg kanthal....6 coils....2.8Ω. I think I just made a very nice backup to my DiD RA and my Fusions. This thing wicks like theirs no tomorrow, if you turn it upside down it's too much, and flavor like I have NEVER EVER tasted or known a stardust to produce. I honestly can't believe this....a POS stardust performing like this with vapor gallorrrrrrrrrrr.
 

VAPNJ350

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isnt the 123...etc code meaning you are using nippleless batteries?

You need nipples...everybody loves nipples...check in your package,I bet there is a small magnet or 2 provided to be used in-between the 2 batts....if they are nippleless.

Every V2 has the 123..456..789 "diagnostic" power up. Thats all that is......simply "diagnostic" and showing the user " I have power and am working.....now vape me and enjoy.

Thats all...NOTHIN more...Nothin less.
 
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