Smoktech ZMax Owners - Pics., Tips, Tricks and Quirks

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jackbox

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Geez...these things are starting to act as if they were possesed.

I'd be interested to know if this is happening with single or stacked batteries. Maybe too much pressure on the circuit board due to battery length? I only had one issue once while installing the battery and just had to remove battery and let unit sit for 15 seconds and put battery back in. There is an issue that the button cannot be pressed for ten seconds after inserting the battery and screwing on cap or it will fire and not stop until the ten second cutoff period.
 

jackbox

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From the ZMax manual.

ZMAX Error Codes.jpg
 

CyberDj

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The DC vs. PWM issue was raised a few months ago by a Hungarian tech guy. The local distributor of VMax forwarded his very detailed letter on the problem to Smoktech and decided not to offer ZMax until accuracy isssue is solved.
Now smok promised to create an updated version for the Hungarian market. It is due to arrive next week. It will have an 8th menu item where you can choose what measures to show as settings Arms or Vrms. With this the wattage setting issue might be gone...
 

AnsonJames

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Well, something very strange happened a few minutes ago; I left the Z sitting on my desk and went to a short meeting; when I returned, it was smoking and sizzling and had melted the mouthpiece and boiled all the liquid away. The carto was completely burned. Was too hot to even touch without something between my hands. I haven't done anything with it and have no idea if it will even work now. Later today I will install another battery and carto and see if it will fire.

Anyone else had this type of situation with the Zmax?

That's really bloody dangerous, hope this is an isolated incident.
This could have caused an injury.
 

jackbox

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That's really bloody dangerous, hope this is an isolated incident.
This could have caused an injury.

Yes, very disconcerting. I will set mine to standby at night now and if I am not home for an extended period of time will remove the batteries. If natgas has any photos would like to see them.
 

jackbox

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i rember these isues the first lavatube had
i had the same fear after reading reports of such nasty incidents
at first i removed the battery at night,later on i just removed the atty
and i still am,i remove it at night and when im carrying my zmax in a bag

That's probably good advice for any mod. Never know when it can go haywire. I had a VV350 that worked okay until one day it just started going crazy firing and nonsense on the display. Only thng that would stop it was to pull the batteries. Sent it back to China and got a replacement and it finally died also.
 

natgas

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Unfortunately, it scared me so bad I didn't think to take the time for pics. I opened a tick with Mad Vapes and they advised me to send it in. I'll probably send it in today and I'm not sure I want to risk another one.

Using a single 18650 button top, 2200; it is the battery I used for my Provari without an issue
 

kiwivap

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Unfortunately, it scared me so bad I didn't think to take the time for pics. I opened a tick with Mad Vapes and they advised me to send it in. I'll probably send it in today and I'm not sure I want to risk another one.

Using a single 18650 button top, 2200; it is the battery I used for my Provari without an issue

Hi nat - Thanks for the update - I had wondered if there was a battery problem. Doesn't sound like it tho. How long had you had the Zmax for? I ordered one from them which is on its way - but I do feel a bit concerned. I guess I can turn it off and/or remove the battery.
 

jackbox

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Unfortunately, it scared me so bad I didn't think to take the time for pics. I opened a tick with Mad Vapes and they advised me to send it in. I'll probably send it in today and I'm not sure I want to risk another one.

Using a single 18650 button top, 2200; it is the battery I used for my Provari without an issue

Just curious. How long is the battery? I want to see if it is longer than the batteries I am using. I have one eFest 2000mah nipple top and two BIO IMR 1500mah with button top. Next week I expect to receive my Panasonic CGR18650CH 2250mah high drain battery that I ordered.
 

kiwivap

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Just curious. How long is the battery? I want to see if it is longer than the batteries I am using. I have one eFest 2000mah nipple top and two BIO IMR 1500mah with button top. Next week I expect to receive my Panasonic CGR18650CH 2250mah high drain battery that I ordered.

Yes, it would be good to have a bit more info - what battery brand, length, how long the battery had been in use (how old) before the Zmax. Some 2200 mahs are longer than 65mm - I've seen them up at 69mm.

oops - sorry, didn't see your post above.
 

me1969

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Just not my week I guess; just received my Zmax a few minutes ago; fired it up and it won't shut off; I can remove the battery but when I install it, the thing just goes crazy; so hot I can't touch it. I've put a ticket into MadVapes but it's pretty obvious that this thing is not ready for prime time---at least mine!

and you kept using it ?hmmmmm that's the scary part
 

AnsonJames

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Yes, very disconcerting. I will set mine to standby at night now and if I am not home for an extended period of time will remove the batteries. If natgas has any photos would like to see them.

It's not good when your mod instills you with a sense of fear.
I'm wondering what causes "zombie" mode?
 
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