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

[Stymied]

I was trying to fix that spring when it went flying................never to be seen again LOL

Many thanks for the links, cause I've got orders in for another end cap and will be ordering the provari kit.

If you happen to have a ss vmax, the end cap from that appears to work like the extension cap.

Yep ... Repost

I agree with Scott ... I have gone exclusively with the extension cap on the new ZMAX due to the tension issue with the reg cap spring. I have more confidence with the extension cap not damaging the upper positive post connection.

I checked and found my v.1 VMAX (18350 x 2) bottom cap interchanges with the ZMAX. Looking at the springs, the diameters are the same (8mm) but the VMAX spring is appromately (3mm) shorter. I switched them out and it feels much better using the smaller VMAX spring in the ZMAX regular cap. If you do not have the ext cap for the ZMAX, finding a simliar size smaller spring might be a better option for long term usage. Just my

This is a comparison of the springs (the VMAX spring was out of the black bottom cap)

Diameters are approximately (8mm)

ZMAX spring approximately (12mm)

VMAX spring approximately (9mm)

 

[jackbox]

I ordered an end cap from Pink Mule (vendor I bought my ZMax from) so I would have less pressure on the circuit board when using 18650 batteries. I finally received it today but they sent me a stainless steel end cap even though I ordered a chrome end cap. The color mismatch between the chrome body and stainless end cap looks a little strange. I have sent them an email asking them to rectify the situation but have not heard back from them yet.

Until I get the issue resolved I decided to try the stainless end cap on my chrome ZMax. The hotspring came loose during shipment so I had to push it back onto the inside of the end cap. The extended end cap definitely goes on with much less pressure and with a Panasonic CGR18650CH battery the connection is solid and there is no movement of the battery inside the ZMax. The threads on the stainless end cap are much smoother than the stock chrome end cap. I think this is because on the chrome version the threads are machined the same but then get a chrome coating, slightly filling in the threads with the chrome coating. The stainless one on the other hand is just machined out of stainless with no coating going over it.

Here is a photo of how the stainless steel end cap looks on the chrome body. The photo makes the metal look darker than it actually is but you can get an idea of how it looks.

 

[thinkingaboutit]

LOL ... if you've got a really strong pair of nippers! I tried, and the spring just laughed at every tool I used ...

I had no issue.

If you cut it, use two needlenose to hold with one and bend the sharp part away from the battery with the other.

 

[dwcraig1]

Unless you plan on using stacked batteries, I see no reason to buy the extended cap when all that is required is to cut one coil from the long spring. I realize for some folks they may not be inclined to or have the necessary tools to cut it so maybe purchasing the cap will be the best route to take care of the problem, but if you think that you can cut it OK, go for as its free. Of coarse IMO

In the end it is the same fit tension wise.

 

[Jetmec]

Solve your problem with $6, it fits perfect.
Cleaning Kit

 

[jackbox]

Solve your problem with $6, it fits perfect.
Cleaning Kit

Provape won't ship to Thailand so that was not an option for me.

 

[xplumberx]

A dremel cutoff wheel?

 

[lrage]

If you can't get it done with wire cutters just get it on there like you were going to cut it then hit it with a hammer above the cutting edge instead of trying to force with your hands. If nothing else it should crimp it enough that you can bend it off with your hands.

Also, to avoid the "sharp" edge afterwards I just flipped it upside down so the sharp edge is away from the battery and down at the end of the cap touching the metal bottom. I be smart.

 

[dwcraig1]

It would be advisable to wear eye protection when cutting the spring as the display is awful hard to read with a spring stuck in your eye.

 

[Sdh]

LOL I just cut my spring. That particular part went flying in my dining room. I hope to find that piece before my feet find it.
Anyway, the zmax works perfectly now. I don't have that tight fit anymore. All is good with me. I was going to order a extension cap from Mad vapes.

 

[Jetmec]

Smokteck should make it good and send new springs. But I am sure that won't happen.

 

[Sdh]

Edit: ...............

 

[dsy5]

Ordered the stainless steel Zmax from Madvapes, Saturday. Good price with the 10% vets day discount. Unfortunately, the mail don't move on holidays! So an extra day to stalk the mailman. Readng up on all the good tips here.

I will address the spring issue immediately, as I did not get the extension cap. If you have an ACE Hardware near you, they have a great selection of springs and mm screws - great for the import vaping devices, as most all use metric sizes.

 

[Jetmec]

I checked Lowes and Home depot, all they had were springs for faucets. So I just ordered Cleaning Kit

 

[jackbox]

Ordered the stainless steel Zmax from Madvapes, Saturday. Good price with the 10% vets day discount. Unfortunately, the mail don't move on holidays! So an extra day to stalk the mailman. Readng up on all the good tips here.

I will address the spring issue immediately, as I did not get the extension cap. If you have an ACE Hardware near you, they have a great selection of springs and mm screws - great for the import vaping devices, as most all use metric sizes.

You don't want a generic hardware store spring. The springs in these devices are hotsprings that shrink down when they get hot. So a short will render the spring useless and stop the short before your battery blows. Using a regular spring is inviting potential disaster.

 

[dsy5]

You don't want a generic hardware store spring. The springs in these devices are hotsprings that shrink down when they get hot. So a short will render the spring useless and stop the short before your battery blows. Using a regular spring is inviting potential disaster.

Thanks for the heads up on the spring - I was just planning on trimming it if necessary, anyway. Or spend the 7 bucks and get the extension cap or the Provari cleaning kit (I have a Provari, never needed springs, though).

 

[Jetmec]

Ya I thought about that so I ordered the provari cleaning kit with springs.

 

[martinc]

The V and Z are electronically protected,I am less than sure that they have hot springs.

 

[jackbox]

The V and Z are electronically protected,I am less than sure that they have hot springs.

The VMax and ZMax come with hotsprings for additional protection. This us a fact, not a guess. Short a battery on one and watch it disappear yourself.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dsy5]

The VMax and ZMax come with hotsprings for additional protection. This us a fact, not a guess. Short a battery on one and watch it disappear yourself.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

I will try it (as molten pieces of battery and noxious fumes overtake him)...

They do appear to be made of some kind of bi-metal alloy, so I can take your word for it.