ZMax Mini problems

[CharityRoyal]

Wondering if you folks have any suggestions.

I went to a vaping convention a week ago and bought myself a Zmax Mini, by SmokTech. It's my first variable voltage pv, I've been using Ego C's up until now (been vaping for over a year and a half).

My problem is, I'm pretty unimpressed. I dropped $70 on this fancy device, and I completely prefer my $20 EgoC upgrade. I know how to work the Zmax reasonably well, I've generally had it set to 3.5 volts (since I know my egoc is at 3.3), and it doens't produce as much vapor as the ego. It's also slower to produce any vapor at all.

People seem to really like the Zmax, so I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my device---is that possible? How would I know if it was faulty?

I'm vaping on it with vision clearomizers (those top wicking ones, I think they're CE3s) and with a Kanger Protank. The protank seems to work especially badly on the zmax--- any chance this is just an airflow issue? It does produce vapor.... it's just really unimpressive. Any thoughts?

 

[SharonMM]

I just got a zmini too (first vv/vw for me too) so I'm no expert... but on mine, the voltage is not adjustable, only the watts are. Maybe you could try putting in a fresh battery and turning up the wattage and see if you get a better result.

There's also a thread dedicated to the zmax in the APV subforum. If you posted your question there you may get more feedback and a hopefully a better answer than what I have provided

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443407



Good luck!

 

[The Ocelot]

There is a Smoktech Zmax and a Sigelei Zmax, both have minis now. It's the Sigelei that's more often recommended. I don't have any experience with the Smoktech, so I don't have any suggestions. Sorry.

 

[SharonMM]

Well there ya go! Toldja I wasn't an expert!

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[patsfan1130]

What resistance is the coil? If you're vaping a 3ohm coil at 3.5 volts you are not going to be impressed at all

 

[CharityRoyal]

I'm using the default coils on the Kanger tank, it reads 2.2 on the Zmax. I've pulled up the chart that's often linked to on the forum--- it doesn't seem to make a huge difference, but I'll keep playing with it.

Ihave gotten better results from just taking a harder draw from it--- If I take a deeper inhale it does perform a bit better than the ego. Still not a big fan of having to do that. I guess I shouldn't have made an impulse buy at a convention.

Thanks for the heads up about the other thread sharon. I'll peek around the thread at least, even though mine is the smoktech one. And btw, you should also be able to switch between voltage and wattage mode---- it's menu 7 for me. Folks recommend keeping it in power mode, but I've been thinking in volts for a year and a half, so I'm sticking to that for now.

 

[State O' Flux]

Ihave gotten better results from just taking a harder draw from it--- If I take a deeper inhale it does perform a bit better than the ego.

Interesting. I wonder, as you do in your first post, if you're getting good air flow through what ever it is you're using for a topper. May not be the topper, but instead a poor notch cut in the 510 collar of the Zmax.

 

[plastictree]

What batteries are you using?


Edit: The zmax mini shouldn't be a problem. But sometimes batteries slightly change the performance a bit. But at 3.5v idk, you should be doin alright. If it's a blue unbranded battery than I would blame it on that, even the grey trustfire imrs do alright. I would recomend efest or aw

 

[GnarlyCar]

The SmokTech ZMax mini is indeed a variable wattage device, adjustable from 3 to 15 watts in .5w increments. If I had to guess, I'd bet that you're vaping at 3.5 watts instead of 3.5 volts. That would definitely produce the results you're seeing. The voltage adjusts in increments of .1 between 3 and 6. If you adjust what you have now, and it changes in increments of .5, it's set to watts. If it changes in increments of .1 it's set to volts.

If you're indeed set to watts, run it up to about 6 or 7 and fire it. I think you'll find what you're looking for.

 

[The Ocelot]

I'm using the default coils on the Kanger tank, it reads 2.2 on the Zmax. I've pulled up the chart that's often linked to on the forum--- it doesn't seem to make a huge difference, but I'll keep playing with it...

This might be a little part of the problem you are experiencing. Charts and mathematical formulae just give you a starting point, they are rules to vape by. Based on one of the charts I am vaping in the red with one set-up and with another it tastes burnt over 7 watts, which is lower than the chart says I should be able to vape at.

Granted, it doesn't seem right that you are having to set your's so low, but my Protanks are the ones I have trouble with. I have one that's performing fine, but it's at 5.5 watts. The same juice in another set-up rocks at 9 watts. Go figure.

 

[State O' Flux]

One O' them vapin' mysteries.