Thanks to all who commented on the heat, the changing heat of Zaps and any fixed temp log vape that relies on a constant electric grid output for consistent heat output. We appreciate all the comments and more to come.
Nice vid NYC, thanks for posting it. Youtube is much better for vids for sure.
and Vito, a very nice demo of our plain jane glass tube with a short GonG stem. Thank you for the vid
Yesterday, shortly after my last post, an old customer Emailed me with his surprise that I did not have a VV transformer and was not aware of voltage outputs from unregulated transformers. His Email prompted me to spend a couple minutes with a voltmeter and Zaps. I always have known unregulated transformers put out more than 12 volts or whatever the output is listed on the transformer. I have always assumed that voltage number would settle back close to 12 volts with a load attached to the transformer, ie, the Zap plugged in to the transformer. The voltage does change with a load. Here is what I found yesterday in the shop. All tested at the same plug within a minute or so.
12VDC transformer output = 18+ volts, no load and 13.8 volts under a Zap load. No difference hot or cold Zap.
12VAC transformer output= 15.8 volts no load, still settles around 13.8 with a load.
SO......some conclusions/possible answers to an often baffling question.
1) Zaps are actually getting over 13 volts steady when they are at a good heat output, not 12 volts. A regulated 12 volt transformer will not run a Zap at the desired heat output.
2) As stated in earlier posts, most electric grids have different voltage outputs throughout the day. Here at our place we range from 117/118 volts up to 124 volts at times. That seemingly small variation in INPUT voltage will surely affect heat output.
3) We can do nothing about electric grid voltage variances.
4) We CAN use a regulated transformer that puts out very close to the same voltage at all times, regardless of the electric grid.
5) We can use a VV transformer to give us "idle" temperatures that can be perked up to plenty hot in a few minutes. A VV transformer will also allow us to have all the different ranges of heat we like at different times of the day, no matter what the electric grid output.
This is what I know so far. I suppose I have always known most of this but we always seem to get close to maximum heat from our Zaps at home so I did not look further into the issue. I also know this has been discussed on other log vape threads with similar conclusions but I rarely look at any other thread here on FC due to time constraints.
So we continue to learn. At this point, I have no "answers" other than what I have said. When my VV trans gets here, I will be doing plenty of testing to try to determine an optimum voltage, then we will look into the possibility of a regulated transformer as an option and/or a VV trans as an option for those wanting maximum heat regularly.
Just called Tim my glass guy. He only has a few bubblers done but will have more by next Tuesday so I am going to wait til then to restock. We spend close to a half day going to Spokane by the time we get everything done so I want to come home with more than a handful this time. He has broke several perfecting his fabrication process but is confident he can keep them coming once we get rolling. These things are not so easy to make even for the old time glass guys.
Also will ship the last of the weekends orders today and will be getting more Zaps up late this evening or early AM tomorrow.
Thanks again to all who have commented on changing heat.......it sure aint ALL the woods fault.