Silver Surfer Vaporizer

[grokit]

Is there some instruction as to how the heater and heater cover are supposed to line up? I know it's supposed to be centered, but should the heater tip be even with, under, or extend over the heater cover opening?

Edit-oh and the temperature setting. Since we're all slightly different on the dials, is about 75% turned up or loaded about right? I imagine the heater placement will affect the temp setting though, huh?

There's some videos on their site somewhere, but basically you want the element to be pretty high in the hc, the higher it is (without touching the glass of course) the less power from the dial will be required for vaping. So the higher the element ends up, the more efficient the ssv will run. Mine's not quite high enough atm so I run it around 3/4pm, but I have run at 12/1pm in the past. I suppose I think of 3pm as about 75%.

 

[chimpybits]

There's some videos on their site somewhere, but basically you want the element to be pretty high in the hc, the higher it is (without touching the glass of course) the less power from the dial will be required for vaping. So the higher the element ends up, the more efficient the ssv will run. Mine's not quite high enough atm so I run it around 3/4pm, but I have run at 12/1pm in the past. I suppose I think of 3pm as about 75%.

Relevant video here.

 

[shredder]

Thanks to both of you. I did go back just now and found that video, but thanks, it explains it well. I'll turn it off tonight and adjust it tomorrow. The top of my heater is well below the wand hole. I'll report back when I adjust it.

 

[zor]

FWIW, I find that my standard heat cover rocks forward and backward a bit while the heat element stays still. This relatively minor shift creates a HUGE disparity in heating if I'm not aware of it. While I love this vape the stability surrounding the heat element leaves something to be desired.

 

[Tweak]

I find that my standard heat cover rocks forward and backward a bit while the heat element stays still.

None of my HC move one bit, that seams odd and shouldn't be happening. Are you using the newer SSV version with the clips or the older one with a shim?

 

[zor]

Newer version. I've had a lot of looseness with the base and how it fits the original cover vs the oil nail kit cover (super loose), 7th FLoor support provided me with some instructions on which slat to bend to increase resistance but this is a very temporary fix and is more trouble than it's worth.

 

[shredder]

Well I pulled up my heater and tried it and it made a world of difference. At 1 pm on the dial, I actually combusted herb in my nano stem. It vaped nice at about 12.

FWIW, I find that my standard heat cover rocks forward and backward a bit while the heat element stays still. This relatively minor shift creates a HUGE disparity in heating if I'm not aware of it. While I love this vape the stability surrounding the heat element leaves something to be desired.

Mine does as well. I'm not sure how much, it moving, will change my vaping, since I'm a brand new surfer. I noticed I can line it back up with the wand though. It's just a little loose I think.

None of my HC move one bit, that seams odd and shouldn't be happening. Are you using the newer SSV version with the clips or the older one with a shim?

Shims? Clips? My heater cover has a little metal on the back side and the rest is glass. I have a used silver surfer of unknown age. How can I tell?

 

[grokit]

past (shim):

present (clip):

 

[shredder]

Thanks! It looks like I have the shim style. Is there a fix for a loose heater cover with the shim style? I thought maybe wrap a little foil where the shimmed post meets the heater cover, what do you think?

 

[p1ssbucket]

I would not use foil anywhere. Having foil near that heater which is powered by ac would be scary.

Can you post a pic of your heater cover?

 

[grokit]

Thanks! It looks like I have the shim style. Is there a fix for a loose heater cover with the shim style? I thought maybe wrap a little foil where the shimmed post meets the heater cover, what do you think?

I think it could be a temporary fix, but all you need is another shim (or two) to fix it properly. If you contact 7th floor (call them during business hours), they can send you another shim, or perhaps a conversion kit to the current clip style. If they offer both the shim may be free, but they might have you upgrade for a charge if they don't have any more shims. Either way they will take care of you and your ssv.

 

[shredder]

I picked up a donut mouthpiece for my ssv and it feels like it mellows out the draw a bit besides just looking cool.

I've been thinking about wands and mouth pieces. Do the fancy ones perform better than the standards? obviously steama votes yes, and i agree, they do look cool, anyone else have an opinion? Are there custom wands that would fit a ssv? I just ordered a standard ground glass wand from 7th floor, and some silicone tubing from amazon.

It's been a long time since I've used a whip, how do you guys clean them?

I would not use foil anywhere. Having foil near that heater which is powered by ac would be scary.

Can you post a pic of your heater cover?

After cleaning it up and raising the heater post the heater cover does not seem as loose. And if I did add foil it would be on the shims, that are metal and not near the heater. I didn't try to remove a shim, but it looks like I might be able to spread it open for a tighter fit.

 

[Tweak]

Do the fancy ones perform better than the standards?

There are two different worked standard wands that I know of, 7th floors and Vapor Brothers. Are you using a GG Heater Cover or do you also have a Standard heater cover?

 

[shredder]

There are two different worked standard wands that I know of, 7th floors and Vapor Brothers. Are you using a GG Heater Cover or do you also have a Standard heater cover?

It's ground glass.

 

[zor]

The last two days of using my SSV with flowers have left my throat awfully dry; it's not just this vape as other devices do it too. I haven't seriously considered attaching it to bubbler or water bong until now, is it reasonable to expect that doing so will mitigate dry/scratchy throat? I may just have an overly sensitive gullet as I cough pretty frequently when vaping (god, when I used to combust my coughing fits felt like a chestburster was clawing its way out of my chest cavity). I'd prefer to keep my setup as simple as possible but if I can get some relief then I'll certainly consider it....

 

[stickstones]

The last two days of using my SSV with flowers have left my throat awfully dry; it's not just this vape as other devices do it too. I haven't seriously considered attaching it to bubbler or water bong until now, is it reasonable to expect that doing so will mitigate dry/scratchy throat? I may just have an overly sensitive gullet as I cough pretty frequently when vaping (god, when I used to combust my coughing fits felt like a chestburster was clawing its way out of my chest cavity). I'd prefer to keep my setup as simple as possible but if I can get some relief then I'll certainly consider it....

Water and turning down the temp should help

 

[zor]

Water and turning down the temp should help

Unfortunately lower temps just don't medicate me sufficiently, especially if I'm dealing with an anxiety episode.

 

[Tweak]

is it reasonable to expect that doing so will mitigate dry/scratchy throat?

Maybe not entirely but will put a significant dent in the problem. The more diffusion the better.

You could try both warm and cold water, see what works best for you. With water straight from my fridge I hardly feel any vapor.

Have you considered the Vapor Tamer? I have no experience myself but it would help.

 

[shredder]

Maybe not entirely but will put a significant dent in the problem. The more diffusion the better.

You could try both warm and cold water, see what works best for you. With water straight from my fridge I hardly feel any vapor.

Have you considered the Vapor Tamer? I have no experience myself but it would help.

I agree water will help, and it also helps to have a cold drink to sip on and cool dry throats during a session.

 

[zor]

Thanks guys! Hah, that Vapor Tamer looks neat, seems to operate under a similar process (heat sink). I'll definitely consider it down the road, I have an ice bong that has been collecting dust for years since I never really liked bonghits, I need to get a new slide/adapter but otherwise should be able to set this up.

 

[chimpybits]

Thanks! It looks like I have the shim style. Is there a fix for a loose heater cover with the shim style? I thought maybe wrap a little foil where the shimmed post meets the heater cover, what do you think?

Mine didn't come with any shims. I just use pliers to widen one end of the metal sleeve so that the sleeve and heater cover fit tightly. As shown at around 2:10 in the video here.

You may have to make a few adjustments - narrowing to loosen the fit and widening to tighten - until you get the sleeve tight on the post and the glass heater cover tight on top. I've had my SSV for a number ?? of years and have squished and widened this sleeve many times and it works fine w/o shims.

 

[shredder]

Mine didn't come with any shims. I just use pliers to widen one end of the metal sleeve so that the sleeve and heater cover fit tightly. As shown at around 2:10 in the video here.

You may have to make a few adjustments - narrowing to loosen the fit and widening to tighten - until you get the sleeve tight on the post and the glass heater cover tight on top. I've had my SSV for a number ?? of years and have squished and widened this sleeve many times and it works fine w/o shims.

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed to see! Your a champ, Chimpybits!

 

[p1ssbucket]

This is probably a dumb question but do any of you guys use the aroma top while vaping and does it offer any benefits? I have two and no idea what to do with them!

 

[grokit]

I leave melted paraffin in mine, then drop in some essential oils when I want some actual aromatherapy. It definitely helps to justify leaving the ssv on all the time

 

[p1ssbucket]

@shredder I finally did a solid comparison between a standard ssv mouthpiece against the ssv donut mouthpiece and I can say with certainty the donut mouthpiece was noticeably smoother. I was actually surprised how much better the donut mouthpiece was.

Is the donut mouthpiece the spherical glass wand or am I confused myslef?