zozobrahshemast
Member
How does a ball modded SSV/DBV compare to something like a KoilBoi Ball Vape / B0 / TiTi / Pinky?
Silver Surfer Vaporizer
- Thread starter vtac
- Start date
SquirrelMaster
Well-Known Member
My other ball vapes include a diy Glass Symphony (4mm boro), B-1 (3mm ruby), B-2 (4mm ruby), Elev8r (3mm ruby) and Heady Atlas (3mm ruby iirc). They all function extremely similar. Once I added balls to the devices that did not come with them, the differences between become very small. There are little things such as metal bowls adding conduction heating at the expense of flavor (imo), bowl surface area, vapor path length, etc. Also, the more metal in the heater and/or vapor path, the less neutral the taste imo. The whip should affect the taste but I can't say I notice a difference other than then extended air path length muting it slightly (like every other vape).
The biggest difference is the form factors. It's pretty hard to burn yourself on an SSV as the heater never moves and is not exposed like many ball vapes. The SSV has the best customization options if you want to go that route. It has a pretty unique ritual as well.
Madri-Gal
Child Of The Revolution
That's the piece I grabbed! I was going crazy trying to find it, thinking I'd imagined it, but it was in my whip basket. I don't have a problem with whips, but there are a lot of them in the basket for various vapes, and something is going to be on the bottom. The Omega helped. When I was at Ddavemods, I picked up an Omega ball vape kit. It took less than 5 minutes to put together, hits like a champ, so I must be in the metal wand mode.
I've ordered some new knobs for my SSV's and Super Surfer. I've tried replacing with knobs from elev8, but they weren't any nicer than what they came with. I asked for black and blue, got white and blue, etc, so I was excited to find less blobby pieces in colors I like. Traded out the base on one for black. Replaced the basic knobs on the LSV's, and am much happier, so hoping a face-lift and the Omega Wand will get at least one Surfer some love.
redeyemaster
Well-Known Member
I dug my SSV out of storage this weekend and did and added rubies and the difference between it and my pinky was pretty small to the point that I'm convinced I can make up for it with technique once I really spend more time with the modded SSV.
And once I do, I'm going to dramatically prefer the SSV personally simply because I can be a lot less worried about it being touched accidentally since the heating element isn't exposed.
zozobrahshemast
Member
Thanks for the input!
StoneyBeached
Well-Known Member
I bought a ddave wand mod a month or so ago and it hit pretty hard, but then I got overzealous and combusted and honestly haven't come back to my SSV since. I can't get the taste out of the whip tubing no matter what I do. I ruined a clear whip boiling it, any tips on cleaning? I prefer the SSV tubing to any other type I've owned, so I usually replace direct from elev8.
redeyemaster
Well-Known Member
Have you tried hot (like coffee hot not boiling) water and white vinegar mixed together?
I've had good luck with that in the past.
StoneyBeached
Well-Known Member
I've tried a few different soaps and really hot water, and even iso and it doesn't help, really noticeable taste. I will try the vinegar mixture, Thanks
hoptimum
Well-Known Member
That's a tough one. I've found getting the burnt taste out of tubing to be almost impossible. Not a solution, but I buy multiple feet of tubing at a time so that I always have extras on hand.
I bought 10 feet of silicone tubing on Amazon, and it's lasted quite a while.
Good luck
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089YGDB55/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Kimosabe
Educator/Cannabis Evangelist
BingoBongo
Member
Hey, so I was recently gifted a used SSV from someone who has moved on from it. I’ve been reading about it a fair amount but it’s my first desktop and I have not seen answers to my questions. There is a lot to read here about it. For reference I’ve got the old style heater cover and wand.
How do you clean the ceramic heater? This one has some black marks up the side I’ve tried to wipe off and they don’t seem to change. Turned it on today for the first time and the heater did smoke a bit a at first.
Because I don’t know the history of this unit, I’m thinking of entirely replacing the heater if there is no way to really clean it. I’m hoping it’s not scratched but I also don’t want to inhale any silica dust if it is. Does anyone know what the heater is made of?
I’m thinking of getting the LSV heater cover to be able to go straight to j hook. Also thinking of the ground glass heater cover and wand adapter as I’ll need that if I ever want the long glass whip or ddave mod. What does the DDave mod get you?
Other than balls or rubies are there any other upgrades I should think about?
How do you clean the ceramic heater? This one has some black marks up the side I’ve tried to wipe off and they don’t seem to change. Turned it on today for the first time and the heater did smoke a bit a at first.
Because I don’t know the history of this unit, I’m thinking of entirely replacing the heater if there is no way to really clean it. I’m hoping it’s not scratched but I also don’t want to inhale any silica dust if it is. Does anyone know what the heater is made of?
I’m thinking of getting the LSV heater cover to be able to go straight to j hook. Also thinking of the ground glass heater cover and wand adapter as I’ll need that if I ever want the long glass whip or ddave mod. What does the DDave mod get you?
Other than balls or rubies are there any other upgrades I should think about?
redeyemaster
Well-Known Member
1 - Not super sure on this one as I've never had to clean it. I would like to say a burn off at max temp for ~20ish min should do the trick; if it was smoking that sounds like there's some material on the ceramic.
2 - Replace it if you're concerned, it is ceramic as far as I know. I really doubt you'd be getting enough silica dust to be worried but... better to have peace of mind than live in doubt and if you have the means it's not like there's a downside.
3 - Can't really help you with the rest as I've been rocking the stock one like what come with the brand new ones. I know it's not as secure but I appreciate being able to shift around the airflow a bit and the ruby mod is all I've tried (and I love it)
Flow
Well-Known Member
+1 for a good burnoff
Does It warms up ?
Does it glow ?
I would state "no replacement" too, until a good burnoff and a gentle wipe on the rod (once the unit is cold)…
any photos ?
Ddave mod : very good mod ! and the added possibility to use rimmed basket screens to bring the bowl closer to the heater.
I use a ground glass heater cover and 19 male stem in my device.
Rimmed basket.
My whip is connected on the other side to a cheap "nectar collector" wich add cooling.
I covered the heater with a part of a bong downstem and use my SSV mainly low temp.
(cranked up to 9-10ish O'Clock and then adjusting temp by slowing down my draws..)
Does It warms up ?
Does it glow ?
I would state "no replacement" too, until a good burnoff and a gentle wipe on the rod (once the unit is cold)…
any photos ?
Ddave mod : very good mod ! and the added possibility to use rimmed basket screens to bring the bowl closer to the heater.
I use a ground glass heater cover and 19 male stem in my device.
Rimmed basket.
My whip is connected on the other side to a cheap "nectar collector" wich add cooling.
I covered the heater with a part of a bong downstem and use my SSV mainly low temp.
(cranked up to 9-10ish O'Clock and then adjusting temp by slowing down my draws..)
Pukka
Well-Known Member
If you need/want to replace the heater, the kits (~25usd) are under the Repair Kits menu item. I've rebuilt a Buddah and it's a screwdriver and pliers kinda easy job and I'm clumsy as all getout. You can get a temp control kit too (same price) if you want a like new unit.
You'll need an 18mm male to 18mm male joint to use a j-hook with a LSV heater cover. The fittings on the heater cover and j-hook are both female
Elev8 is releasing a "Baller Status" heater cover rsn (video on their Youtube channel), so you might want to wait before doing a baller conversion. Honestly, imho, all balls (of any kind) do is sink heat so you have a reservour of energy to draw on. Useful or not depends on how you use your vehicle. I do like rubies better than boro/soaking balls, at least in a LSV.
coolbreeze
Well-Known Member
Man, I been hoping for this! Super Buddha is the future!
hoptimum
Well-Known Member
The SSV comes in 3 heater cover styles with matching wands: ground glass, which is the same as the DaBuddha, Spherical, and Standard. I use mostly the ground glass and spherical.
The mark on your ceramic rod is probably cosmetic. Crank up the heat and see what happens. If you’re concerned, the company will be happy to sell you a replacement. A video walks you through it nicely.
I‘ve used the LSV heater cover/J hook in the SSV and it works, but the angle and stability are a bit awkward. The LSV heater cover marries with a ground glass wand.
J Hooks are great, though. I’ve been using a J Hook with an EQ, which I loaded with silicon carbide (SiC) balls, and I’m quite impressed with the results. It’s like a miniature hibachi.
I feel like beads improve the performance of the Silver Surfer, but I’ve had some fuse to the rod.
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WetWithSharp
Active Member
Hello, Friends! Long-time SSV user here (had mine for over 10 years now). So proud of this little thing. What an amazing company and product.
My question is though, for the first time after all these years, I bought some replacement tubing because it's the only part that's difficult to clean fully. I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089YGDB55?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 . Supposedly food-grade and safe. I think I saw it linked from this forum somewhere also.
The issue is that I received the tubing and it has a strong smell to it? Is that safe? What did you guys do to remove that smell from the tubing? It's quite strong if you pull through air through the tube with your mouth, or smell it.
My question is though, for the first time after all these years, I bought some replacement tubing because it's the only part that's difficult to clean fully. I bought this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089YGDB55?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 . Supposedly food-grade and safe. I think I saw it linked from this forum somewhere also.
The issue is that I received the tubing and it has a strong smell to it? Is that safe? What did you guys do to remove that smell from the tubing? It's quite strong if you pull through air through the tube with your mouth, or smell it.
Flow
Well-Known Member
Hi @WetWithSharp
I would wash the tube with water and soap, then rinse it and then let it dry outdoors.
I get rid of nasty combustion smell this way and it works quite good !
This thread ?
I would wash the tube with water and soap, then rinse it and then let it dry outdoors.
I get rid of nasty combustion smell this way and it works quite good !
This thread ?
WetWithSharp
Active Member
Hi @WetWithSharp
I would wash the tube with water and soap, then rinse it and then let it dry outdoors.
I get rid of nasty combustion smell this way and it works quite good !
This thread ?
I did run hot water through it for awhile but it didn't seem to do much.
Any particular type of soap to use or avoid using? I heard that this tubing can absorb smells/products if used incorrectly but idk.
Pukka
Well-Known Member
Try Dr Bonners Peppermint Soap (aka the eatable Jesus guy soap). I find washing with the Dr's and boiling for a bit in several changes of water helps also.
Here's an interesting article on cleaning brewery hoses. They're very similar to vape hoses (except reinforced to hold pressure) so these cleaning methods are pretty on point.
https://beermaverick.com/how-to-properly-clean-your-brewing-hoses/
WetWithSharp
Active Member
hmm, thank you for the link but I don't really have these specific cleaning products haha. I did clean it with soap and hot water. I think I'll let it air out for a few days and see.
Time to dig up some of my moldy money to get one. https://www.elev8glassgallery.com/heater-cover-ball-vape-conversion-for-ssv/
coolbreeze
Well-Known Member
Hoping they'll get the DBV ones made soon!