Zephyr Ion

og

og

New Member
@grokit @Buildozer

ok got an update; I changed the aftermarket heating element in the ZI back to the factory one. I have managed to get the temperature read-out to pretty much 98% accurate which is incredible that their hardware can handle that type of precision.

I lay my claim now, the ZI is definitely built better than the Volcano (sorry diehard fans!)

I ran two benchmark test and stress tests on both and ZI out performed the Volcano. I have the #189 one made (stamp on bottom.)

maybe ZI could release a Gen2 model on down the road and it would be probably too dry herbal vaporizer that allows bags and whips platforms.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
jarocks

jarocks

New Member
So I am discontent with USB control over my Vape. Bluetooth or WiFi control would be so much more convenient. Don't get me wrong I love the functionality, which is actually what makes this mod possible. Before continuing, however, let me stress that this is a work in progress. Do not try to do this mod, especially at this phase. Now for a generic disclaimer:


DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!!!
Doing so will void your warranty. I am not responsible for any bricked vaporizers, house fires, or zombie armageddons which occur as a result of anyone attempting to do this mod. No support of any kind will be provided.​


With that said, I am going to closely document each step.
I'm going to be using the Particle Photon (preordered, should arrive in August) to control my ZephyrIon over WiFi. I will be using the existing USB header for the serial connection between the Ion's mainboard and the Photon module.

Firstly, the USB to Serial chip on the mainboard of the Zephyr Ion must be bypassed since the Photon be communicating directly with the ATmega MCU.

To do this the CH340 USB-to-Serial chip must be removed from the mainboard. I used an SMD IC removal kit to do this and even with a nice soldering iron, practice, and a steady hand, I still managed to strip off some pads (fortunately non-essential ones).


lf1L2oy.png


I used the pinout diagram of the CH340 (shown above) to come up with a wiring scheme (shown below).

YiQrXAb.png


I've already made one of the 2 connections. Unfortunately the tip to my soldering iron broke so I'm waiting for the new one to arrive before I can make the other one. I'm using thin gauge enameled copper wire to make the connections and plan to seal it with a high temperature tolerant epoxy resin.

nXTgsm4.png


More to come..
 
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kvtshirt

kvtshirt

Member
I recently got an Ion with the expectation that I could get a whip from the manufacturer. I filled out the form and heard nothing, and I emailed the contact and again heard nothing. I'm at the point where I'd just pay for one, but if no one is manning the website, I'd rather not attempt to order from it.

Any ideas for just making my own whip? I saw a couple pages back, but I might have been misinterpreting, that the Silver Surfer whip attachment fits over the Ion's nozzle. If this is true, I'd just order that, or if anyone has any other fun ideas for how to craft my own, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!
 
kvtshirt,
grokit

grokit

well-worn member
I requested the whip attachment setup with mine because I had read about it, it's nothing special really.

18mm female will be too big, I just checked and 14mm fits but not as well as ssv tubing. This fits perfectly so I would just attach some directly and whatever mouthpiece or attachment(s) you want from that point.
 
grokit,
His_Highness

His_Highness

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
Wow! ... gotta blow the dust off this thread!

I'm thinking of getting the Zephyr Ion but the site selling the unit (VapeUSA) doesn't include the whip and the Zephyr site does. So I'm thinking this may not be an up to date version of the Zephyr.

I think the only difference between the early 2010 version and the newer version is the inclusion of the whip, new lid/mouthpiece and something about the pump/elbow.

Here are the two links:
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/zephyr-ion.1522/page-24#post-107681
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/zephyr-ion.1522/page-18#post-107548

The two links are from 2010 so is it possible with the exception of the whip and issues on the two links that the unit hasn't changed since late 2010?

Anyone have any experience with the whip?

If nobody tries to talk me out of it I'll contact the site and inquire further.

Thanks!
 
His_Highness,
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hoptimum

hoptimum

Well-Known Member
His_Highness said:
Wow! ... gotta blow the dust off this thread!

I'm thinking of getting the Zephyr Ion but the site selling the unit (VapeUSA) doesn't include the whip and the Zephyr site does. So I'm thinking this may not be an up to date version of the Zephyr.

I think the only difference between the early 2010 version and the newer version is the inclusion of the whip, new lid/mouthpiece and something about the pump/elbow.

Here are the two links:
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/zephyr-ion.1522/page-24#post-107681
http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/zephyr-ion.1522/page-18#post-107548

The two links are from 2010 so is it possible with the exception of the whip and issues on the two links that the unit hasn't changed since late 2010?

Anyone have any experience with the whip?

If nobody tries to talk me out of it I'll contact the site and inquire further.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I tried using a whip with my Zephyr and was very underwhelmed. YMMV
 
His_Highness

His_Highness

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
Yep - That WAS a great price on the Zephyr at VapeUSA. They are sold out :(

If you Google 'Snooze You Lose' ..... that would be my picture that comes up.
 
His_Highness

His_Highness

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king
paytonpenn said:
Well they actually sent me a unit. But it doesn't seem to blow bags.. I think something is blocking the fan.

Whip works. Also this thing is fucking huge.
Click to expand...

Is it a new unit or a refurb? I thought they were all new units......
 
His_Highness,
P

paytonpenn

Level 30 Nature/Healer
His_Highness said:
Is it a new unit or a refurb? I thought they were all new units......
Click to expand...
Looks brand new.. Although the box looked like it was packed and not sold for a while.

Anyone think of any reason for this experience or how to properly checked if its clogged.
 
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paytonpenn,
u bwade wunner

u bwade wunner

Well-Known Member
paytonpenn said:
Looks brand new.. Although the box looked like it was packed and not sold for a while.

Anyone think of any reason for this experience or how to properly checked if its clogged.
Click to expand...
Have You checked inside to see if the air hose has blown off the pump?.

I think that was an issue with the ion.
 
u bwade wunner,
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Y

YungLeaner

Well-Known Member
I'm sure that any of the Ions are capable of technically being used with a whip, but I can tell you from LOTS Of personal experience that it's not worth using like that. The draw is so restricted without the fan on that it's almost impossible to use. With the fan on, which had only one speed, vapor production is massive and overpowering--but the air comes in so fast that your bowl gets cashed very quickly. This can make for a fun bong rip or two , but the vapor comes in too fast to be very usable. The same things that make the Ion a great bag vape make it almost unusable as a whip vape, and I've tried everything.

I have fantasized about how you could mod the Ion to work the way I want it to. Some type of all ground glass airpath that fit in nicely over/around the screened heating element, with an option for a Hydratube at the top and some sort of capsule / ELB for the herbs...

Could be a powerhouse! I tell everyone that the Ion is better than the Volcano and needs even less upkeep.
 
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