PSA: Don't use the onboard charger for the IPV4!!

[nyiddle]

Wasn't sure exactly which forum to put this in, but a lot (I've seen about 4 separate posts on different sites) of people have been reporting their ipv4's catching fire during charging. I think it's important that everyone knows that they should NOT use the onboard charger available on the ipv4.

I highly, highly, highly suggest taking the batteries out of the device to charge them, and NOT using the onboard USB charger. In fact, I'd go as far as to say not to use ANY device's onboard charger if the batteries are removable.

I've heard stories of people having no problems charging their IPV4 onboard, so my guess is that it is able to regulate the amperage through the charging port to an extent, but probably not good enough for it to be reliable. Just because it worked fine the first 10 times doesn't mean I suggest doing it.

Additionally, there are tutorials available on how to take the charging/balance board clean out of the device. There is some worry that the charging board could cause a short with the 510 connection, and it's possible that that's what's happening in the cases of devices catching fire. The balance board can be (relatively) easily removed from the device without affecting the device whatsoever.

Take your batteries out of the device to charge them.

 

[BigEgo]

Some people are having the device vent and catch on fire even if they charge externally. It is theorized that the charging board is not insulated and is somehow coming in contact with metal inside the mod, thereby creating a short and a venting situation. Thus people are now starting to take out the charging board completely.

 

[Jorge22]

And I thought this had happened only with the Cloupor Mini which, incidentally, I ordered from FT, together with a request to have it checked before being shipped!

Sure, I'd always charge my batteries using my Nitecore, that's what I have it for. As I'm sure quite a few others don't even think about it, that's great advice.

 

[DaveSignal]

I think its even better to note that NO 18650 device should be charged with an on-board USB trickle charger. I'm not sure why these Chinese devices still come with this on-board USB garbage. People need to realize that this is a cheap and unsafe solution.

 

[DaveSignal]

Some people are having the device vent and catch on fire even if they charge externally. It is theorized that the charging board is not insulated and is somehow coming in contact with metal inside the mod, thereby creating a short and a venting situation. Thus people are now starting to take out the charging board completely.

Great post. So people should avoid devices with USB charging altogether.

 

[opticruby]

Wasn't sure exactly which forum to put this in, but a lot (I've seen about 4 separate posts on different sites) of people have been reporting their IPV4's catching fire during charging. I think it's important that everyone knows that they should NOT use the onboard charger available on the IPV4.

I highly, highly, highly suggest taking the batteries out of the device to charge them, and NOT using the onboard USB charger. In fact, I'd go as far as to say not to use ANY device's onboard charger if the batteries are removable.

I've heard stories of people having no problems charging their IPV4 onboard, so my guess is that it is able to regulate the amperage through the charging port to an extent, but probably not good enough for it to be reliable. Just because it worked fine the first 10 times doesn't mean I suggest doing it.

Additionally, there are tutorials available on how to take the charging/balance board clean out of the device. There is some worry that the charging board could cause a short with the 510 connection, and it's possible that that's what's happening in the cases of devices catching fire. The balance board can be (relatively) easily removed from the device without affecting the device whatsoever.

Take your batteries out of the device to charge them.

Thankyou for the heads-up. I will certainly pass this info on.

 

[motordude]

I think its even better to note that NO 18650 device should be charged with an on-board USB trickle charger. I'm not sure why these Chinese devices still come with this on-board USB garbage. People need to realize that this is a cheap and unsafe solution.

Totally agree with you. I've even read where someone was using their 18650 device like a pass thru.

 

[Completely Average]

I think its even better to note that NO 18650 device should be charged with an on-board USB trickle charger. I'm not sure why these Chinese devices still come with this on-board USB garbage. People need to realize that this is a cheap and unsafe solution.

Pfft... You know nothing John Snow...

Learn the specs of your device. I've got a 30W box mod that uses an 18650 battery that I've been using daily for well over a year. I've only ever charged it via USB. The only time the battery has ever been charged on a charger was when I first got the mod and put the fully charged battery in it for the first time. It's been nothing but USB charged ever since.

And I vape on it while charging as well. Big deal. I know the specs, I know what it can do.


I think you'll find that the IPV4 problems that people are having with the charging ports are coming from stupid people who are using the wrong charger. They see it's a 9V port and they've got a 9V charger lying around so they plug it in. They pay absolutely no attention to the 2A requirement that Pioneer4You have. It MUST be a 9V 2A charger.

 

[nyiddle]

I think you'll find that the IPV4 problems that people are having with the charging ports are coming from stupid people who are using the wrong charger. They see it's a 9V port and they've got a 9V charger lying around so they plug it in. They pay absolutely no attention to the 2A requirement that Pioneer4You have. It MUST be a 9V 2A charger.

No, in all the cases I've read, the people were using the correct amperage charger. Among other things, apparently the issue isn't just about charging. It's very much a P4U manufacturing/design/QC error.

(Also: the charging board should regulate the amperage going into it, you can plug ANY amp charger into your cellphone and it will regulate it to the max possible that the battery can accept).

 

[Kasanova]

I never got the point of these on board chargers. Are people that lazy to spend less than 30 seconds to pop out the batteries and put them in an external charger and pop fresh batteries into the mod? I have many mods, and not once have I used the onboard charger in any of them. Maybe I just don't see the benefit of using them (confused)

 

[uthinkofsomething]

I'm still waiting for my ipv4 (black) but I'm getting 4 batts and a charger with it... really, should I tear it apart and remove the onboard charger? I'm no techy and I'm worried I could mess something else up internally.

 

[rse1]

Thanks for this post. I was very concerned with all the reports of IPV4s burning up. I feel a little safer now that I have removed the charging board. I also removed the mirror finish with a little cerium oxide and a leather buff so I can see the display. I used a little electrical tape to seal the power hole and the little vent hole above it. Do you have any better ideas for sealing those holes from leaking juice into the electronics?

 

[chuckinclouds88]

Wasn't sure exactly which forum to put this in, but a lot (I've seen about 4 separate posts on different sites) of people have been reporting their IPV4's catching fire during charging. I think it's important that everyone knows that they should NOT use the onboard charger available on the IPV4.

I highly, highly, highly suggest taking the batteries out of the device to charge them, and NOT using the onboard USB charger. In fact, I'd go as far as to say not to use ANY device's onboard charger if the batteries are removable.

I've heard stories of people having no problems charging their IPV4 onboard, so my guess is that it is able to regulate the amperage through the charging port to an extent, but probably not good enough for it to be reliable. Just because it worked fine the first 10 times doesn't mean I suggest doing it.

Additionally, there are tutorials available on how to take the charging/balance board clean out of the device. There is some worry that the charging board could cause a short with the 510 connection, and it's possible that that's what's happening in the cases of devices catching fire. The balance board can be (relatively) easily removed from the device without affecting the device whatsoever.

Take your batteries out of the device to charge them.

I think it's noteworthy to mention that the iPV4 doesn't have a USB charging port. It has a charging port AND a USB port, but not a combined USB charging port.

 

[Marc411]

Damn nyiddle sorry about your mod and I'm glad you weren't hurt.

That's a friggin drag but I appreciate the heads up. I just got mine (Black) and used matched pairs and will throw them on the charger.

 

[nyiddle]

I think it's noteworthy to mention that the iPV4 doesn't have a USB charging port. It has a charging port AND a USB port, but not a combined USB charging port.

The IPV's charging port is a "mini-USB" port, which is what I meant.

I just got mine (Black) and used matched pairs and will throw them on the charger.

Apparently the issue isn't limited to people who use onboard charging. I recommend taking out the charging board if you can (it's a minor bit of a nuisance), because it apparently can cause a short with the 510 connection without you ever using the onboard charger. There are videos on it online now.



Wasn't too impressed with the IPV3 and the "touch sensor" feature, but at least that wasn't even wired up so there was no potential short to be caused. Really, looking at every P4U product thus far, there has been at least one rather major flaw with every device. I don't think they're a good company.

 

[Treeburner1983]

I think it's noteworthy to mention that the iPV4 doesn't have a USB charging port. It has a charging port AND a USB port, but not a combined USB charging port.

This is a good point - the micro USB is for firmware updates only, not for charging. The IPV4 uses a 9v 2A charger which plugs into the round port at the top of the battery taco.

-Treeburner

 

[uthinkofsomething]

This is a good point - the micro USB is for firmware updates only, not for charging. The IPV4 uses a 9v 2A charger which plugs into the round port at the top of the battery taco.

-Treeburner

Battery taco, hehehe

 

[chuckinclouds88]

The IPV's charging port is a "mini-USB" port, which is what I meant.


Wasn't too impressed with the IPV3 and the "touch sensor" feature, but at least that wasn't even wired up so there was no potential short to be caused. Really, looking at every P4U product thus far, there has been at least one rather major flaw with every device. I don't think they're a good company.

That was the point that I thought you were making, but the charging port is not USB. The charging port has absolutely nothing to do with USB. The USB port is for firmware upgrades. The charging port, as Treeburner stated, is in the battery cover. There's a small round hole that is intended for the charger. If you plugged the USB into an electrical charger, this could be why it caught fire.

 

[nyiddle]

That was the point that I thought you were making, but the charging port is not USB. The charging port has absolutely nothing to do with USB. The USB port is for firmware upgrades. The charging port, as Treeburner stated, is in the battery cover. There's a small round hole that is intended for the charger. If you plugged the USB into an electrical charger, this could be why it caught fire.

Just realized it's pretty unclear, but I did not personally experience the IPV4 catching fire. Several people who I talk with on other forums did, however, and I confirmed with one of the few that they weren't trying to charge with the USB. Here's a direct quote from our Steam conversation:

nyiddle: oh snap, read the newest post on ecf. you weren't using the firmware USB port, were you?
InevitableWalrus: wat
InevitableWalrus: oh you mean was i using the 9V "hole" port? yes, i was
InevitableWalrus: i'm not THAT dumb
nyiddle: K good to know. walrus gonna be internet famous.

I assume the other folks weren't using the USB port to try and charge their IPV4's either.

 

[chuckinclouds88]

Just realized it's pretty unclear, but I did not personally experience the IPV4 catching fire. Several people who I talk with on other forums did, however, and I confirmed with one of the few that they weren't trying to charge with the USB. Here's a direct quote from our Steam conversation:



I assume the other folks weren't using the USB port to try and charge their IPV4's either.

Alrighty. Just making sure. I haven't used either to charge with as I have an external charger, but I was going to say it's a good idea to stay away from the USB port for charging lol.