best 5v mini usb pass through

[marlboro_man]

I would like to thank the OP codfish124 for an excellent post and mod,
It has kept me busy reading,
and trying to find out where I can get a couple of these gadgets from?
for me to adapt
I have all the knowledge now, from reading all the additional comments and inputs, and the ironing out of problems found by other like minded people..
This is one, I would love to take on,But cant seem to be able to get them to ship to the UK
anyways thanks once again for an informative post,

I will keep trying to get my hands on 1 or 2

 

[rjgarcia]

All,

I haven't read this entire thread, but I am very much aware of LiPo batteries as I fly RC helis using them.

Please be cautious when using devices with these types of batteries. They do NOT take well to being over charged, under charged, or run at a high current that they are not rated for. The default configuration of this device may protect the battery from an under voltage condition, but if you are using the 4.2 volts directly, you may be bypassing this protection.

I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but I have seen these batteries in action on a bad day, and to think of that happening in someones face concerns me not only because of the fire hazard, but also the toxic fumes.

For those interested, here is a video. Please note that this is a 3 cell pack instead of a single cell, so it is more dramatic than a single cell would be.

PS - It is important to know that a short will likely cause an over current condition possibly resulting VERY poor results.. 8-o

YouTube - Lipo Fires #2

-Robert

 

[FlipnOut]

Bought one of these yesterday, along with a 3.7v flat battery that they had clearanced at $4.97. It's a 750mah flat cell for a Zune Micro. Have it all ripped apart, but forgot to get a switch, so I have to wait till tomorrow to finish it all up. Once I drain it and charge it once or twice, I'll let you know if it exploded.

 

[damaged002]

Sorry I haven't responded lately. I kept having the same problem with the device. I ripped it apart, cleaned all solder points and started over. Same thing happened. Who knows, maybe the device was already messed up.

So what I decided to do, was build a magnum. I did this quickly and don't care about an LED so it didn't take very much time.

It came out looking great except for the top where the atty connector is. I grinded down a steel washer to use and then realized I didn't have a drill bit large enough to make a hole for the atty connector. I ended up using a beer bottle cap. Beer is not only good for changing your mood.

 

[damaged002]

I wanted to post a pic of my mod but am two posts shy of the requirement. Just a little more time.

 

[damaged002]

Alright guys, here's one more reply. Let me see if I can post the pic on my next one.

 

[damaged002]

Here it is:

 

[FlipnOut]

That came out nice Damaged! But you could've used a bottle top from a high end beer to give it some style

 

[Jason365]

Yeah, a lonestar bottle top would have set that off nice.


But that looks good there.

 

[j0ker]

Damaged I fixed your code so the image would display.


Nice job. That looks really cool with the bottle cap!


FlipnOut, I tried using the circuit in the digipower along with a flatpack for a cell and I'm suspecting the circuit killed both batteries I tried to use. I don't know that for a fact but it looks as though that's what happened. Just thought you should know it might kill your battery.

 

[FlipnOut]

Thanks for the heads up j0ker. I'll keep it in mind. It wouldn't surprise me too much, seems the circuit is made for LiPo, and I don't know enough about the differences to be of any help. Then again, voltage is voltage, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully it doesn't catch my kitchen on fire.

How long did it take to kill the batt?

 

[FlipnOut]

All done with it, lights the LED, but will not fire my cartomizer without being plugged into USB. I have 5.14V at the connector, I'm thinking that this flat cell batt can't give me the amps I need to fire the atty. When I push the button without the cart or USB connected, the led glows red. Put a cart on it without USB connected, and the led flashes when you push the button, then goes off. I think I'm triggering the protection circuit in the batt, because when I plug into USB it works fine. Any thoughts? It's 750mah, but I have no data on what it allows for discharge.

I've got 4 18650's coming from China, hopefully I can just wire one of those in and have a working unit.

 

[j0ker]

FlipnOut the first battery I used (cell battery) lasted a little while I think I got 2 or 3 charges before it died and wouldn't charge. I took another identical cell battery and tried again but 1 charge and it died. I haven't fooled with it since so who knows the circuit could be bad. I don't think so though. I put the 1st battery in the phone and the phone won't even charge the battery. I'm going to look closer into it next couple days. I'll report back what I find.

 

[FlipnOut]

I'm just wondering if these flat cell batteries made for portable electronics aren't really made for fast discharge rates... Can't wait to get the 18650 and try it to see if I get lucky. Has anyone figured out how many ma the board pushes for the charging circuit?

 

[mycro]

Was gonna use my digipower mod the other evening, but it wouldn't charge or even work plugged into the pc. I hadn't used it in quite a while...
So I got the case body open without breaking it (the top part had everything epoxied in-so that was good) Got the two wires that went to the battery pack wired up to a wall charger (5v 2000mah) that i had around-and have used before for this purpose-so i am using it but not like intended. Still nice, cause I didn't have to do too much.

 

[FlipnOut]

I revisited the digipower this afternoon. I cut the big protected flat cell out, and soldered the stock battery back in. Same symptoms. LED flashes quickly, then the circuit shuts down. Seems my cartos are drawing too much juice for the circuit, and it's tripping protection. Strange that it doesn't trip protection when USB is plugged in. I guess there's a full bypass on this board that allows USB to flow straight through. I haven't traced the board to see where everything goes, and probably won't, unless someone has another idea on how I could make it work. Looks like I'm going to have to build my own circuits, which I haven't done since high school.

Unless... Could I use a capacitor to store enough juice to fire the atty?

Fun Fun Fun Fun Fun. NOT

 

[mycro]

Damaged-that is nice!

My ugly mod of a mod:

Removed all the guts-was able to get to the two wires that went to the battery pack to solder to this charger's wires. It works good for me when I am just sitting somewhere. I needed an 801 pt anyways.
I taped it up and it doesn't look good but it serves its purpose as a connector and switch holder.

 

[Keegan1014]

mine doesnt work while its chargeing
but I whent off the battery termanals alone hope it works when it charged

 

[Keegan1014]

.....in mine works off the wall plug

 

[FlipnOut]

Here's the latest on mine.

I came off the removed USB connector's + to one side of a SPDT switch, center pole to the momentary, and other side to the battery. Now I have a PT tha tworks at 5V, and a battery mod (with 3.7V flat pack at 750ma) at 3.7V. When my TI boost board comes in, I'll add it and replace the 750ma flat pack with an 18650.

Here's a few pics:

The battery is on the bottom of the case...

Sorry they're blurry, just have my cell laying around.