After reading various complaints about PT problems, I'm a bit dubious about buying one. And then I've read some folks mentioning possible issues with the USB port on their computer as well. I also am not pleased with the charger supplied with the 510 kit, because they supplied a very short cord, so AC power is inconvenient at my desk where I keep the charger.
So I came up with this brilliant idea. The 501 charger has a 12VDC in jack. A 5VDC supply can be regulated down to 3.7, or 3.1, or wherever I want to run my 510, if I ever decide to vape inside. The power supply in my PC has Molex 8981 connectors which suppy 12 and 5 VDC. I have extra Molex connectors laying around here someplace. I figure the PC power supply is nice fat regulated power source, with no danger of damaging my motherboard or the USB controller.
So I figure I wire up a molex plug to a keyed bulkhead connector on the front of my PC (keyed, so there's no way to get 12VDC where it'll cause damage). Connect a coaxial power connector on the 12V side, and make a little regulated supply on the 5V side. I'll have to get a hold of a 510 female connector (I see from searching that I can order those).
So, I did a quick sketch of the circuit, and here's where I could use a bit of advice. I know a little about electronics. But I don't know how to size the limiting resistor for ohms or wattage. (Actually, it's in my head somewhere, just too old to retrieve without some hinting.) I had originally thought I could put the zener in series with the atty, but most of the simple regulating circuits I see are of the form I drew.
So, assume I want to run my atty at 3.3VDC (I have no desire to overvolt it significantly; I'm happy with my 510 the way it is), that's 5.2 watts (given 2.1 ohms R).
Is this a bad idea? Should I just use a packaged regulator? If I do it this way, would a 1N5333BRLG be the correct zener? Did I draw the zener backwards?
TIA for any advice.
So I came up with this brilliant idea. The 501 charger has a 12VDC in jack. A 5VDC supply can be regulated down to 3.7, or 3.1, or wherever I want to run my 510, if I ever decide to vape inside. The power supply in my PC has Molex 8981 connectors which suppy 12 and 5 VDC. I have extra Molex connectors laying around here someplace. I figure the PC power supply is nice fat regulated power source, with no danger of damaging my motherboard or the USB controller.
So I figure I wire up a molex plug to a keyed bulkhead connector on the front of my PC (keyed, so there's no way to get 12VDC where it'll cause damage). Connect a coaxial power connector on the 12V side, and make a little regulated supply on the 5V side. I'll have to get a hold of a 510 female connector (I see from searching that I can order those).
So, I did a quick sketch of the circuit, and here's where I could use a bit of advice. I know a little about electronics. But I don't know how to size the limiting resistor for ohms or wattage. (Actually, it's in my head somewhere, just too old to retrieve without some hinting.) I had originally thought I could put the zener in series with the atty, but most of the simple regulating circuits I see are of the form I drew.
So, assume I want to run my atty at 3.3VDC (I have no desire to overvolt it significantly; I'm happy with my 510 the way it is), that's 5.2 watts (given 2.1 ohms R).
Is this a bad idea? Should I just use a packaged regulator? If I do it this way, would a 1N5333BRLG be the correct zener? Did I draw the zener backwards?
TIA for any advice.