Where are people getting boxes from on digikey? I've had no luck searching there for battery boxes. Would love it if someplace made an 18650-compatible box...
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Where are people getting boxes from on digikey? I've had no luck searching there for battery boxes. Would love it if someplace made an 18650-compatible box...
Can't see any photo. (yes I know, it's a 5 month topic) 
EDIT: sorry, found it.
EDIT: sorry, found it.
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14500 boxes are easy to find on digikey. I am with you though, I am having a much harder time with something usable for 18650's.
Hey Jim, I did the same thing this week but used a quick disconnect and made a dummy batt connector to swap out in my various Nicosticks. (Haven't completed all the RCA adaptors yet.) I can plug to the wall wart or car lighter. I'm wondering how you wired yours to NOT interfere with the batt being in it. I didn't think much about it, and don't want to if you will just enlighten me.
Thanks
Hey Jim, I did the same thing this week but used a quick disconnect and made a dummy batt connector to swap out in my various Nicosticks. (Haven't completed all the RCA adaptors yet.) I can plug to the wall wart or car lighter. I'm wondering how you wired yours to NOT interfere with the batt being in it. I didn't think much about it, and don't want to if you will just enlighten me.
Thanks
Use an audio connector. It will disconnect a circuit and connect another when plugged in. Same as a speaker system. When you plug in the earphones, it shuts off the speakers. This way there's no need to remove the battery.
Opus, the box was from some battery powered Christmas lights. I didn't like the little selection of boxes at the local Shack. Pretty sure I got them at Big Lots for like $6. I had to un-solder the extra wires and re-do it for the mod. Really just a 3AA box with on/off switch. I got the momentary switch at the Shack, and made the connector from a dc jack.
Looking at this it should be possible to put the 1/8" jack in my 5v nicostick without any problems with the voltage regulator, correct? When unplugged the 2 14500's in series will provide the power to the voltage regulator but when plugged in the USB will provide the power. Can you see any problems with this?
Think I'll take a little trip to the local Big Lots and see if they have their Christmas stuff out yet.
They've had Christmas stuff out at the one in Canandaigua since september. You can order from them online for some things as well. If I see anything that fits the bill out here, I'll let you know.
Found the battery operated led lights at Big Lots for $4.00. Excellent 3AA box with a switch and I now have 20 led lights in holders that I can use.
That's the way I have mine hooked up. Just make sure you check the final piece with a meter to make sure the circuits are separate. You don't want to damage your battery or USB power source.
I've done a fair amount of reading about this mod, and am seriously considering making my own nicostick, but I do have questions...
1) I've never seen the helping hands thing in any of our brick & mortar stores, (at least local) and would like to know where to find it.
2) Is there an atty type that anyone would recommend for such a beast, longevity and inexpensive taking precedence in the decision making process?
3) What kind of cost am I looking at altogether, assuming I already have the tools, minus the helping hands mention above.
4) Where would I go to purchase the atomizer connectors, considering I'm looking at buying the connectors and atomizer, rather than destroying a battery I have?
1) I've never seen the helping hands thing in any of our brick & mortar stores, (at least local) and would like to know where to find it.
2) Is there an atty type that anyone would recommend for such a beast, longevity and inexpensive taking precedence in the decision making process?
3) What kind of cost am I looking at altogether, assuming I already have the tools, minus the helping hands mention above.
4) Where would I go to purchase the atomizer connectors, considering I'm looking at buying the connectors and atomizer, rather than destroying a battery I have?
New here.... JSer, thinking nico. This box would tend to defeat the purpose on savings and don't know if it is even useable but it's a nice looking box. Thought I'd post it here:
Freeloader Battery Charger - I Want One Of Those#
Freeloader Battery Charger - I Want One Of Those#
Thanks. I did a general search "freeloader" to see if it was mentioned at all, and got a lot of hits on Jim's avatar ;-)
There was a mention of a solar battery which they also make, but none on this box. I'm wondering if any of the functional stuff - the button, leds, and usb could be utilized, if so then that might bring down some cost, but compared to a aa/aaa box for $.69 it would be hard to justify, unless someone could find the 'base box' for less.
Looks like it's a bit longer - 1mm than the JS. Seems to me that I saw a post where someone found a JS box - as a flashlight? at some site for like $1.49? That was early on - June? .. but I've never been able to find that post since. Perhaps someone here recalls it. I like those 'rounded corners'. And I'd like something in metal box with the rounded corners like a JS. A "composite" might be passible.
Not sure who you're addressing but since it's after my post... this is just a case I came across on the web. I don't have one. What I know about the case is what is on the web. It would need a full retrofit in order to be used as a nicobox. Although perhaps some aspects - switch, etc., could be used - but don't know anything about that.
Save your old batteries. I cut them about 1 inch long and use the threaded end for the atty connector.
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