ego charger explodes

[vantagebox]

This was posted a couple of days ago on FT's site by Geek in response to a customer who had his Ego charger explode - model HBT-061. I'm not saying this is FT's issue since we're talking about a generic ego charger that can be bought in many different places. Other people in that thread mention that it's the reason why they only use branded chargers. My question is, what is a BRANDED ego charger? can someone point me in the right direction pls?

"...

Since late 2012 we have been testing all wall chargers for their output voltage and current. Since then I've personally seen at least 3 chargers exploding in the QC area. That's what I've seen as I walk pass the QC area -- we don't seem to have a log of total explosions we had during QC.

Upon examination, we find that most chargers explode because their capacitors were soldered the wrong way (i.e. reversed polarity). When they get charged with reversed polarity, they explode. They usually do this within seconds being plugged in though and as such we are able to eliminate them during our QC. As you mentioned that it worked for 10 minutes, yours may not be caused by this reason.

I do personally avoid crappy China wall chargers since then -- even if the number is 3 out of 10000. I just don't want to risk my house for $3."

 

[Rocketman]

Was this an eGo charger, an eGo clone charger, or
the 110v to 5 volt USB power supply?

These wall adapters are probably second sourced and kitted with the eGo/charger (name brand or clone).
While an exploding capacitor makes a load noise, it seldom creates a fire. 1000's of devices use the same basic circuitry for AC/DC switching supplies.

 

[vantagebox]

All I know is that it was an HBT-061 as mentioned above; if u Google that you get a generic charger like this:
US Plug AC Power Adaptor Special for Electronic Cigarette E cig

again my question is what is a BRANDED one? who would make that (assumption being that it would be higher quality)?

 

[Rocketman]

The power adapter is normally not called a CHARGER. It was not made specifically for the eGo.
Thus the question was it an eGO charger, a eFo clone charger, or just one of those power adapters that are used for anything that uses 5 volt USB power.
When someone says an "eGo CHARGER explodes" it should mean the $4 charger and not the $2 adapter.
Putting a USB adapter with an internal switching supply on the same AC circuit as a microwave or refrigerator can cause spikes that will cause a failure. Of couse it could have been the cheap nature of the unit.

 

[TinyTimberGal]

I've never seen a 'brand name' on any of the ego style chargers I've purchased either with a kit or separately.

 

[vaptronic]

My ego charger has not exploded yet but im staring at it hardcore right now just in case


-clouds4dayz-

 

[vantagebox]

I've never seen a 'brand name' on any of the ego style chargers I've purchased either with a kit or separately.

yes me too, that's why I was asking the question... If there is some branded, higher quality one out there, I'd like to go out and get me some.

Rocketman, I have no clue anymore what you're getting to with your comments, here's the thread from FT directly, you make of it what you want:
https://www.fasttech.com/forums/vapers/t/1035555/usb-charger-exploded/2

as I said in my original post, I don't think it's an FT problem nor do I care what it's really called, ego, efo, charger or adapter. All I'm asking is if there a branded, higher quality "thingy" that charges ego-type batteries

 

[Agent47]

One such reputable brand is JOYTECH. I always use the original joytech batteries and chargers and never had any issues. I did try those crappy knockoff batteries and my experience was not so good with them.

 

[szot]

JoyTech is made in China as well...they cost 400% more than fasttech clones.. fasttech does sell brand name products as well as clones..I've never had a problem with any fasttech clone or brand name product, and their prices are 300-400% cheaper than any other site no matter if the other site sells clones or a brand name....and have never seen a charger blow up, or a battery..or ever seen or heard of a brand name charger, never had any manufacturer's name on any ego charger I ever seen....and I have seen these ego chargers at a zillion places..and a simple ego charger is NOT something I would worry about exploding...I think U have a better chance of being hit by a meteorite than a lil ego charger exploding , and injuring anybody..

 

[K.Dart]

Looking forward to my shipment to actually make it... and considering this post, I'm super glad I passed on any chargers or batteries.

 

[vantagebox]

Did you actually read my post? This is the Fasttech guy himself (Geek) saying "I've personally seen at least 3 chargers exploding in the QC area." and "I do personally avoid crappy China wall chargers since then -- even if the number is 3 out of 10000. I just don't want to risk my house for $3." You still think that "U have a better chance of being hit by a meteorite than a lil ego charger exploding" as you stated below?

JoyTech is made in China as well...they cost 400% more than fasttech clones.. fasttech does sell brand name products as well as clones..I've never had a problem with any fasttech clone or brand name product, and their prices are 300-400% cheaper than any other site no matter if the other site sells clones or a brand name....and have never seen a charger blow up, or a battery..or ever seen or heard of a brand name charger, never had any manufacturer's name on any ego charger I ever seen....and I have seen these ego chargers at a zillion places..and a simple ego charger is NOT something I would worry about exploding...I think U have a better chance of being hit by a meteorite than a lil ego charger exploding , and injuring anybody..

 

[Racehorse]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...eed-practice-both-battery-charger-safety.html

photos of my wall adapter that blew up

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Hate to break it to ya...almost every single one of those chargers..came outta China

 

[szot]

I have better things to concern myself with than any ego charger exploding...hell a F15 or a C5 plane could land on my house too which I have a much better chance of happening since I live in the Berkshire mountains of Western Massachusetts not far from 2 military bases..or I could get attacked by a black bear that loves my house and yard and visits frequently looking for dinner, and likes my tunes playing...I don't sweat the small stuff like a lil ego battery..and if my house burns down, well I have insurance , I'll get another one, no biggie...life is too short to worry about every little thing...I've lived through wars in Nam, Iran, Bosnia, Columbia, Honduras, Kuwait, Iraq, shot down twice in Nam on C130's, been stabbed, shot and called a bunch of names, lol, so I can deal with a lil ego charger...we don't live in bubbles and a perfect world...so the only thing to fear is fear itself..

 

[Pinggolfer]

I've never seen a 'brand name' on any of the ego style chargers I've purchased either with a kit or separately.

Joyetech makes has there name on their Ego USB charger.

 

[Pinggolfer]

One thing which I do is plug my Ego charger and phone cell charger in one of my kitchen outlets since all the outlets have a GFI breaker in them. Any short and off goes the breaker.

 

[szot]

any outlet near water is required to have a GFI...bathroom, kitchen, pool, outside etc...good even to have near any electronic things like TV's and puters etc...or plugged into a surge suppressor.....I installed a whole house surge suppressor into my electrical service panel for $250 that also gives me a $50,00 insurance policy if anything gets fried or house damages...but if a cheap $1 ego charger blows, I don't expect serious injuries or damages...no more than a bottle rocket on the 4th of July..

 

[Pinggolfer]

any outlet near water is required to have a GFI...bathroom, kitchen, pool, outside etc..

Which is why I only charge batteries and phones where there is a GFI circuit breaker. My garage has them as well. I know from experience it only takes a small short to set off the GFI.

 

[Rocketman]

One thing which I do is plug my Ego charger and phone cell charger in one of my kitchen outlets since all the outlets have a GFI breaker in them. Any short and off goes the breaker.

and a GFI breaker will trip at what current with a 2 wire (ungrounded device plugged in)?

 

[Pinggolfer]

and a GFI breaker will trip at what current with a 2 wire (ungrounded device plugged in)?

Of course it will. Is a toaster a 2 wire, a coffee maker. a electric can opener, etc. If there is any imbalance, it trips the circuit. It is able to sense a mismatch as small as 4 or 5 milliamps, and it can react as quickly as one-thirtieth of a second.