Has anyone heard of a PT blowing out a M'board?

[Beer Man]

Hey all, I just did some reading about a guy who (I believe) is paranoid about a cheap USB Passthrough screwing up his computer. I, myself use a cheap passthru and want to know if anyone has heard of this problem. Anyone ever lose a motherboard or anything?

I just figured I'd use my cheapy until it gives up them go with a PS Passthru. Seems to be worth the extra bucks.

Thanks for your replies!
-Geoff

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

I won't plug any of my passthroughs in my computer... not worth the chance something goes bad!

This is a good thread with lots of cheap alternative power sources to just plug it into an outlet.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/puresmoker/35288-list-power-adapters-work-ps-usbpass.html

 

[Richie G]

Hey all, I just did some reading about a guy who (I believe) is paranoid about a cheap USB Passthrough screwing up his computer. I, myself use a cheap passthru and want to know if anyone has heard of this problem. Anyone ever lose a motherboard or anything?

I just figured I'd use my cheapy until it gives up them go with a PS Passthru. Seems to be worth the extra bucks.

Thanks for your replies!
-Geoff

It's conceivable that an over-amperage condition could blow out a USB port rated for less draw. Could that blown USB port trigger a MB melt-down? I would think that depends on the circuitry of the MB.

If there is any concern about using a cheap PT and the MB, why not use a 110v - USB adapter and leave the PC out of the equation? If one can plug the computer into a receptacle he/she can plug in an adapter, right? If it's a laptop on the go, it's a different issue. But, as long as you're tethered anyway...

 

[catlvr]

I've read some warning about it. I guess it could happen. I've been using my PS Passthrough on my computer (laptop) for months now and have had no problems. I do use this short extender piece, I don't remember what it's called, it came with a tv antenna hook up for the computer I bought awhile ago. It said it was to keep the usb plug from getting too hot on the computer. It works, no heat. No problems. I ordered one of those plug in the wall types and it didn't work. Love the passthrough!

 

[BobbiBilbo]

Ditto ... I will not plug my Passthrough into my computer. There are other alternatives. Even with a laptop on the go, I would use a separate USP power supply. Too much at risk.

 

[jj2]

It happened to someone at work. He/she had to go explain what happened to their boss.
I don't use my computer---too expensive to take the chance. A better option might be a wall wart type thing.
Me, I use a wall wart from an old cell phone and no batteries involved.

 

[jadeninja]

It's an output/input issue. The USB port on you computer is a direct current 5 volt output. There are four copper contacts in a usb. The one on the left is a positive, the one on the right is a negative, just like a battery. The two in the middle are for data transfer. The amps put out in a laptop usb vary from 500 milliamps to 1300 milliamps. The Passthrough only utilizes the left positive and right negative. It does nothing more than draw the power that is constantly being produced by the computer to the usb port to the positive and negative terminals in the PT to the atomizer (and the led)

THAT BEING SAID . . . Some of your worries are justified. What can happen is if you PT is bad (internal wiring or a short) it can send back an electrical discharge to through the USB and damage the port. Chances of damage to the actual motherboard are slim, but not impossible. You will most likely only fry you USB port.

Now there are two basic types of PT's. One's with batteries in the line and direct line PT's. Direct line PT's are the safest to use with computers. They carry no back charge and only draw charge when the switch is activated. The battery line PT always carry a charge and if something happens with that battery, you could risk damage.

Your biggest fear with any external device plugged into your computer is shorting. This could happen with any device; cell phones, ipods, printer, external hard drives, etc. Most of those devices have external power (battery or corded) and carry risk of damage to the port or computer.

So it boils down to quality of the device you are using.

I just bought a 120v wall plug model that converts to 5v 1500mA. Most direct line passthoughs require about 800mA to 1500mA. SO CHECK THE mA RATING BEFORE YOU BUY. Most 500mA devices will not work unless you have a battery in the line. I use an M401 PT and it KICKS! I use the wall plug when I am not at the computer (watching TV or working in the garage).

The same goes for car adapters as well. CHECK THE MILLIAMP RATING 500 WILL NOT WORK WITH MOST DIRECT LINE PT'S. I ordered one from a supplier in Canada. It's also 1500mA. It will make road trips easier. No batts to fumble with and charge. I am a dipper with my 401 anyway, so I don't ever use carts. I have little plastic paint pots velcroed to the dash.

PT's Rock

 

[jadeninja]

Ditto ... I will not plug my Passthrough into my computer. There are other alternatives. Even with a laptop on the go, I would use a separate USP power supply. Too much at risk.

On a side note . . . BobbiBilbo when are you going to get your next shipment of DSE 601 E-pipes in, I have been dying to get one and you are the cheapest of all the US suppliers. Plus you carry the accessories. Drop me a line jadeninja@comcast.net

 

[Chris From Cali]

Yes there is always the chance that the cheap PT's can blow out a mother board. That's why a well made PT will have a built in fuse or a wall adapter option.

 

[Scottbee]

A well designed computer USB port will have short circuit and reverse voltage protection. But.... not all computer USB ports are well designed. Buyer beware.

 

[mp166]

Just plug it through a powered usb hub (about $5 from china), dont even need comp on to vape, and its not directly connected to comp.

MP

 

[bigozone]

the bigger worry should be about your USB port solder joints taking too much pressure and loosing contact with the motherboard. UNLESS YOU HAVE A SHORT IN THE PASS THRU (which could in theory kill the MB)

just last weekend i had to disassemble my laptop and resolder one of my 3 USB ports when i found it was "dead"... but after an hour of removing screws and 2 minutes with a soldering iron i was able to get it back to life.

anyway i've been off the cord since i got my CR2s in from china 5 weeks ago.

 

[Adik Ted]

Thanks for pointing out this thread bigozone.

Going from what's been said you need a 5V 1500mA for a passthru. If you buy a mains adapter with 2 usb ports( so you can charge a battery while using the passthru) what V & mA are you looking for then? If the spec says it's a 5V 1500mA does that mean in each port or does that have to be shared by the 2 ports?

 

[angjen0816]

you guys just made me unplug my PT for the first time in weeks. I spent way too much on my pc to hv the motherboard fry. I would cry...no joke!!

 

[sMuCk_fOg]

Didn't have any problems with my pc,
but one pt lasted a week,
the other almost three weeks.
They went into the round file.
Now I use a radio shack 4.5 volt 1600 ma
wall wart and my 901 rca jack mods.

 

[Deschain]

I'm with the "don't stick that in there!" crowd...I'd rather blow a cheap-... socket adaptor than my expensive laptop.

My PT has only ever been connected to the wall socket.


.

 

[beautifulbug]

Depending on time of year and/or where you live, static electricity is also a big problem. I've blown PC parts because I forgot to discharge myself before touching either the PC or a USB peripheral (e.g., mouse), and have done the same to my PT. So, a wall option is definitely safer...

 

[sheep]

I blew out a motherboard with an ipod shuffle, so I won't plug a PT into my computer. My AC USB adapter works great.

 

[Kilroy]

A powered hub NOT jacked in to the computer works well.

 

[the86d]

A powered hub NOT jacked in to the computer works well.

Assuming you have at least 500ma left over from the other devices on the hub.

I have had bad luck with cheap eBay china sh... stuff. OEM iCrap chargers 1st generation work perfect... since I am smart enough to not use proprietary iTunes format I have no other use for them. I have plugged homebrew pass/straightthroughs in to over 30 devices, never blew anything out aside from a board on the passtthrough board on the bat box itself. This is including thin clients fios dvrs, and servers and a multitude of other things.