Is there a way to tell if my laptop can handle a PT
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How old is the laptop? I've read to use the ones on the left - not the usb ports on the right (for the mouse). If your laptop is old - I don't know.
Do you still have a detailed spec sheet on the pc? Some older USB ports are underpowered; although they all produce 5V, they may not supply enough current to meet the PT demand. You will need approximately 2000 mA to use the PT with Premium (lower resistance) carts. Although I can't say for sure, the most likely and common effect of trying to use a PT with an underpowered USB port is that it simply won't light up. My advice is to get a cheap, powered USB hub, connect it to your PC, plug in the AC wall adapter, then plug your PT into the hub. That is probably the best and safest way to go IMHO. Good luck, later.
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USB To AC Adapter - Apple iPad
I use this. Not this exact one. I would never plug a passthrough into my computer. Plenty of people do with no problems and some have fried their computers. Just not worth the chance to me.
I use this. Not this exact one. I would never plug a passthrough into my computer. Plenty of people do with no problems and some have fried their computers. Just not worth the chance to me.
That link looks like a good one. You want an adapter that is rated for at least 1000ma (or 1A, same thing) to run a PT. Usually adapters that say they are for iPhone or iPad or iPod touch will do the trick.
I plug into my laptop all the time. I also plug into a desktop that still has Windows ME loaded on it. The things gotta be 10 years old. Never had any problems.
My three month old little Acer Aspire One works with my PT. I also have a 2 amp USB charger in the truck and it vapes just as well. 
I also have a 500mA AC adapter and it works fine. Not sure why so many people say you have to have 1 amp.
I did try the adapter, and it did not fire up the PT.
Oh well, my KPPP should be here tomorrow.
Oh well, my KPPP should be here tomorrow.
Geeker, you never said whether you intend to use the PT in a "portable" manner, ie away from an AC port, in which case you could also pursue using a high current battery-based USB source - there was considerable discussion on this subforum regarding this some time ago (do a quick search if interested). I always thought this path was kind of silly; this is why we have these great V4L batteries (unless of course you find 5V is significantly better than 3.7V). Now you're getting into the mod world, and there is a ECF subforum dedicated to just these kind of pursuits you should also check out.
If you want to use the PT in a desktop / fixed location, than you can either get the powered hub, or any number of possible adapters. Scott, it's good that your adapter worked, but most others rated around 500mA do not; it is possible that your specific adapter supplies more current than specified. In addition, some people found they no longer worked when using premium carts - due to their lower resistance, they draw measureably more current (thus, the 500mA might work fine with old carts but not premiums). Keep in mind that most of the cheap AC/USB adapters are designed for trickle charging 5V portable devices, not for supplying a steady-state DC current near their peak rating. This is why I recommend a powered hub; they typically do deliver higher current to cover multiple port output demand, and you have the added benefit of additional serial ports. Good luck, let's us know how it goes.
If you want to use the PT in a desktop / fixed location, than you can either get the powered hub, or any number of possible adapters. Scott, it's good that your adapter worked, but most others rated around 500mA do not; it is possible that your specific adapter supplies more current than specified. In addition, some people found they no longer worked when using premium carts - due to their lower resistance, they draw measureably more current (thus, the 500mA might work fine with old carts but not premiums). Keep in mind that most of the cheap AC/USB adapters are designed for trickle charging 5V portable devices, not for supplying a steady-state DC current near their peak rating. This is why I recommend a powered hub; they typically do deliver higher current to cover multiple port output demand, and you have the added benefit of additional serial ports. Good luck, let's us know how it goes.
" pursue using a high current battery-based USB source "
I presume that's what the Kensington power pack is...
I have the great V4L batteries, and plenty of HV mods.
I'm mostly just looking for relief of constant battery charging. I have concerns about leaving batteries charging unattended, and I figure a good PT would cut down the amount of time I spend either hanging around the charger or constantly interrupting the charging when I need to leave the area.
I presume that's what the Kensington power pack is...
I have the great V4L batteries, and plenty of HV mods.
I'm mostly just looking for relief of constant battery charging. I have concerns about leaving batteries charging unattended, and I figure a good PT would cut down the amount of time I spend either hanging around the charger or constantly interrupting the charging when I need to leave the area.
1000mA isn't near enough with premium cartos, which will peak up to about 1.75A.
But you're not going to "blow the usb", just crash it. Modern USB are protected by a kind of solid state self-resetting fuse. (A polyfuse)
Remove the load, let them cool, they reset. Anything built this century that bears the licensed USB2 (or 3) logo must be protected to-spec.
Scott: Not sure? Let me help: 5V/2.889Ohms ~= 1.731A. The element heats and resistance rises, so that's a peak.
Your 500mA is probably down-binned.
Your 500mA is probably down-binned.
Lynn said clearly what I have been trying to say. KPP will be ok, but it will need to be recharged frequently as well if you are going to use the PT with it on the go. The KPP is rated for 7 Watt-hr capacity, so at 5V and if your PT draws 1.4A, it will fire your PT for one hour (it's rated for a max current output of 1.4A).
Although there are cheaper USB powered hubs, this one: Amazon.com: CyberPower High-Speed 7-Port USB Hub: Electronics has an output of 3.2A; plenty of current to drive your PT, printers, and any other non-powered passive serial devices - AND you get 7 ports! So, if you want something for your desktop and don't want to use your pc port, this is def the way to go. Your PT draws a hell of a lot more current than an iPod, or similar devices the KPP was designed for; just MHO
Although there are cheaper USB powered hubs, this one: Amazon.com: CyberPower High-Speed 7-Port USB Hub: Electronics has an output of 3.2A; plenty of current to drive your PT, printers, and any other non-powered passive serial devices - AND you get 7 ports! So, if you want something for your desktop and don't want to use your pc port, this is def the way to go. Your PT draws a hell of a lot more current than an iPod, or similar devices the KPP was designed for; just MHO
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If you can't it has a serious design flaw.
The charger should never power the load, the battery should power the load exclusively, otherwise it's not safe for sensitive equipment at any time.
That said - I don't have one to tear apart and examine.
The charger should never power the load, the battery should power the load exclusively, otherwise it's not safe for sensitive equipment at any time.
That said - I don't have one to tear apart and examine.
I wouldn't recommend using a PT on a laptop.
I used the PT on a high quality Japanese laptop today and the USB ports shut off for safety and a USB Port error message appeared in Windows after a few short uses of the PT.
After turning off and rebooting the laptop, the USB ports work fine again.
If the laptop didn't have a protection circuit, it could have blown a fuse or cause Mainboard malfunction.
The PT works perfectly on my Desktop PC (with a quality CoolerMaster 600watt PSU).
I don't know if my new PT is the 2000mA type, maybe the older PT's will work fine on most laptops.
I used the PT on a high quality Japanese laptop today and the USB ports shut off for safety and a USB Port error message appeared in Windows after a few short uses of the PT.
After turning off and rebooting the laptop, the USB ports work fine again.
If the laptop didn't have a protection circuit, it could have blown a fuse or cause Mainboard malfunction.
The PT works perfectly on my Desktop PC (with a quality CoolerMaster 600watt PSU).
I don't know if my new PT is the 2000mA type, maybe the older PT's will work fine on most laptops.
The PT is the 0mA type. The cartomizer is the load, the PT has as close to zero load as one can get.
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