Issues using USB ports on PC's?

[bikertrash]

Anyone have comments on using PC motherboard USB ports to charge batteries? In particular the EGO style?

I'm a little paranoid about damaging my motherboard to charge batteries.. I really don't want 'new' problems as a result... Is anyone running into any issues? Any suggestions? Perhaps using a stand-alone powered USB Hub instead?

I appreciate your comments...

 

[CapitalPuff]

I use my laptop to charge ego batteries if I am on the go, otherwise I generally just plug them into the wall.

Yes a powered USB hub works great too

 

[Tersur]

I have read posts of people who have had issues blowing up a battery or killing a USB port doing so. I cant honestly say how probable it is but there is a chance you can either overcharge the battery causeing damage or short out the motherboard. to be safe i only charge mine on a wall charger. Many people charge on usb every day without issue though.

 

[bikertrash]

I hate to 'fry' a motherboard over something like this.. I have totally avoided it and probably will continue to. I think using a HUB would be a better idea.. When we first started vaping, a 'vendor' sold us some 510 batteries and supplied an ego charging setup and we rapidly fried several batteries and that has made me very cautious. He stood behind what he sold us and mad eit all good but, I'm keeping everything isolated for now...

 

[Cokeybill]

Use the wall and save a bundle if the unexpected happens.

 

[mostlyclassics]

Powered multi-port USB hubs are super-cheap insurance against frying your motherboard. Here's an example:

cheap powered multi-port USB hub

I got two, one for the first floor and one for the second floor. They came from Hong Kong, like the one in the listing, and arrived in about ten days. Needless to say, neither is within many yards of my desktop computer.

If you're squeamish about ordering from the other side of the Pacific Ocean, you can find them offered by U.S. vendors for a buck or two more.

 

[Tonybee]

Only drawback I have seen is the USB port from the computer somehow charges at a slower rate than the wall charger. My boss charges his by his usb port on his keyboard every day without incident for over a year.

 

[amnizu]

The only real issue is it's really slow and takes forever. I use a usb charger plugged into an ipod/iphone wall charger.

 

[jp6608]

Steeljan's Review - SmokelessImage Volt USB 3.6V Regulated Passthrough goes over the reasons for not plugging your pass-through devices to your computer usb ports.

I'm not sure if this also applies to charging batteries.

IMHO, why chance it.

 

[dormouse]

Charging a battery should be fine since an Ego cable wants to output 420mA and a PC motherboard USB port has 500mA (enough mA). And a slim ecig cable only needs 150-250mA, well within what a PC USB port can provide. However, I don't quite trust the PC to provide power as evenly as a separate AC to USB. I use a 4-port 2amp (2000mA) USB to AC and I can charge up to 4 batteries on that OR run one PT (may need up to 2amp itself). Re the PC - sometimes my cat steps on the computer keyboard and sticks it in standby or turns it off. I like to keep it more stable than that for battery charging. And sometime you have to reboot. Also, one person damaged their ecig equipment by getting a static shock on her computer keyboard.

But just charging batteries should not damage your computer. However do not use a passthrough on your PC USB slot unless it is the kind with a real inline battery which you are vaping while it charges. The other kind of passthrough vapes right off power and need more amps than your PC can provide and can damage your PC.

 

[Hyppy]

In theory, it should be fine. In practice, all it takes is one shorted circuit in the charger to fry your computer.

 

[Allan.GH]

I refuse to allow family members to use USB as power sources. The USB standard only allows for the sourcing of 500mA from a port.

Say you're using a straight-through pass-through (no battery) on a computer when an atty shorts-out as it dies. At the very least, you'll blow a fuse on the motherboard; and have to replace the fuse (or pay to have it replaced). That's just a pain in the posterior.

What is possible, though, is that you'll cook traces and components on the motherboard, and make at least 2 USB ports unusable for the remainign service life of that motherboard. I've run into this sort of problem on a disturbing number of home computers, and more than a few company-owned machines.

Best to get a wall-wart and power whatever it is from that.

 

[bikertrash]

Great answers. I think this is what I really wanted to confirm for myself.. I tend to 'roll' along the lines of PC stuff only for the motherboards and VAPE stuff for VAPE stuff! I have definately made my decision... All points in this thread were very well taken and I do appreciate them.

Regards
BT

 

[CaptainMauzer]

I would generally avoid it, especially with passthroughs. USB (and Li-ion batteries for that matter) were not really designed for what we do with them. If you have a nicer motherboard it could probably handle the sudden extra load, but like most of america, im sure you do not build your own custom PC's. That said, i still wouldn't trust my passthrough in my computer's USB port, i just use a hub that is sitting on my desk.