Mains charging question

[Glor]

Hi everyone,


I am a new vaper and have just received my first starter kit. Being new, I'm not 100% on the full details but I gather it's an eGo battery with a CE5 style clearomizer. So far it's great.


However I'm looking for advice on how to safely charge the battery from the mains. Not always having access to a PC's USB socket, my natural reaction is to use my phone charger adapter.


The USB lead supplied with the setup says 5V 420ma on the label. My phone adapter has text on it saying 5V 1A (I.e. 1000ma) so is this safe? I emailed the company I bought the kit from who said "we can't advise you use your phone charger" and then sent me a link to a mains-to-USB charger on their site, also rated to 5V 1000ma.


Is there any difference? The internet is full of horror stories about exploding batteries and fires as a result. If I need to buy another adapter then I will - but is it really necessary to do so?


Best wishes,


Glor

 

[Kaezziel]

I wouldn't advise it... you need to get an adapter that is no more than 500ma output...
I think that maybe the pigtail will limit the current within itself, but I wouldn't swear to that... much safer to stay below a 1/2 amp...

 

[djsvapour]

Hi Glor

The simple answer is do not use a 1A mains adapter with your ecig charger.

Use one rated specifically for ecigs.

UK Iphone Style Mains USB Adapter - Batteries & Chargers


- - -

How many horror stories are there about using 1A mains adapters? Too many. Not worth the risk.

 

[EBates]

The ego USB power adapter that I have states that:
Input - 5 VDC
Output - 5 VDC @ 420ma
This indicates to me that the USB adapter does have regulation capabilities. That being true, then it matters not what the 5 VDC Input can provide.

And Yes, 1000ma = 1 amp. So basically you supplier is saying don't use your charger buy mine instead, that is the same as yours. LOL

 

[AzPlumber]

A power adapter's amp rating is maximum output. It will only supply the maximum if a plugged in device requires it.

eta: Plugging in a device that requires more amperage than the power adapter can supply is when it becomes dangerous.

eta2: To the OP, if you choose to use your phone adapter I suggest you watch it carefully and check it for heat. If it is getting hot that means it is overloaded and you should unplug it immediately. I say this only because some manufacturers tend to overstate the specs and their products.

 

[twgbonehead]

I agree 100% with EBates.

The CHARGER the OP is using is the one designed for his e-cig.
It is designed to plug into a generic USB port (USB ports can provide as much as 2A)

The cellphone wall adapter should be fine; the charger is responsible for properly regulating the charging.

 

[Kaezziel]

Okay, I stand corrected... I guess the pigtail does limit the current... :shrugs:
Definitely good to know!

 

[Warpigs]

Welcome to ECF!

 

[Rickajho]

I wouldn't advise it... you need to get an adapter that is no more than 500ma output...
I think that maybe the pigtail will limit the current within itself, but I wouldn't swear to that... much safer to stay below a 1/2 amp...

Ok, you have already stood corrected. As the Plumber dood has already pointed out you get into trouble plugging these things into AC to USB supplies that cannot provide enough current. Plugging an eGo charger that wants 420 mA current into a 300 mA output AC to USB adapter is when bad things happen - like overheating and exploding AC to USB adapters and the charger not working properly.

A one amp USB adapter means it can provide up to 1 amp of current if needed, it doesn't mean it's "forcing" more current into a device than it needs to draw from it. A half amp (500 mA) AC to USB adapter is the smallest output adapter to be used here. More won't hurt anything. Less definitely will.

 

[Kaezziel]

Ok, you have already stood corrected. As the Plumber dood has already pointed out you get into trouble plugging these things into AC to USB supplies that cannot provide enough current. Plugging an eGo charger that wants 420 mA current into a 300 mA output AC to USB adapter is when bad things happen - like overheating and exploding AC to USB adapters an the charger not working properly.

A one amp USB adapter means it can provide up to 1 amp of current if needed, it doesn't mean it's "forcing" more current into a device than it needs to draw from it. A half amp (500 mA) AC to USB adapter is the smallest output adapter to be used here. More won't hurt anything. Less definitely will.

Yeah... I should have known better... just didn't think it through before I posted... Thanks for makin' me feel even dumbererer, Rick... LOL...

 

[Glor]

Thanks everyone for your replies, perhaps it wasn't the silly question I thought since it's created some discussion!

I guess all is okay if 1A is the maximum and not the forced current, but as advised I will keep an eye on the first few charges.

I couldn't get my head around why my charger was "not suitable" yet the place I bought the e-cig from were recommending an otherwise identical spec listed on their site (generic brand too).

Thanks again and also for the welcomes.

Glor

 

[daleron]

Welcome to the forum Glor, isn't ECF a great place?

 

[edyle]

Hi everyone,


I am a new vaper and have just received my first starter kit. Being new, I'm not 100% on the full details but I gather it's an eGo battery with a CE5 style clearomizer. So far it's great.


However I'm looking for advice on how to safely charge the battery from the mains. Not always having access to a PC's USB socket, my natural reaction is to use my phone charger adapter.


The USB lead supplied with the setup says 5V 420ma on the label. My phone adapter has text on it saying 5V 1A (I.e. 1000ma) so is this safe? I emailed the company I bought the kit from who said "we can't advise you use your phone charger" and then sent me a link to a mains-to-USB charger on their site, also rated to 5V 1000ma.


Is there any difference? The internet is full of horror stories about exploding batteries and fires as a result. If I need to buy another adapter then I will - but is it really necessary to do so?


Best wishes,


Glor

I'm thinking what you described as "The USB lead" is actually the eGo battery charger; is it a dongle type thing like this?

Looking at one of mine it just says
Input 5.0 volts
Output 4.2 volts 420 mA.

What you described as a "phone adapter" would just be a USB to mains adapter; yes that should be fine to plug your eGo battery charger into. It should say on it: "Output: 4.2 volts 420 mA."

 

[Glor]

Hi Daleron - Indeed it is

 

[djsvapour]

Risking repeating the exact same combination that has already been responsible for a number of house fires in the UK is not worth it.

Don't ask me to explain it further. It has happened. It shouldn't have.

 

[Glor]

I'm thinking what you described as "The USB lead" is actually the eGo battery charger; is it a dongle type thing like this?

Looking at one of mine it just says
Input 5.0 volts
Output 4.2 volts 420 mA.

What you described as a "phone adapter" would just be a USB to mains adapter; yes that should be fine to plug your eGo battery charger into. It should say on it: "Output: 4.2 volts 420 mA."

Hi - yes the one pictured looks identical to my "USB lead", I now understand that's, in fact, the charger.

The current and voltage of my charger are exactly the same as yours but my confusion was the phone adapter I'm about to use (it's basically a transformer that plugs into the wall and gives you a USB port). This was saying 1A which is way more than 420ma but I now understand that current is drawn by the device (charger in this case) and not forced into the device, so 1A is a maximum and it's not that 1A is being forced into a 420ma device.

I think I've understood that right. Hopefully!

Glor

 

[Kaezziel]

You've understood it exactly right, Glor... that's what I was thinking waaaay back in my original post, but didn't want to commit to... I have since been shown the error of my ways and shouldn't have doubted what my brain was trying to tell my fingers was correct.

 

[AzPlumber]

Hi - yes the one pictured looks identical to my "USB lead", I now understand that's, in fact, the charger.

The current and voltage of my charger are exactly the same as yours but my confusion was the phone adapter I'm about to use (it's basically a transformer that plugs into the wall and gives you a USB port). This was saying 1A which is way more than 420ma but I now understand that current is drawn by the device (charger in this case) and not forced into the device, so 1A is a maximum and it's not that 1A is being forced into a 420ma device.

I think I've understood that right. Hopefully!

Glor

Exactly and a quick learner I'll add

 

[djsvapour]

Hi - yes the one pictured looks identical to my "USB lead", I now understand that's, in fact, the charger.

The current and voltage of my charger are exactly the same as yours but my confusion was the phone adapter I'm about to use (it's basically a transformer that plugs into the wall and gives you a USB port). This was saying 1A which is way more than 420ma but I now understand that current is drawn by the device (charger in this case) and not forced into the device, so 1A is a maximum and it's not that 1A is being forced into a 420ma device.

I think I've understood that right. Hopefully!

Glor

That is correct. I still wouldn't do it though.... and if you must, never overnight.

 

[Kaezziel]

That is correct. I still wouldn't do it though.... and if you must, never overnight.

I'll definitely agree with the never overnight part! I never leave a battery on the charger overnight or while out of the house...