Make your own USB Power Pack

[NekoGurrl]

Found a great video on the Revision3 site that goes into making your own USB power pack to recharge your electronic devices. Well the same functionality would work for our passthrus. Worth a watch as it also spends a little time on ohms law, battery types, voltage regulation and soldering techniques.

Revision3 > Systm > Episode 86: Three Portable USB Battery Packs You Can Build - Patrick Norton, Systm, diy

 

[Carlos49]

Nice find Nekogurrl but I'm going to have to look throught it a couple of times to understand it.

 

[NekoGurrl]

Nice find Nekogurrl but I'm going to have to look through it a couple of times to understand it.

They do go pretty fast to follow. I watched it twice, and either of the 2 first videos would work for a power pack. I'd probably modify the design to use 2 14500 li-ion batteries instead of the 3 AAA's.

They also have an episode on making a headphone amplifier, and spend a good amount of time on how to solder.

 

[kgonepostl]

They do go pretty fast to follow. I watched it twice, and either of the 2 first videos would work for a power pack. I'd probably modify the design to use 2 14500 li-ion batteries instead of the 3 AAA's.

They also have an episode on making a headphone amplifier, and spend a good amount of time on how to solder.

Nihms have a higher mah capacity but take longer to charge since they run at 1.2v which is why they built it that way. For us. Lithium is the way to go.

14500 unprotected battery's will always fit. I haven't seen the video yet but if it involves springs than a protected battery should obviously fit as well.

Thanks, love revision 3. I've been friends with snubsi for a long time (Hak5)
YOU GUYS MIGHT SEE ME ON HAK5 later this year btw. I'll be showing the update of the video game console modification, politics behind modchips, the hackers involved, the motivation, and most importantly practical use as well as advantages to using a console for stuff that your computer just can't do right.

XBMC FTW!

 

[theseven]

They do go pretty fast to follow. I watched it twice, and either of the 2 first videos would work for a power pack. I'd probably modify the design to use 2 14500 li-ion batteries instead of the 3 AAA's.

They also have an episode on making a headphone amplifier, and spend a good amount of time on how to solder.

I can't post url yet, but the second way the video shows is from sparkfun at www dot sparkfun dot com/commerce/tutorial_info.php?tutorials_id=57. Look at the first schematics (the simplest one) without capacitors and switches. That's what they did.

Third way they showed is called Minty Boost at ladyada dot net/make/mintyboost/index.html. However, Minty Boost provides about 5v@200ma (can't even charge iPhone) and Minty Boost V2 provides about 5v@400ma (this can charge iPhone), so I don't think it can work for ecigs unless you use a boost chip other than that used (MAX756).

I am interested in using Minty Boost type. If you go with Minty Boost and have any success, please keep me posted.

 

[kgonepostl]

There are three versions in that video. I'm going to give you the technical jargon and than a laymen summary. These three different methods they mention in the video depends on what you want.

The ghetto version would work just fine if not perfect for a monster vapor. The regulation is not used in this one.

Second one is different because it's designed specifically to charge, not output vape. it regulates the voltage so you get a pretty standard steady 5v output and the regulator has a heat spreader which is cool so it doesn't heat up your battery's and gradually let's the hotness out which prolongs the life in turn. The second one is EXTREMELY easy to make (I don't even know how to solder and I know I can do this) it will fit four 14400 (lithium ion double a's) and will regulate it just fine.



Summary:

If you LOVE heavy vaping, I suggest doing the first one. Your gonna get a killer throat hit and vape. Your going to get 11.1v in your throat. However, I should mention that the hotter you boil your ****. The more different it will taste.

The second one is is awesome if made correctly for your preference of e-smoking. I highly suggest using a 3.7 regulator if your going to use it for e-smoking. In which case this will work PERFECTLY! You'll get that same taste that you get with your regular e-cig battery and it will last longer (this is MY preference).
IF! You would like a harder throat hit and more vape, use the 5v regulator. The second one is also is awesome because you can charge 50% of your stuff that uses a lithium ion battery pack (ipods and pcc's)

The third one is insane. I don't wanna touch it unless I absolutely need to

 

[theseven]

There are three versions in that video. I'm going to give you the technical jargon and than a laymen summary. These three different methods they mention in the video depends on what you want.

The ghetto version would work just fine if not perfect for a monster vapor. The regulation is not used in this one.

Second one is different because it's designed specifically to charge, not output vape. it regulates the voltage so you get a pretty standard steady 5v output and the regulator has a heat spreader which is cool so it doesn't heat up your battery's and gradually let's the hotness out which prolongs the life in turn. The second one is EXTREMELY easy to make (I don't even know how to solder and I know I can do this) it will fit four 14400 (lithium ion double a's) and will regulate it just fine.

As you said, the second one is simply designed to output constant 5v from 3 AAs (6v) using a stepdown linear regulator (TO-220). However, saying that it is designed specifically to charge, not output vape is not correct.

Summary:

If you LOVE heavy vaping, I suggest doing the first one. Your gonna get a killer throat hit and vape. Your going to get 11.1v in your throat. However, I should mention that the hotter you boil your ****. The more different it will taste.
[\quote]

How did you get 11.1v figure??? They used 3 1.5v batteries in series, so it produces 4.5v and that guy in the video specifically said that it provides clean 4.5v and even suggested not to use 4 batteries since it will generate 6v which is harmful for usb devices.

The second one is is awesome if made correctly for your preference of e-smoking. I highly suggest using a 3.7 regulator if your going to use it for e-smoking. In which case this will work PERFECTLY! You'll get that same taste that you get with your regular e-cig battery and it will last longer (this is MY preference).
IF! You would like a harder throat hit and more vape, use the 5v regulator. The second one is also is awesome because you can charge 50% of your stuff that uses a lithium ion battery pack (ipods and pcc's)

The third one is insane. I don't wanna touch it unless I absolutely need to

Can you explain why the third one is insane? It uses 5v step-up voltage regulator to provide clean 5v from 3v (2 AA batteries), just the reverse of the second one you liked.

 

[theseven]

I'd probably modify the design to use 2 14500 li-ion batteries instead of the 3 AAA's.

Well, I found it has been done. Look at www dot -cigarette-forum dot com/forum/battery-mods/32247-my-5v-box-mod.html

It's really annoying not being able to post urls

 

[autrad]

Found a great video on the Revision3 site that goes into making your own USB power pack to recharge your electronic devices. Well the same functionality would work for our passthrus. Worth a watch as it also spends a little time on ohms law, battery types, voltage regulation and soldering techniques.

Revision3 > Systm > Episode 86: Three Portable USB Battery Packs You Can Build - Patrick Norton, Systm, diy

Great reminder of Patrick Norton's work. (I'd forgotten him for a while and difinitely missed this episode. I have a friend who wants a USB power source for camping trips.

 

[kgonepostl]

As you said, the second one is simply designed to output constant 5v from 3 AAs (6v) using a stepdown linear regulator (TO-220). However, saying that it is designed specifically to charge, not output vape is not correct.

Summary:

If you LOVE heavy vaping, I suggest doing the first one. Your gonna get a killer throat hit and vape. Your going to get 11.1v in your throat. However, I should mention that the hotter you boil your ****. The more different it will taste.
[\quote]

How did you get 11.1v figure??? They used 3 1.5v batteries in series, so it produces 4.5v and that guy in the video specifically said that it provides clean 4.5v and even suggested not to use 4 batteries since it will generate 6v which is harmful for usb devices.



Can you explain why the third one is insane? It uses 5v step-up voltage regulator to provide clean 5v from 3v (2 AA batteries), just the reverse of the second one you liked.

lithium ion 14400 (double a's) = 3.7x4 = 14.1v going down your throat = first video
If you use nihms it would be 1.5x4 = 6v
Nicd would be 6v as well.
Go with nihms if your going to not use lithium ion. Same volts and hold more mah and have a higher life shelf. Nicad is a thing of the past


It was bad wording. I meant that they designed the box to recharge things. Hence 5v. I would get a 3.7v one but that's my preference like I said. If you want that extra kick you should definitely build the second one but you'll lose flavor

And that's a perfect example of why you may want to use a 3.7v regulator so it doesn't warp the taste

Check out what he said about his mod using a 5v regulator
Direct link to post 13 - "Burnie"
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/32247-my-5v-box-mod-2.html#post494083

On the 5v box, IMHO, DON'T BOTHER, IT SUCKS.....
I normally hit 5 seconds at 3.7v, on the 5v it KILLS the flavor at 3 seconds, I get a little flavor at 2 seconds, GOOD VAPOR at all, but I like flavor also. I will be selling mine, and might make 4 more (as I have 4 more regulators) but I don't know.

Burnie

Followup to prove what I'm sayin

Not sure on all this I have a 3.7v box mod and my 5v box mod (and several others). OK I am using the RCA connector so I can switch from one to the other with ease. I vape with the 3.7v and coffee/chocolate and nice flavor. I switch to the 5v and only go 2 seconds, I get a little flavor, anymore and I get a harsh taste and no flavor. Is it just me or is this what higher voltage is like?? If so I'll stick with 3.7v.

Burnie

 

[firhill]

If you LOVE heavy vaping, I suggest doing the first one. Your gonna get a killer throat hit and vape. Your going to get 11.1v in your throat. However, I should mention that the hotter you boil your ****. The more different it will taste.

You forgot to mention the $100-$150 a day you'd spend in atomizers.

 

[kgonepostl]

You forgot to mention the $100-$150 a day you'd spend in atomizers.

Yup. The best you can do if you want the original taste is to develop the first one with 3 double a nihms which would clock at 4.5 volts and give you excellent battery life.

Or do the second one with some sort of a switch that would switch from the 3.7v to 5.0v. Now that would be the best

Ideal setup for anybody trying this:

Use 14400 battery's UNLESS you can find a housing that can fit 18650's
Do the second video and make a switch that can go from 5.0 volts to 3.7 with the flick of a switch

Epic win.

 

[NekoGurrl]

I use mostly 18650's and dual CR123a's for my mods, but have a stash of 14500's that would be perfect for this application. Just use 2 14500's in place of the 3 1.5v AA's. Would be smaller, and suit the 1805 voltage regulator's needs well. 7.2 volts, down to 5. And the cutoff when the batteries hit 2.5 volts would be perfect for the protection circuits.

Now if we could build in a USB LI-Ion charge circuit into it as well!

 

[kgonepostl]

I use mostly 18650's and dual CR123a's for my mods, but have a stash of 14500's that would be perfect for this application. Just use 2 14500's in place of the 3 1.5v AA's. Would be smaller, and suit the 1805 voltage regulator's needs well. 7.2 volts, down to 5. And the cutoff when the batteries hit 2.5 volts would be perfect for the protection circuits.

Now if we could build in a USB LI-Ion charge circuit into it as well!

Your not that hazy are you!
If you have li-ons you have a charger!