MintyBoost 3.0 does NOT work on DSE901 USB passthrough

[Placebo Effect]

For those of you who have never heard of it, MintyBoost is a do-it-yourself kit (or buy one already done by someone else like I did) that gives you a battery-powered USB slot. It's advertised as being for ipods, iphones, etc.

I'm not allowed to post links, but a photo of a MintyBoost is here -- thetechlounge.com/files/news/images/1226099713_110708_rg_mintyboost_01.jpg

I bought one, and it came today. Unfortunately, while my ipod charged just fine, my DSE901 USB passthrough would not work. The orange light just flashed whenever I would use the manual switch, and no vapor has come out.

Well, good news is that I now have a simple way to recharge my ipod when I don't have my laptop. Bad news is I got my hopes up about being able to get glorious large puffs of e-smoke without being around my computer.

 

[quasimod]

It shows two regular AA batteries that only put out 1.2 V in the picture. Are those the same type you're using?

 

[Placebo Effect]

It shows two regular AA batteries that only put out 1.2 V in the picture. Are those the same type you're using?

Let me preface this by saying I am, engineering-wise, entirely lacking in competence.

That was a photo I grabbed off the internet. The AA batteries I used are 1.5 V. Any idea what the strongest AA battery is and if it might make a difference?

Edited: Looked it up and apparently Oxyride AA batteries are 1.7 V. I wonder if this would make a difference?

 

[quasimod]

Most of the mods that use that size battery use something like this:

AW 14500 Protected Rechargeable Lithium Battery

It's nominal voltage is about 3.7 V. It's the same size as a AA, but it's called a 14500 (14 mm diameter, 50 mm length, last 0 means it's round). Make sure to get the right charger, it will be in the "related products" at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions, a real human answers the phone. I called once and the lady was very helpful.

If you put these batteries in there, and it works, don't try to charge your iPhone with it. I don't know what would happen. Maybe somebody else knows.

EDIT: I'm assuming that you have a "direct" PT, meaning there is no battery box spliced into the cord.

 

[WillyB]

5V output @ 500mA output

It's got nothing to do with the batteries. 500mA will not fire any atty.

As an example a Joye 510 needs 1500mA just to get 3.3V.

 

[quasimod]

So you think there's something in there that would limit the battery output, willy?

 

[Placebo Effect]

Most of the mods that use that size battery use something like this:

It's nominal voltage is about 3.7 V. It's the same size as a AA, but it's called a 14500 (14 mm diameter, 50 mm length, last 0 means it's round). Make sure to get the right charger, it will be in the "related products" at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions, a real human answers the phone. I called once and the lady was very helpful.

If you put these batteries in there, and it works, don't try to charge your iPhone with it. I don't know what would happen. Maybe somebody else knows.

EDIT: I'm assuming that you have a "direct" PT, meaning there is no battery box spliced into the cord.

No battery box. Just the cord protruding from the center of the tip.

Thanks for the info!

 

[quasimod]

Haha, don't thank me yet! We're not at the stage where you should spend money, yet. Hopefully someone with more know-how will jump in and help figure this out. It's bedtime for Bonzo, I'll check in tomorrow and see how it turned out.

 

[Placebo Effect]

It's got nothing to do with the batteries. 500mA will not fire any atty.

As an example a Joye 510 needs 1500mA just to get 3.3V.

And we're back to me having a $35 iPod charger

 

[WillyB]

And we're back to me having a $35 iPod charger

Better read the specs carefully. I don't know what atty you are using but most only output 1000mA. For Joye 510 users... useless.

 

[quasimod]

Reading the "specs" might not do a guy without any specialized knowledge much good. What would he look for? Maybe another one-liner would help... or maybe somebody with experience using an LT1302 (12V at 120mA from 2-Cell Supply) could opine whether or not this setup might barely operate an unspecified type of atomizer, and if that PCB might have some effect on the outcome. Me? I dunno. I was hoping someone would weigh in by engaging in an actual conversation with the OP. He has a box with a AA battery holder, a USB port, and some other stuff that can be either used or chopped out to make a power supply for his direct PT. Or we can just tell him to piss off.

Edit: Look at this guys join date. He may not be a tech, but he's also not some random "oh, please help me because I'm too special to read stuff" noob.

 

[bigblue30]

Reading the "specs" might not do a guy without any specialized knowledge much good. What would he look for? Maybe another one-liner would help... or maybe somebody with experience using an LT1302 (12V at 120mA from 2-Cell Supply) could opine whether or not this setup might barely operate an unspecified type of atomizer, and if that PCB might have some effect on the outcome. Me? I dunno. I was hoping someone would weigh in by engaging in an actual conversation with the OP. He has a box with a AA battery holder, a USB port, and some other stuff that can be either used or chopped out to make a power supply for his direct PT. Or we can just tell him to piss off.

Edit: Look at this guys join date. He may not be a tech, but he's also not some random "oh, please help me because I'm too special to read stuff" noob.

quasimod

Lets see if I can fix this..

I have been looking at this post all day.. I even found the site that sells these following the info that placebo effect gave us:

I'm not allowed to post links, but a photo of a MintyBoost is here -- thetechlounge.com/files/news/images/1226099713_110708_rg_mintyboost_01.jpg

I then looked up the “chip” they were using:
http://www.linear.com/pc/productDetail.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1003,C1042,C1031,C1060,P1029

And the first thing I noticed was the specs.

5V at 600mA for the chip they were using. (This is one of the things that needs to be looked at) This is not enough to fire ANY atty or carto.

Without getting too geeky…Let me tell you why. Most atty and carto had a built in resistance of about 2-3 ohms. Ohms law tells us that with 5 volts and 3 ohms you need to have a current of 1.66667 amps or 1666 ma’s. The MintyBoost is only capable of 600ma. So there is no way it will work with an e-cig of any type. With a resistance of 2 ohms the story is even worse. 5 volt with 2 ohms is 2.5 amps…or 2500ma’s.

Now you suggested that he replace the 2-1.5 volt batteries with “AW 14500 Protected Rechargeable Lithium Battery” although the MAX voltage for this chip is 10 volts (another thing to look at) the MAX output current is still only 600 ma. Again no way that chip or PCB will work for an e-cig.

That is why WillyB said “It's got nothing to do with the batteries.” Why did WillyB say this? Because he did take the time to go read the “specs” and he does understand them. I know that everybody does not understand spec sheets.

I have been an EE for over 35 years and I must say that sometimes I forget that everyone is not an EE.

So what could placebo effect do with this device that he has….

• Use it as a Ipod charger.
• Look at the board and see if he can replace the LT1302 with a better chip and upgrade the rest of it to support 2-3 amps…This would take knowledge of spec sheets, soldering, and some electronic knowledge. Not to pick on placebo effect, but I do not see this happening right now.

If placebo effect wants to try to make the mintyboost work I would be happy to help him and “walk” him through the process.

 

[quasimod]

Thank you, bigblue. You did, in fact, fix this.

 

[WillyB]

Reading the "specs" might not do a guy without any specialized knowledge much good. What would he look for? Maybe another one-liner would help... or maybe somebody with experience using an LT1302 (12V at 120mA from 2-Cell Supply) could opine whether or not this setup might barely operate an unspecified type of atomizer, and if that PCB might have some effect on the outcome. Me? I dunno. I was hoping someone would weigh in by engaging in an actual conversation with the OP. He has a box with a AA battery holder, a USB port, and some other stuff that can be either used or chopped out to make a power supply for his direct PT. Or we can just tell him to piss off.

Better read the specs carefully. I don't know what atty you are using but most only output 1000mA. For Joye 510 users... useless.

I talked about atties, I specifically said it won't work for a Joye. There is no reason to try and cover every conceivable option. If the OP needs more info he can supply some details.

The booster you linked?

Features

• 5V at 600mA or 12V at 120mA from 2-Cell Supply

No good.

 

[quasimod]

I apologize for my language, and for my temper tantrum. It had very little to do with this thread, or your response, WillyB. I was just having a bad day.

@ Placebo Effect: bigblue made a very kind offer. It really wouldn't take much effort to modify your box, if you decide to take him up on it.

 

[WillyB]

I apologize for my language, and for my temper tantrum. It had very little to do with this thread, or your response, WillyB. I was just having a bad day.

No apologies needed, you're one of the good guys. I often have bad days and can be a bit abrupt. But folks should supply a few details and ask their questions before spending the $.

Luckily they have the gracious, verbose and always helpful bigblue30.

Note folks can get a lot of good info by using this app.

Online Conversion - Ohm's Law Calculator

 

[quasimod]

Thanks for your understanding, WillyB. It was a long day.

 

[duby]

I just wanted to toss a note to anyone else who may be contemplating something similar.
Any e-cig circuit/booster/passthrough/etc must be able to provide atleast 1.5amps(1500mA) of current. In many cases 1.5amps is still too little. Try to go with something that will support/supply 3A(3000mA). 2amps will often work, but you may still end up with higher required current draw.