Problem with cyclone dongle

[BonnyC]

Sorry for bumping this, but I just wanted to let you all know that something strange happened with my Dongle last night. It's not fried, but it's relevant to this discussion.

I have an old computer that suffered the blue screen of death and we don't use it anymore. It still gets power, though, so I have it tucked under the coffee table to serve as my dongle power when the kids are using my laptop. I put the dongle in the USB port in the front and it always worked fine. Last night, I noticed that the light was kind of flickering really fast (almost unnoticeable) while I vaped it at any voltage. Then, it started to reset back to the lowest setting and stop giving it power after about 2 seconds of drawing. Finally, it stopped giving power at all.

BUT, I switched it to one of the USB ports in the back and it's working fine again, perfectly steady light on all settings. Probably fried the USB port or something, but that's not a big deal. Just a heads up

 

[Tom950]

usb ports only pump out about 500ma. not enough for dongle and will probably screw the port

 

[rse1]

I found that those dongles like about 1.5 amps. I had to get a 2A converter house block and a 2A adapter for the car to get them to reliably fire. After I discovered that the root-cause of the problem was that some PV device designers ingnored the amperage delivered by standard USB ports (500 ma), I stopped using my computer ports to power stuff for fear of frying them (or a motherboard).

It's nice that you have a spare computer to drive these things, but I'd still be concerned with a fire hazard knowing that a device was trying to draw 3 times the amount of power the USB port was designed to deliver. Take care and be safe.

 

[BonnyC]

Thanks! I'll hold off on using it until I can get a converter. I don't use it much since my stardust cracked, so it's no big deal to wait.

 

[Randyrtx]

Several vendors here sell 2A converters, as well as Amazon, Frys, etc. I've heard that Walmart sells them, but I've never been able to locate them there myself.

Another very nice solution is a powered USB hub that includes a 2A or greater wall adapter.

 

[rse1]

I got mine from ebay (cell phone chargers for ipad/samsung galaxy) for ~$5 before I found out that many recommended vendors here sell them. I couldn't find any powered hubs with large current wall blocks (they all were about 500 ma).

 

[BonnyC]

I found that those dongles like about 1.5 amps. I had to get a 2A converter house block and a 2A adapter for the car to get them to reliably fire. After I discovered that the root-cause of the problem was that some PV device designers ingnored the amperage delivered by standard USB ports (500 ma), I stopped using my computer ports to power stuff for fear of frying them (or a motherboard).

It's nice that you have a spare computer to drive these things, but I'd still be concerned with a fire hazard knowing that a device was trying to draw 3 times the amount of power the USB port was designed to deliver. Take care and be safe.

Just want to double or even triple thank you for this information. I just checked the USB ports on my laptop, which is the only computer I actually use (the other was just a power hub to me) and they're all 500 mah. That's half an amp, right? I don't really understand these numbers. But I absolutely will not use it again on either of these things. I'll get a 2A converter to use in an outlet as soon as the bills are paid. Thanks again!

And, btw, there should really be a note on items like this warning that most computer USB ports aren't strong enough for them.

 

[Randyrtx]

And, btw, there should really be a note on items like this warning that most computer USB ports aren't strong enough for them.

I agree completely, Bonny.

 

[SuperLuckyLady]

Happy ending - got a new dongle from gotvapes. Wonderful customer service - thank you. And I learned a lot about USB ports too!

 

[SuperLuckyLady]

Update part 2:

Got my dongle hooked up to a 1.9A wall adapter (came with my Nook tablet) and am just loving this thing! Great product.