PS USBpass - USB Standard Compliance?

[sheik124]

Hello everyone,

Longtime lurker, bought a DSE901b when CaSH was still selling them, enjoyed it for two months (on the original atomizer!) and had an analog Camel in a moment of weakness, quickly returning to a pack a day habit. I'm charging my batteries back up right now and making a shopping list, and the USBpass is definitely on it.

Does the USBpass adhere to the USB spec? As in, does it not draw more than 500ma at 5V? I only ask because my motherboard is worth around $150, and I would hate to fry a couple of USB ports or even worse somehow short out the southbridge. Would I be correct in assuming I'm better off plugging it into an "indiscriminate" USB port like the powered port on my monitor?

If it does draw more than 500ma, has anyone considered a portable 2.5" hard drive-esque adapter? I don't know if you're familiar with them, but most 2.5" harddrives that don't require an AC adapter use a modified USB cable that plugs into two ports, drawing 500ma indiscriminitely from the "dummy" plug on the cable and whatever remaining voltage it needs from the plug that is also communicating with the host. Does the USBpass communicate with the USB host at all, or does it just use the port for power?
It's coiled up in this picture, but the cable looks like this:
http : / / keylinkit . com / store / media / ss_size1 / 160GBDrive.jpg (remove spaces, postcount not high enough yet)

 

[nevergonnaleavetn]

Why not use a wall plug USB or an externally powered USB hub?

 

[Moobyghost]

Why not use a wall plug USB or an externally powered USB hub?

That is what I am going to do.

 

[sheik124]

Why not use a wall plug USB or an externally powered USB hub?

Why pay for either if I don't have to

I need to look over the spec sheet for my monitor, I do believe the USB ports on it provide up to one amp. It would help to know the USBpass's draw though.

 

[windex]

The device is not USB complaint. It will draw as much power as the port will allow, and in some cases this will trigger over-voltage circuit protection. It's generally advised that if you love your PC enough to care about this you should probably get a wall plug, external hub, or USB charging battery pack for mobility.

 

[lorgain]

Office Depot. $14.95 Targus 4 port USB powered hub. No point in connecting to your computer. There is no I/O between the two. What is that 2, 3 packs of Camels?

 

[wegster]

The device is not USB complaint. It will draw as much power as the port will allow, and in some cases this will trigger over-voltage circuit protection. It's generally advised that if you love your PC enough to care about this you should probably get a wall plug, external hub, or USB charging battery pack for mobility.

+1. It routinely will shut down my macbook USB port from over-current. So, I just plug it into a wall or battery back.

 

[sheik124]

Office Depot. $14.95 Targus 4 port USB powered hub. No point in connecting to your computer. There is no I/O between the two. What is that 2, 3 packs of Camels?

Heh, it'll barely get two packs of Camels these days.

Going to try either or both of these, since if I'm paying for something I'd rather it be useful. I really don't need a hub...

amazon . com/Belkin-Mini-Surge-Mount-Charger/dp/B0016IXEWG/ref=pd_cp_e_2
amazon . com/Aiptek-ZPT-USB-USB-AC-Charger-Adapter/dp/B001639PHO/ref=pd_cp_e_3

 

[ruuku]

OR, you could buy a Kensington Portable Power Pack. I heard they're around $40 (bought mine second hand off of Bchef). Supplies 1.5A, can be used off of AC current (though only 1 port), plus adds "portability" (its slimmer and narrower but taller than a pack of playing cards some might call this portable others may not). If you don't have a prodigy, then this is pretty much the next best thing.

 

[sparkomatic]

Hey all, I too am getting a protective shut-down of my USB port on a Macbook Pro when trying to use the PS PT. It works great on my Kensington batt pack, and also great on an HP desktop PC. I have a Belkin 4 port powered hub and for some reason that little b*tch is electrifying my atomizer. Like I touched my lip to the side of the atomizer and got a little jolt of electricity! I cleaned all the contact points and tried another atomizer but still got the same result. I can touch the atomizer when it's plugged into the Belkin and it feels "tingly". Something is obviously amiss with the Belkin so it's going in the trash. I also have a car cig port to USB adapter but get no vapor from the PT. Anyone have a proven winner for wired power for this PT?

 

[ProStreet]

It will draw the maximum of what ever your usb port can provide. I decided against using mine on my gigabyte UD3P board and instead picked up a kensington power pack. The pack lasts me almost 2 full days of heavy vaping and no worries of messing up my motherboard.

 

[Gibby]

Hey all, I too am getting a protective shut-down of my USB port on a Macbook Pro when trying to use the PS PT. It works great on my Kensington batt pack, and also great on an HP desktop PC. I have a Belkin 4 port powered hub and for some reason that little b*tch is electrifying my atomizer. Like I touched my lip to the side of the atomizer and got a little jolt of electricity! I cleaned all the contact points and tried another atomizer but still got the same result. I can touch the atomizer when it's plugged into the Belkin and it feels "tingly". Something is obviously amiss with the Belkin so it's going in the trash. I also have a car cig port to USB adapter but get no vapor from the PT. Anyone have a proven winner for wired power for this PT?

Unless your computer limits the power output of its USB port, you will have issues with it runnin the USB pass. As Steve has stated, its unregulated, So if you plug it into a dryer outlet, guess what? You will get a dryers worth of power out of your USB PT (thats an exaggeration of course, but you get what i am trying to say). You can buy regulated USB HUBs, if you must use it on your computer. Best bet is to get a power pack... Just my take.

I have problems on my MAC with some USB devices as well (not a PT) as well, but not on my PC, but its crazy high end, and regulates its USB ports, and even if it didn't i put in a regulated USB Hub with an AC plug into it, to avoid issues (So i can essentially run anything off of it).

I am not totally against using my UPS as a power supply for my PT once i get it by the way. I wouldn't have to chargge that thing but like once a month, YYYEEESSSS!!!!!!


Hope this helps

Gibby

 

[Gibby]

Office Depot. $14.95 Targus 4 port USB powered hub. No point in connecting to your computer. There is no I/O between the two. What is that 2, 3 packs of Camels?

Haha, depends on where you go. In England its 1 pack. Its like 1.5 pack in NY maybe a little more. A bit under 2 in MD, 2 in VA 4 in NC, 5 in SC. Yeah its pretty cheap for what you are getting though.