Sony VTC4 - computer usb charge with iStick 100W

[curiousJan]

I just got a new istick 100W and a pair of VTC4s, but I didn't buy the wall wart. Is it safe to charge internally via a laptop usb port?

I will buy a charger when I get another set of batteries, but I chose to get a bottle of nic instead this time around in case draconian regs get pushed through (stupid FDA.)

 

[curiousJan]

Okay, I realize that "safe" is a bit of an overstatement and is relative. Given that and a bit of research I've discovered that I have no 0.5 amp wall warts in my collection of phone and tablet charging apparatuses but that a USB 2.0 port provides 0.5 amp charging. I don't like risking my laptop, mod, or batteries, but don't have much choice in the immediate short-term. I'll get a charger and another pair of batteries to marry as soon as I'm able.

 

[FlexibleAsARock]

i stick 100 batteries are in parallel so just as they share the load they will share the charge, if you use a. 5 amp charger your only gonna be charging them at .25amps each, thats gonna take about 5-6 hours i would think. the charger it ships with is 1 amp i believe. don't have mine here to see at the moment. The charge rate for vtc4's is spec'd at 2 amps max.
Those vtc4's are overkill for an istick 100 watt, if you buy new batteries i'd suggest lg hg2 3000 mah, those get you more vapetime and i use them at full 100 watts with my clone velocity dripper

 

[curiousJan]

I'm extrapolating from the 1 amp wall wart that is spec'd for use with the mod that I shouldn't exceed 1 amp. My wall warts (phones, tablets) are 5V 2.0 amp, 5V 1.8 amp, and 5.2V 2.0 amp. It's been usb-connected for a little over an hour now and is down to the last bar by the display. It's not producing any heat at the mod or the laptop side and is sitting right next to me for monitoring.

I've read a lot of people suggesting these VTCs for this mod; thanks for your input though. I don't think I'll ever push the mod to its full potential, since I don't subohm, but only time will tell since I have the opportunity now.

 

[FlexibleAsARock]

i think charging thru the istick usb port at max of 1 amp is definitely the thing to do since thats what they're charger is rated for--i don't know if the internals of the mod limit the charge or not because i haven't tried a different wall wart but if your gonna buy a standalone charger and another set of batteries then you might want to choose 1 thats a little higher amperage for quicker turnaround time, maybe 1 amp per slot.

i haven't taken the batteries out of the istick since i got it- i've only used the wall wart to charge while i vape a different mod

the vtc4's are great batteries i use them in other mods that need more amps than the istick 100 does. i just prefer longest possible vapetime and the batteries i'm using can give me that safely even at maximum wattage.
your istick 100 with vtc'4 is perfectly safe!

 

[niczgreat]

I never charge off of a Laptop or Desktop. If anything goes wrong you can fry an expensive system.

I always use USB Hubs or USB Wall Chargers.

 

[KenD]

You're perfectly safe using 2 amp chargers. The device will only pull as much as it needs. Using a lower rated charger would be potentially dangerous as it would overheat when the device is trying to draw more current than the charger can handle.

Sent from my M7_PLUS using Tapatalk

 

[TonyB66]

Your batteries are good but total overkill for your mod, especially if you are a low,power user. Better to get an external charger like the Nitecore Intellicharger I2, they aren't expensive.

 

[curiousJan]

I assume the 1 amp limit is for internal charging via the iStick. I will research an appropriate charger for my 18650 batteries, likely sticking with more of the VTC4s that I already have. But I don't want to limit myself to only VTC4 batteries moving forward, so I'll factor that into my charger purchase.

Considering I'm already feeling a bit limited by my stock Nautilus 1.8 ohm coils and I'm looking at my new spool of 28g triple-twisted kanthal, I'm guessing I'll end up with a lower resistance coil as I settle into building my own. There's no guarantee that I won't increase the wattage as I drop the resistance, so while you might consider these overkill, I don't. Safety is important, and I wanted batteries that could accommodate some growth in my vaping style. I believe that I chose appropriately.