The TRUTH about pass throughs please!

[SubOnAux24]

Using a V4L manual PT to my usb port. I have had my manual button stick ON and cut power to my usb port. Thinking of the worst thing was burning out my usb port. I have dual usb on one side ond they BOTH lost power. Computer was fine. Being in high power business, it would make sense that these would have a breaker or a Ground fault Circuit Interruptor (GFI or GFCI) to protect these electronics in case of a liquid spill or voltage spike or overload, similar to your outlets in your bathroom with a TEST and RESET button. I re-started my computer and my usb ports engaged full power again. I have a 1 yr old toshiba satellite which are virtually indestructible anyhow. I deal with high power on a daily basis (3 phase) and the passthrough is factory rated for the usb port. At least the manufacturer tells you so. I do not recall seeing a UL or Underwriters Laboratory tag on the PT but i am betting on safe and will continue to use in my usb port as you should be your own judge with safety and a little common sense. Get your PT specs from your supplier and consult your computer manual for usb output voltage. Hope this helps.

 

[Lab]

here is the way i see it.. there is no fuse in the pass through so if i short it out then its going to have that short in the computer.. so i will not plug it in there.. spend the 5$ for a plug for the wall that if anything does happen it will fry your 5$ plug not your computer.

as far as car adapter.. i have seen them at the dollar store they look very cheap like they will fall apart easy

if i was going to plug it into my comp i would cut apart one of my old web cams and use the cord from that since it has a fuse and regulator on it..

 

[lorikay13]

sammeedog....I am sorry for your loss. A couple things you should know...depending on your model of PC the front ports and the back ports are NOT the same as far as power output. And I realize this isn't the place for this discussion but maybe there should be a section on this forum for it. Anyway....if your running Windows there is a way to know exactly how much current any given device is using on any given port. It is throught Control Panel and then eventually the Device Manager. Go to a PC forum and have someone explain the procedure to you.

Also....unpowered minihub.....sure death! Those things are meant for mice and keyboards and writing tablets etc. Listen to stormy1....just don't do it. Get one of those ac/usb wall plugs for under $10 and plug it into the surge protector that I know you will be plugging your new PC into and you shouldnt have any problems. Don't be cheap with the surge protector...get a good one. Somewhere in this thread I posted a link for the Belkin wall adapter...gives you three ac plugs and two USB ports. But beware!!!! Almost always when the ad says "2 amp USB blah,blah,blah!!!!" that means 2 amps divided by the number of USB ports. And I swear I actually found one after doing a Google that said "2 amp USB adapter" and it turned out that 2 amps was th INPUT rating!

Does anyone know why you can buy 2amp car adapters (12v DC to USB) for a dime a dozen in Europe but not here???? I have found dozens of them from UK websites and they say "Universal device" but I don't know anything about rather there is a difference in electrical stuff having to do with cars like there is with AC between Europe and the US. I figure I better find out before I buy one and plug it into my 25 yr old car!

This has gotten to be the only way I will trust anything :

Dear Lorraine:

Thank you for contacting Kensington Technical Support.

We would like to inform you that the Output Amperage for each USB Port on the 4-Port USB Charger # 38035 is 2.0 Amperes Maximum.

For any further assistance please feel free to reply back to this email or you may want to call us on our toll-free number 1800-535-4242, Mon - Fri 07:30 am to 04:30 pm PST.

Regards,

Divya Beranrdine
Kensington Technical Support

Here is that device btw......
Amazon.com: Kensington 4-Port USB Charger for Mobile: Electronics

Here is what looks like they same device under another name for much less:
Amazon.com: Lenmar ACUSB4 AC Travel Adapter for up to 4 USB Powered Devices (Black): Electronics

So I guess technically you could have a vaping party and plug in dozens of PT's....until somebody burns down their house and then I gues we will know someone was wrong about that too! 8-o

HK45....it took me awhile to realize what you were saying.....and then all of a sudden...after I had gotten some sleep ...I got it! doh! The power pack idea is the best thing I've heard yet. geez...why spend hundreds of dollars on fancy mods and then all the adapters etc,etc when you can just use whatever you have all day with no worries on a pocket power pack. Thank You!!! But I have to admit.....I'm still drooling over the Golden Greek, GG Slim. Off the topic but if your into hard core vaping and beautiful pieces of machining look at them over at Vapor King...they have a new addon....$80!....that is an auto feeder for juice!

Thanks again everyone....we gotta stick together and help each other...at least until the goverment takes over.

 

[SubOnAux24]

Control Panel -> System -> System Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager -> Universal Serial Bus Controllers -> Right click PROPERTIES on USB ROOT HUB -> Click POWER tab -> shows total power available per port. Mine shows 500mA (milliamps) per port
A USB cable has two wires for power (+5 volts and ground) , On the power wires, the computer can supply up to 500 milliamps of power at 5 volts.

 

[Mia]

Thank you one and all!!! And pmetzger....I thought your writing was quite well done. And I did/do understand your post. Thank you.
As for the car adapter that has been recommended several times here.....I had one....it literally melted the usb cord......and all I was doing was charging a battery. So no offence....but I would really like to try something else if I'm going to use a PT in the car. I do like the power pack idea but cant afford it. I've found a couple car adapters that claim 2amps until you read the fine print. They are always a duel adapter that supplies 1 amp to each port. So other than the brand mentioned has anyone found a car adapter that puts out more than 1 amp PER PORT ?
As for those duel USB wall chargers.......I got 6 of 'em. I will be plugging it into a surge protector:
Amazon.com: Belkin Mini Surge Protector Dual USB Charger: Electronics

Belkin Mini Surge Protector.This new design features three AC outlets and two powered USB outlets

Can't beat that for $15 !!





Lorraine

Are you using this and does it work?
From your link

"2 USB outlets ONLY for charging (not data transfer) at 5V / 500mA at each port."

I thought 500mA wasn't enough.

 

[sammeedog]

I figured the usb unpowered hub immediately when I tried it. I only had the rear ports at the time, the hub connected to one, and the PT on the other, so basically you know what happened from there. WHen we replaced the powersupply, it was more or less, transferring my system to another case, that had front USB ports. After the damage was done I pretty much figured out I expected too much, just thankful it wasn't the motherboard. And thankful it was an HP, Dell or the likes. This is a homebuilt, hubby takes care of the hardware, and me the software ends. So technically, I should be safe to use the front port, if that's the only thing being used, but I really don't want to risk it, out of power supplies, and the hubby will crap a brick if he has to do more parts changing.

 

[Mia]

Control Panel -> System -> System Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager -> Universal Serial Bus Controllers -> Right click PROPERTIES on USB ROOT HUB -> Click POWER tab -> shows total power available per port. Mine shows 500mA (milliamps) per port
A USB cable has two wires for power (+5 volts and ground) , On the power wires, the computer can supply up to 500 milliamps of power at 5 volts.

Thank You very much, what a useful post.

 

[nubee]

USB version 2.0 PC spec is for port to provide 5volt @ 500mAh

And yes, not all port on all PC's or laptops or hubs are created the same, unfortunately, so much for the spec.....

 

[terrie1]

I'd kinda like to know myself. I jsut ordered a PT but I'm kinda scared to plug it into my laptop now. As an alternative I have a USB to wall plug-in adapter. i wonder if that would work?

I use my PC and my usb wall plug unit. They both work fine for nearly 60 days... no trouble.

 

[lorikay13]

Mia....it isn't enough to run a PT....plenty for charging.
It's the other one that people are using for PT's....the Kensington and the Duel 2000ma one that is unfortunately sold out. They are still around but not for $3.95. The Belkin device I like because it is a surge protector. I have no way of proving this because I do not have the equipment but I feel that if your charging batteries and can maintain a constant current without the fluctuations,spikes and brown outs that I get because my house is not wired properly then you will extend the life of the battery. Plus it just makes me feel a little safer. To further confuse things....one of the reasons these Dual USB plugs everyone bought up were so cheap is that they are mis-labled...something that happens more than you think. I wrote to the guy who was selling them and he explained it to me which is how I know this. Because it said one thing on the package and something different on the sticker. And that is pretty scary! You go out of your way to try and be safe and then find out the thing isn't even what it is supposed to be! But all in all........it's probably still safer than smoking in bed!

 

[lorikay13]

terrie-1.....have you had your question answered ? I realized we all get carried away talking about stuff and then re-read your question and was not sure if any of us ever actually gave you a straight answer.
anyway...yes,that would work. As long as what your talking about is something that plugs into the wall and has a 2.0USB port. Or at most 2 port. Not one of those squid things or 7 port hubs. Basicly just check the sticker on the device and make sure that the output rating has enough milliamps for the PT you have. Unfortunately someone else will have to tell you what PT that might be. Thats my big complaint....it's like its some big secret. They shoud have it right on the website and then printed on the device. If you go with 2 amps/2000milliamps you can't go wrong. And if that isn't correct I have faith that someone will jump in and let us know.

 

[slybootz]

They don't tell you because they are not into tech support. There are too many different situations to cater to. Too many different computer setups and ages. I can tell you I blew out my power supply on my computer last week using a 401 PT, it was hooked to the rear USB. I'm lucky it didn't take out the motherboard or any of the other expensive components. It went out with a flash, bang and than smoke. Now, before anyone goes into debate, this is not said to make you stay away from those PTs, just a warning to be aware of your system. If in doubt, don't do it. My Power Supply may have been weak to begin with, I also had a mini hub with other devices hooked up, the only other actual used device was my mouse. And it is not a powerd USB hub.

We did move the system to another case/power supply. It works on the front USB, BUT I am not so trusting. I ordered a 510 with in inline battery and using the wall adapter instead. I feel much safer, so does my hubby. I don't think he'd appreciate having to do anymore work.

WOW sam you definitely lucked out in only having to replace the case/powersupply, but it still sucks that your PT caused this. After reading this, I will never again use my 401 PT connected to my PC/laptop...i found a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817804002 that i wasn't using, so i plugged it into a surge protector and just use it to charge my PV batteries and to power my PT.

 

[Mia]

"Because it said one thing on the package and something different on the sticker. And that is pretty scary! You go out of your way to try and be safe and then find out the thing isn't even what it is supposed to be!"

That's what I use. What is the correct specs?

 

[lorikay13]

Mia....your talking about the one that was like a dollar and then 3.95 total with shipping and you had to pay with Paypal? I just don't want to give you the wrong info. I will find the email from the guy and post it here if your sure it's the same one.

 

[Mia]

Mia....your talking about the one that was like a dollar and then 3.95 total with shipping and you had to pay with Paypal? I just don't want to give you the wrong info. I will find the email from the guy and post it here if your sure it's the same one.

Lori...yes thats the one. I 've been using one of them and it works great. It says 5v on the top, off white color. I hope it isn't dangerous. Everyone was buying them.

Thanks Mia

 

[lorikay13]

Don't worry...not dangerous at all. If anything they are better then described . Here is the email from Stephen:

The label was incorrectly printed and should have read 1-1.5amps from each port if using both at the same time and 2amps if only using one port. Some of the e-cig devices use up to 2amps and this dual usb device works well for them so you should be Ok.

Thanks

Scampbell


Just wish he made car chargers! Oh well....I guess it's just time to buy some extra PCC's and a power pack....I better start working on that tax return.

 

[lorikay13]

oh....Just to clarify things for anyone who isn't sure what they have...The brandname and logo is iQ which stands for intelligent quick power solutions, which is what it says on the top left corner of the package. Then it says USB X2 and it really is red on the package. They were sold by Stephen Campbell from a company called Tass Electronics. I've been using mine for several days as a charger with no problems. Have not tried it for the PT yet.
Lorraine

 

[Mia]

Thanks! It puts out a lot of power.

 

[lorikay13]

good to know....now I just need to get a PT I'm having a terrible time deciding...I love the concept of the cartomizers but they just don't seem to perform the way they should. And I tried the 901 and 801 but was a total dork at it. Maybe I just don't like high voltage vaping is what I'm thinking. But I think I understand that the 510 PT's with the inline battery are only 3.7V and that is the only one. I just dont know! What I do know is that I'm spending way too much time fooling around with these things. I think I'll just get a piece of Nicorette gum,turn off this stupid PC and go get the house cleaned and the food ready for the Super Bowl.