USB Box mod question. What can I use on it?

[comawhite12]

Hello all,
I am a SUPER new vapor and am trying my hand at a USB box mod. I have put the thing together using info gleaned from youtube and here, but I am still having some issues.

I have hooked up a 5.6V at 1.6A wall plug through a 3A rated switch to a 510 connector. I check the voltage at the connector and I do get around 5.6V when activated so I know we are good here. I think the problem is I only have a few dual coil cartomizers to test it with and I get nothing at all from them.
Am I correct in thinking I need to just put a standard atomizer or cartomizer on this for it to work? I have searched around and cant seem to find a straight answer. All the videos I see show just this but I would like to know for sure.

Thanks for any help.

Oh, I am using an Ego right now and have an order in at GLV for a mini. Just looking for something to sit in the recliner with and save batts.

 

[Gabe1291]

I ran across a similar problem when using a genesis atty on a homemade PT mod. What type of USB cable did you use in it? The smaller wires might not be able to carry the amps your atty needs to fire. I was getting good readings voltage wise but horrible preformace. The link below is to the thread I posted, try looking through it, and going over the mod with a multimeter as well.

Question about a Genesis on a PT

 

[Java_Az]

You might be tripping the adapter under load. Some adapters not all have protection built in that will stop it from working when pushing them past their rated output. Others will just bog down and you will get a poor vape due to voltage drop.From what you said it sounds like the first one to me. Dual coil needs a lot more amps then 1.6 @ 5.6 volts.Say your atomizer is 2 ohms it will draw 2.8 amps @ 5.6 volts. A 5 volt 3 amp adapter would be more suited to your set up.

 

[comawhite12]

You might be tripping the adapter under load. Some adapters not all have protection built in that will stop it from working when pushing them past their rated output. Others will just bog down and you will get a poor vape due to voltage drop.From what you said it sounds like the first one to me. Dual coil needs a lot more amps then 1.6 @ 5.6 volts.Say your atomizer is 2 ohms it will draw 2.8 amps @ 5.6 volts. A 5 volt 3 amp adapter would be more suited to your set up.

I am not sure what is happening with it. I tried it with a reular usb phone adapter, and now I am on to a heavier 110 adapter. The cartomizer won't even warm so I am figuring it still does not have enough amps.
I am wondering if a standard resistance atomizer or carto would work around 1.6A? Just really looking to drip and save the batteries for when I am out.

 

[Java_Az]

I am not sure what is happening with it. I tried it with a reular usb phone adapter, and now I am on to a heavier 110 adapter. The cartomizer won't even warm so I am figuring it still does not have enough amps.
I am wondering if a standard resistance atomizer or carto would work around 1.6A? Just really looking to drip and save the batteries for when I am out.

even a 2.5 ohm atomizer will require 2.25 amps @ 5.6 volts. A 3.5 ohm atomizer would use 1.6 amps @5.6 volts. That's considered a high resistance atomizer.You should be able to find a 5 volt 3 amp or higher adapter on ebay that wont be much more then the cost of a new atomizer

 

[comawhite12]

I will check it out. Thanks for the help.
Do you think higher amps would be good to have? Maybe get one that runs at 5 or 6 amps?

 

[Java_Az]

I will check it out. Thanks for the help.
Do you think higher amps would be good to have? Maybe get one that runs at 5 or 6 amps?

Yeah more is much better then not enough. I have never seen a 5 volt 6 amp adapter highest output 5 volt i know of it is 5 amps.

 

[comawhite12]

Right on, I will dig around at the shop and see what we have before ordering one. I REALLY want to get this thing running. I have never wired anything up before so I was pretty bummed when I couldnt get it going. Thanks for all the help. I will report back when I get it up and running.

 

[slimest]

An old computer power supply will do.

 

[comawhite12]

Ok here is where I am at. I am looking at a 5V 4A power supply on ebay. What I am wondering is, I have a 3A rated button on the mod. I do not anticipate drawing over 3A while using it so should the 3A button be ok or do I need to upsize it?

 

[Java_Az]

Ok here is where I am at. I am looking at a 5V 4A power supply on ebay. What I am wondering is, I have a 3A rated button on the mod. I do not anticipate drawing over 3A while using it so should the 3A button be ok or do I need to upsize it?

The amp rating is just max output for the adapter, doesn't mean it puts out 4 amps when working. Just means it can put out 4 amps @ 5 volts. The resistance/ ohms of the device it is powering dictates how many amps it will draw. If the atomizer is 2.3 ohms plugged into a 5 volt adapter it will draw
2.17 amps. If you plugged in a LR 1.5 ohm atomizer it will use 3.33 amps @ 5 volts. A switch rated @ 3 amps and 12 volts would be more then enough coverted down to 6 volts it can handle 6 amps. So @ 5 volts it handle even more then 6 amps

 

[comawhite12]

Thanks for the info, I am really wanting to get this thing up and running. I will report back once I get it and hook it up.
I dont think I will post pics because it is pretty lowtech and looks just that.

Thanks again.

 

[comawhite12]

Ok Java_Az, I think I have one more dumb question. The button I am using is rated @ 125V 3A. For some reason I think this thing is going to be a problem. As you can tell I am not much with electrical so please dont laugh too loud if I am still screwing it up.
I can say that I did get the correct voltage when testing it at the connector so now I am wondering.

 

[Java_Az]

Ok Java_Az, I think I have one more dumb question. The button I am using is rated @ 125V 3A. For some reason I think this thing is going to be a problem. As you can tell I am not much with electrical so please dont laugh too loud if I am still screwing it up.
I can say that I did get the correct voltage when testing it at the connector so now I am wondering.

Sounds like it is rated for 125 AC current. AC current is quite a bit cooler then DC. But still you should be fine Just off the top of my head i would say it would covert to 24 volt 3 amp DC so still more then enough for vaping.

EDIT: Here are specs from a switch rated in AC and DC current 3 amp 120 volts AC converts to 3 amps 28 volts DC

 

[comawhite12]

Ok thanks. I kind of thought that would be the case (not all the tech bits). One of these days I am going to have to actually LEARN about electricity.
Thanks again for all you help.

 

[comawhite12]

I got the new power source and it is working well. I tested it out and the vaper is really strong so now I am just mounting the connector to the unit and it will be good to go.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[comawhite12]

Well.......I said I would not upload a photo, but I had to. Forgive the crude design but it is my first mod. I kind of went for function over fashion on this one, but future ones will be improved.
I am running this on a 5V 4A wall unit so the vapor volume and heat are really good on dual cart. This will save me burning through my small ego batts sitting at home in the recliner.
Thanks for all the help Java_Az.

 

[Java_Az]

Looks great , glad you got it working. @ 5 volts i bet it is kicking the ego's butts. PT's are awesome I always use mine sitting at the computer and watching TV.

 

[comawhite12]

No doubt about that. I may have a hard time going back to 3.7 now. And I have a GLV Super Mini on the way so I will have to tuff it out. The GLV will be great for work beings it is almost bullet proof so I will be happyn with it.
I think in a few weeks I will try a battery mod at 5V. This seems right up the alley of someone with an addictive personality!

 

[CraigHB]

Yes, it is hard to go back once you've used higher voltage. My wife uses an eGo and it seems too weak when I try it now. I'm sure you'll be busy with new mods for some time.