USB chargers??

[DezRo]

I have some USB chargers for my KR808 batts, and man are they awful.
They constantly need babysitting to make sure the battery is still being recognized and charging (red light).
Whose bright idea was it to design these things with a cheap, spring-loaded pin tip??!!! lol what a joke.
The batteries have screwable threads. Why not just make these chargers with screw-in threads so that the battery makes contact reliably every time without having to fiddle with it every time.

Does anyone know any usb chargers that work well and arn't so fickle.
One of mine actually won't turn red anymore. The battery tip flashes 3 times to signal that it's connected to the charger, but the light remains blue.
The other one will only stay red now if i keep constant pressure pushing the battery into the charger. (this obviously is not right.. wtf??)
So in the meantime I'm just using my PCC contantly, pretty much leaving it plugged in all the time for my battery charging needs.
Kind of frustrating.

Right now I'm torn between 2 methods for multi-batt charging.

1) USB Hub + several USB chargers....would be fine assuming there's newer models of USB chargers out there that actually F'ing work reliably, otherwise, forget it. Battery goes in, light turns red, it needs to be that simple. I'm not wanting to have to jam batteries in and out of multiple ports trying to convince all of them to recognize the batts and begin charging.
Also wondering if splitting the USB port will limit the voltage output? Will 1 port split into 5-6 ports still deliver the same amount of power per port? or does it split that up too?

2) 510 has a multiple battery charger which could be modified to work with 808 with a handful of 808/501 adapters. Right?
Any voltage issues here? I've heard others throw this idea around but has anyone confirmed that it works?

Thanks for listening.
This is my first post and hoping to stick around and learn more.

 

[azzaman]

It would be a pain, but what about a PCC?

Read up about batteries in one of the other threads, I can't remember where it was. But not fully charging or discharging ion lithium batteries is a good thing.

 

[brandontrjn]

First, A USB hub probably won't work for a decent price. You would need to get a powered USB hub that supplied at least 500 mA per connection. I think they are available for around $40 for a 4 port system.

Second, your issue may be that your computer isn't putting out enough power to the USB charger (unless it's plugged into the wall, then it is a crappy USB charger). For KR808 style "screw in" units, try V4L. But be careful, switching USB chargers between brands can destroy the battery, charger or both. For a 510 style "screw in" try vapeshot.com.

Finally, you need at least a USB 2.0 (500 mA) connection to get enough power for the USB charger. USB 3.0 is preferable (900mA).

 

[DezRo]

I have USB 2.0, laptop, PS3, A/C outlet to USB, etc. etc. and I've tested all of them.
My PCC works great with everything. It refuses no USB port or 808 battery (short, reg, mega XL , auto, manual). Love this thing. It's the only thing keeping my batts charged for right now.
Still though would like to find a dedicated multi-charger for home, and use the PCC exclusively for when I'm away.
Screw-in chargers are the win. Product developer's please take note. :wink:

 

[dormouse]

I never use an unpowered USB hub. One PC USB port only puts out 500mA of power which is usually what ONE USB battery charging cable expects as input. I use either individual USB to AC adapters or a powered multi-port USB to AC that provides 5v and at least 500mA at each port (like if it's a 4 port AC to USB then in total it must have 2000mA aka 2amp or more output or I will not use it)

And whose charging cables to you have? All of mine screw in. The ONLY kind I have ever seen that was push-on was an out-of-stock multi-model charging cable. I have some cables from V4L though the long plastic tunnel the battery has to get down to screw in is too tight for some batteries though basic Kanger manufacturer KR808D-1 batteries fit fine. They also have uncabled stubby new screw-on ones. For one Volt battery I hate (the leak resistance auto) I had to buy a Volt charger (stubby no-cable screw on). I don't use the stubby ones other than that - I cannot fit 4 next to each other - the USB ports on my powered multiport USB to AC are too close). I am planning to order a couple of KR808D-1 cables from Vaporleaf.com - they are shorter than I want but should work fine and be screw in.

 

[Belchfire]

wrong thread, how humliating

 

[azzaman]

I've got a belkin 4 port high speed usb hub which I use for charging all my e cigs. I bought it ages ago. Not sure where they sell them in the US. But I got mine from officeworks here.

 

[DezRo]

Thank you for the responses.
I forgot the mention the usb chargers I got from smoketip a couple years ago.
Here's a pic. http://esmoke.webs.com/smoketip-usb-charger.jpg and

 

[brandontrjn]

Thank you for the responses.
I forgot the mention the usb chargers I got from smoketip a couple years ago.
Here's a pic. http://esmoke.webs.com/smoketip-usb-charger.jpg and

Smoketip has since changed their chargers. Their USB chargers are screw in now. And the old ones ruin the new batteries...found that out the hard way (this also voided the warranty).

 

[thelastspirit]

I am chargin mine through the usb ports of the laptop while at work...

 

[DezRo]

So the push down style charger is known to ruin batteries? LOL Imagine that.
I'm throwing these things away and ordering some screw-in chargers from litecigusa pronto.
Even though my original smoketip batts still miraculously work after 2 years of abuse, smoketip will never see another dime from me.
Their business operates like an infomercial product line.
And their flavors are terrible too btw.

Anyway, I've been out of the loop for a while now (went back to analog due to unreliability factors) so I was unaware that screw-in chargers were the new standard.
Definetly time to cut losses and just order up a new product.

 

[wv2win]

One more advantage to a good mod over the mini's. No cheap chargers to worry about.