USB charging questions

[BlackMetalBuick]

Want to make sure I have my facts straight before I end up roasting a battery.

Computers often have USB ports on the front side which from my understanding don't put out as much voltage, or not a constant amount. USB ports on the back of the tower usually have more power for dedicated devices. Are both of these ports suitable for a USB charger for an ecig?

What about chargers for other devices like phones? So many things use the same mini USB port these days, is it possible to save money on specific ecig car chargers and just use an old phone charger?

The sticker on my Inferno wall adapter says the output is 5v, 500mA. Not sure what phone chargers and other things are rated at.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

I have used the front USB ports to charge my batts and not had a problem. It might take a little longer than putting it on the wall wart, but it works. I would NOT use any other charging device to charge your batts. You could end up frying your battery or your charger or both.

 

[Nomoreash]

The front USB ports on my current computer has enough power to charge my Riva. With my previous computer it wouldn't charge from the front. Most likely yours will have enough, you'll just have to try and see and no you won't toast a battery doing it. If it doesn't provide enough current it just won't charge

 

[Papa Lazarou]

A standard USB port is rated for 500 mA @ 5v. They can often provide more than this, if only one of a pair of ports is being used to power a device. Some newer computers support the USB battery charging standard which allows for up to 1.8A @ 5.25v. Newer phones etc. have standardised on USB as a charging interface, and this specification allows for high speed charging from PC's.

As far as I know, you shouldn't have a problem with an e-cig battery charger on most PC's. Its pass thru's that are more likely to cause an issue as they can easily draw over 1A. There's potentially issues because the charger's and pass thru's are "dumb" - they do not "negotiate" with the PC's. So theoretically the PC could limit the current provided to 100 mA, which will not be enough to charge anything. But in practice I haven't had a problem with chargers and any PC's I've used them on.

And yes if you have a USB charger for your e-cig battery, any USB car adaptor or AC adaptor should be fine.

 

[rickard]

Yeah, some phones add something proprietary to their chargers. I know some Motorola phones (RAZR) have a resistor across two of the USB pins, seemingly to block 3rd party accessories. Probably not a good idea to use specialized adapters for other devices.

Generic USB AC adapters and car chargers should work fine, just make sure they're rated for 500ma. My power went out recently and I tried charging my Riva (same type of batt) in one of those emergency AA to USB chargers. It didn't put out enough power, so the charger light stayed green instead of turning red and charging. I'm imagining that's the worst case scenario if you have under-powered front USB ports. My front USB ports work fine on my PCs.

 

[t9c]

Sometimes the front USB jacks wear out fast due to the more frequent plugging & un-plugging devices. But they all terminate at the motherboard, front & back so they all have the same power. Worn out jacks may not charge your battery at all, or have an intermittent connection and make for a real slow charge.

 

[BlackMetalBuick]

Hmmm yeah my Inferno battery is a passthrough type so maybe in that case I should be powering it off the USB ports in back since that must draw a decent amount of power to actually heat the atomizer.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Phil McRotch]

I have mine plugged into the USB port in my monitor here at work. It seems to be charging the battery just fine. Though, I also noticed that my PS3 controller charger also seems to fit my USB eGo battery, but I'm apprehensive about using it for charging my battery.

 

[rickard]

Though, I also noticed that my PS3 controller charger also seems to fit my USB eGo battery, but I'm apprehensive about using it for charging my battery.

The PS3 is a standard USB device, so that charger is going to give out the usual 5 volts. It should work fine for charging batteries. It might not give out enough current to power it as a passthrough, though.

 

[BlackMetalBuick]

I also noticed that my PS3 controller charger also seems to fit my USB eGo battery, but I'm apprehensive about using it for charging my battery.

Yeah, lotsa things have that same plug. I guess in each individual case, we'd have to research the output of that specific charger. Too low, and it won't charge worth a damn, too high, and it might cause damage.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Yeah, lotsa things have that same plug. I guess in each individual case, we'd have to research the output of that specific charger. Too low, and it won't charge worth a damn, too high, and it might cause damage.

As long as the voltage is not too high it should be fine As long as 5v is provided, the charger will draw the current it needs. You could put it on a 2A USB output with no problem.

 

[BlackMetalBuick]

Isn't amperage independent of voltage? I was under the impression something with a 5v output could still vary greatly in terms of what it puts out.

 

[rickard]

Amperage is independent of voltage. A USB power source doesn't force current out like a battery charger though, it makes its rated current available to the device. The device will draw what it needs. As said by Papa Lazarou, you can charge a tiny 510 on a 2A USB AC adapter and it will work perfect.

 

[BlackMetalBuick]

Ohhh okay. That makes sense. Thanks!

 

[AlmightyGod]

I use a powered Belkin USB hub to charge batteries and power my pass-through.
Works great!
I've read warnings about frying motherboards and such...

 

[thh69]

i have my pass through connected to my computer and have my regular rapid charger connected to my printer usb port been doing this about a month with no issues

 

[Lotek Doombuggie]

i personally have a 7port powered USB hub that i run a usb charger, a PCC and a passthru off of as well as a logitech G13 keyboard and G9 mouse using two of the back ports, and my cell phone cable for the times i need to charge it, and one port i occassionally use a usb 7.1surround headset with. and this little hub manages to give all of that the juice it needs without a problem.

 

[dormouse]

I got a 4-port 2 amp at NewEgg w/ free shipping

And dangit it's $10 cheaper today than when i bougth it a week ago! Only $6.99
Newegg.com - Rosewill 2 Amp 4 Port USB Wall Charger RUC-6180 for iPhone/iPod/iPad/MP3