USB passthrough WTF?

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polsmoka

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I have used passthroughs that have batteries before sucessfully.

I have a couple of passthroughs without batteries and they are useless:

a) Connected to car adapter, press button doesn't even light up!

b) Connected to PC USB port, press button lights up but not enough current to heat an atomizer!

So I checkd with a meter and when the button is pressed there is like a 140K ohm resistance! I'm guessing this is failed design to bring down the 5V USB? Is straight passthrough without a battery even possible?

Thx!
 

AttyPops

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It's called a "direct" 5 v PT and modders make them all the time. You need a 2.0 amp USB power supply or better. Don't suggest using your computer USB since it stresses the port. Example:

2 amp AC to USB Adapter, ideal for Passthroughs

Charging hubs often have the amps too. I hear ipads need 2.0 amps usb too... so their stuff MAY work - check specks
 

polsmoka

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It's called a "direct" 5 v PT and modders make them all the time. You need a 2.0 amp USB power supply or better. Don't suggest using your computer USB since it stresses the port. Example:

2 amp AC to USB Adapter, ideal for Passthroughs

Charging hubs often have the amps too. I hear ipads need 2.0 amps usb too... so their stuff MAY work - check specks


Thanks, I'm not not looking to make anything though I'm trying to figure out if I should be returning these. As far as I can tell they are useless / design that does not work?
 

AttyPops

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Rephrased:
What you probably have is called a "direct" 5 v PT. You need a 2.0 amp USB power supply or better. I don't suggest using your computer USB since it stresses the port. Example:

2 amp AC to USB Adapter, ideal for Passthroughs

Charging hubs often have the amps too. I hear ipads need 2.0 amps usb too... so their stuff MAY work - check specks

Is straight passthrough without a battery even possible?
Yes, the modders make them all the time.

It should work if you use the correct power source. You need 2.0 amps (2000 mA) output. Measuring resistance the way you described doesn't mean anything.
 
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polsmoka

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Thanks, OK I think it makes sense now and why some standard ohm carts work (barely) but definately not. USB via laptop port is a max 500ma. So when you say a 2000ma, how are you supposed to get this out of a USB port??? My guess is NOT and that's why USB passthroughs without built in bat suck right?
 

AttyPops

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I don't think they suck, I like them! But you do have to use the correct power supply. USB is also a power connector standard (like cell phones, and other devices) as well as a computer connection. These are great because they are 5 volt vaping, the ones with the batteries are 3.x volts. But the battery ones can be used on the low-power stuff, since it is just trickle-charging the battery. You vape from the battery, not the USB.

These suck if the power supply is too low. Most computers don't put out sufficient amps. Most suppliers that sell them recommend the 2.0 amp AC Adapters to go with them.

Some of the newer USB 3.0 ports will work for a standard atty... but I suggest that you use the AC adapter anyway (so you don't stress the computer port). Laptop ports are often more limited.

Just a note.... remember that you don't want LR atomizers/cartos at 5 volts. I'd suggest you try a 3.0 ohm atty/carto (standard ohms)

Good Luck and welcome to 5 volt vaping!
 
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polsmoka

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wow again.... many months ago I posted a warning on here about using USB passthroughs because I had 2 AC chargers in a row overheat and die (fortunately only temporarily!) That was my guess at the time that my LR cisco 306 was drawing too much current and that was why. Even though they had 650 bats inside, I must have been killing that and then going pretty much straight through. My "warning" was poo-pood by others!
 

AttyPops

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Well the ones I have must be fk'd then... plugged into car adapter or usb wallwart the button doesn't even light up with a cart (red LED on wallwart dims.) My carts be 2.8ohm

I don't understand. Either we aren't communicating, or you are copping an attitude. The PT is probably fine. It's you that is messing up. Use the correct power supply and it should work great. I can't put it any simpler than that. Since you didn't post specifics, IDK if it could be a hardware issue, but by the description you're using the wrong power supply.

USB is a connector type, not a device requirement per se (at least in this context). For example, I think the ipad uses a usb connection and requires 2.0 amps. So does that mean it is Fk'd up if you plug in into a low-powered adapter? No.

If you use the correct power supply, and still have problems, let us know or post a link.
 
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polsmoka

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Hey Attypop sorry I don't mean any attitude! What I am saying is that I would think that with a USB passthrough the reasonable expectation is to be able to hookup to a PC, laptop or car-lighter USB not some special "proper" power supply. These are NOT working at all through the car>USB, wallwart USB and barely through the PC port. If they weren't intended for use with typical USB ports (limited to 500mah) why use a USB connection in the firstlplace. They came with car lighter adapters too which also don't work. So again they appear to be useless for the average user who wants to use in the car or with a standard PC without an extra AC adapter.
 

AttyPops

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Thanks for stating things clearly Stosh.
Grrr .. lol.... so this...
USB is a connector type, not a device requirement per se (at least in this context).
didn't work. OK. Good work Stosh.
Whatabout for hooked up to laptop or PC, no solution there except with an inline battery I guess?

True. May work with some USB 3.0... but it's pushing the limits.

.....snip........They came with car lighter adapters too which also don't work. So again they appear to be useless for the average user who wants to use in the car or with a standard PC without an extra AC adapter.

Yes. I'd tell the vendor they sent you the wrong adapter, if it was a bundle.
 
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Stosh

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I use a LCD power supply that I connected a USB connector on the end of the wire.
It's rated at 5V 3.2 AMPS, I can run any atty or carto that has enough ohms to keep up. :)

@AttyPops This takes me back to high school electronics shop, basic DC circuits, LBJ was pres,
hot pants were in, mini skirts were common...... ahh the good old days
 

silkakc

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OP,

I had to get the 2 amp wall adapter at MadVapes for my 5 volt PT to work correctly. It's no biggie. I carry the thing from room to room and plug in wherever I want to. I reinforced the ends too with electrical tape so the cord had no wiggle room and the things been working flawlessly for months.
 

AttyPops

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@AttyPops This takes me back to high school electronics shop, basic DC circuits, LBJ was pres,
hot pants were in, mini skirts were common...... ahh the good old days

I missed that era... but yes... good old days....

Yup... electronics 101.

The OP doesn't say if he got them from a vendor, but did say they "came with" adapters. So... wrong adapters. If it was a bundle from a vendor, they sent the wrong adapters. If he ordered separately..... oh well. He now has extra standard e-cig charge adapters.

Good tip on the tape for non-battery PT ends, silkakc Also, try to keep juice from getting into the button.
 
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