Wheres my power?

[cekte]

Alo.
In the final stages of my manual switch USB passthrough design. Everything was soldered, in place, and done from what I thought.

LED functions properly when atomizer is connected and tact is pressed, showing a proper circuit and that it is getting juice. So back to the title. Where the heck is it? The LED functions fine, but the atomizer will not fire. What gives?

Negative (black) leads directly from the USB to outer atomizer connect. Positive (red) comes in from USB, goes to ones leg of tact switch, out the other leg diagonally, then to a 100 ohm 1/4 watt resistor, to a 2.8VDC 30mA LED, out the LED, to the middle pole of the atomizer connection. What am I missing here?

Thank you very much!

 

[UkUsa]

Hi cekte here is a reply to one of my posts.

"Not sure but looks like the LED is in series with the atomizer + connection. Maybe the atomizer needs to be connected directly to one of the switch terminals not in series with the LED. Yes the led does need a current limiting resistor."

I'd say you need to take another wire straight to the atomizer from the out side of the switch. If you have a meter now you can check your voltage through the circuit.
Here is a drawing of how i done mine. Hope this helps.

 

[cekte]

UK, Thank you very much for the response. I just rewired it according to the diagram, and your description, and it still is not working properly.

When the Multi is set at 20v DCV Im getting a read of 5.19V . When the atomizer is not in, and the tact is pressed, the LED lights normally. However, when I screw in the atomizer and hit the tact, the LED goes dim to dark in a split second, the wall plug goes dark, and then nothing happens.

Any more suggestions? Thank you for the help!!

 

[kinabaloo]

The atomiser and the led / resistor combo should be in parallel. So from the switch (non battery side), one wire goes to the led and one to the atomiser.

Also, the resistor should be at least 330 ohms i think.

 

[kinabaloo]

You may have a short where the wires attach to the atomiser.

Ideally, there should be a suitable fuse in these circuits and maybe also one or two power diodes (such as IN4001) in series (0.7 voltage drop across each) to protect the expensive laptop.

Actually, usb power output is specified as only 500mA, and although some manufacturers allow a higher current output, some do not. That usb sockets have not blown up is down to the momentary nature of the use, but if the switch stuck on the usb part of the laptop might blow, and maybe the kill the whole laptop.

 

[Houdini]

I think it should be like this.

 

[Cellmeister]

UK, Thank you very much for the response. I just rewired it according to the diagram, and your description, and it still is not working properly.

When the Multi is set at 20v DCV Im getting a read of 5.19V . When the atomizer is not in, and the tact is pressed, the LED lights normally. However, when I screw in the atomizer and hit the tact, the LED goes dim to dark in a split second, the wall plug goes dark, and then nothing happens.

Any more suggestions? Thank you for the help!!

Hi Cekte,

Everyone is doing a good a great job trying to help you out, credit is due.

Take a little break from your mod for 15 minutes or so then go back to it and check it out again. (just in case u haven't, I know u want to get this fired up).

That Sounds Like A Short Circuit, Also Make Sure Your Using A Good Atomizer, Try that atomizer on your e-cig to make sure it does work and try an other atomizer on it.

Double check your wiring (4 your 100th time), Make sure when your screwing your atomizer that wire or connection is not getting twisted and creating the short circuit or that something else is not happening that u did not see.

I did not see / hear what micro-switch your using, be sure it can handle the load .

You can also try to disconnect the LED & Resistor temporarily (by Pass it 4 now) just to be sure this is causing an issue. (I know u said it works without the atom, but try it anyways).

Since we can't see your wiring, be sure to follow the diagrams and u should also post your wiring or refer to one.

Hope that helps.

Keep Modin!

 

[vslim]

I think it should be like this.

This circuit is not correct. The resistor is supposed to be current limiting, and should be on the red leg of the LED. The connection to the atomizer from the switch should be a straight shot. I suggest the 'mythical' 5 volt blue LED from radio shack for USB passthrus, it really is different from the 3.7.

 

[Houdini]

This circuit is not correct. The resistor is supposed to be current limiting, and should be on the red leg of the LED. The connection to the atomizer from the switch should be a straight shot. I suggest the 'mythical' 5 volt blue LED from radio shack for USB passthrus, it really is different from the 3.7.

Like this? I'm gonna be making one of these and want to make sure its right.

 

[eskimoroll]

Like this? I'm gonna be making one of these and want to make sure its right.

That looks right to me!

 

[UkUsa]

Has everybody finished messing with my drawing .

That is how i wired up my usb and it is working ok so far and has been for 5 days.

The way i understood it is that the resistor is only in the ciruit to protect the led from being burnt up.
I want full power to the atomizer which is why i wire that direct to the switch.
I've put a Fluke test meter on mine and i'm getting 5 volts and 0.88 amps at the atomizer side of the connection.

Cekte, i agree with cell that it sounds like you have a short or maybe a bad atomizer.
You said you have 5.19 volts is that at the center of the battery connector with the button pushed ?

 

[UkUsa]

Here is a pic of my usd mod. It works like a champ. Only thing is though i have to keep it well topped off otherwise it tends to get a burnt flavor to it.

 

[Houdini]

Sorry bout that UkUsa.
So your sending the full 5v to the atomizer and its holding up ok? I thought the resistor was there to knock the voltage down from 5 to 3.5v.

 

[UkUsa]

No problem houdini, i was posting a little with madog about a battery supply i want to build about resistors and leds. I had spare swtiches and usb cables so i went and made this first. Figured if his magnum could run 5 volts then so could this.
I do have to be careful not to heat up the atomizer too much but it gives of a good amount of vapor.
Have been wondering about putting a resisitor to maybe drop the voltage a little but i'm kinda liking the 5 volts.

This is the link to my other post
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/7521-battery-choices.html

 

[eskimoroll]

Sorry bout that UkUsa.
So your sending the full 5v to the atomizer and its holding up ok? I thought the resistor was there to knock the voltage down from 5 to 3.5v.

Yeah, I run the full 5v to my atomizer for my passthrough as well. Heck I think the magnum and screwdrivers send 6v (two 3v batteries in series) to their atomizers as well. This higher voltage seems to make the atomizer more efficient at burning up e-liquid so they seem to last longer (less residue buildup) and they put out crazy amounts of vapor. Of course this also means you go through e-liquid a bit faster. The resistor is primarily included for the LED which would burn out if the full 5v went through it.

 

[UkUsa]

Eskimo - I totally agree. It took a while to get used to the 5 volts. I do have to drip more frequently. If i don't i quickly start to get that slight burning taste like the juice is getting over cooked. Now as soon as i get the slightest hint of that i'm dripping and topping offagain.

My first mod i didn't use a resistor and the led burnt out in two days.

I just need to get my other mod built so i can have a mobile 5volt unit .

 

[cekte]

Okay. First off, a HUGE Thank You to everyone who has put in their info, and helped me out. UK, CellM, Vslim, Eskimo, Houdini, etc Thank you! Im almost there

Okay... I fibbed a bit.. I am actually officially stumped.

Tested all connections 100x over, took everything apart, made new clean solders, re-wired to every possible scenario, used perfectly fine atomizers, different switch, even took out the resistor and LED. Nothing works.. At very best im getting tiny wisps, and the atomizer is Barely crackling. Im still getting 5v on the multi.

Its now wired directly from USB, to Tact, to female att connection. Is my tact just not properly rated? Says it can handle 12vdc 50mA rated. What seems to be the problem??

THANK YOU!!

 

[vslim]

Hi cekte here is a reply to one of my posts.

"Not sure but looks like the LED is in series with the atomizer + connection. Maybe the atomizer needs to be connected directly to one of the switch terminals not in series with the LED. Yes the led does need a current limiting resistor."

I'd say you need to take another wire straight to the atomizer from the out side of the switch. If you have a meter now you can check your voltage through the circuit.
Here is a drawing of how i done mine. Hope this helps.

This diagram is the right way to wire it up.

 

[vslim]

Okay. First off, a HUGE Thank You to everyone who has put in their info, and helped me out. UK, CellM, Vslim, Eskimo, Houdini, etc Thank you! Im almost there

Okay... I fibbed a bit.. I am actually officially stumped.

Tested all connections 100x over, took everything apart, made new clean solders, re-wired to every possible scenario, used perfectly fine atomizers, different switch, even took out the resistor and LED. Nothing works.. At very best im getting tiny wisps, and the atomizer is Barely crackling. Im still getting 5v on the multi.

Its now wired directly from USB, to Tact, to female att connection. Is my tact just not properly rated? Says it can handle 12vdc 50mA rated. What seems to be the problem??

THANK YOU!!

Maybe you have a lame USB power source? If possible try hooking up some batteries to see if that is the problem. I have one usb wall wart whose voltage drops waaay down once the button is pushed to energize the atomizer.

 

[cekte]

This diagram is the right way to wire it up.

Hey vslim, thanks for the response.
I mentioned previously, I have wired it exactly the way that specific diagram shows a few times over now, tested all connections and everything I can possibly think of. It is not working for some reason..

Is the tact incorrect? I have it wired even without the LED/resistor right now, and it still doesnt work! What gives? Please forgive my 'electrical ignorance', but I have attempted everything I can think of within reason.

Where the heck is Bastage or Maddog when ya need em?