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No probllem. I'm glad everyone is getting some good use out of this idea. The battery mod is working great also. One thing I would advise, is that the mini USB is a little sensitive to constant plugging/unplugging and being picked up and used. If you want something that will take a beating, the original mod is more durable in the long run. I'm going to try a mix between the two - taking one of the skinny retractable cables and using that hardwired into the ecig. Still extandable, but no connector issues
Bastage
I just ordered this battery pack (DealExtreme: Privacy Statement) in the hope of it powering my USB mod. Are you advising that these packs don't work?
Fantastic work, Bastage. Looking forward to your next mod! If I ever get a soldering iron, I'm definitely trying this out.
Sorry - link doesn't work. What I was pointing to was this:
ry.dx/sku.3942[/IMG]
ry.dx/sku.3942[/IMG]
Will do Bastage. It should arrive in a few days and I'll be soldering a direct connection to a USB retractable cable (as you've suggested). Apart from anything else - finding a mini host connector was difficult (only found 1 site and that only had a bare assembly).
I THINK part of the problem with battery packs is that they're designed to deliver a trickle charge for re-charging phone/camera/mp3 batteries rather than delivering power on demand. If I knew more about amps, watts, volts etc I might be able to avoid making a wasted purchase but sites selling this stuff don't even provide enough info for what little I do know. I often find myself trying to read the small print on the pictures!
I THINK part of the problem with battery packs is that they're designed to deliver a trickle charge for re-charging phone/camera/mp3 batteries rather than delivering power on demand. If I knew more about amps, watts, volts etc I might be able to avoid making a wasted purchase but sites selling this stuff don't even provide enough info for what little I do know. I often find myself trying to read the small print on the pictures!
(not being able to edit posts after 20 minutes is a bad rule, mods)!
Ok... we're obviously learning as we go here. As I use these USB and try new things/new ways to make them better - sometimes the first and most simple approach is the right one. (K.I.S.S.)! Here is what I've learned so far that will save you some grief later...
Mini USB connectors are not durable enough to be plugged in and out of an eCig all day. Constant picking up, setting down, unplugging, and plugging in makes the connection flaky after about a week.
Retractable cables have very very thin internal wires. Once you cut into an extendable cable it's nearly impossible to get a firm solid connection to the ecig. I made it work, but was unhappy with the thickness of the power wires and disconnected it.
The best, most reliable way to make this mod is to use a standard USB cable the length and color of your choice, directly soldered and fastened to the end of the battery casing with no connector.
There are enough hassles to deal with when e-smoking. Adding another potentially weak point (mini USB connector) is not worth the benefit of being able to unplug it.
USB MOD Version 1 was the best idea overall. I've wasted a ton of time fiddling with these things. Figuring out what doesn't work is all part of the game, and I look at it like this.... You'll never know if you never try! I've got 2 regular USB version 1's now, and a super kick-... battery pack. I think I'm set for a while.
Ok... we're obviously learning as we go here. As I use these USB and try new things/new ways to make them better - sometimes the first and most simple approach is the right one. (K.I.S.S.)! Here is what I've learned so far that will save you some grief later...
Mini USB connectors are not durable enough to be plugged in and out of an eCig all day. Constant picking up, setting down, unplugging, and plugging in makes the connection flaky after about a week.
Retractable cables have very very thin internal wires. Once you cut into an extendable cable it's nearly impossible to get a firm solid connection to the ecig. I made it work, but was unhappy with the thickness of the power wires and disconnected it.
The best, most reliable way to make this mod is to use a standard USB cable the length and color of your choice, directly soldered and fastened to the end of the battery casing with no connector.
There are enough hassles to deal with when e-smoking. Adding another potentially weak point (mini USB connector) is not worth the benefit of being able to unplug it.
USB MOD Version 1 was the best idea overall. I've wasted a ton of time fiddling with these things. Figuring out what doesn't work is all part of the game, and I look at it like this.... You'll never know if you never try! I've got 2 regular USB version 1's now, and a super kick-... battery pack. I think I'm set for a while.
At least one of my batteries will be coming end of life soon. I intend to dismantle it with the intention of connecting an external battery supply (3 x AA rechargeable batteries). I would like to try to keep as much if the original DSE901 battery in tack, so, could Bastage and Trog give me some clues as to the best way of taking the 901 battery apart without too much damage.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Any help would be much appreciated.
You have to gut it when you take it out in order to get to the positive lead. There is no nondestructive way to do that. My video shows you how to gut the battery. I'm using 3 AA's for battery power when needed. The best way to do it is to make the ecig USB cable first, and make your battery pack USB also. That way when you're around a PC you don't have to run it on battery power. You only need to use the battery pack when you're not around a USB port. I'll post the battery config. You can charge it however you want - Using a 5v 500Mah power brick for 4-5 hours is fine. They get pretty warm when charging from USB directly (current is likely higher than 500ma), so I've limited charging time to 2.5 hours when charging from USB and I use a cooling fan to improve battery temp when charging.
found this 2 way USB charger DealExtreme: $9.77 Soshine 4-AAA USB Emergency Power Two-Way Charger with Flashlight
maybe we can use it
maybe we can use it
Bastage - you're putting the wiring through the open end of the tube - how do you close it off?
In regard to your concerns about the thin wiring on retractable USB leads - is that because you think it unsuitable for the current or is it because it's difficult get a good connection?
Your design now places the switch on the side - I've not been able to find one that didn't stick out. I think you got yours from an old video player but I still watch videos. I found a small switch (Push-to-Make Low Cost > Maplin) but it'll need to be stuck on the end of the tube. I'll drill a small hole in the side for the wiring.
My only remaining problem is getting the ground contact within the tube. Your suggestion is a KISS approach - but I'm trying to avoid defacing the battery case. I've soldered a pin to a small washer and have taken the spring out of a cheap biro to fit on the pin. Threading the positive wire through a few small plastic washers should ensure the contacts never meet.
I'm now just awaiting delivery of the battery pack from Dealextreme. I have doubts about whether it'll work - so thanks for posting your own power rig. That rig seems to put 3 1.5v AA's in series - how does it compare to the 901's battery performance?
In regard to your concerns about the thin wiring on retractable USB leads - is that because you think it unsuitable for the current or is it because it's difficult get a good connection?
Your design now places the switch on the side - I've not been able to find one that didn't stick out. I think you got yours from an old video player but I still watch videos. I found a small switch (Push-to-Make Low Cost > Maplin) but it'll need to be stuck on the end of the tube. I'll drill a small hole in the side for the wiring.
My only remaining problem is getting the ground contact within the tube. Your suggestion is a KISS approach - but I'm trying to avoid defacing the battery case. I've soldered a pin to a small washer and have taken the spring out of a cheap biro to fit on the pin. Threading the positive wire through a few small plastic washers should ensure the contacts never meet.
I'm now just awaiting delivery of the battery pack from Dealextreme. I have doubts about whether it'll work - so thanks for posting your own power rig. That rig seems to put 3 1.5v AA's in series - how does it compare to the 901's battery performance?
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Thanks Bastage.
I'm a little confused about your "4v 2,650 mah". Is this 3 4 volt batteries wired in series?
I also don't understand your re-charging concern. I assume you're using rechargeable batteries - why not use the standard re-chargers and forget about the "zippo pack" being rechargeable? A few extra batteries in the recharger isn't a great expense - particularly when they're not wasting at the rate e-cig batteries do.
Does your setup provide enough power for a full day's vaping? It sounds like they do and if so why not just take a fresh set from a standard charger?
I'm a little confused about your "4v 2,650 mah". Is this 3 4 volt batteries wired in series?
I also don't understand your re-charging concern. I assume you're using rechargeable batteries - why not use the standard re-chargers and forget about the "zippo pack" being rechargeable? A few extra batteries in the recharger isn't a great expense - particularly when they're not wasting at the rate e-cig batteries do.
Does your setup provide enough power for a full day's vaping? It sounds like they do and if so why not just take a fresh set from a standard charger?
They are soldered together in series, and fastened together. Can't just pull them out and charge them. I know you can buy premade plastic battery holders at electronics stores but most have 4 slots and are wired for 4 batteries. I measured 4 of my batteries at 5.2, which is higher than I want to go, so I made one myself for 3 batteries.How long the batteries last depends on usage, but the capacity is 20 times that of a standard ecig battery as mentioned earlier. I doubt you could use up a 3 cell pack in a day even with constant use. 3 batteries in series provide 4v out because each cell puts out 1.3 volts.
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I just finished my first (of many) USB mods. Mine doesn't look nearly as fine as Bastage's but, it really does work. Full disclosure. I am not an electrician or anything like that. I also am powering my USB e-cig (DSE901b)from my laptop USB bus.
That said, here it is!
As I stated it's pretty ugly. I barely could get the connections soldered, as I never have done it before. I finally managed to get everything connected and it works GREAT! Even the same nicquid that I was using before hits waaaaay harder now. I actually find that the 36mg stuff I've been using, after diluting it with VG and water, is still mad strong.
You know, this really proves that the major problem with E-cigs is not that it doesn't replicate smoking well. The fact is that, as long as they are attempting to make them look like cigarettes, the batteries will be too small to do the atomizers justice. BTW, the 901 atomizer I'm using, I thought was too clogged to use. I held the switch down for about 2 seconds and took a drag. I was simply blown away.
I'm soon to be working on what I've called 'Schrodinger's Box', a USB/Battery powered e-cig. It's going to have a 3.7v 2400mAh Li Ion battery and a female USB port. I'm going to use a DPDT slider switch to switch between power sources. So, USB while I'm on the lappy and battery while I'm away.
EDIT: I have noticed that if I have more than 3 powered devices on my USB power bus, I get an error in Windoze stating that I had a port malfunction. It doesn't affect my use of the OS and is a warning that I need to unplug some stuff. Other than that, I'm in e-smoke heaven.
That said, here it is!
As I stated it's pretty ugly. I barely could get the connections soldered, as I never have done it before. I finally managed to get everything connected and it works GREAT! Even the same nicquid that I was using before hits waaaaay harder now. I actually find that the 36mg stuff I've been using, after diluting it with VG and water, is still mad strong.
You know, this really proves that the major problem with E-cigs is not that it doesn't replicate smoking well. The fact is that, as long as they are attempting to make them look like cigarettes, the batteries will be too small to do the atomizers justice. BTW, the 901 atomizer I'm using, I thought was too clogged to use. I held the switch down for about 2 seconds and took a drag. I was simply blown away.
I'm soon to be working on what I've called 'Schrodinger's Box', a USB/Battery powered e-cig. It's going to have a 3.7v 2400mAh Li Ion battery and a female USB port. I'm going to use a DPDT slider switch to switch between power sources. So, USB while I'm on the lappy and battery while I'm away.
EDIT: I have noticed that if I have more than 3 powered devices on my USB power bus, I get an error in Windoze stating that I had a port malfunction. It doesn't affect my use of the OS and is a warning that I need to unplug some stuff. Other than that, I'm in e-smoke heaven.
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