Grrr.

Ideas and questions about MintyBoost kits

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taildragger
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by taildragger »

try again
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taildragger
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by taildragger »

I think I got it
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Roth2755
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

Uh traildagger, your USB port isnt on the right side.. that could cause the positive and negative polaritys to swap. The 1 and 4 pins are specifically for a certain polarity.. I believe? And I couldent find a Multimeter sadly. I had my dad check some pawn shops.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Hate to admit it, but I made the same mistake on my first Mintyboost. The USB socket goes on the top-side with the rest of the components.

Other than that, it looks like a a good clean build. If you can move that socket to the other side it should work fine for you.

Roth2755
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

I de-soldered the 2-3 pins because thats what says the "Charging not supported" and re soldered them. Still didnt work, and I'm kind of dissapointed.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

@Roth2755 - Your build looks good, but it is hard to diagnose the problem without having any way to measure anything. You can try different cables and fresh high-drain batteries. If none of that works, we need some more data to find the problem.

taildragger
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by taildragger »

LOL !
that will fix it, thanks guys.

Roth2755
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

Oh dang.. Well do you have any other suggestions? Im gunna buy some top-of-the-line batteries but they only come in a 8 pack.. And when they only charge 3/4th of a battery they dont seem very economical.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I prefer rechargeables like eneloop or LiPo. They do cost more up-front because you need a charger for them. But they are more economical in the long run.

Roth2755
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

I picked up some Energizer Rechargables. There 2300 MilliampHours. I put them in and the Mintyboost started to charge my ipod!!! I was usin some batteries I bought at Best Buy. I guess the Mintyboost only wants good batteries?

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I put them in and the Mintyboost started to charge my ipod!!!
Congratulations! :D

Most standard alkaline cells do not perform very will in high-drain applications like cameras or the MintyBoost. They have too much internal resistance and the output voltage drops quite a bit under load. High-performance alkaline cells are available - but expensive. NiMH cells like the Energizer Rechargeables also perform quite well (and save money in the long run).

Roth2755
 
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Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:36 pm

Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

Well poo. It doesn't say "Charging is not supported" but it just didnt charge. I checked it a few minutes after I plugged it in and it didnt charge at all. I have battery percentage so I know for sure. Im going to leave it for a while and see if it goes up.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Make sure that your phone is turned off when you charge.

Roth2755
 
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Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

Oh that might help. I was expecting that it would charge with it running. Over 50 minutes passed and it only charged 1%.

Roth2755
 
Posts: 17
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Re: Grrr.

Post by Roth2755 »

Screenshots over periods of time:
Image
Image
Image
Nothing but 1% increase. Still dont have a multimeter :(

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