/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>1537317
>tfw got started clicking on random Jewtoob vids
>see /ohm/‘s favorite BigClive
>2nd random video in and I think he already explained why my dumb light builds weren’t getting powered correctly from those USB power bank boards
The two outer pins on the USB are the 5V power pins, and then the two inner pins are data pins. If plugged into a computer, the data pins will talk and decide on a charging level like 350mA or whatever the device can output. When plugged into a a wall charger where the phone or device only wants power, the data pins get shorted together and it will send the full 1000mA that the charger is capable of putting out.

So I guess when I tapped into only the two 5V pins, the board will output a standard low current. I think I need to tap into the two data pins so when I turn the light on, the board will want to put out a lot more current. Maybe that is why it was flashing and going into some protection mode even though I was drawing 700mA from a little board that is supposed to put out 1A.

Yay or nay?

Am I learning anything?

>>1515892
Oh for sure. Does the flashlight have a USB port to recharge it? And if you do a “Protected” cell, make sure it will fit in the light because they are normally a tiny bit larger than the unprotected cells. If there is no USB port on the flashlight, I think you may want “Protected” cells assuming they fit. And in that case you would also need to buy a battery charger, or be an idiot like me and charge the battery with a hacked up cell phone charger.

Never owned one of those Zebralights. The one flashlight I own that is made to only use 18650 batteries has a USB charging port and came with a battery installed so all I have to do is plug in the Micro USB cable. And the other lights I have can accept 3x AAAs or 1x 18650, but I have to take the batteries out to recharge them. They’re unprotected which means on those lights I have to make sure I don’t run the batteries too low (this kills Li-Ions) and then I have to check the voltage as I charge them.