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$1.78 USB Power Monitor - Page 2 — Parallax Forums

$1.78 USB Power Monitor

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Comments

  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2014-08-20 18:19
    erco wrote:
    PhiPi: Didn't you remember to forget about it until it showed up?
    You guys keep reminding meeee!

    -Phil
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,451
    edited 2014-08-20 19:53
    Well it's taking my USB down to 4.85V at 0.63A to read these replies.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2014-08-20 20:11
    Is this cheating?

    usbcurrent.png
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-20 20:13
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    I received my OLED one today but it was DOA.

    The seller was quick with a reply. I was asked to take some photos of the meter. While taking the photos I noticed a thin crack in the glass.

    OledMeter140820b.jpg


    The meter seemed like it was well packaged but that OLED glass is pretty darn thin.

    From the video in post #18, it looks like a nice little meter. I'm bummed I'll have to wait for shipping once again (assuming the seller sends a replacement).

    Edit: I'm attaching another photo since the seller can't see the picture in the ebay resolution center.
    1024 x 515 - 58K
    1024 x 597 - 74K
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-20 21:25
    So what's the normal course of action when an item arrives dead?

    I'm pretty sure the glass was cracked during shipping. The seller is willing to send a new one out but wants me to pay $4 shipping.

    I'm not completely opposed to paying for shipping but IMO the damage is seller's fault for not packaging the device more securely. It was reasonably well packaged but if they wanted to make sure these things never broke, they could use a rigid container rather than a padded envelope. I think they're probably better off using the padded envelope and accept a certain percent of the packages will arrived damaged.

    My first inclination is not to want to pay any more than I've already spent. I suppose if I were to request a refund I'd have to send it back wouldn't I?

    I wasn't expecting a request for more money. Is this "normal"?
  • SapphireSapphire Posts: 496
    edited 2014-08-20 22:15
    You'll first have to figure out how much it will cost to ship it back.

    If that's more than what you paid, then even if you file a claim and win, which you probably will, you'll have to send it back to get a refund or replacement. And you will be out the shipping.

    If accepting the $4 charge for another one is less than the shipping, and you still want it, do that.

    Or wait and see what ebay erco has to say about all this...
  • TorTor Posts: 2,010
    edited 2014-08-20 22:18
    Duane,

    No, it's not normal. And as far as I know the current ebay rules are that you don't send it back either. In fact they're now updating the rules so that _if_ you have to send it back the seller will have to pay return shipping. EDIT: As for the last part - that may depend on the country, I should re-read the stuff ebay sent out some days ago.
    But as far as sending a replacement item is concerned the "normal" variant is that you don't pay extra.

    -Tor
  • SapphireSapphire Posts: 496
    edited 2014-08-20 22:27
    Tor,

    That's coming soon, in September, and will really crack down on this. But as of right now, they may still have you ship it back for a refund.


    If you only paid $1.78 then the cheapest option is to just order another one. Maybe from a different seller. After September.
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2014-08-20 23:14
    I've only had a few problems with eBay purchases from China sellers, but every time I was immediately given either a refund or a replacement at no charge to me. Once I was sent the wrong item. It was more expensive than what I actually purchased. They sent me the correct item within a week and told me to just keep the incorrect item they first sent.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 04:06
    xanadu wrote: »
    Is this cheating?

    usbcurrent.png

    Cool beans. Now where did that info come from?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 04:23
    Sapphire wrote: »
    You'll first have to figure out how much it will cost to ship it back.

    If that's more than what you paid, then even if you file a claim and win, which you probably will, you'll have to send it back to get a refund or replacement. And you will be out the shipping.

    If accepting the $4 charge for another one is less than the shipping, and you still want it, do that.

    Or wait and see what ebay erco has to say about all this...

    Get tough with the seller and pay no more. It's his job to get a working part in your hands for the price quoted. Your seller failed. As they say, pay for your mistakes, not others. China sellers are 99% eager to please and most replace or refund quickly. I meet a rare seller like yours, and after a few emails they get the message and comply. I would never consider mailing anything back to China, that's gotta be a losing battle.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 04:27
    Got my three today...
    So plug all 3 in series and take a photo. Voltage should be equal, current should decrease slightly and show how much power each unit uses.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2014-08-21 06:48
    erco wrote: »
    So plug all 3 in series and take a photo. Voltage should be equal, current should decrease slightly and show how much power each unit uses.

    I thought of doing just that last night, so...

    Slight voltage drop.

    Meters.jpg
    600 x 400 - 36K
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 06:57
    Fast and excellent work! Can you repeat the test with no load on it?

    Looks like your third module has more losses than the second one, or is off calibration.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2014-08-21 07:04
    erco wrote: »
    Fast and excellent work! Can you repeat the test with no load on it?

    Looks like your third module has more losses than the second one, or is off calibration.

    With no load.



    5.01V
    4.96V
    4.95V


    .01A
    .04A
    0A

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 07:11
    Fascinating, Captain! Thanks for the quick reply. Hope mine arrive soon.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2014-08-21 07:20
    erco wrote: »
    Fascinating, Captain! Thanks for the quick reply. Hope mine arrive soon.

    I switched them around and got this



    4.95V

    5.00V

    4.96V



    .01A

    .04A

    0A




    Obviously they vary slightly between modules...
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-21 08:29
    erco wrote: »
    Get tough with the seller and pay no more. It's his job to get a working part in your hands for the price quoted. Your seller failed.

    I told the seller I didn't want to pay more money and a refund or a replacement would be great. I was kind of surprised to receive a refund rather than a replacement.

    I'll just have to get by with LED displays on my USB meters.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2014-08-21 09:52
    erco wrote: »
    Cool beans. Now where did that info come from?

    Device manager, drill down on USB controllers, on the power tab of any root hub.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 10:54
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    I'll just have to get by with LED displays on my USB meters.

    If you call that living... :)

    I'll have to test and see which unit consumes more power, the LED vs. OLED displays., if & when my LED units arrive!

    EDIT: OLED unit on sale for $7.81... Duane? You can't live without power and total charge at that price. That's less than I paid!

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-OLED-Display-USB-Current-Voltage-Power-Monitor-Tester-Meter-For-phone-/111424956397?pt=US_Computer_Power_Supply_Testers&hash=item19f171e7ed
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-21 11:08
    erco wrote: »
    If you call that living... :)

    No, I don't call that living. What will I ever do without a OLED meter?
    erco wrote: »
    EDIT: OLED unit on sale for $7.81... Duane? You can't live without power and total charge at that price. That's less than I paid!

    Once again, erco to the rescue! I ordered two just to be sure I receive a working unit this time.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 11:22
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    Once again, erco to the rescue! I ordered two just to be sure I receive a working unit this time.

    Maybe I'll change my forum name to ercoled.

    On second thought, no. That sounds like the past tense of ercole.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2014-08-21 14:29
    Got my three today...
    Me too. Now to decide where to put them!!!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-21 20:49
    I still got bupkis. You boys are killin' me. :(
  • CuriousOneCuriousOne Posts: 931
    edited 2014-08-21 21:07
    Some of them might have a little switch or soldering tabs near led display. This is for rotating display 180 degrees. Some might find it useful.
  • TorTor Posts: 2,010
    edited 2014-08-21 22:40
    That voltage drop is suprisingly high I think. Under load it's simply way too much, it's not exactly unobtrusive. It'll limit its application a bit.

    -Tor
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-22 16:41
    erco wrote: »
    I still got bupkis. You boys are killin' me. :(

    Bupkis again!

    All I got today was my 8-LED RGB module!

    Where are my USB charger doctors?
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2014-08-22 17:25
    erco wrote: »
    Where are my USB charger doctors?

    Isn't California closer to China than Idaho?

    No Load Voltage (1, 2, 3 & 4 and 4, 2, 3 & 1)

    attachment.php?attachmentid=110592&d=1408752717attachment.php?attachmentid=110593&d=1408752718

    No Load Amps (1, 2, 3 & 4 and 4, 2,3 & 1)

    attachment.php?attachmentid=110588&d=1408752714attachment.php?attachmentid=110591&d=1408752716

    With Load Voltage (1, 2, 3 & 4 and 4, 2, 3 & 1)

    attachment.php?attachmentid=110587&d=1408752714attachment.php?attachmentid=110590&d=1408752716

    With Load Amps (1, 2, 3 & 4 and 4, 2, 3 & 1)

    attachment.php?attachmentid=110586&d=1408752713attachment.php?attachmentid=110589&d=1408752715
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-22 18:13
    Four? You're twice the gadget hoarder that I am.

    Looks like good numbers on all four of your units. I'm jealous!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2014-08-23 21:32
    Today I finally received the clear "Charger Doctor" I ordered, pretty nice. But the blue one I ordered is still "somewhere out there"...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an0j7_zu9vI
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