What is a Watermelon Ice USB Widget?

While cutting the grass I found this USB-C widget laying out by the curb. The nerve of some people to toss their e-waste on the side of the road!

hmm... I know nothing about these kind of widgets...

Inside there is a 600 mAh li-ion battery

Beyond the battery and maybe the USB-C connector, i'm not sure what else is worth keeping.

I haven't tested the battery yet, but I have just the USB widget for that task!

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scottiebabe over 2 years ago +6

So what did I end up with, well: a) An interesting story b) An interesting sensory experience from the smell c) A genuine ~600 mAh li-ion cell Perhaps I'll use the pcb as a usb-c power source…
scottiebabe over 2 years ago +5

The battery inside claims to have a capacity of 2.41 Wh In a 16350 form factor It doesn't appear there is any dedicated battery protection circuitry. The widget is solely relying on the charger…
scottiebabe over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe +5

I've never put a project in a novelty mint tin, I'll have to add that to the todo list... perhaps a power supply in a

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anniel747 over 2 years ago

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scottiebabe over 2 years ago in reply to anniel747

Yes the container filled with foam only had a small residue of whatever was inside, though you could smell it from several feet away once I destructively removed the top piece...
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anniel747 over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

If you had it intact you could have refilled it and used it for fun.
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anniel747 over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

If you had it intact you could have refilled it and used it for fun.
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scottiebabe over 2 years ago in reply to anniel747

lol I see these things laying on the side of walking trails all the time, perhaps I should start picking them up to find creative new uses for them. Based on quick web search many of these things seem to be sold as "disposable"
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kmikemoo over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

scottiebabe Repurposing discarded electronics?! Sounds like a Design Challenge to me.
An Internet search says these run $15 to $25 USD so I'll have to wait until I find one to enter the challenge.
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anniel747 over 2 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

Flashlight comes to mind. IR blaster would also be fun..
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scottiebabe over 2 years ago in reply to anniel747

Yes,If i was going to try one of these things I think I splurge for a new one, not one laying on the side of the road. But I did contemplate trying to test it with a venturi pump, just blow air halfway down a piece of tubbing. These things are everywhere I will have to "try" the next one.
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scottiebabe over 2 years ago in reply to kmikemoo

I love it! fmilburn reminded me bigclive has been doing this for years! I am late to the party on this one. I love the design challenge idea, save the world!

If you do find one definitely take it apart outdoors. I got lucky that mine was empty but had this vape juice got on other items it would be a pain to clean and probably stink of fake fruit for weeks...

I don't know how these products get disposed/recycled as e-waste versus straight to the landfill...
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