There is a new usb adapter call the Satachi uCharger that is designed to output more charge from usb ports. It has modes for Apple and Android devices, and it says it's max output is 2.1 mA. So, is this what we all need?
Here's a link
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=Satechi+ucharger
does look very nice and tempting
the button toggles between different mode. so I am guessing it is 5v 0.7amp , 2.1 amp and either 1.5 or 1.0 amp.
why don't I just buy 2.1amp and it will charge all of the above devices? no toggle needed
device will draw what they need anyways so the risk of damage is not there.
Related
http://www.expansys-usa.com/d.aspx?i=148251
Charges both at same time.
Sweet. I may get one of these.
Do you know how much amps it's delivering? The Athena needs at least 2A to show any sign of being charged!!! I'm suspecting it's only delivering 500mA which is the max amount of amps a Jabra headset can take without frying itself. 500mA is just enough to light up the amber charging light on the Athena and nothing else.
sumtingwong said:
Do you know how much amps it's delivering? The Athena needs at least 2A to show any sign of being charged!!! I'm suspecting it's only delivering 500mA which is the max amount of amps a Jabra headset can take without frying itself. 500mA is just enough to light up the amber charging light on the Athena and nothing else.
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I always thought that a regular HTC charger provided 1A. Do you use a 2A charger?
According to Expansys and PP Techs this should at least give more than 500mA:
The majority of new devices are equipped with two different charging modes: a sync-n-charge mode through a computer USB port (slow charge) and a regular charge mode through an AC/DC adapter or any other charging accessory (fast charge). Those two charge settings require two completely different pinouts and are not compatible with each other.
In select devices, this incompatibility would mean that a sync-and-charge cable for your device, when connected to an AC/DC adapter or similarcharging accessories, will not be properly configured to charge your device.
Our new Lil Sync® Duo Adapter is the convenient solution to this common charging problem. Using our adapter will forces your Sprint PPC-6700 to use the most effective, “fast-charge” mode when plugged into AC/DC power. Additionally, there is a Jabra 8 pin companion port tailed onto the adapter. This allows you to conveniently charge a second accessory such as a Jabra headset simultaneously.
In some cases, your Sprint PPC-6700 will not charge from an AC/DC adapter or other charging accessory when the battery life is below 30 percent. Our Lil Sync® Duo Adapter will charge your Sprint PPC-6700 from a completely drained battery.
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Looks like an interesting little accessory.
Yes. I am using a 2A charger both at home and in my car. The one I'm using is the TomTom USB Charger for Go/One/OneXL/XL. Attached are the pictures of the car charger. The home charger provides the same amp. If you're in the US, the car charger is sold at Target for $19.99. The car charger is bent at an angle but the home charger is not. If your car doesn't have bluetooth and you have to use the audio jack on your athena, then you'll need a mini USB angle adapter to reposition the cable upward. The mini USB angle adapter comes standard with the old Motorola Razr V3 so if you already have one of those phones, you don't have to buy a new adapter. Otherwise, the Motorola mini USB angle adapter is sold for a few bucks where Motorola phones are sold.
Can I use chargers from other devices that also use mini USB such as my garmin GPS or will they damage my X1?
ive never actually used the charger that came with it(it came with the ugly European plug). if you are going to use a standard USB charger,dont go with one that has higher amps than the official one (i think its 700 miliamps if im not mistaken ) just to be sure
that said. i used the charger for the following devices to charge my x1 (some charge faster than others): Atom EXEC, samsung digital camera, htc wizard, motorolla dumbphone, usb pc cable, xbox360, g1
I charge mine via mini USB cable from PC, mains adaptors (2 different ones), 12V cig lighter adaptor.
BTW PC seems to be the slowest at charging.
THE GRIZZ said:
(it came with the ugly European plug)
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Thanks....
Back to OP:
Yes, but it is not advisable. Check if the other charger has the same specs first.
USB is a standard isn't it? I don't think your at risk frying your XPERIA. If it managed 220 in Europe it will manage 110 here. As for me, I've charged my phone with everything, a USB cable connected to my computer, a car ciggarette charger that came with my Tomtom, and my friends iPhone charer. All worked flawlessly.
yes usb is std
it give 5volts dc
and charger which provide
5volts in the correct usb connector
can charge the device
nothing else matter
amps don't matter as long as it's more then 0.5
Rudegar said:
amps don't matter as long as it's more then 0.5
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From my understanding, if the charger allows 1A, then that is the MAXIMUM it will provide, it won't be trying to supply that all the time.
So if the X1 wants, say, 0.6A, then a 1A charger will work. On the other hand, you wont want to use a 0.5A charger if it is trying to draw 0.6A or whatever higher.
This is just how you can have a massive 900W power supply. You can draw 200W, 300W, etc. but you can't have a 300W power supply and try and draw 500W (unless you like smoke, fire, explosions, etc.)
John is correct. The USB standard 5V is the important bit. Doesn't matter if the device can supply 0.5A or 5A. Most PC USB ports are good for 500mA, the OEM charger is good for 750mA.
A few of my friends have Motorals RazR's that charge via a mini USB, I don't have to worry about packing a charger when staying overnight.
I already had a collection of USB style chargers and mini USB cables before I got the X1. Use my laptop or a Belkin charger (1A) I got for the iPod in the lounge room, a generic USB phone charger in the car (500mA), the OEM SE charger in my bedroom etc, etc.
At 1st I thought oh no, my 3rd SE phone, my 3rd type of memory card and 3rd tye of charger - but I was a winner with the mini USB
What are the specifications of the official HTC chargers ?
I mean not the voltage/amp, but the way the phone identifies that it is its genuine charger and it can draw max power (ie. up to 1A).
Since normally with a real dumb charger via usb it should not draw more than 100mA (or maybe 500mA but even that would not be USB specification compliant without a proper USB negociation).
I guess this is something like 2 pins shorted on the charger cable ? (or some phones use a specific resistance between 2 plugs as identification)
If I want to charge at max current with a usb car charger, what can I do (short pins) ? And what will be the max current it will try to draw ?
The charger and usb cable provided with my Magic both have standard shaped mini usb plug. Though my collegue's HTC Dream came with HTC shaped mini usb plug. Is there any difference exept in the shape of the plug ?
Current drain
Hi
I have charged my sapphire with a power statin and it indicates about 800 mA of maximum current drain.
I made the charging wire myself from a broken charger so i think you can use any car charger.
The htc shaped mini usb is only to indicate it has charging wires and audio wires.
sportster said:
I made the charging wire myself from a broken charger so i think you can use any car charger.
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Yes you should ba able to, I'm using a Blackberry charge for mine.
Clinton
I have an old usb cigarette charger - output is 5.5V 500mA. Will this be okay to use with X1 or should I buy an official one?
My 650mAmp charger does it well enough, yours will probably too.
it is the same voltage as usb port so it should work
5.5V or 5.0V?
I use the blackberry lighter charger, 5.0 v 1A
Is it OK ???
I think I got the answer http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-505222.html
volts is the only thing that matters amps are drawn and a device will draw as much as it's made to be able to the more it can draw the faster it can charge
usb is spc'd to be 5volts but would think that 5.5volt would not cause problems but
once I gave my ext usb hub 12volts and it killed it and many of the devices connected to it
So, using a 5V 500mA just to keep my X1 alive while navigating should be no problem, right? I hardly believe it'll need more.
I use the car charger from my navigation pocket loox by Fujitsu Siemens.
This works great with output 5 V 1 A.
The original charger for home has only just output 5 V and 700 mA.
i never use my sony charger because its not charging properly
i always use motorola charging because its micro usb charger the same as X1. no problem so far
Does the nook on-board regulator have current limiting? Or are the wall warts and car power adapters limiting the maximum current.
I know the standard usb ports limit to 500ma in most cases, but with the appropriate cable and connections, the nook will request the higher USB ratings, 1.9 amps on my stock wall wart and stock power cord.
Are car chargers built with usb sockets limited to some usb spec of 2 amps or so?
A simple 5 volt regulator in a car socket could theoretically supply 10-30 amps depending on its fusing.
What I am wondering is say, a gell cell or NiCd pack with high current ability could be connected to the nook, using the high power usb pins enabled to on would be safe, or would the Nook be expecting a limited power source.
I'm afraid if i connect a 5v 10A plus source like above, and there is no self current limiting, I might blow an internal fuse or input resistor.
I want to take the thing on a trip, and was hoping a battery pack in my bag with a female USB jack (the center two pins shorted, and the stock cable) would be able to charge the unit when away from both the AC and car power.
Thanks.
P.S. On a related note, do airlines now have 120 volt outlets at all seats so I could use my nook charger?
nerdful1 said:
Does the nook on-board regulator have current limiting? Or are the wall warts and car power adapters limiting the maximum current.
I know the standard usb ports limit to 500ma in most cases, but with the appropriate cable and connections, the nook will request the higher USB ratings, 1.9 amps on my stock wall wart and stock power cord.
Are car chargers built with usb sockets limited to some usb spec of 2 amps or so?
A simple 5 volt regulator in a car socket could theoretically supply 10-30 amps depending on its fusing.
What I am wondering is say, a gell cell or NiCd pack with high current ability could be connected to the nook, using the high power usb pins enabled to on would be safe, or would the Nook be expecting a limited power source.
I'm afraid if i connect a 5v 10A plus source like above, and there is no self current limiting, I might blow an internal fuse or input resistor.
I want to take the thing on a trip, and was hoping a battery pack in my bag with a female USB jack (the center two pins shorted, and the stock cable) would be able to charge the unit when away from both the AC and car power.
Thanks.
P.S. On a related note, do airlines now have 120 volt outlets at all seats so I could use my nook charger?
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Click to collapse
I'll answer the postscript first: Nope. It's a rare plane that has ANY 120 V outlets in coach. If you're willing to fork out the cash for first class it's probably a fifty-fifty chance.
nerdful1 said:
Does the nook on-board regulator have current limiting? Or are the wall warts and car power adapters limiting the maximum current.
I know the standard usb ports limit to 500ma in most cases, but with the appropriate cable and connections, the nook will request the higher USB ratings, 1.9 amps on my stock wall wart and stock power cord.
Are car chargers built with usb sockets limited to some usb spec of 2 amps or so?
A simple 5 volt regulator in a car socket could theoretically supply 10-30 amps depending on its fusing.
What I am wondering is say, a gell cell or NiCd pack with high current ability could be connected to the nook, using the high power usb pins enabled to on would be safe, or would the Nook be expecting a limited power source.
I'm afraid if i connect a 5v 10A plus source like above, and there is no self current limiting, I might blow an internal fuse or input resistor.
I want to take the thing on a trip, and was hoping a battery pack in my bag with a female USB jack (the center two pins shorted, and the stock cable) would be able to charge the unit when away from both the AC and car power.
Thanks.
P.S. On a related note, do airlines now have 120 volt outlets at all seats so I could use my nook charger?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As to the current limiting, yes, most car chargers are pretty low power, usually rated to an amp or so. It's pretty hard to find one that will match the stock wall wart in amps.
I would be careful of a simple linear regulator in a car charger, as you'd be dumping a lot of power directly to heat. Each amp of current would put 5 watts out the usb port and burn 7 watts in the regulator. Won't take long to start a fire that way.
Now, lithium ion batteries normally have pretty sophisticated charge control circuitry, as too rapid of a charge could cause it to burst into flames. If you decide to test your idea make sure you have a good class C fire extinguisher handy!
To update my airplane power question of years ago: Since then, I've been traveling a lot and have found USA 120 volt outlets in all planes. Both in 1st and cramped class.
Also on Amtrak train and busses.
Going to poke around with my retired Nook Color for ham radio and bench schematics, etc.