Should I buy a generic wall charger for the iPad?

[SandEagle]

i lost my OEM wall charger and I sure as hell am not giving Apple $30 for a charger. Can I use a generic non-oem charger off of eBay? found one for $5. will it cause any damage to the iPad internal battery?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

It very well could damage your device. Why not use your computer to charge the device?

 

[danlvin]

It's better to use the original one, for the good of your iPad. But if you're pretty sure about the spec.s meets the iPad's requirements, it would be fine.

 

[Kaido]

Sure. I have 3 or 4 knockoff chargers. They work fine. Never had an issue.

The only thing to watch out for is the mAh rating. Apple uses a non-standard 1000mAh charger for the iPad to charge it faster. You can still use a (standard) 500mAh charger, it just charges slower. But I usually charge mine overnight, so it's no big deal. I use a 4-port USB charger next to my bed to charge all my various gadgets - six bucks on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/4-USB-Port-Ac-...dp/B0036VO7OK/

You can get knockoff 30-pin cables for under a buck, too:

http://www.amazon.com/Charging-Cable...dp/B0015RB39O/

 

[Patranus]

Not really sure why anyone would advise against buying and "off" brand wall charger.

As long as the voltage is 5V l(like any USB charger) then there shouldn't be any problem regarding damage.

As previously noted, you have to make sure that the charger you buy has the correct amperage to charge the iPad.

 

[TuxDave]

I have a ton of 3rd party wall chargers and they never caused harm. The only thing you need to check is to make sure that it works. For whatever reason, one of my 3rd party wall to USB chargers doesn't like one of my 3rd party USB to Apple connector and so when I plug it in my iPhone tells me that it's not compatible. I seriously have no clue what's going on but when I keep using my 3rd party cable with a 1st party wall charger it works again.

 

[SlitheryDee]

It shouldn't hurt anything. If the amperage is too low the iPad charges super slowly though.

 

[slugg]

+1 to Kaido, Patranus, TuxDave, and SlitheryDee's comments.

Using Apple-only accessories to "prevent damage" is all hype and scare tactics.

 

[umrigar]

psst - don't spread this around too much - $3 for the real Apple deal here
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/MC359LLAC/

 

[umrigar]

put it another way: would you risk your $500 device on a savings of $20?

 

[ThatsABigOne]

psst - don't spread this around too much - $3 for the real Apple deal here
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/MC359LLAC/

Looks like a deal. I looked around the website -- looks legit.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Looks like a deal. I looked around the website -- looks legit.

Legit? Other World Computing IS GOD.

 

[slugg]

put it another way: would you risk your $500 device on a savings of $20?

Okay... First of all, $3 to $5 is a heck of a deal anyways, so he should just buy it.

Second of all, who said there was any risk in using a third party charger? Where did this "it's potentially dangerous" hype come from? The Apple charger is just as dangerous as any others...

 

[umrigar]

cheap untested chargers with dodgy circuitry could potentially harm your device.

a voltage spike has the potential to harm any sensitive electronics.

 

[SandEagle]

cheap untested chargers with dodgy circuitry could potentially harm your device.

a voltage spike has the potential to harm any sensitive electronics.

i think you're right. Tmobile told me not to use cheap chargers for my Sensation. They said the OEM one contains something that allows it to shut off after the phone was fully charged. the knockoffs could potential overcharge and kill the battery. sounded like BS to sell me a $30 charger.

anyway, just found my iPad charger under the bed :\

 

[SlitheryDee]

i think you're right. Tmobile told me not to use cheap chargers for my Sensation. They said the OEM one contains something that allows it to shut off after the phone was fully charged. the knockoffs could potential overcharge and kill the battery. sounded like BS to sell me a $30 charger.

anyway, just found my iPad charger under the bed :\

I thought that current devices usually had the circuitry that controls charging speed and shutoff inside them rather than the charger?

 

[boomhower]

It very well could damage your device. Why not use your computer to charge the device?

Most computers won't charge an iPad, not enough power in the ports.

 

[fr]

Most computers won't charge an iPad, not enough power in the ports.

This worked for me:

http://event.asus.com/mb/2010/ai_charger/

 

[slugg]

I thought that current devices usually had the circuitry that controls charging speed and shutoff inside them rather than the charger?

This is correct. Anything with a lithium ion battery.

Which brings me to my original point....

 

[TheStu]

This is correct. Anything with a lithium ion battery.

Which brings me to my original point....

Every ultra-cheap iPod cable/charger that I have ever used has stopped working after a very short time. I have a cheap iPod cable that when i use it to connect my iPod causing my cursor to disappear and my computer to lock up (actually it might just cause the keyboard to stop working as well, but same difference really). I use an Apple or griffin one, works just fine.

So, moral of the story, third party OK, just not super cheap third party.

 

[Ancalagon44]

Only if you support terrorism and like the taste of human flesh.

Jokes go right ahead, Apple, Samsung, Blackberry - all made in China. Who cares.

 

[slugg]

Every ultra-cheap iPod cable/charger that I have ever used has stopped working after a very short time. I have a cheap iPod cable that when i use it to connect my iPod causing my cursor to disappear and my computer to lock up (actually it might just cause the keyboard to stop working as well, but same difference really). I use an Apple or griffin one, works just fine.

So, moral of the story, third party OK, just not super cheap third party.

Questionable reliability is plausible. But did it harm the device? Nope.

 

[sm625]

The apple ipad/ipod/iphone/ipoop device itself regulates its charging cycle. The charger is just a dumb 5V power source. As long as it can provide somewhat clean power, it is fine. Sheesh, Apple users are so gullible. You know what, forget what I said. Forget all reason and logic and go give Apple $30 more.