USB battery charging - help me understand

[rh71]

If you've got numerous devices, you've been provided multiple USB charging cables and adapters. How do you manage all of them? Is there a one-size-fits all/most solution out there you'd recommend, capable of charging more than 1 device at once (not wireless charging pads)?

Short of that, I'm also trying to figure out which charger would be the optimal ones to use for most devices given that some chargers (adapters) are 1A and some are 2A while another I have is only 750mA. I've mostly interchanged them and charging has worked (probably not optimally).

The following are all of the adapter outputs as marked, but some are 5V and some are 5.3V:

Ipad (30-pin connector) - not sure what charger provided
Ipad mini (lightning connector) - not sure what charger provided
Galaxy Tab Pro - 5.3V 2A charger provided
Galaxy Note 3 - 5.3V 2A charger provided
Galaxy Nexus - 5V 1A charger provided
Sony RX100 - 5V 1.5A charger provided
Blackberry Torch - 750mA charger provided

So I understand that a 2A device plugged into a 1A charger can cause problems. But if I plug a 1A device into the 2A charger, will it charge faster? I read it is not recommended. I will only plug into a wall outlet, not a PC USB slot.

Why are some chargers 5V and some 5.3V as marked?

Is there another easy way to tell what amp a device is supposed to charge at? Is there a rule of thumb?

Why are some cables micro-B and some mini-B and does this make any difference other than connector type?

I bought this charger for the car and someone said it's only 950mA - so isn't it bad when I plug my 2A phone into it? I assume I should actually get a 2A one for faster charging.

 

[rudeguy]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Family-S.../dp/B00IBDOB5I

The IQ only delivers the correct amperage. I use 5 of those at work.

 

[MWink]

A higher current charger is preferable but not always beneficial. There should be no danger in plugging a device that draws 1A max into a charger that can provide 2A (or more). It will not charge any faster but it shouldn't cause any problems either.

Plugging a device that wants more current (for example 2A) into a charger that can only provide 1A will slow down its charging but it shouldn't cause any other issues.

Generally, I wouldn't worry about 5V vs 5.3V. My biggest concern would be the quality of the charger. Most OEM chargers are fairly good quality. Most cheap/generic chargers are not. I bought a USB voltage/current meter and it's been very interesting testing all the chargers I've come across. Most OEM chargers can put out their rated current (some even a little extra) while maintaining good voltage regulation. Most of the cheap/generic chargers I tested don't put out anywhere near their rated current and have horrible voltage regulation. The worst could barely maintain 4V while putting out a whopping ~80mA (rated for at least 500mA).

The important lesson is, don't buy cheap chargers and you should be fine. Also, the connector doesn't matter. Some devices use mini-USB, others micro-USB.

 

[dullard]

Throw away the 750 mA and the 1 A charger. Call it done.

You can virtually always use a low amperage device in a high amperage charger (I'm sure someone can come up with a rare exception that has nothing to do with your situation). Think of it as the maximum amperage that the charger can handle. A 2 A charger can provide UP TO 2 A. Plug anything lower amperage into it and you'll be fine.

You cannot always do the reverse. A good low amperage charger will just charge the high amperage device slowly. A cheap low amperage charger will just smell like burning rubber and get really hot (maybe die, maybe limp along, maybe burn your house down).

 

[stlc8tr]

Only use OEM chargers. Don't try to save a few bucks by buying fakes.

http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and-why-you.html

 

[Zaap]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Family-S.../dp/B00IBDOB5I

The IQ only delivers the correct amperage. I use 5 of those at work.

This.

Have several of these at home and work. Works perfectly with every device I've used them with: tablets, ereaders, smartphones, smartwatch, BT headphones, etc.

 

[rh71]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Family-S.../dp/B00IBDOB5I

The IQ only delivers the correct amperage. I use 5 of those at work.

If Watts = Amps * Volts, how do they get 40W or is that a maximum, meaning that all 5 ports can't be used at once at 2A * 5V each? Is that the only reason they have to mention watts?

 

[Midwayman]

If Watts = Amps * Volts, how do they get 40W or is that a maximum, meaning that all 5 ports can't be used at once at 2A * 5V each? Is that the only reason they have to mention watts?

Pretty much. 2.4A max on a single port, but a total of 40w. Meaning at least some of them have to be lower draw devices. Probably not something you'll run into much.

 

[Muse]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Family-S.../dp/B00IBDOB5I

The IQ only delivers the correct amperage. I use 5 of those at work.

That looks good but it's a chunk of change. What I do 90+% of the time is just plug a USB charging cable into one of my PCs that I keep in standby. It charges even so. If you awaken the PC and put it to sleep, I find that charging ceases and I have to unplug and replug the cable to reactivate the charging process.

I bought a batch of 5 cheap-ass charging cables so I'd have more than enough, but have found that they don't always work. The cords are skinny and I think they either are prone to discontinuities or the non-USB end connectors are (or get) funky. Similarly I sometimes have problems copying data to devices using the cheap cables. I wouldn't buy super cheap USB cables again!

 

[rh71]

^ I read that a PC USB 2.0 port only charges at 500mA and USB 3.0 port goes only to 900mA. Not even 1A.

 

[boomhower]

http://www.amazon.com/Anker-Family-S.../dp/B00IBDOB5I

The IQ only delivers the correct amperage. I use 5 of those at work.

Another fan, I have several around the house.

 

[dullard]

4What I do 90+% of the time is just plug a USB charging cable into one of my PCs that I keep in standby. It charges even so. If you awaken the PC and put it to sleep, I find that charging ceases and I have to unplug and replug the cable to reactivate the charging process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Sleep-and-charge_ports

 

[lopri]

Is there another easy way to tell what amp a device is supposed to charge at? Is there a rule of thumb?

Volt pushes and Ampere pulls. As long as you use chargers rated at 5V your devices should be fine. Avoid cables/chargers that are too cheaply made. Buy a higher amperage charger (but still at 5V) if you want to charge faster or charge multiple devices. It cannot hurt the devices.

 

[soccerballtux]

the 'universal' designation in the name only applies to the bus, not the current capabilities, unfortunately. it's a cluster really. they all have different implementations for how to sense/communicate the charger's current capacity

 

[JeffMD]

^ I read that a PC USB 2.0 port only charges at 500mA and USB 3.0 port goes only to 900mA. Not even 1A.

Correct. Those are minimums that the devices will expect and run on. Some devices are designed to take advantage of a charger that supports 1 and 2 amps for quicker charging. Keep in mind however if the device only supports 500-750ma then using a 2a charger won't speed anything up.

5 and 5.3v are the same in the eyes of the devices. Their chips will manage power conversion accordingly.

Cheaper chargers caaaan get the job done, obviously there is the risk that cheaper parts will fail. The most obviouse weakness will be the cable, a quality copper cable will allow full power while crappy copper or even steel based cables will have high resistance and significantly drop the amount of power that is able to get to the device.

 

[Dman8777]

I've found that charginig my phone (Galaxy S4 mini) with a usb output from a computer results in the battery lasting half as long as it does when charged with the 1 Amp wall charger. Anyone else noticed something similar?

 

[soccerballtux]

Correct. Those are minimums that the devices will expect and run on. Some devices are designed to take advantage of a charger that supports 1 and 2 amps for quicker charging. Keep in mind however if the device only supports 500-750ma then using a 2a charger won't speed anything up.

5 and 5.3v are the same in the eyes of the devices. Their chips will manage power conversion accordingly.

Cheaper chargers caaaan get the job done, obviously there is the risk that cheaper parts will fail. The most obviouse weakness will be the cable, a quality copper cable will allow full power while crappy copper or even steel based cables will have high resistance and significantly drop the amount of power that is able to get to the device.

at these cable lengths the resistance is so low that no, it wouldn't

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

26awg is 40ohms/1k feet, so 0.6% for a 6' cable of 40 is 0.24 ohms, at 1A that's...wait, 0.24v; ok I guess that could be a problem

 

[RossMAN]

rh71,

Are you still looking for a solution?

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[QueBert]

^ I read that a PC USB 2.0 port only charges at 500mA and USB 3.0 port goes only to 900mA. Not even 1A.

My ASRock has USB Fast Charge, I don't know exact specs, but I can charge my iPhone 6+ from completely dead to 100% in a bit over 2 hours. Definitely a lot quicker than charging on 1a.

 

[rh71]

rh71,

Are you still looking for a solution?

Here's a great deal worth considering, coupon may expire soon: http://slickdeals.net/f/7582714-icl...ipping-w-prime-or-fsss-amazon-com?src=pdw&v=1

I did get the Anker 5-port already, but I'll get one of these for my parents. I'm curious why it says Apple or Android on the device ports. They seem to both use any between 5V 1.0A to 2.0A anyway, isn't that right?

 

[RossMAN]

I did get the Anker 5-port already, but I'll get one of these for my parents. I'm curious why it says Apple or Android on the device ports. They seem to both use any between 5V 1.0A to 2.0A anyway, isn't that right?

I don't think it matters, it's only a label but I'd wait for someone else to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Midwayman]

I did get the Anker 5-port already, but I'll get one of these for my parents. I'm curious why it says Apple or Android on the device ports. They seem to both use any between 5V 1.0A to 2.0A anyway, isn't that right?

Because Apple took a non standard way of identifying a charging cable. Hook it up to the wrong side and you'll charge slowly. May have been fixed in later models. I don't see the apple vs android sides very much anymore.

 

[rh71]

Because Apple took a non standard way of identifying a charging cable. Hook it up to the wrong side and you'll charge slowly. May have been fixed in later models. I don't see the apple vs android sides very much anymore.

Well I got the iClever in hand (Prime is stupid fast), and on the bottom it shows the ports charge with different amperage:

1) 2400mA(ipad)
2) 2400mA(ipad)
3) 2000mA(Samsung Tab)
4) 1000mA(iPhone)
5) 1000mA(Android)

Well it's disappointing it's not all 2A (the 30W rating hinted at that though), but I assume I can safely use the first 3 for any of our devices (iPhone, Kindle, old flip phone, etc.) and the device will just adjust accordingly? Obviously I care about charging speed first and foremost.

Their marking ipad/iphone/android on these things is confusing as hell... they do it on car chargers too.