What should I look for in a phone charger cord?

[02ranger]

I know that sounds like a dumb question, but I'm looking for a longer USB cable to charge my phone, preferrably >=6ft, and I keep seeing reviews online that say a lot of them don't allow for full charging capacity. What do I need to look for to know a USB cable is going to be able to handle the full output from my charger? Where do you guys get replacement cables? I don't need a new block, just the cable.

I use an HTC One so I need a micro-USB cable. Thanks in advance!!

Edit: I actually meant greater than or equal to 6', I didn't write it correctly to begin with.

 

[s44]

This works perfectly (2A charging on S4/Note 10.1): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAADBHO/

Don't know if there's a decent one longer than 6'.

 

[02ranger]

This works perfectly (2A charging on S4/Note 10.1): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAADBHO/

Don't know if there's a decent one longer than 6'.

Nevermind, I'm a dummy. I missed the 2A part on your reply. That cord looks perfect. Do you use one yourself and that's how you know the charge current, or did you find that info some other way?

 

[dma0991]

The cable isn't a perfect conductor and there's a loss as the copper wires have resistance. Hence the longer it gets, less power arrives at the other end, the longer it takes to charge.

 

[02ranger]

The cable isn't a perfect conductor and there's a loss as the copper wires have resistance. Hence the longer it gets, less power arrives at the other end, the longer it takes to charge.

I wondered about that as well. I read today that the USB standard is 15' before needing a repeater, but I'm not sure if that was for data or power, or if there's even a difference. Do you know if a 10' cable would be too long to get a good current? I'm specifically looking at this cable now. Also, what would you look at to determine the quality of the cable? I'm curious about this in general and not just concerning USB phone chargers........

 

[dma0991]

I wondered about that as well. I read today that the USB standard is 15' before needing a repeater, but I'm not sure if that was for data or power, or if there's even a difference. Do you know if a 10' cable would be too long to get a good current? I'm specifically looking at this cable now. Also, what would you look at to determine the quality of the cable? I'm curious about this in general and not just concerning USB phone chargers........

I have a USB 2.0 Type A male to female extension cable, probably about 10 feet long. I tried connecting it to a stubby, coiled micro USB cable to charge my phone. It barely charged, maybe 5% after several hours. For this reason, I don't recommend cables that are longer than 3 feet, regardless of amp rating.

If I were to rationalize as to why long cables won't allow full charge is because a charger will trickle charge, never constant. The amount of current reaching during the final phase of trickle charging is low. Add this with the loss incurred from a long cable, you're never getting enough to actually charge till 100%.

I find the cables that comes with the phones to be of very good quality, or at least that's the impression I had with the cable that came with my Nexus 4. Quality of the connector is important for the durability of male and female side. I had a cheap micro USB cable that need a good amount of force. With my Nexus 4 cable, it fits like a glove on any phone with micro USB.

 

[02ranger]

I have a USB 2.0 Type A male to female extension cable, probably about 10 feet long. I tried connecting it to a stubby, coiled micro USB cable to charge my phone. It barely charged, maybe 5% after several hours. For this reason, I don't recommend cables that are longer than 3 feet, regardless of amp rating.

If I were to rationalize as to why long cables won't allow full charge is because a charger will trickle charge, never constant. The amount of current reaching during the final phase of trickle charging is low. Add this with the loss incurred from a long cable, you're never getting enough to actually charge till 100%.

I find the cables that comes with the phones to be of very good quality, or at least that's the impression I had with the cable that came with my Nexus 4. Quality of the connector is important for the durability of male and female side. I had a cheap micro USB cable that need a good amount of force. With my Nexus 4 cable, it fits like a glove on any phone with micro USB.

I might just pass on the longer cable, then. What I've got now works fine, it's the cord that came with my phone, I was just looking for one that was longer to make it easier to use my phone in bed. Not exactly a critical need or anything.......

Thanks for the replies!

 

[razel]

Like dma0991 mentioned, it's physics. The resistance on a longer wire with the relatively low voltage of USB will make longer cables unreliable. However in real life, your experience will vary by device.

On my PS3, I use a 10 foot USB extension cord along with it's included 6 foot USB cord. I use it to charge the controller. I had no issues. I cannot tell the difference in charging times.

Same situation but with more hungry devices like my smartphone it will trickle charge when the battery is below 80%, after 80% it's normal charge. I'm pretty sure though that after 80% the phone wants less amperage so it thinks the power it receives through the long USB cable is sufficient.

Best thing you can do... buy a extension cord or surge protector with a longer cable for your AC adapter. Far less loss on AC than DC. Next best thing. Look at charging cables or charge cable adapters. These usually short the middle two data cables for USB forcing most non-apple smartphones to fast charge. Just watch the USB port though... it can heat up.

 

[dma0991]

I was just looking for one that was longer to make it easier to use my phone in bed.

Get a gang socket and connect it to the nearest outlet. Get one with a cable length long enough to conceal it by creeping it around the edges of the wall to your bed.

 

[02ranger]

Get a gang socket and connect it to the nearest outlet. Get one with a cable length long enough to conceal it by creeping it around the edges of the wall to your bed.

Are you talking about a surge protector/spike bar? I've never heard the term gang socket and google is surprisingly unhelpful.......

 

[dma0991]

Are you talking about a surge protector/spike bar? I've never heard the term gang socket and google is surprisingly unhelpful.......

Yeah, a surge protector. Preferably one that is long enough that you could cut the main cord to desired length.

 

[02ranger]

Yeah, a surge protector. Preferably one that is long enough that you could cut the main cord to desired length.

I actually use one now that comes right between my night stand and bed, but the USB cord attached to it isn't as long as I'd like. That's why I was thinking about a 6'+ cable, because it would work in more places than just at my bedside, but it doesn't really do me much good if the cable doesn't charge fast enough. lol

I really appreciate the help, I think I'll stick with what I've got unless I can find one that I know will work at that length.

 

[s44]

That cord looks perfect. Do you use one yourself and that's how you know the charge current, or did you find that info some other way?

I own one. It's excellent.

 

[Apex]

I wondered about that as well. I read today that the USB standard is 15' before needing a repeater, but I'm not sure if that was for data or power, or if there's even a difference. Do you know if a 10' cable would be too long to get a good current? I'm specifically looking at this cable now. Also, what would you look at to determine the quality of the cable? I'm curious about this in general and not just concerning USB phone chargers........

It really comes down to 2 things:

1. Build quality (no issues with connections).
2. Thickness of the power cables (2 conductors for power, 2 for data)

The only thing the specs really tell you about is #2.

The thickest power cable I have came with my LG G2, with 20AWG power:

I have yet to find another cable on the market with power conductors that thick. Unfortunately, it's only about 4' long.

There are a few 22AWG cables available. Ie:

http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Speci.../dp/B00HAA6F3E

Most of the rest of the high end cables are 24AWG or thinner, with the vast majority of the cables on the market that don't specify having absolutely junk 28AWG.

 

[westom]

I wondered about that as well. I read today that the USB standard is 15' before needing a repeater, ...

USB standard defines no such number. USB standard requires a cable to maintain certain signaling parameters. A cable manufacturer can make his cable as long as he wants as long as that cable meets USB electrical parameters. In reality, USB parameters tend to limit length to less than six feet.

If the USB cable is too long, then a charger cannot understand commands for charging. So that charger only outputs a default 0.1 amps. Grasp every number since numbers here will be more important than most words. 0.1 amps. However that would only trickle charge a lithium battery. Lithium batteries do not like to be trickle charged; want a much larger current such as numbers suggested by others. Lithium batteries (completely different from other battery technologies) tend to die faster if trickle charged.

Some previously posted statements disagree with this since many only speculate concepts that apply to completely different battery technologies (ie NiCds). And do not know about how USB works. Even wire resistance is only completely irrelevant speculation (since anyone could have solved that problem with a larger diameter wire). Had be first multiplied some numbers, then he would have never posted that speculation. Always suspect recommendations without numbers.

 

[shortylickens]

I just got a docking station for my Sony.
No need for wearing out the plugs anymore.

 

[MrSquished]

I have a USB 2.0 Type A male to female extension cable, probably about 10 feet long. I tried connecting it to a stubby, coiled micro USB cable to charge my phone. It barely charged, maybe 5% after several hours. For this reason, I don't recommend cables that are longer than 3 feet, regardless of amp rating.

If I were to rationalize as to why long cables won't allow full charge is because a charger will trickle charge, never constant. The amount of current reaching during the final phase of trickle charging is low. Add this with the loss incurred from a long cable, you're never getting enough to actually charge till 100%.

I find the cables that comes with the phones to be of very good quality, or at least that's the impression I had with the cable that came with my Nexus 4. Quality of the connector is important for the durability of male and female side. I had a cheap micro USB cable that need a good amount of force. With my Nexus 4 cable, it fits like a glove on any phone with micro USB.

''



so because you had one bad experience long cables just suck. wow.


to the OP. i have two of these, they charge fast. 6 ft long.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GF8TIK/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Removed the profanity and personal attack.
Moderator TheStu

 

[02ranger]

USB standard defines no such number. USB standard requires a cable to maintain certain signaling parameters. A cable manufacturer can make his cable as long as he wants as long as that cable meets USB electrical parameters. In reality, USB parameters tend to limit length to less than six feet.

If the USB cable is too long, then a charger cannot understand commands for charging. So that charger only outputs a default 0.1 amps. Grasp every number since numbers here will be more important than most words. 0.1 amps. However that would only trickle charge a lithium battery. Lithium batteries do not like to be trickle charged; want a much larger current such as numbers suggested by others. Lithium batteries (completely different from other battery technologies) tend to die faster if trickle charged.

Some previously posted statements disagree with this since many only speculate concepts that apply to completely different battery technologies (ie NiCds). And do not know about how USB works. Even wire resistance is only completely irrelevant speculation (since anyone could have solved that problem with a larger diameter wire). Had be first multiplied some numbers, then he would have never posted that speculation. Always suspect recommendations without numbers.

Thanks for clarifying that, I figured they would have a maximum length standard. I'm not sure where I read that 15' "standard" thing but I think it was in the reviews for a 15' cable I was looking at, so that explains why they were wrong. lol

''



so because you had one bad experience long cables just suck. wow.


to the OP. i have two of these, they charge fast. 6 ft long.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GF8TIK/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Removed the profanity and personal attack.
Moderator TheStu

I think I'll order one of those and give it a try. Worst that can happen is it doesn't work for me and I'm out $6, not exactly gonna break me. lol

Thanks everybody!! :biggrin:

 

[MrSquished]

Thanks for clarifying that, I figured they would have a maximum length standard. I'm not sure where I read that 15' "standard" thing but I think it was in the reviews for a 15' cable I was looking at, so that explains why they were wrong. lol



I think I'll order one of those and give it a try. Worst that can happen is it doesn't work for me and I'm out $6, not exactly gonna break me. lol

Thanks everybody!! :biggrin:

let us know how it goes. i've had 2 for over a year now. i use one at my desk and one next to my bed which are the two places i charge my phone at home. i have had no issues with the connector being loose although the few poor reviews seem to mention that. i suppose a few bad apples make it through QC.

Almost 6k reviews and holding at 4.5 stars. i think they will be ok