[Q] Power banks and the 2A trick - Nexus 5 Accessories

Hi,
I have several power banks, each with different capacity.
I've noticed that when I connect my nexus to a 1A port, it says "charging (ac)",
but when I connect to the 2A port, it says "charging (usb)".
The usb charging (2A) is slower than the 1A charging.
Though I can understand why usb charging is slower than AC charging,
I don't understand why EVERY 2A charger has to be a usb charger?
Thanks in advance!

On my Anker it is AC. It has a total 3A output, with the N5 using approx 1-2A I think. Check your charging cable quality, it does matter on power banks!
Envoyé de mon Nexus 5 en utilisant Tapatalk

Hi,
tried different cables and different power banks.
Can you confirm that you use A 2A port and it charges as AC?
Or are you using 1A port?

Shortcut The 2pins in The middle of The USB connector it will detect AC. I made a small plug for that

i have xiomi 2A powerbank and it shows AC

That means that your power banks are all designed for Android phones on the 1A port and iDevices on the 2A port. Basically, iDevice chargers put a voltage across the data pins to tell the device what rate the charger supports, while all other devices just short the data pins. You can get a charge only cable to get around this:
http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Micr...TYUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413824051&sr=8-1
Newer chargers and power banks are starting to ship with what they call "smart charging" or "IQ charging," which allows you to get the full charge rate out of any port without a charge only cable.

Thank you very much, this is exactly the answer I was looking for!
Last question -
I wonder how was I supposed to know that from the specs?
This is the one I have:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D5...1bfeb4a078d18d4935a3&pi=SS115#ref=pd_aw_sbs_4
Thanks!

danagu said:
Thank you very much, this is exactly the answer I was looking for!
Last question -
I wonder how was I supposed to know that from the specs?
This is the one I have:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D5...1bfeb4a078d18d4935a3&pi=SS115#ref=pd_aw_sbs_4
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's not a hard and fast rule. Some Android tablets will only charge off the 2A port even though that's the Apple standard. The manual for the battery itself says "refer to your device's manual to determine the proper port" which is a bunch of BS. When that battery pack first came out most Android phones still came with a 0.8A-1.0A charger, and the iPad and other tablets were the only devices that needed higher powered chargers. The newer models of it (http://www.ianker.com/product/A1208011) use the "smart ports" that will charge any device on either port at their maximum rate.

Related

[Q] Can use ipad charger to charge galaxy note?

Hi bringing one charger around would be much convenient. Can i use ipad charger, with 2A output to charge galaxy note?
Tq.
Yes. I've charged mine with it many times.
Hey thanks...
Apple out of norms
Hi
Using a standard USB cable will get you a slow charge, even if the Ipad charger is very powerfull. This is because apple doesn't follow the rules.
Charging your Note may take 6 hours then.
To get fast charge, you need to modify your cable or charger, as stated in this thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1497864&page=2
jabab said:
Hi
Using a standard USB cable will get you a slow charge, even if the Ipad charger is very powerfull. This is because apple doesn't follow the rules.
Charging your Note may take 6 hours then.
To get fast charge, you need to modify your cable or charger, as stated in this thread : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1497864&page=2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The increased charge in this mod seems to work for charging via usb port, power from a pc. Charge from main ac lead still higher.
So does charging my Note with an ipad adapter + Note usb cable help increase charge since the ipad adapter has an 2A output??
I'll try to make it clear.
Using a common adapter or any pc USB II or ANY apple adapter will give give you a slow charge with a standard USB to micro-USB 4 wire cable.
This is simply because they can't usually deliver more than 0.5A. For apple, they have a specific standard out of the USB norm.
To go into fast charge mode, the gnote scans pin 2 and 3 of the USB link. If they are short circuited, the gnote tries to go into fast charge mode, and draws up to 1A.
The short circuit of data pins (2 and 3) is specified in the USB norm to state "this adapter can provide 1A"
Some adapters, such as the Samsung one I got with my gnote, already have these pin short circuited inside them and make your phone go into fast charge mode.
If you have an adapter able to supply 1A or more, such as your Ipad's, the simplest way to fast charge your gnote is to have a modified cable. No risk to harm your phone nor your adapter if you respect the wiring.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
I think i understand now. Thanks so much Jabab.
jabab said:
I'll try to make it clear.
Using a common adapter or any pc USB II or ANY apple adapter will give give you a slow charge with a standard USB to micro-USB 4 wire cable.
This is simply because they can't usually deliver more than 0.5A. For apple, they have a specific standard out of the USB norm.
To go into fast charge mode, the gnote scans pin 2 and 3 of the USB link. If they are short circuited, the gnote tries to go into fast charge mode, and draws up to 1A.
The short circuit of data pins (2 and 3) is specified in the USB norm to state "this adapter can provide 1A"
Some adapters, such as the Samsung one I got with my gnote, already have these pin short circuited inside them and make your phone go into fast charge mode.
If you have an adapter able to supply 1A or more, such as your Ipad's, the simplest way to fast charge your gnote is to have a modified cable. No risk to harm your phone nor your adapter if you respect the wiring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what i want to know is:
if the ipad charger is 2A, will the phone draw all that 2A or just 1A?
im asking because if it designed to work with a 1A charger - is the draw capped at 1A?
Hi
The draw of any phone is limited to its maximum power consumption ie phone consumption + battery charging.
I believe this draw is limited to 1A within the gnote.
Having a 2A charger only means it can provide up to 2A. It's the "pipe" size, in a way.
If there were a way to increase the gnote draw to more than 1A, by example in order to charge the battery faster while using the GPS, this could be :
Either telling the gnote, using a resistor on the 5th pin of the micro-USB plug.
Or using a specific app.
(or both)
I'm not aware of this possibility at the moment.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Jabab, thanks for ur valuable expert info. I've notice that charging my gnote with the ipad charger isnt much faster. But charging iphone with ipad charger does gives a great boost. What makes it possible with iphone?
Apple uses a not so different system to tell the iphone or the Ipad that it is connected to a powerful charger: the data pins are connected to the power pins through a ladder of resistances.
I see one main advantage to this: apple could change the resistances values inside the charger to indicate to the device if it is an 1A, 2A or any other current charger.
The main drawback is that this system is compatible with nothing but... Apple devices. This why you get a slow 0.5A charge with a 2A capable Ipad charger.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
I found the original thread where I learned all this. It may be much clearer than my own explanations.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1384253
I believe though that you need a 1A (1000mA) at least charger to do the indicated mod on the charger for use with a Galaxy Note.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Bought this external charger...friend says will hurt GN..please advise

i.Sound Portable Charger
Has 16,000 mah
Input: 12V 1A
Output: '5V 2.1A on each connector 2.5 A together'
I charge a number of things on here...
A friend has me a bit confused saying this could damage the charging mechanisms of the phone.
Any input please?
Thanks
rockky said:
i.Sound Portable Charger
Has 16,000 mah
Input: 12V 1A
Output: '5V 2.1A on each connector 2.5 A together'
I charge a number of things on here...
A friend has me a bit confused saying this could damage the charging mechanisms of the phone.
Any input please?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do u mean, you are giving the Galaxy Note an input of 5V, 2.1A (ie, output of Portable Charger)? if so, it is going to effect the battery life in long run..it may charge your phone faster, but definitely going to hurt the life of the battery..there are a lot of factors which should be considered like how much extra current you can give, temperature etc etc..
I don't think so: charging current is controlled by the device being charged, not the charger.
The Note will draw only ~700mA on an "AC" charger, even if that charger can supply up to 1A, 2A, etc.
On USB, it will draw ~500mA.
A mains/AC charger shorts the 2 data pins, which tells the phone that it's a dumb charger, not a USB host, and it is safe for the device to draw up to its own maximum (700mA for the Note).
---------- Post added at 12:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 AM ----------
The corollary to that is that you shouldn't be able to shorten battery life by over-current charging: even with a 2A Nexus charger the Note draws only up to its maximum 700mA.
[I did just that test a moment ago to check: 725mA, on the 2A Nexus 7 charger]
Of course, 700mA is more than the 500mA it will draw from a USB host, so if you were really concerned, you could use that.
But the device ships with a mains/AC charger from which it will draw 700mA, so you're never going to exceed the "official" charger, whatever charging source you use.
cdmackay said:
I don't think so: charging current is controlled by the device being charged, not the charger.
The Note will draw only ~700mA on an "AC" charger, even if that charger can supply up to 1A, 2A, etc.
On USB, it will draw ~500mA.
A mains/AC charger shorts the 2 data pins, which tells the phone that it's a dumb charger, not a USB host, and it is safe for the device to draw up to its own maximum (700mA for the Note).
---------- Post added at 12:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 AM ----------
The corollary to that is that you shouldn't be able to shorten battery life by over-current charging: even with a 2A Nexus charger the Note draws only up to its maximum 700mA.
[I did just that test a moment ago to check: 725mA, on the 2A Nexus 7 charger]
Of course, 700mA is more than the 500mA it will draw from a USB host, so if you were really concerned, you could use that.
But the device ships with a mains/AC charger from which it will draw 700mA, so you're never going to exceed the "official" charger, whatever charging source you use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, though AFAIK the Note will draw more than 700mA from the OEM charger
and I have noticed charging speed differences by using different aftermarket chargers... never put a multimeter to them though
while charging the battery in the note is safe, I don't recommend plugging in your portable charger into a external battery charger. They may not protect the battery from overcurrent. Pay attention to all the specifications of all charging devices you use. Especially if you also have an aftermarket battery.
Cheers
Sent from my GT-N7000
guitarplayerone said:
yes, though AFAIK the Note will draw more than 700mA from the OEM charger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure? I didn't think that was the case; I could be wrong of course.
do you have any more details on that, please?
I have used many, many USB chargers: mains/AC, 12V, solar, portable battery, and never seen greater than ~700mA being drawn by the Note.
I'd like to know otherwise, for the odd occasion when i might want a really quick charge!
My friends point was that the i-sound charger would hurt not so much the battery but might damage the charging circuitry in the phone...course I learn this after buying this charger! ( I know its fine for nexus 7 and 10.1 tab).
Again its
Input: 12V 1A
Output: '5V 2.1A on each connector 2.5 A together'
rockky said:
My friends point was that the i-sound charger would hurt not so much the battery but might charging circuitry in the phone...course Ilearn this after buying this charger! ( I know its fine for nexus 7 and 10.1 tab).
Again its
Input: 12V 1A
Output: '5V 2.1A on each connector 2.5 A together'
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, and I believe the answer is no: you cannot damage the Note's charging circuit by using a charger that has a higher *maximum* current, since the Note will only draw a current of (approx) 700mA regardless of the charger's maximum.
As an example of that, my test showing that the Note still only draws 725mA when connect to the Nexus 7 charger, which has a maximum charging current of 2A.
Thanks
cdmackay said:
Yup, and I believe the answer is no: you cannot damage the Note's charging circuit by using a charger that has a higher *maximum* current, since the Note will only draw a current of (approx) 700mA regardless of the charger's maximum.
As an example of that, my test showing that the Note still only draws 725mA when connect to the Nexus 7 charger, which has a maximum charging current of 2A.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was a mid on this site a really long time ago showing how shorting a specific connection in the usb cable will enable ac mode and this is supposedly what the oem charger does
guitarplayerone said:
There was a mid on this site a really long time ago showing how shorting a specific connection in the usb cable will enable ac mode and this is supposedly what the oem charger does
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, that's right: shorting the two data pins --- which most "dumb-charger spec" capable chargers do --- tells the Note that it's OK to pull its maximum ~700mA. But it won't pull any more than that even if it's a 2A charger.
Without that short, the Note will only pull the regular ~500mA (again, regardless of charger max current): it thinks it is connected to a standard USB host, which might not be able to supply > 500mA, e.g. a laptop motherboard.
If you have a >500mA charger that *doesn't* follow the dumb-charger spec, i.e. it doesn't short the data pins, e.g. possibly a Mac USB charger, then you can get a charge-only no-data USB cable, that has the data pins shorted internally (in the cable itself), which will achieve the same effect. This is the mod you describe above.
You probably should not use that cable with a regular USB host (although the host will probably just limit its current anyway).
[Macs use some proprietary "signalling" method, whereby differing value resistors are placed across the data pins, telling the device differing levels of current to pull, etc. This is why you'll see external battery packs like Anker Astro 3 having a "Samsung port" and also a "iPad port"; madness]
Finally, some Android kernels have a hack that will allow AC mode (e.g. 700mA on the Note) regardless of the data pins. But this isn't always wise, and so many devs won't touch it. It prob wouldn't bother the Note, but it might not be good for the host/charger.
Apologies for rambling on, but people seem to ask this sort of thing a lot...
yep people wantblong battery life and fast charge.
About time a proper fuel cell is introduced
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Most of this is over my head
So bottom line: charging my note with the i-Sound charger described in the OP will NOT damage my new Note , correct?
Tnx
rockky said:
Most of this is over my head
So bottom line: charging my note with the i-Sound charger described in the OP will NOT damage my new Note , correct?
Tnx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that's correct; I would not hesitate to use it.
As someone else stated, however: whilst charging in the phone should be safe, since the phone controls the current, taking the battery out and charging it in a standalone battery charger may not be safe.
rockky said:
Most of this is over my head
So bottom line: charging my note with the i-Sound charger described in the OP will NOT damage my new Note , correct?
Tnx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's correct. Generally, just make sure the voltage is not too high (or too low). The range of 4.7V to 5V should be OK, since there is some allowance for variations. The current ( ie, the Amperes) only indicates the current the charger is capable of supplying. It doesn't mean the charger will force all that current down the battery's throat. The device/battery will draw as much as it needs, and this will not damage the device or battery whether it's 0.5A or 2A.

Charge 2 SGSIII's at once?

I would like to get a charging cable that has 2 Male Micro USB connectors and 1 standard Male USB connector.
These are supposed to charge 2 cell phones through one USB charger, but I've read that you might need a higher capacity charger than comes with your single cable charger.
Will the standard USB charger that comes with our phone work, or will I need a higher capacity charger?
Thanks
OKAstro said:
I would like to get a charging cable that has 2 Male Micro USB connectors and 1 standard Male USB connector.
These are supposed to charge 2 cell phones through one USB charger, but I've read that you might need a higher capacity charger than comes with your single cable charger.
Will the standard USB charger that comes with our phone work, or will I need a higher capacity charger?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Our S3's can charge at approximately max 1.1amps and perhaps more on a custom rom. Our stock chargers will not likely provide enough to charge 2 S3's at that fast rate. But, instead it will likely charge both at half that rate. So. I would get a charger that can handle more than 2amps...preferably 3amps so that there is plenty of headroom especially if the charger specs are over-rated. The S3 will only use what it needs and of course, it will slow down the charge as it gets closer to being fully charged. Also, note that if the USB Y-cable or splitter is not wired correctly, then it may not charge at fast rate.
themadproducer said:
Our S3's can charge at approximately max 1.1amps and perhaps more on a custom rom. Our stock chargers will not likely provide enough to charge 2 S3's at that fast rate. But, instead it will likely charge both at half that rate. So. I would get a charger that can handle more than 2amps...preferably 3amps so that there is plenty of headroom especially if the charger specs are over-rated. The S3 will only use what it needs and of course, it will slow down the charge as it gets closer to being fully charged. Also, note that if the USB Y-cable or splitter is not wired correctly, then it may not charge at fast rate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. Where can I find a 3 amp charger?
OKAstro said:
Thanks. Where can I find a 3 amp charger?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a usb 2amp cigarette lighter charger and it has 2 usb ports for charging and charges my S3 and an HD2 together at fast rate when I use proper usb cable(s).
On a 2sec Google search, I found this 3amp usb wall charger (2amp + 1amp) example...or this Scosche 4 port 4amp wall charger although it says each port is limited to 1amp max. You can always put in a USB Y cable making 2 ports merge into 1 yielding 2amp max output...if necessary.
Here is a 2 port x 2.1amp per port example..which would give you maximum headroom and might work well for more demanding tablet devices etc.

Why is my 5x "Charging slowly"?

Just got my 5x today, and it does "rapid charging" when I connect with the charger in the box, but when I connect using other USB cables/plugs (one supports QC 2.0, the other is a regular charger but supports 2.1A charging), I get a message that the device is "Charging slowly."
Are there other certain specs that a cable or charger has to have to take advantage of rapid charging?
Fast charging on USB-C is apparently very picky when it comes to cables. I havent't tried charging from the USB-A cables that I bought, but the reviews for one that I was considering said that the cable limited the charging capability to 500mA. I know little about qcomm's Quick Charging but I do know that it requires feedback from an enabled device before it will allow full power. I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of that feedback from the N5X was limiting current from the charger, but it definitely looks like a quality cable is the first step to success. Notice how thick the factory LG cable is...
Most cables limit current by a significant amount. Even factory ones. That's why the OnePlus One charger was so popular. The wall dongle was nothing special (2.0A) but the cable was thick enough to actually let it output that current. The only difference now is that our phone will actually tell us if it's hooked up to a crappy charger/cable.
Thanks for the reply, I'll have to do some hunting on Amazon for another cable and see what happens.
Appreciate it if anyone else can chime in too.
the Nexus 5X does not support Qualcomm Quick Charge, at all.
Thanks, I know QC is not supported, I was just offering up that I tried one, and that I tried multiple charges that support 2.1A charging.
Interestingly enough, if I use either of the QC certified chargers that I got along with my S6 (which only output 2A) I get rapid charging. Using an Anker QC charger (also 2A) I don't, and using a different charger (can't remember the brand at the moment, but also 2A, but not QC), I also get slow charging.
Hmm...

Charging Problem Solved "I Think"

I have been having problems charging my LG V20. When driving and streaming music with Waze I notice that I'm loosing charge capacity, so I have to only use Waze when absolutely necessary, during traffic jams or finding a restaurant or store etc. I keep getting intermittent "Slow Charging" or "Use OEM Charger & Cable" messages. I don't have the OEM charger or cable so I have been purchasing chargers & cables. I bought a 4 port 12V charger with QC 3.0 expecting that to solve my problem. The charger didn't change anything. So I bought a few USB 3.0 cables and just one time I got a "Fast Charging" session. I read a review about a charger like mine and the review rated the charger as poor. So I bought another QC 3.0 charger and went out to the car with the new charger and all my C type cables. Went through all 5 of my 3 ft cables and once again I keep getting intermittent "Slow Charging" or "Use OEM Charger & Cable" messages with the new charger. Bummer. I also have two short 25cm cables that I tried in desperation and Wow, both of these short cables produce consistent "Fast Charging" sessions. With both chargers! The 25cm cables are too short to reach where I mount my phone so I just ordered a 50cm Ugreen USB C Cable 5A Super Charge Cable. I'm hoping a short (less resistance) high quality cable will solve my problem. Any suggestions on another brand 50cm cable I should order as a backup?
rredmed said:
I have been having problems charging my LG V20. When driving and streaming music with Waze I notice that I'm loosing charge capacity, so I have to only use Waze when absolutely necessary, during traffic jams or finding a restaurant or store etc. I keep getting intermittent "Slow Charging" or "Use OEM Charger & Cable" messages. I don't have the OEM charger or cable so I have been purchasing chargers & cables. I bought a 4 port 12V charger with QC 3.0 expecting that to solve my problem. The charger didn't change anything. So I bought a few USB 3.0 cables and just one time I got a "Fast Charging" session. I read a review about a charger like mine and the review rated the charger as poor. So I bought another QC 3.0 charger and went out to the car with the new charger and all my C type cables. Went through all 5 of my 3 ft cables and once again I keep getting intermittent "Slow Charging" or "Use OEM Charger & Cable" messages with the new charger. Bummer. I also have two short 25cm cables that I tried in desperation and Wow, both of these short cables produce consistent "Fast Charging" sessions. With both chargers! The 25cm cables are too short to reach where I mount my phone so I just ordered a 50cm Ugreen USB C Cable 5A Super Charge Cable. I'm hoping a short (less resistance) high quality cable will solve my problem. Any suggestions on another brand 50cm cable I should order as a backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to check the voltage and amperage of your charger and then see if you can find some specs about your device and look for what voltage and amperage charger it is supposed to have. The power output of the charger is more relevant to charge capacity than the length of the cable being used.
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Droidriven said:
You need to check the voltage and amperage of your charger and then see if you can find some specs about your device and look for what voltage and amperage charger it is supposed to have. The power output of the charger is more relevant to charge capacity than the length of the cable being used.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you explain multiple charges working in quick charge mode only with the short cables I have and not with any of the other cables, other than a problem with the cables?
rredmed said:
How do you explain multiple charges working in quick charge mode only with the short cables I have and not with any of the other cables, other than a problem with the cables?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you do any investigating to determine what voltage and amperage charger is required by your specific device? Did you compare that to the chargers that you have in order to verify whether the chargers you have are correctly rated for your device? That is a more important detail than you realize.
Yeah, I know what you're probably thinking, "I've never had a problem using a different charger to charge other devices that I have used/owned, how can it be an issue now?"
The answer to that is, not all devices are equal.
Maybe the charger is rated lower than is required by the device and when used with the longer, higher resistance cords, it can't provide enough power, but when using the short cord it's lower resistance might be enough to make up the difference. I've had this issue on a Kindle tablet, the charger for my phone would not charge the device quickly enough unless the device was turned off, it would even give the "may not charge" message when I would plug it in, but when I bought the proper charger for it, VIOLA!!, it charged correctly. Well what do you know, the correct charger and cord actually charges it correctly, imagine that, who would have ever thought that using the correct hardware would get the correct results. I'm being sarcastic, but you get my point.
It has more to do with how much the charger itself can provide than it does the length of the cord.
For example, if you had the original charger and the original cord, it would provide the correct amount of charge, but if you were to use a 10ft cord with the stock charger instead of the 3-6 foot that comes with the device, you would see a reduction in how much power it supplies, even more so if the charger is plugged into a drop cord/extension cord at the same time. I've had this exact issue on a couple of devices.
Another example is if you have a charger that is rated below what the device requires and you used the 3-6 ft stock cord, it could decrease the amount of power supplied by the charger block because the charger can't supply enough power to overcome the resistance of the stock cord, but when using the shorter, lower resistance cord with the lower rated charger, the cord's resistance could be low enough that it allows enough power to be supplied.
I'm not saying that it is 100% the issue that you are having, I'm saying that it is something to look into because it is more likely to be your issue because it is common for devices to charge faster, slower or not at all when using a charger that has a different rating than required by the device. Other possibilities are a damaged USB port on the device or the software has become corrupted, you would probably need to flash the stock firmware to fix the corrupted software.
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