Using the iPod charger

Sponge_Bath · 12-01-2006, 03:13 PM

Is it possible to recharge the Sony Reader using the included USB cable and plugging it into an iPod charger?
It would save having to carry around a lot of extra stuff that could be left behind in hotel rooms on my travels.

Cheers.

Sponge_Bath · 12-01-2006, 03:16 PM

I'd try it out myself but I'm afraid of breaking my nice new Sony Reader.

NatCh · 12-01-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sponge_Bath

Is it possible to recharge the Sony Reader using the included USB cable and plugging it into an iPod charger?

Let me see if I understand correctly (in other words: I don't have an iPod, so I'm gonna ask a dumb question or two

). An iPod charges via its USB port? Will it also charge from a computer's USB port?

If those are the case I'd think the Charger would work okay, since USB ports have a standard that they have to follow. But I think I'd want to know that the iPod Charger was outputting at the same standard (that there's not some sort of quick-charge mode involved).

What is the output marked on the iPod Charger? The USB Standard (according to Wikipedia) is 5 volts and no more than 500 milliAmps. If the charger is rated around that, it should be fine, if it's less, it may not work at all, and it it's more ... I'd keep it away from the Reader.

igorsk · 12-01-2006, 03:54 PM

Reader needs a real USB host for charging to work. Just putting some voltage on the contacts won't do.

kenbaldwin · 12-01-2006, 04:25 PM

I had the same idea, but when I tried it the little red charging light on the Reader didn't go on.

Ken

William Moates · 12-01-2006, 10:30 PM

Good to know.

Nightwing · 12-02-2006, 12:08 AM

If that's so...

Guess charging through the cradle connector or the power jack should work.

Else a "fake" host would be required. Easer to use the other two jacks.

HarryT · 12-02-2006, 07:10 AM

Unless you were away for an awfully long time - or unless you were using the Reader to play MP3 files - would you need to take a charger with you at all? One of the best things about the Reader is, for me at least, the fact that you can go for weeks without recharging.

NatCh · 12-02-2006, 11:10 AM

Harry, I'm guessing you're right that Sponge_Bath isn't planning to play MP3's on his Reader, otherwise he'd take his Reader charger and not worry about carrying the iPod charger.

HarryT · 12-02-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

Harry, I'm guessing you're right that Sponge_Bath isn't planning to play MP3's on his Reader, otherwise he'd take his Reader charger and not worry about carrying the iPod charger.

Er, yes. Good point

.

dotmike · 12-03-2006, 05:25 AM

I'm wondering if the Sony PSP charger would work?

The PSP charger outputs 5V. The Sony Reader charger outputs 5.2V. Otherwise they look identical.

However, I'm not going to try (yet), as I never ever need to charge the Reader. The trickle it gets from adding new books has kept it near full charge ever since I've had it.

Page turning consumes very little power - I think it can go 7000 pages on a charge - and I don't play MP3s on it.

diabloNL · 12-03-2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dotmike

I'm wondering if the Sony PSP charger would work?

The PSP charger outputs 5V. The Sony Reader charger outputs 5.2V. Otherwise they look identical.

However, I'm not going to try (yet), as I never ever need to charge the Reader. The trickle it gets from adding new books has kept it near full charge ever since I've had it.

Page turning consumes very little power - I think it can go 7000 pages on a charge - and I don't play MP3s on it.

I use it the other way around. I charge my PSP with the Reader charger.

BobVA · 12-03-2006, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

Reader needs a real USB host for charging to work. Just putting some voltage on the contacts won't do.

Worse than that, actually. It has to be a PC WITH the Reader software installed on it. If you plug the Reader into a computer without the Reader drivers installed on it the charge light won't come on - at least according to my extensive testing of one other computer

I'm not sure why this restriction is in place (it's even fussier than my iPod about what it takes for USB charging) but at least they put in a dedicated charger jack.

Cheers,
Bob

HarryT · 12-03-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobVA

Worse than that, actually. It has to be a PC WITH the Reader software installed on it. If you plug the Reader into a computer without the Reader drivers installed on it the charge light won't come on - at least according to my extensive testing of one other computer

I'm not sure why this restriction is in place (it's even fussier than my iPod about what it takes for USB charging) but at least they put in a dedicated charger jack.

Cheers,
Bob

If that's the case it sounds as though the USB charging is software controlled, and relies on the USB device driver being "active". That's an interesting one - I don't think any of my other USB-chargable devices work that way! I use a USB mains adaptor to charge most things when I go away on trips (mobile phone, iPaq Pocket PC, iPod); all they need is "voltage" rather than anything "smart" at the other end of the connection.

NatCh · 12-03-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dotmike

I'm wondering if the Sony PSP charger would work?

Yup, it'll work fine, that's one of the undocumented tips they gave us at the Bloggers' Day thing back in September.

12-01-2006, 03:13 PM	#1
Sponge_Bath Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony PRS-500	Using the iPod charger Is it possible to recharge the Sony Reader using the included USB cable and plugging it into an iPod charger? It would save having to carry around a lot of extra stuff that could be left behind in hotel rooms on my travels. Cheers.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Can I use my ipod charger?	fallsauce	Amazon Kindle	7	10-07-2010 06:21 PM

12-01-2006, 03:16 PM	#2
Sponge_Bath Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: Sony PRS-500	I'd try it out myself but I'm afraid of breaking my nice new Sony Reader.

12-01-2006, 03:54 PM	#4
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Reader needs a real USB host for charging to work. Just putting some voltage on the contacts won't do.

12-01-2006, 04:25 PM	#5
kenbaldwin Connoisseur Posts: 74 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Sony PRS-500	I had the same idea, but when I tried it the little red charging light on the Reader didn't go on. Ken

12-01-2006, 10:30 PM	#6
William Moates Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 35 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Greensboro, NC Device: Sony Librie / Sony Clie / Sony Reader	Good to know.

12-02-2006, 12:08 AM	#7
Nightwing Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 541 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Cowon A2 Dell x3i, Sony Reader & Eee PC!	If that's so... Guess charging through the cradle connector or the power jack should work. Else a "fake" host would be required. Easer to use the other two jacks.

12-02-2006, 07:10 AM	#8
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Unless you were away for an awfully long time - or unless you were using the Reader to play MP3 files - would you need to take a charger with you at all? One of the best things about the Reader is, for me at least, the fact that you can go for weeks without recharging.

12-02-2006, 11:10 AM	#9
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Harry, I'm guessing you're right that Sponge_Bath isn't planning to play MP3's on his Reader, otherwise he'd take his Reader charger and not worry about carrying the iPod charger.

12-03-2006, 05:25 AM	#11
dotmike Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Sony PRS-500	I'm wondering if the Sony PSP charger would work? The PSP charger outputs 5V. The Sony Reader charger outputs 5.2V. Otherwise they look identical. However, I'm not going to try (yet), as I never ever need to charge the Reader. The trickle it gets from adding new books has kept it near full charge ever since I've had it. Page turning consumes very little power - I think it can go 7000 pages on a charge - and I don't play MP3s on it.

Advert

Advert