Charge via USB charger? - Page 2

djgreedo · 07-06-2009, 12:15 AM

UPDATE:
I got a Sony PSP cable (with both mini-USB and the round AC charging connectors) and it works perfectly. Charges both from a mains USB adaptor and from the car adaptor.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Now it's only my mobile phone that doesn't behave with my mains adaptor and car charger...

Stitchawl · 07-06-2009, 01:33 AM

When I got my Sony I went on a quest for a USB charger to reduce the weight of my baggage when traveling.

I bought quite a few different models. In fact, I tried every model a PSP store had on offer! None would charge my e-book reader.

The only thing that worked was going in to the reader via the round power port.

They might have been USB on one end of the line going into the AC mains power point, but the other end had to enter the reader through the round port, not the USB port.

Stitchawl

djgreedo · 07-06-2009, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

When I got my Sony I went on a quest for a USB charger to reduce the weight of my baggage when traveling.

I bought quite a few different models. In fact, I tried every model a PSP store had on offer! None would charge my e-book reader.

The only thing that worked was going in to the reader via the round power port.

They might have been USB on one end of the line going into the AC mains power point, but the other end had to enter the reader through the round port, not the USB port.

Stitchawl

Yeah, that's what I found too. My new cable has both the standard mini-USB for syncing to the PC and the round yellow AC connection for charging from any non-PC based USB socket.

With such a strange setup, it's odd that Sony didn't include such a cable in the first place.

I still have no idea WHY they designed it to not charge from a non-PC based USB port (e.g. mains adaptor/car adaptor) into the mini-USB when it charges perfectly from a PC (even a PC that doesn't have the software/drivers installed).

gwynevans · 07-06-2009, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

I still have no idea WHY they designed it to not charge from a non-PC based USB port (e.g. mains adaptor/car adaptor) into the mini-USB when it charges perfectly from a PC (even a PC that doesn't have the software/drivers installed).

I think that it's down to a particulalry strict interpretation of the USB spec, which can be read to require that there should be a valid communication/negotiation between client & master/hub before current is drawn, in order to ensure that the device doesn't attempt to draw too much current & damage the master/hub. As the adapters don't support this part of the USB spec & just provide the power, the Sony devices don't draw any current. I've posted links to the specs elsewhere here, if anyone wants to dig deeper!

Stitchawl · 07-06-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

[SNIP]

I still have no idea WHY they designed it to not charge from a non-PC based USB port (e.g. mains adaptor/car adaptor) into the mini-USB when it charges perfectly from a PC (even a PC that doesn't have the software/drivers installed).

Someone explained the inner workings of USB cable circuits to me when I was doing my research. There is a whole lot going on inside the cables. It's not just a hollow tube with little electrons flowing through. Lots of 'go,' 'no go,' 'stops,' etc. to put it into human language. I understood it when I read it, but I can't explain it at all.

I still can't explain where the light goes when you turn off the switch!

The end result, for me at least, was choosing the smallest, lightest weight AC mains charger with the little yellow round plug. I really wanted one cord for all my electric devices, but I guess that's just not in on the program this year.

Stitchawl

Delizar · 07-07-2009, 11:45 AM

Thought I would throw this into the pot.
I just installed a JVC Stereo in my car. It has a USB port on thr front face for playing and charging an Ipod or playing from a USB Drive. Well I figured what the heck and plugged my 700 into it. It scanned the book and started playing the 1 of the 2 songs that came with the reader and happily the charging function worked.

warriorscot · 07-08-2009, 05:05 PM

Just got a cheap PSP charger and it works fine, good for reading from the device while charging it at night and not having to worry aout the LED running down the battery. Cost less than a fiver to get one off amazon and it arrived next day by royal mail.

worand · 07-12-2009, 07:55 AM

A cable with PSP tip and mini USB at one end and usb at the other came with my prs-700 bought in Canada.

The USB part doesn't charge the unit from a USB mains adapter but does fine from the PSP tip.

Treven · 07-13-2009, 03:21 PM

I can't use the same AC - USB cable that charges my telephone in trying to charge the battery in my previous 505 and now my 700. I've always had to plug it into the USB port on my computer.

07-07-2009, 11:45 AM	#21
Delizar Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: PRS-700	Car Stereo Works as a charger Thought I would throw this into the pot. I just installed a JVC Stereo in my car. It has a USB port on thr front face for playing and charging an Ipod or playing from a USB Drive. Well I figured what the heck and plugged my 700 into it. It scanned the book and started playing the 1 of the 2 songs that came with the reader and happily the charging function worked.

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07-06-2009, 12:15 AM	#16
djgreedo Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 640696 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Kindle Touch 3G, HP Touchpad (Android), Samsung Omnia 7	UPDATE: I got a Sony PSP cable (with both mini-USB and the round AC charging connectors) and it works perfectly. Charges both from a mains USB adaptor and from the car adaptor. Thanks for everyone's help. Now it's only my mobile phone that doesn't behave with my mains adaptor and car charger...

07-06-2009, 01:33 AM	#17
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	When I got my Sony I went on a quest for a USB charger to reduce the weight of my baggage when traveling. I bought quite a few different models. In fact, I tried every model a PSP store had on offer! None would charge my e-book reader. The only thing that worked was going in to the reader via the round power port. They might have been USB on one end of the line going into the AC mains power point, but the other end had to enter the reader through the round port, not the USB port. Stitchawl

07-08-2009, 05:05 PM	#22
warriorscot Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: prs-700	Just got a cheap PSP charger and it works fine, good for reading from the device while charging it at night and not having to worry aout the LED running down the battery. Cost less than a fiver to get one off amazon and it arrived next day by royal mail.

07-12-2009, 07:55 AM	#23
worand Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS700	A cable with PSP tip and mini USB at one end and usb at the other came with my prs-700 bought in Canada. The USB part doesn't charge the unit from a USB mains adapter but does fine from the PSP tip.

07-13-2009, 03:21 PM	#24
Treven Addict Posts: 222 Karma: 680 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: the Left Coast Device: iPad	I can't use the same AC - USB cable that charges my telephone in trying to charge the battery in my previous 505 and now my 700. I've always had to plug it into the USB port on my computer.

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