MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - AC Adaptor: Will a USB to AC (like an old iPod charger) suffice?

delphin · 07-30-2011, 08:55 PM

In the last few years there has been an effort to standardize micro-usb chargers.

The spec is actually extremely simple; the charging device puts out the standard 5 volts specified by the USB spec, and since charging devices don't need to transfer data, the two data pins on the USB connector are just shorted together (which signals to the device that it is connected to a charger)

Most cell phones, and most other newer USB devices (including the newer Sony PRS-x50 readers) are compatible with micro-usb chargers that comply with these specs. Most of the chargers that don't work with the Sony are designed to work with some earlier Apple devices (which, as was typical for Apple products, weren't standard with anything).

Technically, to be fully compliant, one of these standard micro-usb chargers should also be able to put out 2 Amps, but many of the chargers supplied with cell phones have lower limits, so this should be verified.

Most of the newer USB chargers that I have seen will supply at least 500ma. and this should be fine with the Sony.

If you don't have a cell phone or other device that uses one of these chargers that comply with the new spec, as has already been mentioned, there are several inexpensive chargers available on Amazon for only about 3 dollars that are guaranteed to work with the Sony readers.

These cheapo Amazon after-market chargers are not the official Sony product, but I have ordered several for the family members who have Sony readers in our household, and all worked perfectly.

I doubt that Sony actually manufactures their charger anyway. (I suspect that Sony just buys them from some source in China and then marks them up about 1000%)

07-30-2011, 08:55 PM	#15
delphin Evangelist Posts: 434 Karma: 346901 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: SONY PRS-650	In the last few years there has been an effort to standardize micro-usb chargers. The spec is actually extremely simple; the charging device puts out the standard 5 volts specified by the USB spec, and since charging devices don't need to transfer data, the two data pins on the USB connector are just shorted together (which signals to the device that it is connected to a charger) Most cell phones, and most other newer USB devices (including the newer Sony PRS-x50 readers) are compatible with micro-usb chargers that comply with these specs. Most of the chargers that don't work with the Sony are designed to work with some earlier Apple devices (which, as was typical for Apple products, weren't standard with anything). Technically, to be fully compliant, one of these standard micro-usb chargers should also be able to put out 2 Amps, but many of the chargers supplied with cell phones have lower limits, so this should be verified. Most of the newer USB chargers that I have seen will supply at least 500ma. and this should be fine with the Sony. If you don't have a cell phone or other device that uses one of these chargers that comply with the new spec, as has already been mentioned, there are several inexpensive chargers available on Amazon for only about 3 dollars that are guaranteed to work with the Sony readers. These cheapo Amazon after-market chargers are not the official Sony product, but I have ordered several for the family members who have Sony readers in our household, and all worked perfectly. I doubt that Sony actually manufactures their charger anyway. (I suspect that Sony just buys them from some source in China and then marks them up about 1000%) Last edited by delphin; 08-02-2011 at 03:49 AM.