MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - cool gadget for charging cybook on the go

crAss · 04-26-2009, 08:50 AM

It is true that the USB 2.0 spec states that voltage should be 5 V +/- 0.25 V and the supplied 5.5 V is a bit too high. I have not yet found a problem with 5.5 V with any device since I am using my mobile phone mini-usb charger, which also outputs 5.5 V, for all my devices . Usually problems arise when using lower than spec voltages. Some devices might have a built-in overvoltage protection and thus not compatible with these chargers. The cybook is not one of these devices.
The problem with this battery pack and the cybook is that the mini-usb plug is too thick to fit. So out of the box this is not working. You need to remove some plastic from the plug. With a sharp knife it is a matter of 1-2 minutes before you have it ready. Just do not overdo it and reveal the cabling.
For its price it's a really cool gadget and can save you when on vacation/camping etc where you could need some extra charge with no access to a power outlet. It does not look like a 7 euro toy, but feels more expensive. Just to mention though that you really need a clear day to completely charge the battery pack using the PV cell and it needs the 5 hours it states to be charged from an AC outlet. Cool thing is that even if it is empty you can use the directly produced electricity by the PV cell to run any device with no actual energy been stored anywhere.
So Maggie I can tell you that I have no problem using the 5.5 V, but still I have to mention that this is out of spec...

04-26-2009, 08:50 AM	#4
crAss Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 20 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Athens, Greece Device: Cybook Gen3	It is true that the USB 2.0 spec states that voltage should be 5 V +/- 0.25 V and the supplied 5.5 V is a bit too high. I have not yet found a problem with 5.5 V with any device since I am using my mobile phone mini-usb charger, which also outputs 5.5 V, for all my devices . Usually problems arise when using lower than spec voltages. Some devices might have a built-in overvoltage protection and thus not compatible with these chargers. The cybook is not one of these devices. The problem with this battery pack and the cybook is that the mini-usb plug is too thick to fit. So out of the box this is not working. You need to remove some plastic from the plug. With a sharp knife it is a matter of 1-2 minutes before you have it ready. Just do not overdo it and reveal the cabling. For its price it's a really cool gadget and can save you when on vacation/camping etc where you could need some extra charge with no access to a power outlet. It does not look like a 7 euro toy, but feels more expensive. Just to mention though that you really need a clear day to completely charge the battery pack using the PV cell and it needs the 5 hours it states to be charged from an AC outlet. Cool thing is that even if it is empty you can use the directly produced electricity by the PV cell to run any device with no actual energy been stored anywhere. So Maggie I can tell you that I have no problem using the 5.5 V, but still I have to mention that this is out of spec... Last edited by crAss; 04-26-2009 at 08:53 AM.