Quick question about wires

book64 · 02-21-2013, 11:59 AM

I have a Kobo Touch and a Nexus 7 tablet

I have got my wires mixed up and no way to tell
One is thicker than the other
Don't suppose anybody can help?

Ripplinger · 02-21-2013, 12:23 PM

Quite often you'll find the USB cables will work on multiple items as long as the connector itself is the same. But if your cables have some internal wiring difference, maybe you can hunt down images for both and see if any image has the cable showing, like when you purchase from Amazon. Maybe you can tell if one is thicker than the other.

What I do to avoid that problem is put the initials of the device on the plug end (the ones that goes into the device) using one of the silver markers available, Pilot and now Sharpie makes them. And if the initials don't jar my memory which goes where, I'll consider myself too senile too care at that point.

HarryT · 02-21-2013, 12:31 PM

MicroUSB cables should be completely interchangeable. I have lots of them, acquired with all sorts of different devices, and I've no idea which cable originally came with which device (unless there's a clue, like Amazon's cables which are white and say "Amazon" on them

). I really wouldn't worry about it.

book64 · 02-21-2013, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

MicroUSB cables should be completely interchangeable. I have lots of them, acquired with all sorts of different devices, and I've no idea which cable originally came with which device (unless there's a clue, like Amazon's cables which are white and say "Amazon" on them

). I really wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks.
They look identical But one is thicker
Wondered if that would be the Nexus 7 one

Luckily my Nexus 4 says LG lol

latepaul · 02-21-2013, 01:09 PM

They should be interchangeable but unfortunately I've found that my Kobo touch is fussy about its USB connection. If I use a poor quality cable or connect through a hub then it flashes up the message saying press to connect to PC but not long enough to actually press it. I believe others have had the same problem.

In your particular case I think the Nexus 7 cable will be ok but it's something to bear in mind. I've got a Nexus 7 but I've never used that cable for anything but charging. I tend to use Kindle ones for connecting to the PC and they work fine with the Kobo.

PeterT · 02-21-2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by latepaul

They should be interchangeable but unfortunately I've found that my Kobo touch is fussy about its USB connection. If I use a poor quality cable or connect through a hub then it flashes up the message saying press to connect to PC but not long enough to actually press it. I believe others have had the same problem.

In your particular case I think the Nexus 7 cable will be ok but it's something to bear in mind. I've got a Nexus 7 but I've never used that cable for anything but charging. I tend to use Kindle ones for connecting to the PC and they work fine with the Kobo.

I actually had my Touch attached to a Nexus 7 supplied charger and cable last nightand no issue at all.

Only minor difference was that the Touch did not display the attached to computer message withe the option to continue reading or to manage the device.

HarryT · 02-21-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I actually had my Touch attached to a Nexus 7 supplied charger and cable last nightand no issue at all.

Only minor difference was that the Touch did not display the attached to computer message withe the option to continue reading or to manage the device.

That's because it WASN'T attached to a computer. You don't get that screen if you use any wall charger.

JSWolf · 02-21-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

MicroUSB cables should be completely interchangeable. I have lots of them, acquired with all sorts of different devices, and I've no idea which cable originally came with which device (unless there's a clue, like Amazon's cables which are white and say "Amazon" on them

). I really wouldn't worry about it.

I do have a small microUSB cable that's different then any other MicroUSB cable I have. What makes this one different is that it is wired differently to be a charging cable. It allows Apple wall warts to be used with a Sony Reader that normally would not work. I've not tried it as a data cable.

HarryT · 02-21-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I do have a small microUSB cable that's different then any other MicroUSB cable I have. What makes this one different is that it is wired differently to be a charging cable. It allows Apple wall warts to be used with a Sony Reader that normally would not work. I've not tried it as a data cable.

I would say personally that what you have there is not a microUSB cable, since the standard defines how the cable should be wired.

With the older miniUSB cables it was quite common to have cables that wouldn't fit certain devices, due to the physical size of the plug-surround not permitting them to plug in the available space. I've not encountered that problem with microUSB.

BWinmill · 02-21-2013, 03:27 PM

I wouldn't worry about the thickness of the cable. Since both of these devices use the cable for data and charging, they will be virtually identical. The thickness of the cable may be due to the wires inside being thicker, the plastic encasing the wire being thicker, or the thicker wire may be shielded. In theory, this may affect the performance of the cables (but I have never found this to be the case).

JSWolf · 02-21-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I would say personally that what you have there is not a microUSB cable, since the standard defines how the cable should be wired.

It is a microUSB cable. But it's called a charging cable.

PeterT · 02-21-2013, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's because it WASN'T attached to a computer. You don't get that screen if you use any wall charger.

WRONG.

Harry it all depends on how exactly the charger works, in that there is a spec available where by certain USB pins being grounded or allowed to float allow the device to detect whether it is connected to a charger, or a computer, and also to detect whether it is a low power USB charger or a higher power USB charger.

I've just attached the same Touch to a different USB charger and I AM prompted with the computer detected message. And before you ask, it follows the CHARGER being used and not the cable.

keeska · 02-21-2013, 04:41 PM

Al microUSB cables are supposed to be the same. The microUSB spec includes things like which pins on one connector connect to which pins on the connector on the other end of the cable (i.e., how the cable is wired) as well as where the USB logo is supposed to be placed on the connectors.

However the chagers may differ. Some chargers supply up to .5 amp of current, some up to 1.0 amp and some supply more. The manufacturer of a device decides how long they want charging to take. Faster charging means the charger needs to suply more current (amps) to the device. Less amps - slower charging. A device will not take more current then it needs. So using a 1 amp charger on a device which only uses .5 amp will not hurt anything and it will not charge faster.

Also as previously mentioned some chargers short pins or leave some open on the USB connector so when the microUSB cable is plugged in the device sees this and assumes it is connected to a computer or a low vs hig current charger, etc.

pins

frankelr · 02-21-2013, 04:59 PM

I don't have a kobo, but I do have several e-ink Kindles, a Nook ST and a Nexus
7.

micro-usb cable connectors are not symmetric. Look for the key hole shape
and insert it into the reader with the correct rotation. I can tell you that
the Nexus 7's rotation is reversed from that of the NST and Kindle e-inks.

What should also help is that the "up" on the Nexus 7 cable is marked with a decal usb symbol, while the Kindle's have a molded in usb symbol.

The power rating of the charger will reflect in the charging time, but they will all work.

Sydney's Mom · 02-21-2013, 05:31 PM

I have found that wall chargers are not universal. My Samsung Galaxy Tab will only recognize Amazon or Samsung, and Amazon won't recognize some of my old phone wall chargers. But the USB to micro cables all work.

02-21-2013, 11:59 AM	#1
book64 Love reading Posts: 322 Karma: 1000352 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Samsung 8 mobile. Samsung 8 and 10 Tablets	Quick question about wires I have a Kobo Touch and a Nexus 7 tablet I have got my wires mixed up and no way to tell One is thicker than the other Don't suppose anybody can help?

02-21-2013, 04:41 PM	#13
keeska Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 98 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sedona, AZ Device: Sony T1, Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, Samsung Note 3	Chargers may differ Al microUSB cables are supposed to be the same. The microUSB spec includes things like which pins on one connector connect to which pins on the connector on the other end of the cable (i.e., how the cable is wired) as well as where the USB logo is supposed to be placed on the connectors. However the chagers may differ. Some chargers supply up to .5 amp of current, some up to 1.0 amp and some supply more. The manufacturer of a device decides how long they want charging to take. Faster charging means the charger needs to suply more current (amps) to the device. Less amps - slower charging. A device will not take more current then it needs. So using a 1 amp charger on a device which only uses .5 amp will not hurt anything and it will not charge faster. Also as previously mentioned some chargers short pins or leave some open on the USB connector so when the microUSB cable is plugged in the device sees this and assumes it is connected to a computer or a low vs hig current charger, etc. pins

02-21-2013, 04:59 PM	#14
frankelr Member Posts: 16 Karma: 168 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: k3kb, KTso, Nook ST	Everything being said is true BUT I don't have a kobo, but I do have several e-ink Kindles, a Nook ST and a Nexus 7. micro-usb cable connectors are not symmetric. Look for the key hole shape and insert it into the reader with the correct rotation. I can tell you that the Nexus 7's rotation is reversed from that of the NST and Kindle e-inks. What should also help is that the "up" on the Nexus 7 cable is marked with a decal usb symbol, while the Kindle's have a molded in usb symbol. The power rating of the charger will reflect in the charging time, but they will all work.

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02-21-2013, 12:23 PM	#2
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,574 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	Quite often you'll find the USB cables will work on multiple items as long as the connector itself is the same. But if your cables have some internal wiring difference, maybe you can hunt down images for both and see if any image has the cable showing, like when you purchase from Amazon. Maybe you can tell if one is thicker than the other. What I do to avoid that problem is put the initials of the device on the plug end (the ones that goes into the device) using one of the silver markers available, Pilot and now Sharpie makes them. And if the initials don't jar my memory which goes where, I'll consider myself too senile too care at that point.

02-21-2013, 12:31 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	MicroUSB cables should be completely interchangeable. I have lots of them, acquired with all sorts of different devices, and I've no idea which cable originally came with which device (unless there's a clue, like Amazon's cables which are white and say "Amazon" on them ). I really wouldn't worry about it.

02-21-2013, 01:09 PM	#5
latepaul Wizard Posts: 1,270 Karma: 10468300 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: a variety (mostly kindles and kobos)	They should be interchangeable but unfortunately I've found that my Kobo touch is fussy about its USB connection. If I use a poor quality cable or connect through a hub then it flashes up the message saying press to connect to PC but not long enough to actually press it. I believe others have had the same problem. In your particular case I think the Nexus 7 cable will be ok but it's something to bear in mind. I've got a Nexus 7 but I've never used that cable for anything but charging. I tend to use Kindle ones for connecting to the PC and they work fine with the Kobo.

02-21-2013, 03:27 PM	#10
BWinmill Nameless Being	I wouldn't worry about the thickness of the cable. Since both of these devices use the cable for data and charging, they will be virtually identical. The thickness of the cable may be due to the wires inside being thicker, the plastic encasing the wire being thicker, or the thicker wire may be shielded. In theory, this may affect the performance of the cables (but I have never found this to be the case).

02-21-2013, 05:31 PM	#15
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	I have found that wall chargers are not universal. My Samsung Galaxy Tab will only recognize Amazon or Samsung, and Amazon won't recognize some of my old phone wall chargers. But the USB to micro cables all work.

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