charging multiple devices with the same charger question

Goshzilla · 06-13-2013, 01:59 PM

So I have a nook classic, a samsung note 8, and a samsung brand cellphone. All of them charge through a micro usb port. All three of them came with different chargers. I noticed that the electric current output is different. The cellphone charger says 0.7 amps, the nook says 0.85 amps, and the samsung tablet says 2.0 amps. All have the same voltage output of 5v.

Now, I'm thinking that I could use any of these chargers on any of my devices because the amount of voltage is identical. But, I am thinking that this could also pose a fire hazard, if I were to use the lowest current charger on my highest current device.

Am I taking a risk with my devices? Am I risking a fire if I swap different chargers for different devices?

afv011 · 06-13-2013, 03:02 PM

You should not use a charger with a significantly higher output current that the one that came with your device. Most chargers are in the 0.5-1A range, and most devices will happily charge at that range. Devices with high batteries, usually tablets and some newer phones, come with 2A chargers to shorten the recharge time, but it is not safe to use those chargers with devices designed to charge at lower current ratings. Some chargers may not work with any device other than the one they came with - the nook tablets have some special connectors if I recall correctly, meaning that they will only charge at fast rate using their own charger.

You should be able to use your 0.7A and 0.8A charger on all devices, but the 2A should be reserved for the device it came with.

JSWolf · 06-13-2013, 03:17 PM

The charger that came with the nook STR has an output of 0.85 amps. You should be able to use the nook charger for the Samsung cell phone without a problem. You might even be able to use the nook charger for the tablet. But if it works for the tablet, it will take the tablet longer to charge. So use the nook charger for the nook and cell and the tablet charger for the tablet.

Rizla · 06-14-2013, 07:25 PM

I plug all my e-readers into my cell phone charger. Works fine. But the above advice is seems wise. Don't use a charger for a higher-power device on a lower-power device.

Charlie A · 06-14-2013, 08:27 PM

Afv011 says "You should not use a charger with a significantly higher output current that the one that came with your device"

I wholeheartedly disagree. The chargers in the devices are designed to work from 5V. Even an outrageously overpowered charger such as 100 amp, 500 watt 5V supply would work with any and all of the devices that charge from a USB port. On a practical basis I find that the simplet thing is to use the 2.1A charger from my tablet for all devices including the lower powere Kindle Paperwhite or my tiny mp3 player.

Your suggestion is similar to saying that one shuld not use a low power appliance on a 20A or 40A 120 VAC wall outlet.

HarryT · 06-15-2013, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afv011

You should not use a charger with a significantly higher output current that the one that came with your device.
...
You should be able to use your 0.7A and 0.8A charger on all devices, but the 2A should be reserved for the device it came with.

Wrong. Absolutely, dangerously wrong. The current capability of the charger is the maximum current that it's capable of supplying; it's the device being charged which determines how much current is actually drawn.

Ie, the 2A charger is safe to use with all your devices; the chargers with a lower current output should only be used with those devices which require a lower charging current.

Teknikal · 06-15-2013, 05:01 AM

I use a 2 amp charger with everything Micro USB if the device can use it it will, if it can't it will just draw a lower amperage. I wouldn't worry about the amps in fact the higher the better because if the device can use it it will charge faster.

Ricky D'Angelo · 06-15-2013, 08:12 AM

I actually had the same concern the other day whether it was safe to charge my Sony PRS T-1 with the same charger that I use for my Kindle Keyboard. Luckily, according to the following wiki, the chargers are compatible.

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/PRST..._wall_chargers

samthammons · 06-15-2013, 10:04 AM

Just for safety, I really use only the designated charger of a certain unit, if a charger got damaged, I need to secure a charger which is recommended by the support staff, gadgets are not that cheap for us to disregard, we need to handle them with extra care.

HarryT · 06-15-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samthammons

Just for safety, I really use only the designated charger of a certain unit, if a charger got damaged, I need to secure a charger which is recommended by the support staff, gadgets are not that cheap for us to disregard, we need to handle them with extra care.

That's an unnecessary precaution. Generally speaking, it's safe to charge any device with a USB charging port with any USB wall charger whose current output is at least equal to (or greater than) the charging current required by the device.

Randy11 · 06-16-2013, 12:56 PM

I agree whith Charlie A.
I you use a charger with a lower current output than the device consume, the charger can overheat it could be a risk for the charger and the device.

HarryT · 06-16-2013, 01:12 PM

Precisely. Using a charger with a lower current capacity than the device requires is dangerous; using a charger with a higher capacity is absolutely fine.

06-13-2013, 01:59 PM	#1
Goshzilla Zealot Posts: 104 Karma: 346 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Rocket Ebook 1150	charging multiple devices with the same charger question So I have a nook classic, a samsung note 8, and a samsung brand cellphone. All of them charge through a micro usb port. All three of them came with different chargers. I noticed that the electric current output is different. The cellphone charger says 0.7 amps, the nook says 0.85 amps, and the samsung tablet says 2.0 amps. All have the same voltage output of 5v. Now, I'm thinking that I could use any of these chargers on any of my devices because the amount of voltage is identical. But, I am thinking that this could also pose a fire hazard, if I were to use the lowest current charger on my highest current device. Am I taking a risk with my devices? Am I risking a fire if I swap different chargers for different devices?

06-14-2013, 08:27 PM	#5
Charlie A Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Afv011 says "You should not use a charger with a significantly higher output current that the one that came with your device" I wholeheartedly disagree. The chargers in the devices are designed to work from 5V. Even an outrageously overpowered charger such as 100 amp, 500 watt 5V supply would work with any and all of the devices that charge from a USB port. On a practical basis I find that the simplet thing is to use the 2.1A charger from my tablet for all devices including the lower powere Kindle Paperwhite or my tiny mp3 player. Your suggestion is similar to saying that one shuld not use a low power appliance on a 20A or 40A 120 VAC wall outlet. Last edited by Charlie A; 06-14-2013 at 08:30 PM.

06-16-2013, 12:56 PM	#11
Randy11 Wizard Posts: 1,138 Karma: 1577094 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Samsung EB60, Onyx M92, Onyx Max2	I agree whith Charlie A. I you use a charger with a lower current output than the device consume, the charger can overheat it could be a risk for the charger and the device. Last edited by Randy11; 06-16-2013 at 02:33 PM.

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06-13-2013, 03:02 PM	#2
afv011 Captain Penguin Posts: 2,964 Karma: 2079777777 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Libra 2, Nook Glowlight	You should not use a charger with a significantly higher output current that the one that came with your device. Most chargers are in the 0.5-1A range, and most devices will happily charge at that range. Devices with high batteries, usually tablets and some newer phones, come with 2A chargers to shorten the recharge time, but it is not safe to use those chargers with devices designed to charge at lower current ratings. Some chargers may not work with any device other than the one they came with - the nook tablets have some special connectors if I recall correctly, meaning that they will only charge at fast rate using their own charger. You should be able to use your 0.7A and 0.8A charger on all devices, but the 2A should be reserved for the device it came with.

06-13-2013, 03:17 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,720 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The charger that came with the nook STR has an output of 0.85 amps. You should be able to use the nook charger for the Samsung cell phone without a problem. You might even be able to use the nook charger for the tablet. But if it works for the tablet, it will take the tablet longer to charge. So use the nook charger for the nook and cell and the tablet charger for the tablet.

06-14-2013, 07:25 PM	#4
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	I plug all my e-readers into my cell phone charger. Works fine. But the above advice is seems wise. Don't use a charger for a higher-power device on a lower-power device.

06-15-2013, 05:01 AM	#7
Teknikal Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 5264318 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belfast Device: Sony T1, Note Pro 12.2, Honor 10	I use a 2 amp charger with everything Micro USB if the device can use it it will, if it can't it will just draw a lower amperage. I wouldn't worry about the amps in fact the higher the better because if the device can use it it will charge faster.

06-15-2013, 08:12 AM	#8
Ricky D'Angelo Fanatic Posts: 537 Karma: 2495066 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Latin America Device: Sony PRS-T1, PRS-T-2, PRS 350, PRS 950; Kobo Mini; Kindle PW3, Fire 10	I actually had the same concern the other day whether it was safe to charge my Sony PRS T-1 with the same charger that I use for my Kindle Keyboard. Luckily, according to the following wiki, the chargers are compatible. https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/PRST..._wall_chargers

06-15-2013, 10:04 AM	#9
samthammons Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: none	Just for safety, I really use only the designated charger of a certain unit, if a charger got damaged, I need to secure a charger which is recommended by the support staff, gadgets are not that cheap for us to disregard, we need to handle them with extra care.

06-16-2013, 01:12 PM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Precisely. Using a charger with a lower current capacity than the device requires is dangerous; using a charger with a higher capacity is absolutely fine.

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