Touch Kobo usb cables

[IamARobot]

If you are looking for cheap Micro-USB cables and are willing to wait for them, the best place to order from is Monoprice. Happy customer of theirs for Wii, USB and network cables.

[PeterT]

The link should be http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...=10303#1030307

[SensualPoet]

It feels like mini USB is gradually being replaced by micro USB. This is what it is; and if you have other devices coming into your life over time, probably a good thing. I now can interchange my Kindle, Kobo Touch and two family Blackberry cables (and chargers). And, the reality is, if "your rabbit eats your cable", you'll find micro USB replacement cables very easy to find in a pinch -- including on holiday as this is a world standard.

[know-one]

I though I had read (on the box or instructions) that Kobo tactile came with a wall socket plug. However, I only have the regular usb wire to charge the device.
Mind you, that is really all I need. Every once in a while, I just plug it to the computer and let it go.
It's happened once that my Kobo was out of juice - while I was at work on lunch - and I don't carry the wire. What was strange is that the battery was indicating (I think) that half of the energy was still there.
So now, when I see it getting halfway, I just "feed" it.

[robko]

Originally Posted by know-one

I though I had read (on the box or instructions) that Kobo tactile came with a wall socket plug. However, I only have the regular usb wire to charge the device.

Nope. None of the Kobo's have ever come with a wall plug. You can use most micro usb cords (from your cell etc) just make sure it puts out >800 mA. I've always used different phone/blackberry cords because it's just easier than plugging it into the computer.

[FJames]

Originally Posted by robko

Nope. None of the Kobo's have ever come with a wall plug. You can use most micro usb cords (from your cell etc) just make sure it puts out >800 mA. I've always used different phone/blackberry cords because it's just easier than plugging it into the computer.

Micro-USB cords don't put out any amps on their own - you are probably referring to a USB charger with a micro-USB cord.

Standard USB ports put out 500 ma max, so I'm sure the Kobo charges just fine on 500 ma. Many chargers put out more, but the Kobo may or may not charge faster with more current if it was designed to charge at 500 ma.

[IamARobot]

Originally Posted by robko

Nope. None of the Kobo's have ever come with a wall plug. You can use most micro usb cords (from your cell etc) just make sure it puts out >800 mA. I've always used different phone/blackberry cords because it's just easier than plugging it into the computer.

The Kobo doesn't need 800mA to charge. Standard USB ports under USB2.0 are limited to 500mA.

[TedJ]

It doesn't need 800mA to charge, but being able to supply 800mA+ will allow it to charge significantly faster.

[bluesgirl1976]

Hey just wondering......can I use the wall plug "block" that connects to the USB side of my iphone cord to plug my Kobo touch USB into the wall? I am not techie at all and it would seem like it would work but don't want to damage it??? Any suggestions as to whether I could give this a wing ding?

[PeterT]

Many of us do that for charging!

[jackastor]

Originally Posted by bluesgirl1976

Hey just wondering......can I use the wall plug "block" that connects to the USB side of my iphone cord to plug my Kobo touch USB into the wall? I am not techie at all and it would seem like it would work but don't want to damage it??? Any suggestions as to whether I could give this a wing ding?

The iphone wall charger will work no problem. The touch only needs 500 ma to charge. The touch adapter supplies more then enough to use. your device will only draw what it needs no more. But you do need min 500 ma. Having a 1000 ma adapter for example will not hurt your device as it only draws what it needs.

[FJames]

Actually charging lithium-ion batteries is a tricky business that is never left to a "dumb" charging circuit. It's almost always controlled by a smart IC (e.g., like http://www.intersil.com/isl6291/) that uses thermal management and current limiting to control the charge rate.

There are two ways to go:

a) You limit the current draw to 500 ma so that it will charge from any standard USB port or USB charger without overloading it.

b) You supply your own charger with > 500 ma capacity that is intended to be used with the device.

Most devices that don't have huge batteries that would take a long time to charge at 500 ma stick strictly to a).

[TedJ]

Originally Posted by prsele

That is true, an electronic device will only draw what it needs. So you have to have at least its min requirements. I notice others making claims for faster charging. That is not so. The touch will take the same amount of time to charge regardless if it is attached to the computer or to a wall charger.

So you're saying that the Kobo Touch (rated at 800mA) will take the same amount of time to charge from a 500mA USB port as it will from a 1A AC adaptor?

You appear to be contradicting yourself.

[FJames]

My Kobo Touch takes 2 hours to charge 90% and 3 hours to charge 100% from a 1-amp charger, based on 3 charges so far. According to the manual it should take about 2 hours to charge from a USB port. Sounds like it takes the same amount of time to me. (I keep in Sleep state while it's charging, so I can see the battery icon)

[Asawi]

Originally Posted by TedJ

So you're saying that the Kobo Touch (rated at 800mA) will take the same amount of time to charge from a 500mA USB port as it will from a 1A AC adaptor?

The 1A on the AC adapter is what it can give if that is what the connected device "asks for". The upper limit. Even if the device is rated 800 mA it doesn't mean it requires 800 mA through the whole process. It means it might require (or maybe not even require, but rather wish for) 800 mA at some point during the process.
WHen charging batteries of all kinds you typically have a larger current in the beginning and as the battery starts to get charged the current goes down.
The AC adapter probably makes that first stage of the charging faster than the USB port, but the whole maybe not that much of a difference over all.

(Háving said this, I absolutely prefer using AC adapters. Much more reliable than my laptop.)