Kobo eReader battery charging

Kerry1958 · 06-20-2012, 03:49 AM

Hi All, I bought a USB wall charger to charge my eReader as I don't always have access to the internet, I'm pretty sure I have wasted my money, as I had it charging this way for 3 hours, unplugged it, then was told by the eReader that the battery was low. Are there settings I can change to charge through the wall charger or do I have to do it through the computer.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

RareBird · 06-20-2012, 05:58 AM

I've charged my Kobo Touch using my car charger for my phone before. Both have a micro USB connection and it worked fine. I didn't have to change any settings,just plugged it in. There doesn't seem to me any reason a wall charger wouldn't work.

Kerry1958 · 06-20-2012, 07:54 AM

Thanks RareBird, My eReader is just a simple one, (not the touch),I thought it would be a straight forward exercise, but when I am charging through the computer, I have to eject the eReader when it has finished charging, I can't do this when it is just connected to the wall, so I think that is what the problem is - I can't eject it before I disconnect the cable. As I said I think I have wasted my money.

taming · 06-20-2012, 08:08 AM

It probably has nothing to do with the eject part. You have to do that when you are plugged into the computer because the reader functions as a drive when it is connected by USB to your computer. Drives need to be "unmounted" in this way. With the Touch, you have the choice to connect the ddevice to your computer as a drive, or not to do that. If you choose not to connect it in this way, it does not have to safe disconnect.

I don't remember if this is also true for the Kobo WiFi, in terms of a choice. I do know that my husband uses a wall plug to charge his Kobo WiFi all the time.

SaveMyKobo · 06-20-2012, 08:20 AM

I have seen issues in the past when attempting to charge via USB to PC. It seems that some USB (A to Mini) simply do not carry the charge efficiently, or are missing a crucial trace through the cable for the Kobo to charge properly. I experienced one case where I had charged the Kobo for 5+ hours, only to be welcomed to a entirely black screen (dead battery). Connecting to the USB connection in my car started the Kobo up fine.

I would recommend you try a different USB A-Mini cable connected to your PC and see if that helps.

camiller · 06-20-2012, 09:16 AM

I agree with Mr. Save. Probably a bad cable or less likely a bad wall charger. Is the charger a cheep off brand Chinese product or a good quality branded (still Chinese

) product

leslie_ms · 06-20-2012, 10:05 AM

Check the output current of your charger. I believe that Kobo eReaders need at least 500ma to charge.

spatula · 06-20-2012, 03:03 PM

I have a Wifi and my wife has a touch. I bought a cheap usb wall outlet adapter a few years back, and have used it to charge both kobo's without any difficulties.

It wouldn't have anything to do with not being able to 'eject' it. If you plug your kobo into the computer and select "keep reading" you don't have to eject your kobo, but it will still charge it.

filmo · 06-21-2012, 06:19 AM

Every phone charger I have tried that has correct plug has worked to charge Kobo wifi and kobo touch including chargers pugged into 12V lighter socket. I had Motorola phones that used same chargers. Kobo touch knows it is not data cable connected to computer. They do not supply enough amps to charge Kobo Vox. Some chargers will not work. My Garmin GPS charger would fit Kobo Wifi but not charge it. I can read books while kobo is being charged with phone charger. Kobo controls the charge and prevents over charging problems. Read small print on charger for compatible input voltage. All the ones I have seen recently are good for both 110V and 220V with plug adapter. If charger you buy does not work take it back for refund.

camiller · 06-21-2012, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmo

Every phone charger I have tried that has correct plug has worked to charge Kobo wifi and kobo touch ...

That's why I mentioned cables. I recently had a device (non ereader) that stopped taking a charge and simply replacing the USB cable fixed it. Sometimes cabled do go bad.

FWIW, One of these work nicely to charge kobos: http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPa...duct_Id=400738 not enough power for a high end smart phone or iPad but plenty for a couple eReaders.

Danger · 06-21-2012, 10:22 AM

Does your Kobo no longer charge? Do you feel like your wall charger just doesn't like you? Perhaps something else is going on in your life... When cables go bad and your wall charger is cheating on you... on the next Heraldo.

Kerry1958 · 06-25-2012, 05:28 AM

Thanks all for your help and suggestions. It was a faulty USB cable, new cable and all is well. Once again thank you very much.

Wald07 · 06-29-2012, 12:04 AM

I just noticed last week, my cell phone, Kobo & Kindle all use the same charger. So I now have 3 wall chargers, 2 car chargers, and umpteen USB cables.

Makes me happy to know I have back-ups. I can leave a wall charger @ work and be covered for all my favorite electronics!!

And very happy the OP was able to work out the issue at hand.

06-20-2012, 03:49 AM	#1
Kerry1958 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 398 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Kobo eReader	Kobo eReader battery charging Hi All, I bought a USB wall charger to charge my eReader as I don't always have access to the internet, I'm pretty sure I have wasted my money, as I had it charging this way for 3 hours, unplugged it, then was told by the eReader that the battery was low. Are there settings I can change to charge through the wall charger or do I have to do it through the computer. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

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06-20-2012, 05:58 AM	#2
RareBird Addict Posts: 377 Karma: 770002 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia Device: Kobo Aura	I've charged my Kobo Touch using my car charger for my phone before. Both have a micro USB connection and it worked fine. I didn't have to change any settings,just plugged it in. There doesn't seem to me any reason a wall charger wouldn't work.

06-20-2012, 07:54 AM	#3
Kerry1958 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 398 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Kobo eReader	Thanks RareBird, My eReader is just a simple one, (not the touch),I thought it would be a straight forward exercise, but when I am charging through the computer, I have to eject the eReader when it has finished charging, I can't do this when it is just connected to the wall, so I think that is what the problem is - I can't eject it before I disconnect the cable. As I said I think I have wasted my money.

06-20-2012, 08:08 AM	#4
taming Trying for calm & polite Posts: 4,012 Karma: 9455193 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mostly in Canada Device: kobo original, WiFI, Touch, Glo, and Aura	It probably has nothing to do with the eject part. You have to do that when you are plugged into the computer because the reader functions as a drive when it is connected by USB to your computer. Drives need to be "unmounted" in this way. With the Touch, you have the choice to connect the ddevice to your computer as a drive, or not to do that. If you choose not to connect it in this way, it does not have to safe disconnect. I don't remember if this is also true for the Kobo WiFi, in terms of a choice. I do know that my husband uses a wall plug to charge his Kobo WiFi all the time.

06-20-2012, 08:20 AM	#5
SaveMyKobo Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Original Kobo	I have seen issues in the past when attempting to charge via USB to PC. It seems that some USB (A to Mini) simply do not carry the charge efficiently, or are missing a crucial trace through the cable for the Kobo to charge properly. I experienced one case where I had charged the Kobo for 5+ hours, only to be welcomed to a entirely black screen (dead battery). Connecting to the USB connection in my car started the Kobo up fine. I would recommend you try a different USB A-Mini cable connected to your PC and see if that helps.

06-20-2012, 09:16 AM	#6
camiller Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 1387630 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kobo Wireless	I agree with Mr. Save. Probably a bad cable or less likely a bad wall charger. Is the charger a cheep off brand Chinese product or a good quality branded (still Chinese ) product

06-20-2012, 10:05 AM	#7
leslie_ms Member Posts: 23 Karma: 398 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Winnipeg Device: Kobo Wi-Fi, Kobo Touch, Kobo for Android	Check the output current of your charger. I believe that Kobo eReaders need at least 500ma to charge.

06-20-2012, 03:03 PM	#8
spatula Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kobo Wifi	I have a Wifi and my wife has a touch. I bought a cheap usb wall outlet adapter a few years back, and have used it to charge both kobo's without any difficulties. It wouldn't have anything to do with not being able to 'eject' it. If you plug your kobo into the computer and select "keep reading" you don't have to eject your kobo, but it will still charge it.

06-21-2012, 06:19 AM	#9
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	Every phone charger I have tried that has correct plug has worked to charge Kobo wifi and kobo touch including chargers pugged into 12V lighter socket. I had Motorola phones that used same chargers. Kobo touch knows it is not data cable connected to computer. They do not supply enough amps to charge Kobo Vox. Some chargers will not work. My Garmin GPS charger would fit Kobo Wifi but not charge it. I can read books while kobo is being charged with phone charger. Kobo controls the charge and prevents over charging problems. Read small print on charger for compatible input voltage. All the ones I have seen recently are good for both 110V and 220V with plug adapter. If charger you buy does not work take it back for refund.

06-21-2012, 10:22 AM	#11
Danger Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1665031 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island, Nanaimo Device: K2 (retired), Kobo Touch (passed to the wife), KGlo, Galaxy TabPro	Does your Kobo no longer charge? Do you feel like your wall charger just doesn't like you? Perhaps something else is going on in your life... When cables go bad and your wall charger is cheating on you... on the next Heraldo.

06-25-2012, 05:28 AM	#12
Kerry1958 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 398 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: Kobo eReader	Thanks all for your help and suggestions. It was a faulty USB cable, new cable and all is well. Once again thank you very much.

06-29-2012, 12:04 AM	#13
Wald07 Audiophile Posts: 452 Karma: 2470850 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Manitoba Device: Nexux7 2nd Gen & Kobo Touch	I just noticed last week, my cell phone, Kobo & Kindle all use the same charger. So I now have 3 wall chargers, 2 car chargers, and umpteen USB cables. Makes me happy to know I have back-ups. I can leave a wall charger @ work and be covered for all my favorite electronics!! And very happy the OP was able to work out the issue at hand.