transformer for wall charger, not required?

[Lynx-lynx]

I guess I initially got a kobo included transformer with my first kobo/s device purchases, for wall charging the devices. And I've continued to use it for all my kobo devices irrespective of the model (forma since 2018).


Are the transformers still required for wall charging?

[MGlitch]

Yes, but most companies stopped including them free. Likely because so many people have tons of them.

[Lynx-lynx]

And if a transformer is not used, what happens? Just curious, I don't want to blow the device because I didn't use the transformer.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

And if a transformer is not used, what happens? Just curious, I don't want to blow the device because I didn't use the transformer.

Any USB wall brick should work fine, just check the requirements of the device against what the wall brick says

[koboy]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

I guess I initially got a kobo included transformer with my first kobo/s device purchases, for wall charging the devices. And I've continued to use it for all my kobo devices irrespective of the model (forma since 2018).


Are the transformers still required for wall charging?

as already mentioned it will work. by not including a transformer=it cuts their costs down.

best wishes koboy

[Lynx-lynx]

Okay, I'm going to go around this question another way, why is a transformer required?

Compared to say the complexity of a current model mobile phone or tablet, which doesn't require a wall transformer (well Android in any event), why does a rather simple (in comparison) ebook reader?

[Deobulakenyo]

For an ebook reader which one expects to use for a looong time (unlike mobile phones that are usually replaced more frequently and soner), i tend to use the computer's usb port to charge to make charging the slow 5V, 500mah. I do not know if it is still the case but i believe slow charging helps in keepi g the battery healthier so i do not use wall chargers on my ereaders.

[koboy]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Okay, I'm going to go around this question another way, why is a transformer required?

Compared to say the complexity of a current model mobile phone or tablet, which doesn't require a wall transformer (well Android in any event), why does a rather simple (in comparison) ebook reader?

an ebook reader (doesn't) require a wall transformer unless you choose to charge it that way. USB via computer does the job.

best wishes koboy

[John F]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

...

Compared to say the complexity of a current model mobile phone or tablet, which doesn't require a wall transformer (well Android in any event), why does a rather simple (in comparison) ebook reader?

All the phones and tablets I have seen in the U.S. require a "transformer" if you want to charge from an AC wall outlet. I'm surprised that there are tablets that don't require a "transformer".

I assume one of us isn't using the correct terminology.

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by John F

All the phones and tablets I have seen in the U.S. require a "transformer" if you want to charge from an AC wall outlet. I'm surprised that there are tablets that don't require a "transformer".

I assume one of us isn't using the correct terminology.

As far as I understand i just pop my phone cord into a dumb device box thing that plugs into the wall. (Note the tech talk )

[John F]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

As far as I understand i just pop my phone cord into a dumb device box thing that plugs into the wall. (Note the tech talk )

And one does the same for an ereader.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by John F

And one does the same for an ereader.

The very same box too. And at the same time, if the box has more than one slot.

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

As far as I understand i just pop my phone cord into a dumb device box thing that plugs into the wall. (Note the tech talk )

That makes me think you have a non-Australian charger that you are using with your Kobo devices and plugging that into a transformer to convert from Australian voltages to whatever voltages that charger uses. Which is most likely the US voltages. Or it might just be changing the plug style. In either case, that setup is not needed. The ereaders just need a standard USB output. It doesn't matter whether that comes from a computer or the charger supplied with your phone, tablet or whatever. And anything with a USB input that needs to be charged can use these. The only real differences in the chargers is the maximum output they can produce. And all that means is that some chargers will charge some devices faster than others.

Edit:

Just to be clear, DO NOT plug the charger you are currently using directly into the wall. Bad things will probably happen. Hopefully just a circuit breaker being thrown. But, you can stop using it and use the other chargers. Or whatever other USB sockets you have around the house. Everything seems to have them now. It almost seems to be harder to find things that don't have a USB socket for charging. Our bed has eight sockets but only four can be reached.

[Lynx-lynx]

Well here's a photo of the box thing, which I thought came with one of my earliest kobo ereaders. It's a Huawei brand. It has written on it "switching power adaptor" (whatever that means
To date, I've bought my kobo ereaders only from here in Sydney.

So what I'm reading in here is, I can just use my samsung wall plugs to put my forma into for wall charging.

[DNSB]

duplicate post