Replacement cable for Kobo Forma

[maddz]

Can anyone recommend a replacement cable for a Kobo Forma? My original reversible cable is getting incredibly flaky - you only have to look at it funny and it disconnects (that's when it connects in the first place). A random USB B cable seems to work (at least for data transfer).

Our previous Kobos were Touches which are old style-SD. Unfortunately, Kobo don't seem to sell OEM cables, and the last time I looked I would have had to import from Australia at vast expense... That seller doesn't seem to have any stock at the moment.

So I seem to be reduced into something from Ebay, but it's knowing which brands are good with Kobo. (If I can find a replacement 32GB Forma, I might go for it, but the only ones on Ebay are 8GB.)

[gbm]

Amazon Basics:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=amazon+basics+usb+cable

Check the usb port on the Kobo make sure it does not need the lint cleaned out.
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=how+t...er+port&ia=web

bernie

Originally Posted by maddz

Can anyone recommend a replacement cable for a Kobo Forma? My original reversible cable is getting incredibly flaky - you only have to look at it funny and it disconnects (that's when it connects in the first place). A random USB B cable seems to work (at least for data transfer).

Our previous Kobos were Touches which are old style-SD. Unfortunately, Kobo don't seem to sell OEM cables, and the last time I looked I would have had to import from Australia at vast expense... That seller doesn't seem to have any stock at the moment.

So I seem to be reduced into something from Ebay, but it's knowing which brands are good with Kobo. (If I can find a replacement 32GB Forma, I might go for it, but the only ones on Ebay are 8GB.)

[JSWolf]

That cable you linked Is from Amazon in the US? The OP is in the UK.

Whebn buying a USB cable, buy one that's braided so it will last longer because the non-braided cables can fail at one of the cable ends more so then braided.

[maddz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I much prefer this cable from Monoprice. It's braided and reinforced. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=31196

No good to me, I'm in the UK...

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by maddz

No good to me, I'm in the UK...

I've edited my post. No cable linked, but I did recommend a braided Micro USB cable.

[maddz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I've edited my post. No cable linked, but I did recommend a braided Micro USB cable.

That's what the OEM cable that came with the Forma was. I think the main issue with generic cables is the charge rating; the random cable in the house seems to work, but it's not braided.

I have a feeling the original cable is damaged at the end as it's been getting flakier over the course of this year. I think it got tripped over a couple of times and the Forma fell off the table and swung from the cable which also hasn't helped. What I might do is let the charge run down and take the Forma into the local phone shop and see what he has in stock (reversible or not).

[nana77]

I also have some micro usb devices that start to connect not properly; for cables imho you can watch at these ones: https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Braide...dp/B0773N757H/
https://www.amazon.com/CableCreation...dp/B0CGRG3DQF/
But if it's the connector that starts to loose, imho it would be better if you would give it to a technician.

[JSWolf]

@maddz, here is a good cable for you to get.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NCJE1RE

[maddz]

OK, is that any of the ones on this search? https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_n...om=R40&_sop=15

Sorry to be a pain, but I'm not that much of an expert on generic cables. I've had good experiences with other UGREEN components.

(I don't have Prime and these days I try to avoid Big River.)

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by maddz

OK, is that any of the ones on this search? https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_n...om=R40&_sop=15

Sorry to be a pain, but I'm not that much of an expert on generic cables. I've had good experiences with other UGREEN components.

(I don't have Prime and these days I try to avoid Big River.)

This one will do just well. Get the grey one in 1.5 or 2 meters.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/298185949...r=595223783391

[maddz]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

This one will do just well. Get the grey one in 1.5 or 2 meters.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/298185949...r=595223783391

Thanks for your help Jon. I've hit the buy button so it should turn up next week.

I was getting a bit worried as I thought it might have been problems with the Forma. The trouble is the Ellipsa is twice the weight, and I can only get refurbished Sages from Kobo. I hope Kobo will do a replacement for the Forma at some point; the plastic substrate makes the device very light for an 8" ereader.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by maddz

Thanks for your help Jon. I've hit the buy button so it should turn up next week.

I was getting a bit worried as I thought it might have been problems with the Forma. The trouble is the Ellipsa is twice the weight, and I can only get refurbished Sages from Kobo. I hope Kobo will do a replacement for the Forma at some point; the plastic substrate makes the device very light for an 8" ereader.

I hope Kobo comes out with new BW in 7", 8", and 10.3". They need a better processor, better battery, and Carta 1300 screen.

[nana77]

Can it be, too, that besides the seemingly identical specs from AU to UK, there are some differencies, and it could need a different power adapter, not only the cable?

230V / 50Hz which is the same as the UK
Plug type: Type I used in Australia and New Zealand
Socket rating: 10 amps which is lower than the UK’s 13 amps
Voltage converter needed? No

Where they differ
Feature UK / Australia and NZ
Plug shape Rectangular pins / Angled flat pins
Fuse Built in / No plug fuse
Socket rating 13 amps / 10 amps
Safety Fuse protection / Circuit breaker protection

The 10 amp difference: the one point that matters

In practical terms:

UK socket allows up to 3,120W
Australia and NZ socket allows up to 2,400W

Most appliances are well within this range.

Laptop chargers use around 1 to 2 amps
TVs use around 1 to 3 amps
Fridges use around 1 to 2 amps
Washing machines usually stay under 10 amps

The UK kettle problem

This is where most people get caught out.

A typical UK kettle:

3,000W which is 13 amps

This exceeds the 10 amp limit in Australia and New Zealand.

Using it, even with an adapter, is unsafe. It can overheat, trip circuits, or damage wiring.

The simplest solution is to leave it behind and buy a local kettle.

https://www.anglopacific.co.uk/blog/...ters-guide.htm
A UK power adapter, can have a different fuse compared to AU ones?
Ps: yep, the Forma is fantasically super lightweight (192gr); as comparison the Inkpad Color 3 (7.8") within its cover is 390gr.

[JSWolf]

The problem with the Inkpad color is it has this extra color layer that would be great if it was removed forever from all eInk Readers that use it. It adds excess weight.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by maddz

No good to me, I'm in the UK...

CEX has C-C, A-Lightning, A-micro and A-Mini. Reasonable price.

The C to C are only USB 2

Tesco or Pennnys does have USB cables too.

Hardly Nomal & Currys are expensive.