Charge via USB charger?

djgreedo · 07-03-2009, 07:09 AM

Can the PRS-700 charge via plugging the USB cable into a standard USB-mains charger?

I've tried this and it doesn't seem to work. The device charges perfectly fine from any USB port, but plugging it into a USB mains adaptor (which supplies enough power-up to 1000mA-at 5V) doesn't charge it. The charging screen displays on the device, but the battery isn't actually charging.

The adaptor works fine for other USB devices (Zune MP3 player, mouse, etc.).

Is anybody charging their device in this way?
What would be different about the power coming from the adaptor compared to the power from a computer-based USB port?

I also was planning on getting a solar-USB battery pack for charging my portable devices.

warriorscot · 07-03-2009, 07:18 AM

You actually get slightly more power via an AC charger than a PC USB port, its still within spec for most devices but it may be an issue.

I have one for charging my phone/mp3 player I will give it a try when it next needs a charge.

HarryT · 07-03-2009, 07:24 AM

No, it won't charge from a USB wall charger via its USB socket - it will only charge via a PC's USB port.

You'll need a charger with a PSP tip - that will work fine.

DDHarriman · 07-03-2009, 07:25 AM

Hum...

The 505 can be charged perfectly that way.

Best regards,

HarryT · 07-03-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

Hum...

The 505 can be charged perfectly that way.

Best regards,

Via a "dumb" USB wall charger, using the Reader's USB socket? I respectfully disagree - the Reader will not charge that way; one needs to use the charger socket, which takes the same connector used by the PSP. A cable with a PSP "tip" plugged into a USB wall charger works, but not a cable plugged into the USB socket.

If you have a Reader that can be charged from a USB wall charger, using the Reader's USB socket, you have a distinctly out-of-the-ordinary Reader

.

warriorscot · 07-03-2009, 09:23 AM

Some devices can be strange regarding the dumb usb charger I have seen and had devices that will not charge from it for months to years then suddenly decide its ok. And I've seen devices where some will allow it and some wont(presumably a difference in factory installed firmware).

djgreedo · 07-03-2009, 09:44 AM

Thanks everyone.

So if I get a PSP cable I can stick one end in the USB adaptor and the other in the round, yellow DC socket on the device and it should charge. That shouldn't be too hard.

But does anyone know why I can't charge it from the USB socket? What is the difference between the two power sources? Is there some actual 'talking' going on when I plug into a computer that doesn't happen from a wall socket? I've charged the device on my work PC before, and I don't have the drivers/software installed there.

Wetdogeared · 07-03-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

Thanks everyone.

So if I get a PSP cable I can stick one end in the USB adaptor and the other in the round, yellow DC socket on the device and it should charge. That shouldn't be too hard.

But does anyone know why I can't charge it from the USB socket? What is the difference between the two power sources? Is there some actual 'talking' going on when I plug into a computer that doesn't happen from a wall socket? I've charged the device on my work PC before, and I don't have the drivers/software installed there.

There have been several discussions on USB to wall/mains chargers. This thread is just one of several.

I simpify charging by using both a Sony A/C charger made specifically for the PRS-505/700 and a PSP A/C charger. Yellow adapter goes through transformer and plugs directly into wall/mains. This gives a full, deep charge, in the shortest amount of time.

Hope it explains a few technical details.

WDE/

JSWolf · 07-03-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDHarriman

Hum...

The 505 can be charged perfectly that way.

Best regards,

My wife has a USB wall wart for her iPod Touch and it doe snot charge my 505.

JSWolf · 07-03-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

Thanks everyone.

So if I get a PSP cable I can stick one end in the USB adaptor and the other in the round, yellow DC socket on the device and it should charge. That shouldn't be too hard.

But does anyone know why I can't charge it from the USB socket? What is the difference between the two power sources? Is there some actual 'talking' going on when I plug into a computer that doesn't happen from a wall socket? I've charged the device on my work PC before, and I don't have the drivers/software installed there.

What you want is a good (UL listed) PSP AC adapter. The kind that DOES NOT have anything to do with USB. The kind that plugs into the AC adapter socket on your Reader. The reason I'm suggesting you go with a certified PSP AC Adapter is that cheap uncertified electronics have been known to catch fire and that includes power strips too.

djgreedo · 07-03-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What you want is a good (UL listed) PSP AC adapter. The kind that DOES NOT have anything to do with USB. The kind that plugs into the AC adapter socket on your Reader. The reason I'm suggesting you go with a certified PSP AC Adapter is that cheap uncertified electronics have been known to catch fire and that includes power strips too.

I was hoping for a one-size-fits-all solution so all my gadgets could just be charged with a single USB-mains plug and the cable that came with each device. I also have a USB socket in the car that charges my MP3 player. It would be nice if I could charge my reader in the car as well (I'd probably never use it, but it would be nice to have).

I probably should have mentioned that I live outside the USA, which is why I don't have a mains adaptor for the reader. I should easily be able to find a PSP one though.

Thanks!

HarryT · 07-03-2009, 10:47 AM

Any PSP charger should work just fine with the Reader. They have the same power requirements.

warriorscot · 07-03-2009, 12:22 PM

Sony do it so you will fork out extra for the mains adapter, its a bit of a con but they are apparently switching next year so that all of their devices will charge from a universal USB connection along with a couple of other big manufacturers of electronics.

HarryT · 07-03-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriorscot

Sony do it so you will fork out extra for the mains adapter, its a bit of a con but they are apparently switching next year so that all of their devices will charge from a universal USB connection along with a couple of other big manufacturers of electronics.

Third-party PSP chargers work just fine, and are a fraction of the price of the official Sony charger.

tompe · 07-03-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djgreedo

But does anyone know why I can't charge it from the USB socket? What is the difference between the two power sources? Is there some actual 'talking' going on when I plug into a computer that doesn't happen from a wall socket? I've charged the device on my work PC before, and I don't have the drivers/software installed there.

For newer Mobile phones following the micro USB charge standard the difference is that for such chargers the signal cables on the phone side are short circuited by the charger. The phone then know that a charger is connected. And the signal on these cables are probably used to detect when you connect it to a computer.

07-03-2009, 07:09 AM	#1
djgreedo Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 640696 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Kindle Touch 3G, HP Touchpad (Android), Samsung Omnia 7	Charge via USB charger? Can the PRS-700 charge via plugging the USB cable into a standard USB-mains charger? I've tried this and it doesn't seem to work. The device charges perfectly fine from any USB port, but plugging it into a USB mains adaptor (which supplies enough power-up to 1000mA-at 5V) doesn't charge it. The charging screen displays on the device, but the battery isn't actually charging. The adaptor works fine for other USB devices (Zune MP3 player, mouse, etc.). Is anybody charging their device in this way? What would be different about the power coming from the adaptor compared to the power from a computer-based USB port? I also was planning on getting a solar-USB battery pack for charging my portable devices.

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07-03-2009, 07:18 AM	#2
warriorscot Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: prs-700	You actually get slightly more power via an AC charger than a PC USB port, its still within spec for most devices but it may be an issue. I have one for charging my phone/mp3 player I will give it a try when it next needs a charge.

07-03-2009, 07:24 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	No, it won't charge from a USB wall charger via its USB socket - it will only charge via a PC's USB port. You'll need a charger with a PSP tip - that will work fine.

07-03-2009, 07:25 AM	#4
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hum... The 505 can be charged perfectly that way. Best regards,

07-03-2009, 09:23 AM	#6
warriorscot Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: prs-700	Some devices can be strange regarding the dumb usb charger I have seen and had devices that will not charge from it for months to years then suddenly decide its ok. And I've seen devices where some will allow it and some wont(presumably a difference in factory installed firmware).

07-03-2009, 09:44 AM	#7
djgreedo Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 640696 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Kindle Touch 3G, HP Touchpad (Android), Samsung Omnia 7	Thanks everyone. So if I get a PSP cable I can stick one end in the USB adaptor and the other in the round, yellow DC socket on the device and it should charge. That shouldn't be too hard. But does anyone know why I can't charge it from the USB socket? What is the difference between the two power sources? Is there some actual 'talking' going on when I plug into a computer that doesn't happen from a wall socket? I've charged the device on my work PC before, and I don't have the drivers/software installed there.

07-03-2009, 10:47 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Any PSP charger should work just fine with the Reader. They have the same power requirements.

07-03-2009, 12:22 PM	#13
warriorscot Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: prs-700	Sony do it so you will fork out extra for the mains adapter, its a bit of a con but they are apparently switching next year so that all of their devices will charge from a universal USB connection along with a couple of other big manufacturers of electronics.