Touch Which usb phone chargers work with Kobo Touch - Page 2

FJames · 09-15-2011, 10:30 AM

Don't ask first-line customer support people at Kobo or any other company technical questions about things like this. At best they know no more than you can find out for yourself by reading the user guide, and they often get that wrong.

You can safely charge any Kobo model from your iPhone or iPad charger, as long as you have the correct USB mini or micro cable of course.

Latch · 09-15-2011, 04:35 PM

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I would rather pay an extra $5 for the Kobo if it came with its own charger, and not just a USB-microUSB connector that expects me to use my PC to charge the phone. My PC is in the basement. I do all my reading in bed at night up on the second floor.

Patita · 09-16-2011, 12:55 AM

Sorry, I realized after I read the above comments that I had posted to the wrong thread. As someone pointed out, this is a Touch thread and my Kobo is a Wifi. Still, interesting answers. My charger was not made by Apple and it is 5V. When I plugged the Kobo into the charger, I think it probably was actually charging because of the light changing from blue to red/pink, but I was confused by the message. I ended up charging it using the computer, but next time I'll try it with the charger and see if the light eventually changes to blue and if it gets a full charge.

I agree that the fact that the Kobo FAQ says you can use a charger, they can hardly say that you can't. Thanks to the person who pointed me to the warranty. I don't remember if there was a printed copy with my Kobo but I don't think I threw any paper away. There should be a printed copy; it shouldn't be so hard to find.

Thanks all.

happyfrog · 09-18-2011, 10:34 AM

i bought:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LRPN0S

and it works GREAT! i, too, like to read a LOT and had the ereader 'die' on me because it ran out of charge mid book. so i charge it up using that wall charger inbetween times i dock it to 'puter when loading/unloading library books.

hth.

bibahbuzemann · 09-19-2011, 07:56 AM

I can't be sure, but charging Li-batteries might not be quite that simple. There might be some kind of charging scheme in the software of the e-reader.

When charging the batts for my RC planes, I use some seriously high tech sh"t(as far as I know). There's the charger, of course, a "balancer"(no idea) and a memory module, one for each batt-pack.

The dif is obvious, RC-planes need losts'a power, so the batteries are kinda "stacked"? Sorta like multiple Li-cells wired in series.

That aint the case with ereaders, they only have one cell. But that charger, man, it changes the current constantly! Plus it's different with every battery pack, even if they have the exact same label!

So what I'm not sure of is:

- Can you charge the battery of your ereader with any current? 1Amp, 500mAmp?

dafrizz · 09-19-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bibahbuzemann

- Can you charge the battery of your ereader with any current? 1Amp, 500mAmp?

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer:
You need to make sure your charger supplies enough current. Too much is not a problem. The device you are charging (ie your Kobo) will only draw what is required.

Regarding the smarts of the charging circuit: that is built into the Kobo. All the charger does is provide a voltage and supply a current. The internal charging circuit of the Kobo takes care of how much is drawn when, correct charging curves etc.

d33nan · 09-25-2011, 12:50 AM

Try here http://www.igo.com

anonymoose · 09-25-2011, 05:53 PM

I've used Belkin surge protector charger that has plug-ins and USB slot, a no-name USB charger, and my cell charger (LG), and all 3 worked with no problems. And they all work much faster than with a computer.

tsb1 · 11-29-2011, 03:30 PM

I bought a Blackberry charger for my touch (having been advised on this forum that they worked) but didn't know there was a difference in connectors. I ended up with a Mini rather than a Micro connector. All was not lost, however, as I bought an adapter to convert it which works fine. Thought I'd post to warn other users.

estelle58 · 11-29-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldrover

I have been using my iPhone charger with my KT. Works very well. (I use the usb cord that came with the Kobo.) Very handy when travelling.

Same here with my Kobo WiFi

jackastor · 11-29-2011, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangent

The Kobo website says you can use a wall charger if it has an output of 5V, 500mA micro USB adapter.

Which phone (or other) chargers have this rating?

As with all advice offered here, your charger needs a min of 500ma, the Touch will only draw the current it needs and can use. It will not draw more then it can handle. So unless your usb port on the touch is damaged any charger that meets the 500mA micro usb spec rating will work. Again if your charger supplies more then that your ok as the touch will only draw the current it needs. The problems arrise when you use an under powered charger and the unit is trying to draw more voltage then is available, in that situation the device will not work.

good luck

hope that help

regards

jack

mconh · 11-29-2011, 11:57 PM

I use my Nikon Camera charger with the touch.
You can get them online for $12-$15.
Nikon EH-68P AC Adapter

winsomnia · 11-30-2011, 03:44 AM

My Blackberry Curve has a 5v 700mA charger with a compatible micro usb connector. I've just bought my Kobo Touch so I haven't tried charging it yet, but I'm not afraid to use it.

I've been using this Digipower USB charger on my Kobo original for the past year without any worries. I bought it at London Drugs, it works fine.

filmo · 11-30-2011, 01:52 PM

For my KT using my Motorola phone charger that came with the phone.
For my Kobo wifi using $10 phone charger from Walmart 1amp at 5 volt.
All the mobile phone chargers I have seen recently that plug into wall outlet are rated for 110V to 220V input and 5V to 7V output is ok for kobo e-readers if they have USB output connector.

I use mobile phone chargers that plug into 12V cigarette lighter outlet with correct output plug for the e-reader. If they are using one of the USB connectors voltage and amps are ok for Kobo Touch and wifi. I like the longer cords on these chargers makes it possible to read while plugged into outlet.

Vox is different as it draws more amps with screen back light and wifi on so standard phone charger might not have enough amps to even trickle charge with with Vox drawing full power. But will probably prevent draining Vox battery with screen light and wifi on and will trickle charge with it off.
It has a USB plug so it can't draw more amps than specification allows unless charger communicates enough amps are available for fast charge.

TonyToews · 11-30-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filmo

Vox is different as it draws more amps with screen back light and wifi on so standard phone charger might not have enough amps to even trickle charge with with Vox drawing full power. But will probably prevent draining Vox battery with screen light and wifi on and will trickle charge with it off.

Vox won't charge from a 0.5 amp/500 ma USB port. I'm hoping this isn't a hardware limitation and will be fixed in a future update.

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09-15-2011, 10:30 AM	#16
FJames Addict Posts: 320 Karma: 320941 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Touch & Aura	Don't ask first-line customer support people at Kobo or any other company technical questions about things like this. At best they know no more than you can find out for yourself by reading the user guide, and they often get that wrong. You can safely charge any Kobo model from your iPhone or iPad charger, as long as you have the correct USB mini or micro cable of course.

09-15-2011, 04:35 PM	#17
Latch Porcupine Tree fan Posts: 139 Karma: 357322 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Device: Kobo Touch	Maybe I'm in the minority, but I would rather pay an extra $5 for the Kobo if it came with its own charger, and not just a USB-microUSB connector that expects me to use my PC to charge the phone. My PC is in the basement. I do all my reading in bed at night up on the second floor.

09-16-2011, 12:55 AM	#18
Patita Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kobo wireless	Sorry, I realized after I read the above comments that I had posted to the wrong thread. As someone pointed out, this is a Touch thread and my Kobo is a Wifi. Still, interesting answers. My charger was not made by Apple and it is 5V. When I plugged the Kobo into the charger, I think it probably was actually charging because of the light changing from blue to red/pink, but I was confused by the message. I ended up charging it using the computer, but next time I'll try it with the charger and see if the light eventually changes to blue and if it gets a full charge. I agree that the fact that the Kobo FAQ says you can use a charger, they can hardly say that you can't. Thanks to the person who pointed me to the warranty. I don't remember if there was a printed copy with my Kobo but I don't think I threw any paper away. There should be a printed copy; it shouldn't be so hard to find. Thanks all.

09-18-2011, 10:34 AM	#19
happyfrog Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: on a lily pad Device: kobo touch	i bought: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LRPN0S and it works GREAT! i, too, like to read a LOT and had the ereader 'die' on me because it ran out of charge mid book. so i charge it up using that wall charger inbetween times i dock it to 'puter when loading/unloading library books. hth.

09-19-2011, 07:56 AM	#20
bibahbuzemann Addict Posts: 217 Karma: 28060 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: FRG Device: PRS-T1	I can't be sure, but charging Li-batteries might not be quite that simple. There might be some kind of charging scheme in the software of the e-reader. When charging the batts for my RC planes, I use some seriously high tech sh"t(as far as I know). There's the charger, of course, a "balancer"(no idea) and a memory module, one for each batt-pack. The dif is obvious, RC-planes need losts'a power, so the batteries are kinda "stacked"? Sorta like multiple Li-cells wired in series. That aint the case with ereaders, they only have one cell. But that charger, man, it changes the current constantly! Plus it's different with every battery pack, even if they have the exact same label! So what I'm not sure of is: - Can you charge the battery of your ereader with any current? 1Amp, 500mAmp?

09-25-2011, 12:50 AM	#22
d33nan Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Touch,Google Nexus S	Try here http://www.igo.com

09-25-2011, 05:53 PM	#23
anonymoose bookaholic Posts: 108 Karma: 1032718 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura, Kobo Touch, Kobo app on iPhone	I've used Belkin surge protector charger that has plug-ins and USB slot, a no-name USB charger, and my cell charger (LG), and all 3 worked with no problems. And they all work much faster than with a computer.

11-29-2011, 03:30 PM	#24
tsb1 Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 37564 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Edinburgh, UK Device: Kobo Touch	I bought a Blackberry charger for my touch (having been advised on this forum that they worked) but didn't know there was a difference in connectors. I ended up with a Mini rather than a Micro connector. All was not lost, however, as I bought an adapter to convert it which works fine. Thought I'd post to warn other users.

11-29-2011, 11:57 PM	#27
mconh Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 112688 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge Ontario Device: Kobo Touch, Glo, AuraHD, AuraH20	I use my Nikon Camera charger with the touch. You can get them online for $12-$15. Nikon EH-68P AC Adapter

11-30-2011, 03:44 AM	#28
winsomnia Groupie Posts: 164 Karma: 190082 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: BC, Canada Device: kobo Touch, kobo Aura	My Blackberry Curve has a 5v 700mA charger with a compatible micro usb connector. I've just bought my Kobo Touch so I haven't tried charging it yet, but I'm not afraid to use it. I've been using this Digipower USB charger on my Kobo original for the past year without any worries. I bought it at London Drugs, it works fine.

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11-30-2011, 01:52 PM	#29
filmo Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 1077205 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Sony T1, Kobo Mini	For my KT using my Motorola phone charger that came with the phone. For my Kobo wifi using $10 phone charger from Walmart 1amp at 5 volt. All the mobile phone chargers I have seen recently that plug into wall outlet are rated for 110V to 220V input and 5V to 7V output is ok for kobo e-readers if they have USB output connector. I use mobile phone chargers that plug into 12V cigarette lighter outlet with correct output plug for the e-reader. If they are using one of the USB connectors voltage and amps are ok for Kobo Touch and wifi. I like the longer cords on these chargers makes it possible to read while plugged into outlet. Vox is different as it draws more amps with screen back light and wifi on so standard phone charger might not have enough amps to even trickle charge with with Vox drawing full power. But will probably prevent draining Vox battery with screen light and wifi on and will trickle charge with it off. It has a USB plug so it can't draw more amps than specification allows unless charger communicates enough amps are available for fast charge.