Help! Powered Down Kindle in Mexico

Gideon · 06-12-2008, 01:11 PM

Well, I just ran into a big problem with my Kindle.

I thought it charged via USB and so I attached it to my computer to do so while traveling in Mexicio. That wiped the battery pretty much completely out.

I don't have the plug in adapter, just the USB cable. And now that it's dead it won't charge at ALL (tried multiple computers with it off, etc... over 48 hrs.)

I have standard iPod stuff (plugins that connect to USB, etc) but I don't really know what to do here... I need the device charged as I have things for work I need to read and Amazon won't ship a charger here (and it'd be too late anyway.) Anyone know any clever way to charge the thing?

Thanks!!

DixieGal · 06-12-2008, 01:30 PM

I think there is some sort of mass hypnosis or something, this is about the 3rd person today having the prob.

I read at the other posts to get a PSP charger, that it will work. Good Luck!

Elsi · 06-12-2008, 02:08 PM

I thought the PSP charger works for the Sony Reader -- haven't read anything about it working with the Kindle, but perhaps it does.

The I-Go tip A00 works for the Kindle. See http://www.igo.com/product.asp?sku=2621483

bbusybookworm · 06-12-2008, 02:17 PM

The kindle mas a Mini USB plug to charge / Sync itself right?

Well you could easily find a phone charger for Nokia/HTC/etc which uses a mini usb style plug locally, and use that to charge the Kindle.

Or how about a mains charger with a USB port built in. I've sometimes found that while a device will not charge from a computers USB port, it has no trouble charging from a mains powered USB charger.

HarryT · 06-12-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I thought the PSP charger works for the Sony Reader -- haven't read anything about it working with the Kindle, but perhaps it does.

It is indeed the Sony - not the Kindle.

DixieGal · 06-12-2008, 02:44 PM

Oh no! SORRY!

(I'm worthless around here lately...)

TallMomof2 · 06-12-2008, 02:59 PM

What you need is a Palm Zire USB cable, it has both the mini USB for syncing and the charging tip all in one cable which then splits into the two tips. I use this exclusively to charge and sync.

HarryT · 06-12-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Oh no! SORRY!

(I'm worthless around here lately...)

You tried to help - that's the important thing. It's very easy to get mixed up with these things.

wallcraft · 06-12-2008, 03:18 PM

Based on the iGo A00 compatibility list, Palm Tungsten E and Zire 31 and 72 use the same power tip as the Kindle. The only other useful information I have found is an-alternate-kindle-charger which says 5.0V~2A, with 1A probably being enough.

Elsi · 06-12-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

The kindle mas a Mini USB plug to charge / Sync itself right?

Well you could easily find a phone charger for Nokia/HTC/etc which uses a mini usb style plug locally, and use that to charge the Kindle.

Or how about a mains charger with a USB port built in. I've sometimes found that while a device will not charge from a computers USB port, it has no trouble charging from a mains powered USB charger.

I think that the Kindle doesn't really charge itself enough from the USB. It gets a trickle and maybe if you connected your Kindle every night it might keep going for a long enough time. But, when the battery gets too low, it will not charge at all via the USB port and you *must* use the power adapter -- or at least feed power through the power port instead of the mini-USB port on the Kindle.

Gideon · 06-12-2008, 05:14 PM

Yeah, unfortunately I *have* to use the main power port (not USB) as it is so dead that the USB simply won't power the device at all.

Sucks about the PSP plug... THAT I have.

I may check out some of the local tech shops, maybe I can find one of these palm chargers. I have something being shipped by Gomadic that uses AA batteries to get the job done but I'm just worried it will take too long to get here. And things going to Mexico have a habit of just not showing up at all.

Thanks for all the help.. sorry I didn't do a more thorough search before posting, but I'm in a limited internet situation.
I will say, however, that before this charging situation.... it was just kicking ass on the trip!

bbusybookworm · 06-12-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

I think that the Kindle doesn't really charge itself enough from the USB. It gets a trickle and maybe if you connected your Kindle every night it might keep going for a long enough time. But, when the battery gets too low, it will not charge at all via the USB port and you *must* use the power adapter -- or at least feed power through the power port instead of the mini-USB port on the Kindle.

Oh, ok.

I was under the impression that like the Gen3 the kindle only had a USB port for charging and sync, and no separate power port.

Is the power port a standard sized one, or is it something very unusual and proprietary?

TallMomof2 · 06-13-2008, 09:39 AM

Gideon - I purchased my Palm Zire sync/charge cable off of eBay. It is possible to find one in some of the larger Office Supply chains but I have no idea about the availability in Mexico City.

JSWolf · 06-13-2008, 10:19 AM

Do any of the shops in Mexico sell the iGo products? If so, get the A00 tip as mentioned above. That will work. Then you can charge the Kindle.

When I travel, I never leave without having a proper charger. I don't want to rely on USB only for charging.

06-12-2008, 01:11 PM	#1
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Help! Powered Down Kindle in Mexico Well, I just ran into a big problem with my Kindle. I thought it charged via USB and so I attached it to my computer to do so while traveling in Mexicio. That wiped the battery pretty much completely out. I don't have the plug in adapter, just the USB cable. And now that it's dead it won't charge at ALL (tried multiple computers with it off, etc... over 48 hrs.) I have standard iPod stuff (plugins that connect to USB, etc) but I don't really know what to do here... I need the device charged as I have things for work I need to read and Amazon won't ship a charger here (and it'd be too late anyway.) Anyone know any clever way to charge the thing? Thanks!!

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06-12-2008, 01:30 PM	#2
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I think there is some sort of mass hypnosis or something, this is about the 3rd person today having the prob. I read at the other posts to get a PSP charger, that it will work. Good Luck!

06-12-2008, 02:08 PM	#3
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	I thought the PSP charger works for the Sony Reader -- haven't read anything about it working with the Kindle, but perhaps it does. The I-Go tip A00 works for the Kindle. See http://www.igo.com/product.asp?sku=2621483

06-12-2008, 02:17 PM	#4
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	The kindle mas a Mini USB plug to charge / Sync itself right? Well you could easily find a phone charger for Nokia/HTC/etc which uses a mini usb style plug locally, and use that to charge the Kindle. Or how about a mains charger with a USB port built in. I've sometimes found that while a device will not charge from a computers USB port, it has no trouble charging from a mains powered USB charger.

06-12-2008, 02:44 PM	#6
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Oh no! SORRY! (I'm worthless around here lately...)

06-12-2008, 02:59 PM	#7
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	What you need is a Palm Zire USB cable, it has both the mini USB for syncing and the charging tip all in one cable which then splits into the two tips. I use this exclusively to charge and sync.

06-12-2008, 03:18 PM	#9
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Based on the iGo A00 compatibility list, Palm Tungsten E and Zire 31 and 72 use the same power tip as the Kindle. The only other useful information I have found is an-alternate-kindle-charger which says 5.0V~2A, with 1A probably being enough.

06-12-2008, 05:14 PM	#11
Gideon Wearer of Pants Posts: 1,050 Karma: 7634 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norman, OK Device: Amazon Kindle DX / iPhone	Yeah, unfortunately I have to use the main power port (not USB) as it is so dead that the USB simply won't power the device at all. Sucks about the PSP plug... THAT I have. I may check out some of the local tech shops, maybe I can find one of these palm chargers. I have something being shipped by Gomadic that uses AA batteries to get the job done but I'm just worried it will take too long to get here. And things going to Mexico have a habit of just not showing up at all. Thanks for all the help.. sorry I didn't do a more thorough search before posting, but I'm in a limited internet situation. I will say, however, that before this charging situation.... it was just kicking ass on the trip!

06-13-2008, 09:39 AM	#13
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Gideon - I purchased my Palm Zire sync/charge cable off of eBay. It is possible to find one in some of the larger Office Supply chains but I have no idea about the availability in Mexico City.

06-13-2008, 10:19 AM	#14
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Do any of the shops in Mexico sell the iGo products? If so, get the A00 tip as mentioned above. That will work. Then you can charge the Kindle. When I travel, I never leave without having a proper charger. I don't want to rely on USB only for charging.