Libra 2 USB-C Magnetic

[bmlawson]

I am considering purchasing magnetic tips or a magnetic USB charging cable to charge a Kobo Libra 2 for an individual who has experienced problems with damaging their USB-C port when connecting the charging cable. Have any users tried magnetic tips or a magnetic cable? Are they compatible with the Kobo Libra 2, and are there any recommended brands available for purchase?

[twowheels]

No brand of magnetic USB-C connector is going to be compliant with the USB standard.

I've heard that they can lead to damage in their own ways (arcing, intermittent power, etc), though I've never tried one.

Here's an interesting discussion on the topic:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardwar...t_recommended/

[bmlawson]

Thanks for your reply, I have reviewed the conversation from three years ago, but I am seeking more up-to-date details or insights from individuals who have firsthand experience with magnetic USB-C technology.

[twowheels]

The standard committee hasn't added a magnetic connector standard, so any devices out there are just as out of compliance as they were then -- most of them made by no-name companies that won't stand behind their product when they melt your device.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by bmlawson

I am considering purchasing magnetic tips or a magnetic USB charging cable to charge a Kobo Libra 2 for an individual who has experienced problems with damaging their USB-C port when connecting the charging cable. Have any users tried magnetic tips or a magnetic cable? Are they compatible with the Kobo Libra 2, and are there any recommended brands available for purchase?

I know it sounds rude, but magnetic interface adaptors are bad for micro USB and maybe worse for USB-C (more connections and higher currents and/or voltages, though the no existing Kobo takes more than 1.5A). Possibly glasses are a better idea. My dad was still using the micro-USB on his Kindle at 90.

You exchange having to look at what you are doing for something less reliable.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by twowheels

No brand of magnetic USB-C connector is going to be compliant with the USB standard.

I've heard that they can lead to damage in their own ways (arcing, intermittent power, etc), though I've never tried one.

Here's an interesting discussion on the topic:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UsbCHardwar...t_recommended/

Try this...

https://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Magnetic.../dp/B0C4NQL6SY

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Try this...Attachment 207354

https://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Magnetic.../dp/B0C4NQL6SY

Looking at the reviews I find it interesting that some have titles or comments like:

• Pop went my laptop
• Using these causes my phone to run very warm. I should have done more research before I bought them....turns out this is a common problem that in extreme cases can even cause a fire.
• Unfortunately sparks were created at the connection.
• The pins are already bent and will likely pose a fire hazard/fry your port.

...but, hey, it's not my Kobo.

[bmlawson]

I wish the solution was that simple. She is almost 90 as well and does wear her glasses. Unfortunately her motor skills are quite poor and she has previously caused damage to USB-C ports. I was hoping to find a way to prevent this from happening.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by bmlawson

I wish the solution was that simple. She is almost 90 as well and does wear her glasses. Unfortunately her motor skills are quite poor and she has previously caused damage to USB-C ports. I was hoping to find a way to prevent this from happening.

You might consider a USB-C Qi receiver. Does she use a case? Does she ever transfer via USB, or only charge?

If she uses a case and doesn't transfer via USB you can put the Qi adapter on the back of the Kobo (hidden by and held in place by the case) plugged into the USB-C port and just put the Kobo on a wireless charger to charge it. Much safer than the magnetic cables.

The extra heat from wireless charging might slightly degrade the battery life, but less of a concern than a fire.

[bmlawson]

That sounds like a very workable solution. She prefers to have a case and has no idea how to transfer data. The cable is solely utilized for charging the device. Thanks so much, your assistance is much appreciated.

[twowheels]

Good luck. I used one of those with my kobo for about 6 months and it worked well, but since I use my port for transfers I stopped using it.

[bmlawson]

Thank you, is there any USB-C Qi receiver that you would recommend?

[DNSB]

The unit I tried from Amazon was a Type C USB-C Qi Wireless Charging Receiver. It worked fairly well but wireless charging my Sage was not as convenient as I had hoped. You may want to look for a unit that comes with the receiver and the charging pad.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by bmlawson

Thank you, is there any USB-C Qi receiver that you would recommend?

Not from me, the one I used was micro-usb, I don’t have a usb-c reader yet.

[rjwilmsi]

I purchased a pair of magnetic tips for USB-C about two years ago. I use one on my work laptop and another on a phone. For the laptop it avoids strain on the cable/connector with how I store and move it.

As these magnetic tips aren't USB-C compliant I suppose nobody should officially recommend them to anybody, but I've had no problems with the ones I use. The laptop is a standard Dell so will typically draw 20 W or so at the most (45 W USB-C charger).

I bought ones rated as PD 100W, at least in the hope that they would comfortably handle up to ~30W. So to me they are fine for a low-power device such as ereader (or phone/tablet on a 5V 2A charger). Once you've established that the ones you have don't overheat at that charge level then I think they are a better bet than the risk of damaging the port due to accidental abuse or just excessive wear & tear. I wouldn't use them for a high power (> 50 W) laptop etc. but that's way above the charge rate of an ereader.