Troubleshooting Can I use any USB wall (mains) power to charge my Kindle?

kennyc · 10-18-2009, 04:32 PM

I'm assuming I can but have not actually tried it yet.

capelord · 10-19-2009, 04:06 AM

yeah you can

kennyc · 10-19-2009, 06:47 AM

Thanks.

RobbieClarken · 10-22-2009, 10:24 PM

Warning: Whenever I plug my Kindle into the mains via an iPod USB power adaptor it becomes extremely sluggish and buttons become unresponsive. I need to reboot the device to make it behave normally.

This gave me a bit of a scare because I charged my Kindle this way straight out of the box and the buttons were so unresponsive I thought I had a faulty device.

Anyone else experienced this?

kennyc · 10-23-2009, 06:43 AM

Maybe that actually discharged it instead? I know there is an issue with the Sony 505 in that you can NOT charge it from just any usb-type power it has to be "enabled" by the software to charge from the usb. charging it via the PSP type connector works fine though. This was the main impetus for me to ask this question and start this thread after I got my kindle.

cowanhughes · 10-23-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieClarken

Warning: Whenever I plug my Kindle into the mains via an iPod USB power adaptor it becomes extremely sluggish and buttons become unresponsive. I need to reboot the device to make it behave normally.

This gave me a bit of a scare because I charged my Kindle this way straight out of the box and the buttons were so unresponsive I thought I had a faulty device.

Anyone else experienced this?

I just received 2 Kindles. I charged the first Kindle through the computer USB - no problems. I tried to charge the second Kindle through my iPhone mains to USB charger and had the exact same problems as you. Also, I don't think it charged at all (in fact, it seemed to discharge), and when I removed it from charge, the screen display still showed as charging. As with your situation, a restart fixed the problem.

I then plugged the first Kindle in to the iPhone charger and the exact same thing happened to it.

I am in Australia and the Kindles only shipped with a USB charger cable. This is OK at home, but am now trying to buy a Kindle-specific mains charger to use when travelling.

AnemicOak · 10-23-2009, 10:54 PM

Never had any problems charging the Kindle with the supplied wall adapter (in the US). It works great and is faster than charging by USB.

bbusybookworm · 10-24-2009, 01:17 AM

Keep in Mind that Not all Wall USB Chargers output the same Amperage.

So While the USB Standard is 5V 0.5A, Specific Chargers Often Output an Higher Amperage.

So My iPhone USB Charger Outputs 5V 1.0A, which is much higher, and while most devices will usually charge, though a bit faster from an higher amperage device, some may not, or may misbehave.

From what I've found, the Kindle's own Power Adaptor Outputs 4.9 Volts, 0.85 Amps, so the iPhone's charger may be overdriving it, causing the issues mentioned.

To play on the safe side with most devices, its usually better to get a Wall wart that outputs 5V 0.5A as it will be supported by all, though it may charge devices a little slower.

Hope this Helps.

Pushka · 10-24-2009, 02:17 AM

The kindle only ships with the USB cord to Australia. And the iphone wall charge wont work with it, and am going to check another type soon. My laptop USB wont charge it either, I have to use someone else's laptop.

It is very annoying that you cant see thekindle is not charging properly when it is plugged in. The only way you can tell is to take out the USB and see if the battery meter has moved at all.

jbsolutios · 10-24-2009, 04:53 AM

I have found that the Kindle 2 International which I received has issues with charging from my UK iPhone charger which came with my 3GS.

It says that it is 1amp, but even after 8 hours the amber light is still on and when I unplug it, the charging symbol stays on on the screen.

Has anyone else found this please?

Thanks

JB

kennyc · 10-24-2009, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Never had any problems charging the Kindle with the supplied wall adapter (in the US). It works great and is faster than charging by USB.

Nor have I Brian, but my original question here was about using third party wall warts with a usb connector to charge the Kindle2. I've not tried it myself yet but I know it does not work (via usb) for Sony 505.

HarryT · 10-24-2009, 06:20 AM

I've tried a couple of USB chargers with my Kindle. They both work fine.

jbsolutios · 10-24-2009, 06:24 AM

The supplied charger needs an adaptor, which is a bit of a pain, hence why I tried the iPhone one. Seems to be charging fine off my Mac, but on the iPhone one although the light illuminates, it does not charge :-(

kennyc · 10-24-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've tried a couple of USB chargers with my Kindle. They both work fine.

Thanks Harry.

allenlux · 10-24-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbieClarken

Warning: Whenever I plug my Kindle into the mains via an iPod USB power adaptor it becomes extremely sluggish and buttons become unresponsive. I need to reboot the device to make it behave normally.

This gave me a bit of a scare because I charged my Kindle this way straight out of the box and the buttons were so unresponsive I thought I had a faulty device.

Anyone else experienced this?

Yes, I had this exact same problem on my second day with my International Kindle, after trying to charge it with a TomTom charger, which also mimics a USB port. I also had the permanent "thunderflash" charging symbol even after unplugging the USB cable, and later on a "Critical battery" screen.

I eventually succeeded in rebooting the Kindle and after charging overnight with the supplied charger, it's working fine again.

This is quite strange. There's no reason I can see why one source of 5V via a USB cable should be better than another source, so long as it has enough mA.

10-18-2009, 04:32 PM	#1
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Can I use any USB wall (mains) power to charge my Kindle? I'm assuming I can but have not actually tried it yet.

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10-19-2009, 04:06 AM	#2
capelord Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: none	yeah you can

10-19-2009, 06:47 AM	#3
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thanks.

10-22-2009, 10:24 PM	#4
RobbieClarken Addict Posts: 371 Karma: 1002274 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Device: Kindle	Warning: Whenever I plug my Kindle into the mains via an iPod USB power adaptor it becomes extremely sluggish and buttons become unresponsive. I need to reboot the device to make it behave normally. This gave me a bit of a scare because I charged my Kindle this way straight out of the box and the buttons were so unresponsive I thought I had a faulty device. Anyone else experienced this?

10-23-2009, 06:43 AM	#5
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Maybe that actually discharged it instead? I know there is an issue with the Sony 505 in that you can NOT charge it from just any usb-type power it has to be "enabled" by the software to charge from the usb. charging it via the PSP type connector works fine though. This was the main impetus for me to ask this question and start this thread after I got my kindle.

10-23-2009, 10:54 PM	#7
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Never had any problems charging the Kindle with the supplied wall adapter (in the US). It works great and is faster than charging by USB.

10-24-2009, 01:17 AM	#8
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	Keep in Mind that Not all Wall USB Chargers output the same Amperage. So While the USB Standard is 5V 0.5A, Specific Chargers Often Output an Higher Amperage. So My iPhone USB Charger Outputs 5V 1.0A, which is much higher, and while most devices will usually charge, though a bit faster from an higher amperage device, some may not, or may misbehave. From what I've found, the Kindle's own Power Adaptor Outputs 4.9 Volts, 0.85 Amps, so the iPhone's charger may be overdriving it, causing the issues mentioned. To play on the safe side with most devices, its usually better to get a Wall wart that outputs 5V 0.5A as it will be supported by all, though it may charge devices a little slower. Hope this Helps.

10-24-2009, 02:17 AM	#9
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	The kindle only ships with the USB cord to Australia. And the iphone wall charge wont work with it, and am going to check another type soon. My laptop USB wont charge it either, I have to use someone else's laptop. It is very annoying that you cant see thekindle is not charging properly when it is plugged in. The only way you can tell is to take out the USB and see if the battery meter has moved at all.

10-24-2009, 04:53 AM	#10
jbsolutios Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle 2 International	I have found that the Kindle 2 International which I received has issues with charging from my UK iPhone charger which came with my 3GS. It says that it is 1amp, but even after 8 hours the amber light is still on and when I unplug it, the charging symbol stays on on the screen. Has anyone else found this please? Thanks JB

10-24-2009, 06:20 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've tried a couple of USB chargers with my Kindle. They both work fine.

10-24-2009, 06:24 AM	#13
jbsolutios Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle 2 International	The supplied charger needs an adaptor, which is a bit of a pain, hence why I tried the iPhone one. Seems to be charging fine off my Mac, but on the iPhone one although the light illuminates, it does not charge :-(

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