i bought two extra usb cables from amazon, i can't link to them since i don't have enough posts yet, but they're the "EMPIRE USB Data Cable for Verizon HTC ThunderBolt" from amazon
i intentionally looked for some that said for use with thunderbolt in case there was something different than just a micro-usb cable; however, it does not seem that these cables charge as well as the cable that ships. it takes several hours even when trying to charge with the original AC adapter using one of these cables vs the ~1.5-2 hours with the cable that comes with. When trying to use a computer or a car adapter it just holds the charge steady, if using navigation it actually drops battery while plugged in!
is there something i'm missing here? they should all be the same right? can anyone point me to some that actually work? (preferably from amazon since i have gift cards there)
I've had the same problem.
Make sure you are getting the correct voltage. I think my issues are that USB is a slower charge than outlets and the "extra" charger I had was for my bluetooth which had a lower voltage.
strobieone said:
I've had the same problem.
Make sure you are getting the correct voltage. I think my issues are that USB is a slower charge than outlets and the "extra" charger I had was for my bluetooth which had a lower voltage.
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Click to collapse
yeah, i understand that usb from the computer will be a lower voltage, which is what i thought the issue was at first. but then i tried using the original AC adapter with the replacement usb cable and it was slower than the original cable. i don't see why the cable would make a difference, but it definitely appears to.
i downloaded the current widget and can see that just swapping between the OEM cable and the aftermarket cable the charging current is quite different. ~+600ma with the OEM and -100ma to +300ma with the aftermarket (yes at times it was LOSING charge while plugged in using the aftermarket)
roppetty said:
yeah, i understand that usb from the computer will be a lower voltage, which is what i thought the issue was at first. but then i tried using the original AC adapter with the replacement usb cable and it was slower than the original cable. i don't see why the cable would make a difference, but it definitely appears to.
i downloaded the current widget and can see that just swapping between the OEM cable and the aftermarket cable the charging current is quite different. ~+600ma with the OEM and -100ma to +300ma with the aftermarket (yes at times it was LOSING charge while plugged in using the aftermarket)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should never use any other cable than the one provided with your Thunderbolt. On the site it may say that it "Works" with the Thunderbolt but that doesn't mean you are going to get the performance you need out of it. I have had that problem plenty of times with older cables and sadly it keeps me buying the slightly overpriced cables from Verizon so I know that I get what I need.
roppetty said:
yeah, i understand that usb from the computer will be a lower voltage, which is what i thought the issue was at first. but then i tried using the original AC adapter with the replacement usb cable and it was slower than the original cable. i don't see why the cable would make a difference, but it definitely appears to.
i downloaded the current widget and can see that just swapping between the OEM cable and the aftermarket cable the charging current is quite different. ~+600ma with the OEM and -100ma to +300ma with the aftermarket (yes at times it was LOSING charge while plugged in using the aftermarket)
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Click to collapse
It sounds like a defective cable. Check to see how it's charging (AC or USB). If it says USB when connected to the HTC charger, the cable is bad.
I use micro-USB cables I got from Monoprice, no problems.
mike.s said:
It sounds like a defective cable. Check to see how it's charging (AC or USB). If it says USB when connected to the HTC charger, the cable is bad.
I use micro-USB cables I got from Monoprice, no problems.
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Click to collapse
It's not defective, it's just not designed for charging. OP, always make sure it says it is a charger cable, not a data cable, when you buy one.
WeaselWeaz said:
It's not defective, it's just not designed for charging.
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BS. You have no clue what you're talking about. The TB follows the USB charging specification.
The thing about USB (Universal serial bus) cables is that they are UNIVERSAL. It doesn't matter where you get them from, what they say, or what they are branded. They have to meet certain specs (including materials and current capacity) in order to get the USB label.
If you're having a problem, I am 99% sure the cable is not the issue.
Try out monoprice.com. I've used them for years. You can get 3 wall chargers, 5 USB cables and 2 car chargers (all 1A) for like $25, shipped.
Edit: QFT
mike.s said:
BS. You have no clue what you're talking about. The TB follows the USB charging specification.
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Click to collapse
necosino said:
The thing about USB (Universal serial bus) cables is that they are UNIVERSAL. It doesn't matter where you get them from, what they say, or what they are branded. They have to meet certain specs (including materials and current capacity) in order to get the USB label.
If you're having a problem, I am 99% sure the cable is not the issue.
Try out monoprice.com. I've used them for years. You can get 3 wall chargers, 5 USB cables and 2 car chargers (all 1A) for like $25, shipped.
Edit: QFT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i'm with you, that's why i posed to see if there was something i'm missing and didn't know about. i'm a computer engineer so i know a cable is a cable is a cable, which is why i was like wtf when these didn't work the same.
thanks all, at least i know i didn't miss something and these should work the same.
ive had this problem on every phone. takes forever to charge through usb.
A USB cable is a USB cable is a USB cable is a USB cable.
If you are doing seat of your pants checks on charging, etc, they are never going to be accurate. CPU usage, network usage, etc while the phone is charging will affect how quickly it does charge. The stock charger provides 1000mA to charge the device, if you are using it, or another app is doing something (downloading data, using cpu, etc) it will not charge as quickly because power is being drained as it is being charged.
There is too much that would cause a slower charge state that you can't compensate for by a seat of the pants judgement on charging.
Its all about the mA.
No, thats not a storm. Its just my Thunderbolt layin down this post.
I have the same issue. I have tried four different usb cables with the oem charger and only two charge normally, the oem and one that I had with an old phone that I put a mini to micro adapter on to fit. The other two, one actually micro one mini to micro adapted, charge extremely slow. Yes a cable is a cable, but given I use the oem charger, the only differing things are the cables.
For what it's worth, I hate to burst your bubbles but not all USB cables are equal. And, in fact, not all phones are optimized for USB cables. Just because a cable looks like a USB cable and works as a USB cable doesn't mean that it is ONLY a USB cable. There are quite a few devices out there that can be charged (albeit slowly) with a USB cable but can be charged quickly with a cable that you only think is a USB cable. Take the Nook Color, for instance. The cable that it comes with looks like a USB cable on all accounts, but it's not. I forget which (both are techniques currently used) but either it has extra pins or has a data pin repurposed to provide additional power so it can charge faster. There are quite a few devices out there that are like this, and it seems like the number of these devices just keep growing and growing.
Now these "non-USB" devices still support USB standards, and can be charged via USB standard cables. However, they are optimized for non-USB standards and charge faster with these non-USB cables.
I'm honestly not sure if our Thunderbolts are such a device or not, and if the cables that they come with are such cables. They very well could be, and what the OP claims goes along with that theory. But honestly, I simply do not know.
EDIT:
Oh, and one more example. Go take a look at the custom "USB" cables that Team Blackhat had made that can power Motorola devices in CWM without a battery in the device. This is yet another example of where a USB cable isn't a USB cable.
Having the data pins connected to 5v sources is part of the charger itself; it has nothing to do with the cable.
Every USB cable has 4 pins: two 5v+, a gnd and a 5v- if the second + and - aren't connected to a source in the charger, you will only get a 0.5A charge, and it will go slow. If the charger DOES have them connected, you get the full 1A, and a much faster charge.
If the charger or cable is anything different then it is not USB. End of story. I know some phones have extra pins in the USB location for video out, for example, but those don't interfere with the standard USB pins.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk
necosino said:
Every USB cable has 4 pins: two 5v+, a gnd and a 5v-
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Click to collapse
Wrong, kinda. Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nook_Color#USB_port
The Nook Color uses a modified connector with two depths. The first depth is compatible with micro-usb (5-conductor), while the second depth has 12 conductors. This change was made to increase the amount of power available to charge the larger battery of the Nook Color when using the included cable.
Because of this, the USB cable included with the Nook Color is physically incompatible with other devices employing standard micro-usb connectors. However, the Nook Color itself is physically compatible with standard micro-usb cords.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I realize that calling this a "USB Cable" might be stretching the definition of "USB Cable" (hence the "wrong, kinda" comment) but more than likely, most people have no clue that one cable is different than another, so the end result is that, for all practical purposes, we DO have different types of USB cables.
necosino said:
Every USB cable has 4 pins: two 5v+, a gnd and a 5v- if the second + and - aren't connected to a source in the charger, you will only get a 0.5A charge, and it will go slow. If the charger DOES have them connected, you get the full 1A, and a much faster charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close, but not quite.
The pins are +5, Ground, +D and -D. All power is drawn through the +5 and Ground lines. The D lines are used for data transfer.
Per the USB specifications, a device can only draw 100 mA without enumerating (negotiating via USB, implies both ends have "intelligence"). If it can enumerate, it can negotiate for up to 500 mA (e.g. plugged into a PC which has a "driver" which recognizes the phone).
There are also specifications for DCPs (Dedicated Charging Ports). For these, the D+ and D- pins (the center two in a full sized USB connector) on the charger must be connected together with no more than 200 Ohms. These ports must provide at least 500 mA, but can provide more (micro-USB connectors are rated to 1.8 A). That's how the phone knows it can draw more than 100 mA from a "dumb" power adapter.
The TB follows the USB charging spec. Here are some things that can happen.
If it's plugged into a charger which doesn't follow the USB spec (D+ and D- not connected together, these are fairly common), it can only draw 100 mA. It doesn't matter if you bought a "2.5 Amp USB charger," if the charger doesn't follow the spec, a device which does isn't supposed to draw more than 100 mA. That's enough to charge it very slowly when the screen is off and it's idling. If the phone is doing anything, the battery will actually be discharging. This is a problem which seems to be common with many car chargers. A lot of device will ignore the 100 mA spec limit, and draw whatever they can, which is why they will charge from an improper adapter.
It's plugged into a PC with no driver - same thing.
It's plugged into a PC with a driver - it can negotiate and pull 500 mA. This is enough to charge while running in almost all cases (it might be on the edge if streaming video via 4G with GPS on, etc.) It will charge, but not as fast as it could.
For all of the above, a TB will show "USB" as the charging type.
It's plugged into a USB DCP. By spec, these must be able to deliver at least 500 mA. The AC adapter shipped with the TB is marked 1.0 A, and the phone won't draw more than 1.0 A (the most I've seen it use to charge the battery is ~800 mA). This will allows the fastest charging. With a DCP, the TB will show "AC" as the charging type.
Cables can have the same effect - all USB cables are supposed to be basically the same. But, some manufacturer's play loose with the spec. They may have "USB" cables with resistors or other changes inside which signal different things to a device. They may not have proper gauge wiring. It may just be a bad cable. Etc.
I've charged the TB with the stock AC charger using both the stock cable, and one I got from Monoprice. Works fine. I've also got a USB hub I converted to a charging station (follows the spec for USB dedicated charging ports), and that works fine with both the original and the Monoprice cables.
I have run into "flaky" cables, where they only work right if jiggled around a bit. Maybe they've been flexed too much, and have an intermittent connection. Maybe the contacts have gotten dirty. I don't worry about it, I just throw those away, you can get new ones from Monoprice for less than a buck.
Thanks Mike S (Also my initials, lol) That's what I get for posting after staying up a bit too late.
well i just ordered two micro usb cables from monoprice. we'll see if those fare any better.
the only thing i can guess is the power wires are a small gauge in the cables i bought from amazon. monoprice has two different kinds, some use 28awg for both data/power and then they have some that have 24awg for power and 28awg for data. i'm hoping that getting the bigger wire for the power will solve the issue.
also, i've been using juiceplotter and you can visibly see the slope of the charge change when switching just between these cables i bought vs the stock one when using the HTC charger so i'm pretty certain it's the cable.
roppetty said:
i've been using juiceplotter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Battery Monitor Widget will do that, and more, including telling you whether it's charging AC or USB.
You can also check the charging type from Home Settings/About Phone/Battery/Battery Status.
I have noticed the NT only charges when using the AC charger and not when connected to a PC like phones. It even has to use the cable it came with as normal micro usb cables do not work (not for charging anway). Is this right or is this posdibly a hidden setting somewhere I have missed?
romified said:
I have noticed the NT only charges when using the AC charger and not when connected to a PC like phones. It even has to use the cable it came with as normal micro usb cables do not work (not for charging anway). Is this right or is this posdibly a hidden setting somewhere I have missed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The computer does not provide enough amps to charge it. The first day I got mine I plugged the usb into a phone wall charger and it indicated it was charging but didnt seem to be increasing charge. I left it overnight and when I woke up i checked the charge...it didnt budge. I looked at the two wall chargers. The phone charger is a 1 amp charger while the nook charger is 1.9amp. Considering a usb from the computer only provides .5 amps there is no way it will charge.
This is the same as the nookcolor. They use the same charger and have the same limitations.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
In addition to the current difference, the cable that comes with the NC or NT has a different MicroUSB end. It is a little longer to reach the higher current pins. There are several discussions in the NC Accessories forum that go into the details.
The NC can charge via pc, as long as the usb hub is powered, or the usb ports are powered, with the provided cable micro usb cable.
Other tablets can charge over .5amp USB so it should work on the NT unless they intentionally designed it to be limited. The Lenovo ThinkPad tablet and iPad both worked via .5amp USB. Just very slowly (had to put iPad in sleep mode).
EDIT: iPad 1 for clarification, never owned the second.
Sent from my Nook Tablet using Tapatalk.
I have a newer motherboard (Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4)
when I plug my Nook Tablet into the front USB, it doesn't charge. But I just plugged it in at about 80% power into the rear USB that was red and labelled "3x USB Power" and it charged WHILE I was transferring files.
I didn't know it was charging until I plugged it into the AC and it showed 100%.
I can confirm it with video evidence if you need it because I'm not one to spread misinformation.
My Giga X58A-UD7 will charge mine too. The option must be enabled in The BIOS in order for the additional Amps to be dispensed. And, it will only work on the onboard (rear) USB ports.
Am I correct in thinking that the USB Standard must include a provision for optional high power pins that may not be present in all USB cables - or chargers?
If I have a standard microUSB cable, can I use my 3x port to charge my NT or do I need to use the special longer connector cable that came with the NT?
Another poster said the Nook USB connector was actually longer, so the high power pins would reach the recessed ones.
Bottom line - don't assume just any cable will work.
Are thenook color and tablet chargers the same? im looking to pick up a spare on ebay,
It's the same thing as the ipad. It will say not charging but it actually does just reaaaaaaaaaaally slow.
dermotti said:
Are thenook color and tablet chargers the same? im looking to pick up a spare on ebay,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They appear to be the same or at least work the same. I have one charger downstairs and one upstairs and the tablet and color charge fine on either one. Just make sure to use the B&N cable, unless you want to wait a while.
So does anybody know where we can pick up chargers cheap? I already have like 5 micro usb chargers and it sucks I cant use them.
AFAIK the NT and NC use the same power supply. My NC with CM 7.1 draws about 600-700 milliamps (according to the Battery Monitor Widget). I have successfully charged it from a PC using a standard micro USB cable. Here's the catch:
- when you connect the tablet to the charger it will turn on. Power down the tablet completely. It will then charge, but takes about 12 hours.
I'm trying to reduce how many cables and plugs I use. Currently I charge my phone via micro usb, and was wondering if there is an accessory I can buy that will connect from my micro usb cable and into the Prime's proprietary port so I can charge my phone and tablet of a single plug (my phone overnight and then my tablet the next day). I'd much rather have a small adaptor sitting on my bedside table for when I need it than yet another wire trailing across the floor. My plug socket is tucked behind my bed so simply swapping the usb cable each time isn't really do-able.
Many thanks
Tomlilley said:
I'm trying to reduce how many cables and plugs I use. Currently I charge my phone via micro usb, and was wondering if there is an accessory I can buy that will connect from my micro usb cable and into the Prime's proprietary port so I can charge my phone and tablet of a single plug (my phone overnight and then my tablet the next day). I'd much rather have a small adaptor sitting on my bedside table for when I need it than yet another wire trailing across the floor. My plug socket is tucked behind my bed so simply swapping the usb cable each time isn't really do-able.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is do-able if you used a male to female usb adapter. Then you could just plug in the cable you need to charge with.
I have not seen a micro female usb to full size male? I have seen full size to micro.
You could always get a powered USB hub aswell and have both plugged in. I though I read somewhere that the prime charges best when plugged into the wall though.
I'm going to guess your phone charges at ~5v and the prime will want ~12v (link) ...
There are some reports that 5v will "charge" a transformer, but I'm skeptical ...
More than likely 5v would be more of a trickle charge at a slower rate.
@Tomlilley What did you end up doing?
@copc Interesting idea regarding the powered USB hub. Would the following configuration be possible: TF plugged into a power USB hub and charging, an external HD plugged into the power USB hub with the TF accessing the external HD?
Doesn't USB max out at 5v and Prime is 15v by default (it looks like it charges at 12v as well).
Hi,
Where I charge my TF300T, the cable is too short... and when I plug a usb cable extension, no charge. A friend tell me it's possible that if I want to extend the cable, I need a USB3.0 extension...
So? What cable I need to extend the lenght of the charging cable?
Thanks!
Same. Tried multiple extention cables (though no specific USB 3.0 extenders) and no dice. It will not charge, even though other devices charge flawlessly even when I plug them into a USB extention cable (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy's, PS3 controllers, camera's, etc.)
However, the Power output of the AC adaptor for the TF300 is either 5V - 2A, or 15V - 1.2A (in contrast to the power requirements of the above mentioned devices, which are tailored to comply with USB 2.0 standards). Default power draw on USB 2.0 on Battery Charging Spec 1.1 is 100mA (1A), so that would definitely seem to be the problem. I however haven't yet had the opportunity to test a USB 3.0 extention cable, but I would assume these would do the trick, since USB 3.0 (or Battery Charging Specification 1.2) should be able to go up to 1.5A with a 5A max draw.
This thread for the TF101 shows why USB 2 extension cables don't work, and how to mod one to make it work.
A USB 3 extension cable would work too.
Consider getting the usb cable extender
Sent from my Galaxy Note or from my Transformer TF300T
I have used the Monoprice USB 3.0 cable extender mentioned in the thread for the TF101.
I also bought an after market longer cable from Amazon that works great. Link here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EIZ9B6/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00
i can confirm that the blue monoprice usb 3.0 extension works perfectly. i originally got it for my tf101 and am glad that its still useable on my tf300.
Here is a solution...
http://www.amazon.com/PWR-Charging-...36150&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+tf300+charge+cable
Just got this one on Ebay. Looks good and the price wasn't bad at all.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320954533106?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2648
if you are just looking to wall charge it, get an extension cord at the dollar store
thats what i use
extention cord will be best.
thanks for the links. have been wondering about cable length and didn't want to add another cord to plug into the wall.
does the cable change when plugged into a PC? wife took off with laptop and didn't notice when I rooted.
macgyver40 said:
thanks for the links. have been wondering about cable length and didn't want to add another cord to plug into the wall.
does the cable change when plugged into a PC? wife took off with laptop and didn't notice when I rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you mean me does it charge? If so then the answer is yes but not fast. It is pretty much a trickle charge when plugged in to a PC. A pc does not put out a large enough charge via USB for the tf300 to charge properly. It would take forever for the tablet to charge.
You need a 15v plug like the one that comes stock with the Transformer.
Pretty much the only thing the USB cable is good for with a pc is to transfer data.
Sent from my LG-LG855 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
wetbiker7 said:
Did you mean me does it charge? If so then the answer is yes but not fast. It is pretty much a trickle charge when plugged in to a PC. A pc does not put out a large enough charge via USB for the tf300 to charge properly. It would take forever for the tablet to charge.
You need a 15v plug like the one that comes stock with the Transformer.
Pretty much the only thing the USB cable is good for with a pc is to transfer data.
Sent from my LG-LG855 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for all the info and yes I was talking about charging. Was working on a phone and my tablet when I was leaving the post.
Rambytes said:
Hi,
Where I charge my TF300T, the cable is too short... and when I plug a usb cable extension, no charge. A friend tell me it's possible that if I want to extend the cable, I need a USB3.0 extension...
So? What cable I need to extend the lenght of the charging cable?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I had this similar problem with my asus TF300T, I used to have a cable +-1.5m long or longer, then I had to send it back for repair.
Couple of days later I received a new charging cable, though it was 1.30m long or less. Which is very uncomfortable when using the tablet at the same time as it is charging. So I phoned Asus Support. They told me that it is indeed possible that some tablets are sold with a smaller cable. These are most likely the newer ones.
I asked if I could send back the shorter cable (which was broken upon delivery) and receive a longer one as the one I used to own.
They told me that Asus has stopped making cables any longer then 1.30m. Though costumer service had no clue why.
They suggested me to send the cable back and to include a note in the package that I used to have a longer cable and I would like to have a similar one back. Of course I was very polite etc, and it worked!
So as Asus' costumer service says : "Asus themselves owns very few longer cables, they don't produce the longer ones anymore and moved to a shorter standard cable. Only if you are lucky you can get your hands on an older long cable".
Of course this doesn't stop you from looking for other third party cables.
Can anyone else tell me if they have any issues charging the sony xperia using an adapter other than the one supplied?
I have one that I use for everything, iphone, kindle, garmin watch, sansa mp3 player. Yet when I hook up the sony usb charger cable to it the battery light blinks and viewing in the battery section of settings shows it alternating between 'charging' and 'discharging' at the same frequency as the flashing light. This frequency is roughly 1 second. I managed to stabalise the charging on this OEM adapter once. It always charges perfectly on the supplied adapter.
Also I have a portable 5V charger that again I use for all my gadgets as listed above. They all work fine. Not the sony tablet. 'Charging is not supported with this accessory' I'm told this time.
This tablet is looking worse and worse to me. The fact that this tablet was supposed to be bog standard 5V and came with the usb setup (making it simple to use with my portable charger) was one of the major reasons I bought it. Yet I can only use the supplied adapter and am stuck to the A/C supply.
Anyone else seeing similar problems?
Problem? Sony tableyt s dont use the usb port for battery charging
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using xda app-developers app
Hernan1978 said:
Problem? Sony tableyt s dont use the usb port for battery charging
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone that owns the tablet will understand what I am saying. The charger cable comes in a 2 piece. A usb to proprietary connector lead and an A/C adapter. You connect the proprietary end of the cable to the tablet. You connect the full USB connector end of the the cable to the adapter. You plug the adapter into the mains and it charges your tablet.
What I am saying is that if I use an alternate A/C adapter (i.e. one that accepts a USB connection and is rated for 1.5 amps and 5V) it does not charge the tablet correctly. I can't see why this would be as these adapters are all supposed to be built to a standard. Sony has something different in theirs I think. I believe it is non-standard.
(There is no USB port on the tablet so clearly this is not what I meant!!)
3rd Party Charger
ice9111 said:
Anyone that owns the tablet will understand what I am saying. The charger cable comes in a 2 piece. A usb to proprietary connector lead and an A/C adapter. You connect the proprietary end of the cable to the tablet. You connect the full USB connector end of the the cable to the adapter. You plug the adapter into the mains and it charges your tablet.
What I am saying is that if I use an alternate A/C adapter (i.e. one that accepts a USB connection and is rated for 1.5 amps and 5V) it does not charge the tablet correctly. I can't see why this would be as these adapters are all supposed to be built to a standard. Sony has something different in theirs I think. I believe it is non-standard.
(There is no USB port on the tablet so clearly this is not what I meant!!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand we should be able to use a 3rd party charger if it can supply at least 1.5 amps of current at 5VDC. The only limitations that I have seen is some of the 3rd party iPad chargers (USB plugs) won't work with some android devices so the USB standard must not be as standard as one would tend to think. If your charger is blinking and intermittently charging there is a good chance that it can't sustain the current that the tablet is trying to draw.