USB chargers

[jekirby]

Hey someone with a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the cyberworld.

I have searched for usb charger compatibility and do not find the specific question/answer I am looking for. I have several USB deviceshone, mp3, bluetooth headset, sat radio receiver and some others that I can't think of right now. My question is this: Other than the Ipod that uses its own connector, can all my devices share a single charger? USB is universal is it not. The output of these chargers seem to be the same. Amperage capacity seems to be a bit different depending on ac or dc charge but that shouldn't matter. I have run accross some generic usb chargers that are not tied to a specific brand or device. I just figured that if device 'x' does not have a dc or ac adapter and device 'y' does that I could get out of buying another adapter/charger.

Thanks.

 

[dbvolfan]

I have several USB chargers with the "DIN" connection. I have found that they do not all work universally. They connect, but the one for my Garmin Etrex will not charge my Razr phone or my MP3 player for example even though they all connect. I guess you just have to try them.....I am no electrical engineer but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night (really!)

 

[odot]

Just plug em in and see what happens.....let us know the results, eh. Keep a can of replacement smoke nearby....ya may need it.

 

[ponyfool]

If your device connects via a standard USB cable (not a proprietary one), and your device charges with said cable, then yes, it should be universally compatible.

The problem is, many companies make specific connectors that have a USB plug on one end, and a proprietary plug on the other. In this case, no, they likely will not be universal. My Palm Centro phone has a USB charging/synching cable that plugs into any USB port, but only works with my Centro.

The only thing currently universal about it is it'll plug into any computer with a USB port.

 

[jekirby]

Just plug em in and see what happens.....let us know the results, eh. Keep a can of replacement smoke nearby....ya may need it.

So I take it you have released the "magic smoke" before?

 

[jekirby]

If your device connects via a standard USB cable (not a proprietary one), and your device charges with said cable, then yes, it should be universally compatible.
The problem is, many companies make specific connectors that have a USB plug on one end, and a proprietary plug on the other. In this case, no, they likely will not be universal. My Palm Centro phone has a USB charging/synching cable that plugs into any USB port, but only works with my Centro.

The only thing currently universal about it is it'll plug into any computer with a USB port.

Yes, the ones that I am talking about are the ones with the 'standard' mini usb connector. My thinking was that the pins shoud be the same and if all the devices in question can be charged with the computer then they shoud all be the same. Right? Example, my Garmin, phone and sat radio all can be charged through the comuter so they all could share adapters. I realize as stated above that the Ipod is on its own.

 

[Bearly Flying]

So I take it you have released the "magic smoke" before?

Ya, Odot gets to do that to all kinds of electronics on all kinds of aircraft all the time........ :dribble:

 

[HaulinAshe]

Maybe this will help:

USB Pin designations

It appears that the Pin-X is the only one to be concerned about. I know that industry standards define the USB voltage as +5 VDC and the current draw is limited to 500 ma (1/2 amp).

As mentioned above, the biggest problem is that there are many devices that use that style plug/connector that are NOT USB devices.

 

[ponyfool]

My thinking was that the pins shoud be the same and if all the devices in question can be charged with the computer then they shoud all be the same.

While some companies may choose to re-route, ignore, or otherwise do what the hell they want to with the pins inside their own devices, a standard USB wire connected to a computer is going to have the same pin connection into the device. Thus if one device charges using a standard USB cable, that device will charge using ANY standard USB cable.

 

[jekirby]

Thanks folks. I may give the few devices that I have I know are pc compatable a go, then again maybe I am just a wussie and get yet another charger/adapter.

 

[odot]

COME ON.............DO THE SMOKE TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jekirby]

COME ON.............DO THE SMOKE TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:blink:

 

[odot]

Good job.....now pick up the pieces and go to your room.

 

[wfooshee]

I have a Holux GpS receiver, had a RAZR, and have a Windows Smartphone, all that charge via USB, and both phones synced via USB. Stangely enough, the Holux will not connect via USB, only Bluetooth, but since I bought it for Bluetooth, that's fine.

All charge just fine via USB on the PC, or with each other's chargers.

Here's a vid where a guy built a solar charger with solar cells off those yard lights; the kind with a rechargable battery it runs off of at night, and is charged by the solar cell in the day. Those are apparently 2.25 or 2.5 volts, so a couple in series, with another series pair in parallel for current capacity, and he had a solar charger for his USB devices! Kewl. Strap a solar pack onto your top case or dash shelf, and everything stays powered and charged!

 

[jekirby]

Good job.....now pick up the pieces and go to your room.

 

[Powerman]

Although the USB pin out has ground and +5V, many need some current to the data D+, D- lines before they will allow the unit to charge. My Zune needs this.

Goggle for the USB charger. I think I have 5K resistors to the data lines?

 

[SPORT]

I use my cell phone (Motorola USB adapter) car charger to charge my Garmin C330. Never had a problem. The only thing I cant do is charge my cell phone via my PC, like I can with the Garming. For some reason the PC USB does not offer the charging component (probably a software driver). Nevertheless, the USB connection is standardized. That is, pin A might be for data reception, Pin B might be for data transfer and Pin C for Charging...or something along that line. The poweres that be are getting smarter by making them stupid proof...well, kinda