Are all mini-usb chargers interchangeable between devices? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

wm_cheng · 2008-11-17, 09:21 PM

Hi all,

I seem to be getting a plethora of mini-USB wall chargers all charging devices that are charged via their mini-USB ports either via wall chargers, car lighter socket chargers or via a laptop/computer's USB port.

The question is are these chargers interchangeable - I would assume so since they all can charge straight from a USB port - but I notice that the wall chargers seem to have different mA ratings - does this matter? Will the device just draw an appropriate amount regardless of charger? It would be nice to only carry one set of cables around and have one wall charger and one car charger for all my devices.

Thanks,

BGY11 · 2008-11-17, 11:20 PM

As long as it's 5V / 500mA or 1A, you should be fine.

(the 1A chargers will charge quicker than a regular USB port on a computer will, but the 500mA ones will charge at the same speed).

wm_cheng · 2008-11-17, 11:38 PM

Thats what I was worrying about, the Motorola V3 charger is 550mA and my GPS and HTC Touch charger is 1A. If I plug the Motorola V3 into the 1A charger, will it only draw what it needs, or will it heat up and be "over" current (I don't know what the term is) but would I risk damaging the electronics? Or would it just charge faster?

I would guess there is no risk in plugging in something that expects a 1A charger to a 550mA charger right? It would just take longer right?

Michael DeAbreu · 2008-11-18, 01:05 PM

You can't use inexpensive powered USB hubs to charge all devices. In my case, a Samsung MP3 player would charge, but an iPod nano would not. I think the hub I was using was rated 500 mA.

There are dedicated USB chargers from $14.00 to $40.00. Name brands (Belkin, Monster, iPod) being ridiculously expensive.

Deckster · 2008-11-18, 01:14 PM

I use the travel charger that came with my Motorola bluetooth headset to charge my HTC Touch in the car (I have a 110v outlet in the car) leaving my 12V outlet available for other devices. It charges a little slower than the HTC's charger, but there have been no issues with over-heating or problems with getting a full charge.

2008-11-17, 09:21 PM	#1
wm_cheng Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 246	Are all mini-usb chargers interchangeable between devices? Hi all, I seem to be getting a plethora of mini-USB wall chargers all charging devices that are charged via their mini-USB ports either via wall chargers, car lighter socket chargers or via a laptop/computer's USB port. The question is are these chargers interchangeable - I would assume so since they all can charge straight from a USB port - but I notice that the wall chargers seem to have different mA ratings - does this matter? Will the device just draw an appropriate amount regardless of charger? It would be nice to only carry one set of cables around and have one wall charger and one car charger for all my devices. Thanks, __________________ Panasonic PT-AE2000U\|Elite Cinetension2 100"\|Yamaha RX-V3900\|PS3\|Paradigm Monitor 7\|Bose AM-10s\|Polk PSW350

2008-11-17, 11:38 PM	#3
wm_cheng Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 246	Thats what I was worrying about, the Motorola V3 charger is 550mA and my GPS and HTC Touch charger is 1A. If I plug the Motorola V3 into the 1A charger, will it only draw what it needs, or will it heat up and be "over" current (I don't know what the term is) but would I risk damaging the electronics? Or would it just charge faster? I would guess there is no risk in plugging in something that expects a 1A charger to a 550mA charger right? It would just take longer right? __________________ Panasonic PT-AE2000U\|Elite Cinetension2 100"\|Yamaha RX-V3900\|PS3\|Paradigm Monitor 7\|Bose AM-10s\|Polk PSW350

2008-11-18, 01:14 PM	#5
Deckster Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sudbury ON, and Red Lake ON Posts: 1,040	I use the travel charger that came with my Motorola bluetooth headset to charge my HTC Touch in the car (I have a 110v outlet in the car) leaving my 12V outlet available for other devices. It charges a little slower than the HTC's charger, but there have been no issues with over-heating or problems with getting a full charge. __________________ TC-P54G25, JVC Receiver, Turbosound Impact 50 speakers, Turbosound Impact 110 Sub, Sony SA-WM500 Sub, Bell TV 9200

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2008-11-17, 11:20 PM	#2
BGY11 Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 3,164	As long as it's 5V / 500mA or 1A, you should be fine. (the 1A chargers will charge quicker than a regular USB port on a computer will, but the 500mA ones will charge at the same speed).

2008-11-18, 01:05 PM	#4
Michael DeAbreu Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 806	You can't use inexpensive powered USB hubs to charge all devices. In my case, a Samsung MP3 player would charge, but an iPod nano would not. I think the hub I was using was rated 500 mA. There are dedicated USB chargers from $14.00 to $40.00. Name brands (Belkin, Monster, iPod) being ridiculously expensive.