[Biggles]

I'm having an issue charging my Sony PRS350 E-reader using my iMac via USB.
The iMac only charges the e-reader when it's active.However it shuts off after a few minutes.

I refuse to pay Sony $35 for an AC charger.That's a total rip off. Is there a cheaper AC charger that will work ??
Is there a way to keep the iMac on for a few hours ??
I'm new to iMacs and haven't had time yet to play much with it or take any One-to-one courses.

Thanks !

 

[57]

Does your DCT 3416 have a USB port? Plug it in there.

You can probably change the energy saving settings for the iMac under Apple (top left of screen) System Preferences. Turn the energy saver off while charging the eReader.

I tried purchasing an AC Adaptor to USB as outlined in the following posts, but it didn't work for my PRS-650, so I'm going to start looking again sometime - I'm in no rush. I agree - the Sony price is insane.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?p=1204091#post1204091

 

[Biggles]

Thanks 57 !!

Some very good sugestions !

I'll check them tomorrow . (at work right now..)

 

[MikeRo]

I have a Sony 300 reader and it will only charge via USB if connected to a computer (or other device that sends a data stream over USB). However a Sony PSP charger will work fine with the 300 reader and those are available many places for far cheaper than the standard Sony reader charger. You should check specs to make sure it's the same for the 350.

 

[Biggles]

As 57 suggested, I just turned off the energy saver while charging.

Thanks again , 57 !

 

[57]

Searched the web for "Travel AC Home Wall Charger for Sony Reader PRS-650" or similar terms and found a generic one for $8US + $8 Shipping - less than half price... Still searching....

 

[pshine]

This might be slightly off centre but have you looked at iGO. They offer a set of universal chargers and adapters. I use a charger with several of their adapters(tips) to charge all my electronic devices. (Ipod touch, cell, sony e-reader..etc)

 

[notsure]

Hiya Biggles, you should look at a free mac app called Caffeine.

It will keep you mac on for a specified period of time (default or other value you decide).

It's turned on my a simple click on the bar at the top where the time is (I don't recall what that is called).

Cheers.

 

[57]

Did look at the iGo option, however, they are not that inexpensive once you purchase the tips. Although if you have a number of devices that you need to charge, then it may be less expensive this way and you have the convenience of only one "brick", along with the various adapters (tips)

 

[pshine]

@57, I agree. The immediate expense of the charger can be high (depending on which one you go for), but on our last vacation I took a small charger + several tips to handle my Sony e-book, my cell, my iPod Touch, my wife's Blackberry, her Kobo and her iPad. Saves a lot of space!

 

[57]

I did some more looking on eBay and found still cheaper options - as low as about $8 all in. I ended up purchasing a "2 in 1 Combo Car AC Wall Charger" which allows you to charge from the car or from AC for C$12 all in. I'll let you know how it goes when I get it.

 

[crisco]

I contacted Sony because I wanted a charger for my 300 Ereader and right now I can only charge it from the computer. Not too convenient if we're travelling. I wanted a car charger and an AC charger. Sony no longer sells an AC charger (and never did sell a car charger) and suggested I try aftermarket chargers with the same specs. I just received one I found via Amazon -- seemed to be the same output/power. Plugged it in, and the charge just went down and down. Right now it's back on the computer to charge. Any suggestions? The Sony charger specs say it's a 5v output and 2000mA -- the charger I bought didn't specify volts, but it is 2Amp. HELP!!!

 

[57]

You need a "special" charger for these Sony readers from what I can tell. I purchased one from a seller in Hong Kong by using the search terms in my previous post, followed by the make/model of the reader. You can e-mail the seller first to make sure it'll work.

The regular AC/USB chargers connected to your USB to reader cable don't seem to work with Sony. When I connect my Sony reader to my computer it says "charging" or something similar. When I connect it to the "Combo" charger it doesn't say anything, but it does charge - visible in the "fuel gauge" on the reader. When I connect it to a "dumb" AC/USB charger that you normally see on the web, it will not charge (I have one and it works fine with my GPS for example but not with my reader - I bought it first hoping it would work with the GPS and the Reader, but it only works with the GPS).

Apparently the "dumb" USB chargers require a very minor internal wiring modification for them to work with the Sony Readers, but without that minor modification they do not work. The prices are roughly the same, but if you don't get the correct charger, it will not work with (most) Sony Readers. There are several discussions on this topic if you search the web for Sony Reader chargers.

 

[notsure]

I have a PRS-350 and don't need a "special" charger. The standard micro-USB charger from the Source works fine for me. I know that some people have tried their micro-USB phone chargers and not all of those work.

The "brand name" on my charger is Fusion (which I believe is the Source product line) and the output is 5V +/- 0.5V 1000mA (5W Max).

 

[crisco]

Thanks to whoever mentioned the PSP charger for a PRS300. After buying and trying several that seemed to be the right voltage/amperage and finding none that didn't drain the ereader completely, I bought a PSP charger (car and home) via ebay and it works great! thank!!!!