USB Cable

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allstarnz

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Topic # 151808 6-Sep-2014 00:08

So, I am part way going through this video and I hit a snag:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LZt4pW97P8 (I'm doing it more elegantly than that.

My cable has a white, green, red and grey cable. No black. Which is the other data cable, grey or white? I really don't want to cut the wrong one.

Here is a photo of my cable.

andrewNZ

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Reply # 1122895 6-Sep-2014 07:19

Power cores are typically fatter. Otherwise test with a multimeter, data is the center two contacts and power on the outside two. If in doubt, look for a USB pinout diagram.

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afe66

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Reply # 1122934 6-Sep-2014 09:11

Does this mean I need to use a specific USB cable to charge my phone from the wall or car adapter or do those devices are the data leads shorted already.

Ie is this modification only needed when you connect the phone so something which can also make a data connection like a computer ?

A.

gregmcc

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Reply # 1122936 6-Sep-2014 09:29

afe66: Does this mean I need to use a specific USB cable to charge my phone from the wall or car adapter or do those devices are the data leads shorted already.

Ie is this modification only needed when you connect the phone so something which can also make a data connection like a computer ?

A.

They would not be shorted, just not connected to anything, the usb charges only have the outer pins connected

andrewNZ

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Reply # 1122946 6-Sep-2014 09:49

gregmcc:
afe66: Does this mean I need to use a specific USB cable to charge my phone from the wall or car adapter or do those devices are the data leads shorted already.

Ie is this modification only needed when you connect the phone so something which can also make a data connection like a computer ?

A.

They would not be shorted, just not connected to anything, the usb charges only have the outer pins connected

Some phones refuse to charge with chargers without a data connection (I think iPhone does). In these cases the data lines need to be connected in a specific way.

I'm not certain on the details.

Location: Dunedin

allstarnz

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Reply # 1123030 6-Sep-2014 12:16

andrewNZ: Power cores are typically fatter. Otherwise test with a multimeter, data is the center two contacts and power on the outside two. If in doubt, look for a USB pinout diagram.

Thanks. I was trying to avoid completely cutting the whole cable, selectively cutting the two data strands and doing the loop back. If I were to use a multimeter, I'd need to cut and hope right? I looked for about 40 mins trying to find an answer as to whether the grey or white is data.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1123054 6-Sep-2014 12:36

andrewNZ:
gregmcc:
afe66: Does this mean I need to use a specific USB cable to charge my phone from the wall or car adapter or do those devices are the data leads shorted already.

Ie is this modification only needed when you connect the phone so something which can also make a data connection like a computer ?

A.

They would not be shorted, just not connected to anything, the usb charges only have the outer pins connected

Some phones refuse to charge with chargers without a data connection (I think iPhone does). In these cases the data lines need to be connected in a specific way.

I'm not certain on the details.

Many modern devices will only charge at full speed (ie greater than 500mA) if they detect a charger and/or cable that had the data pins shorted.

scottjpalmer

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Reply # 1123058 6-Sep-2014 12:42

Other option is an adaptor from here

http://www.portablepowersupplies.co.uk/cables-and-tips

Available from Amazon.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1123062 6-Sep-2014 12:49

Or about US$4 or so incl shipping from the usual Aliexpress/DX last time I looked.

IMHO the best approach is always to use a decent charger, the Anker 40W charger I got from the US last month is without a doubt the best USB charger that exists on the market right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Family-Sized-Desktop-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology/dp/B00GTGETFG

nathan

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Reply # 1123071 6-Sep-2014 13:07

I've got one of these at home and the other at work for charging multiple USB devices - iPad, Windows Phone, 8" tablets all at the same time

Your one looks pretty nice and compact Steve

http://plugable.com/2014/05/13/plugable-usb-5-port-charger-charging-station-usb-power-adapter

http://plugable.com/2014/06/24/plugable-launches-usb-7-port-hub-with-60w-of-power-and-best-available-charge-and-sync-support

allstarnz

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Reply # 1126153 10-Sep-2014 21:59

for the record, it was the thinner grey cable which actually carried the voltage. This was the cable I cut. Guess I'll need to dig out the soldering iron.

Will see if my phone charges any faster, I am running it off one of these (which has ridiculously bright LED) http://jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MP3459

dcole13

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Reply # 1126175 10-Sep-2014 22:38

One person supports this post

sbiddle:
andrewNZ:
gregmcc:
afe66: Does this mean I need to use a specific USB cable to charge my phone from the wall or car adapter or do those devices are the data leads shorted already.

Ie is this modification only needed when you connect the phone so something which can also make a data connection like a computer ?

A.

They would not be shorted, just not connected to anything, the usb charges only have the outer pins connected

Some phones refuse to charge with chargers without a data connection (I think iPhone does). In these cases the data lines need to be connected in a specific way.

I'm not certain on the details.

Many modern devices will only charge at full speed (ie greater than 500mA) if they detect a charger and/or cable that had the data pins shorted.

You short the data pins for 1A charging and you need a resistor (unsure what resistance) Between the two data pins for 2A

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