USB Powered Induction Chargers

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alasta

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# 249275 3-May-2019 14:50

I have a Mophie Charge Stream charger that I would like to use with my iPhone 8. It came with a USB cable, and a power adapter.

It works fine if I plug the USB cable into the supplied power adapter, but it doesn't work if I plug it into any other USB port. Am I right in assuming that these things require a USB port that delivers more current than a typical USB port?

Unfortunately I have no spare power sockets at my desk at work, hence why I was hoping to use one of my spare USB ports.

gregmcc

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# 2230321 3-May-2019 16:49

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it's quite common for USB ports on computers to current limit rather than pass excess current and destroy the motherboard, this would be the reason why the charger won't function correctly when plugged in to a computer

alasta

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# 2230324 3-May-2019 16:53

That makes sense, but it's a shame that it doesn't seem to work with the USB ports on the electrical multi-box on my desk either. It's probably poor quality gear.

gregmcc

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# 2230329 3-May-2019 16:56

alasta:

That makes sense, but it's a shame that it doesn't seem to work with the USB ports on the electrical multi-box on my desk either. It's probably poor quality gear.

This will be the same issue, the ports simply cannot supply the required current, there are plenty of quality 3rd party mult-iport chargers avaliable

djtOtago

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# 2230370 3-May-2019 17:11

Some of the Mophie Charge Stream pads need a QC 2.0 compliant power adapter.

If it does, it is likley it requires 9v to work.

sbiddle

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# 2230394 3-May-2019 18:07

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Most PC USB ports will only output 5V ~500mA which is inline with the USB spec. They are not intended to support charging of devices. Some PC's these days have ports that can supplier higher current loads - but it's not the sort of thing you'd get on your typical corporate PC.

Like PC's many wall sockets and multiboards with USB ports are actually really low spec and not that good at all.

Most Qi charging pads need a minimum of 5A 1.5A to work (to deliver 7.5W), and as pointed out above if you have a 15W or 18W Qi charger you'll need a QC2.0 or QC3.0 capable USB charger to deliver enough grunt to power it.

alasta

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# 2230474 3-May-2019 20:42

Thanks everyone - that answers my question.

sqishy

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# 2230527 3-May-2019 23:51

I bought this https://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/chargers/docks-cradles-stands/listing-2044627438.htm?rsqid=837a915b96074ceabee1858cfcf8a088-002

Works fine from my Desktop USB port might be worth a go.

sbiddle

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# 2230726 4-May-2019 10:58

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sqishy:

I bought this https://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/chargers/docks-cradles-stands/listing-2044627438.htm?rsqid=837a915b96074ceabee1858cfcf8a088-002

Works fine from my Desktop USB port might be worth a go.

5W charger? Yeah nah. Watching a modern phone charge at 5W is like watching grass grow.

The charger type won't change the fact many desktop USB ports will only deliver 500 mA (USB2) or some USB3.0 ports will deliver 900 mA. Even a 900 mA (4.5W) USB3 port still won't deliver enough current to allow one of those 5W chargers to even work at 5W