AC adaptors with USB connector

[rh71]

Are these universal & interchangeable? The ipad/ipods use one, my Olympus digicam came with one, and the Galaxy Nexus does too. Can any of the USB-charge-capable devices use the same AC wall adaptor as long as it's got USB? Does voltage/wattage/mAh play a part? Are some devices susceptible to damage if charged "too quickly" if the adapter allows more current? I'm reading USB has a current limit of 5V, 500mA, so it probably won't happen, but can devices be damaged if so?

 

[vshah]

should all be fine. some devices (usually tablets) may charge slower if the adapter is 500ma while the device can take up to 1amp. but no damage will occur.

 

[rh71]

I see the ipad AC adapter says "10 watt USB power adapter" on it. So if I plug my Galaxy Nexus to it with its USB cable, I'm still good? What's the 10W for? I thought that's how much power it uses to charge something, but how does that relate to how fast it charges the device?

Or is the story that it's limited to 500mA regardless because it's USB and it all charges at the same rate?

I don't see any other relevant numbers on any other adapter to compare.

 

[vshah]

10 Watts is how much current the adapter can supply. the ipad can use up that current to charge it's larger battery faster.

Power = Voltage * Current
Watts = Volts * Amps

the galaxy nexus charging circuitry will only pull 5 volts x 1 amp = 5 Watts max. If you look on the adapter that came with it, it says the output is 5 volts, 1 Amp. So, while it won't charge any faster with the ipad adapter, it has enough to charge at it's max rate.

if you plugged the nexus into an adapter with only 500mA, that would only supply 5 volts x 0.5 amps = 2.5 watts. So the phone would charge 1/2 as fast.

this is the same reason that you can't charge an ipad via a computer's usb port. usb data connections are limited to 500mA. (some motherboards support 1Amp on usb ports, which allows an ipad to charge - slowly)

 

[Dulanic]

I love universal USB chargers I use one of these for my devices + as a power strip.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-BV1060...YJ0U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1327322904&sr=8-5

Pretty much all devices can take more power than needed and just filter it down to whats needed but none can use more than is provided.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I love universal USB chargers I use one of these for my devices + as a power strip.

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-BV1060...YJ0U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1327322904&sr=8-5

Pretty much all devices can take more power than needed and just filter it down to whats needed but none can use more than is provided.

I was needing to look at surge protectors soon anyway, but this is perfect for my wife's night stand. All the plugs are full with lamp, heated blanket, phone, Kindle, etc. This will give more outlets AND free up two of them for her phone & Kindle. Thanks

At some point I want to add in the wall outlets that have USB ports built right in

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

I was needing to look at surge protectors soon anyway, but this is perfect for my wife's night stand. All the plugs are full with lamp, heated blanket, phone, Kindle, etc. This will give more outlets AND free up two of them for her phone & Kindle. Thanks

At some point I want to add in the wall outlets that have USB ports built right in

are the USB cables good for 2A charging? (say if I plug my iPad in)

 

[vshah]

are the USB cables good for 2A charging? (say if I plug my iPad in)

without looking - probably not. its hard enough to find car chargers etc that provide 1A...2A is doubtful outside of chargers for devices that can actually use it (like the ipad).

edit: looks like i could be wrong!

from the belkin product page:
2 USB Ports (1.6A) offer one-source charging for USB-enabled devices

although its unclear if that's 1.6A per port, or 1.6 for both meaning 800mA each which is only a bit more than a computer's usb port.

conflicting reviews on amazon as to whether it will charge an iPad

 

[sygyzy]

There are plenty of car and USB AC Adapters that provide 1A or even 2A of output.

 

[shabby]

are the USB cables good for 2A charging? (say if I plug my iPad in)

Only use quality monster usb cables...

 

[vshah]

There are plenty of car and USB AC Adapters that provide 1A or even 2A of output.

link to a 2A one? Its easy to find the 1A ones once you know what to search for...but i've never seen a 2A one. (on a single outlet)

 

[dagamer34]

What adapter you use does matter as if the amps are enough, then devices like tablets won't charge when the screen is on (like the iPad with typical non-Mac USB ports).

 

[AzNKiD]

Just for info, I been looking into buying a car charger and found out that you have to be careful with them because even if they say it pushes out 1amp or 2amp, you still need to get a special charging only cable and not a regular data cable. Inorder to get the full speed charge, the two inner pins needs to be shorted to make it charge by "AC" and not by "USB". The differences is USB charge mode is 500ma max, while AC is whatever the charger is pushing. At 500ma, it will only slowly charge a idle smartphone, while using apps such as NAV or music will cause it to drain even while pluggin in.

read this guys post over at xda http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21116370&postcount=17