Mains Socket to USB Adapters

[enjay]

Starting to get a little collection of these - MP3 player, Kindle, phone. Are they interchangeable or is each one specific to the device it came with, like "conventional" chargers? I would have thought they're all the same, since all devices can plug in to the same USB port, but thought it best to check before frying something...

[sted]

why not just buy a 4 port powered usb hub and use that to charge them?

[plexer]

Universal mate.

 

Ben

[Steve21]

Well I've been told at least with iPhones only official charger works. But never tried it myself as you say, prefer not to fry

 

Steve

[plexer]

Well the wifes ipod touch works with most of our usb chargers but the ones where it doesn't it just doesn't do anything certainly won't fry it.

 

Ben

[jcollings]

The iPad seems choosy. I've tried a Kindle USB plug and one that came with our Mimio Eteach and neither worked.

[enjay]

So, Apple products might not but anything else will? Why does that not surprise me!!

[crc-ict]

I think the 'universal-ness' of the chargers depends on their power output - I have certainly used non-apple chargers with my iPhone/iPad, but not all work. Some universal chargers seem to be sold as 'iPod/iPhone compatible' though, but not sure what the difference is.

[Arthur]

The iPad needs more power than other devices...

 

http://www.theipadguru.com/2010/04/04/fix-ipad-not-charging-via-usb-problem/

 

To charge it as fast as possible you need one of those 10 watt USB chargers.

[nicklec]

So, Apple products might not but anything else will? Why does that not surprise me!!

 

As with all USB you may need more Juice ... obviously an ipad requires more than a kindle....

[KK20]

Although technically universal they are not all constructed equally. I have found ASDA leads to be the most compatible. LG to be the least and phones tend to be very picky. I havent taken a multimeter to the micro usb cables yet but I intend to one day to find out why my samsung cable wont work in my mp3 player or LG phone, mp3 one works in mp3 AND samsung but not LG and LG works with itself only. The ASDA one works in all 3.

 

This is using the same mains-> USB charger point (from the LG).

[enjay]

As with all USB you may need more Juice ... obviously an ipad requires more than a kindle....

 

So what you're saying is that I could use any cable with any product, it might just take it longer to charge - yes?

[sdc]

I successfully use my USB charging leads/plugs interchangeably - allows me to leave one at home, one at work, etc. At home, for example, I charge my Blackberry, Kindle and Playbook all from the same USB lead (which I think was originally the Kindle's).

[elsiegee40]

I've found most things will work on on any charger, but the iPods and iPhones won't charge from the one that came with a Samsung phone my daughter used to have.

[sted]

The iPad needs more power than other devices...

 

Fix iPad Not Charging via USB Problem | The iPad Guru

 

To charge it as fast as possible you need one of those 10 watt USB chargers.

 

ditto the eeepad transformer it will charge from usb but ONLY if its in standby/off otherwise though the mains lead has a usb plug it wont charge from a usb port

[enjay]

To clarify, as I fear we're wondering off here, I'm not so fussed about USB-port powering, as I know those a) are capped at 4.5V or whatever it is, and b) work - it is the mains socket adapters which I'm hoping to share. Of course, since many of these devices have different USB connectors on them (e.g. some mini, some micro), the whole thread is probably irrelevant anyway!!