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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 221
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 Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject: Devices charge faster on certain computers |
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Hello,
I have posted this in the 'laptops and mobiles' forum, but as i haven't gotten a reply, i'm now posting here..hoping to get a reply of some sort (:
my question is this:
i have an mp3/mp4 player which i charge on the computer (occasionally i charge my phone on the computer too)
Now i've noticed that on certain computers, they both charge much faster than on others..(1 hour charge on the faster machines..compared to days of charging on the other machines  )
namely, they charge faster on more powerful machines..
now i'm wondering..why?
does it have something to do with how much power the power supply can provide? or something else?
happy to hear any ideas 
El |
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Baby_Tux
Joined: Mar 06, 2007
Posts: 808
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject: |
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| It would be the wattage of the power supply vs. the total current draw of all the components. The newer, more powerful computers have higher wattage supplies so it is probably able to supply more current. More current = faster charge.
Think of it as a car battery. Which would charge it faster, a trickle charger (low current) or a rapid charger (Very high current)?
Hope this helps...
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drwho07
Joined: Nov 29, 2007
Posts: 1134
Location: Central FL, USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:00 am Post subject: |
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El,
Since you've NOT specified, I'm just assuming that you're drawing power from your USB ports.
Those ports are 'Current Limited' to prevent damage to them and on some computers, like Laptops, the current limit is so low as to not power any device that would draw more current than a USB Mouse. In the case of a device trying to pull too much current, the Ports can fold back the current to almost zero till the device is removed. That's all done to protect the computer.
Maybe you should charge your devices from the appropriate "Chargers" instead of the computer.
Doc  |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 221
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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I am indeed using the USB ports..
I didn't know that there's a current limit
good to know 
well..i at least have some idea as to why now  ..only funny thing is that the only laptop i've tried charging on was one of the machines that both devices charged very quickly on 
besides that..it all makes sense
Thank you both for the replies (:
El |
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Baby_Tux
Joined: Mar 06, 2007
Posts: 808
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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My daughter got an MP3 player (birthday present) that the ONLY way to charge it is on a USB port so I had SOME idea what was being asked. Although there MAY be a charger for this, PER SAY, I think I'd have to "engineer" it to work.
So I see it as using the USB vs "a pain" - or nothing....
BTW: Doc filled in the remainder of the equation, so hopefully the whole picture is clear. - Thanks Doc!
As for the question of why - I'll take an educated guess here & say that it MAY have something to do with newer design specs of USB ports,(assuming your NB is fairly new) as the earlier one didn't foresee all the devices being used now. So it COULD be that there is more power available on those ports now than before - especially with USB2 as compared to USB1 or 1.1 --- Don't know, like I said, just a guess. Something to research, when I have free time. |
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drwho07
Joined: Nov 29, 2007
Posts: 1134
Location: Central FL, USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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There is no Absolute! Every computer manufacturer looks at the situation from their own standpoint. No two PC's are necessarily the same.
If you have ONE that does what you want it to, consider yourself lucky.
Many people have only one computer and are NOT so lucky.
Auf Weider........
Doc |
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drwho07
Joined: Nov 29, 2007
Posts: 1134
Location: Central FL, USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Tux,
The only voltage that any computer can supply via the USB port is +5vdc.
Every radio shack store has little 5v supplies for a pittance.
Wiring one should be no problem at all.
Cheers!
Doc |
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Baby_Tux
Joined: Mar 06, 2007
Posts: 808
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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| drwho07 wrote: |
Tux,
The only voltage that any computer can supply via the USB port is +5vdc.
Every radio shack store has little 5v supplies for a pittance.
Wiring one should be no problem at all.
Cheers!
Doc |
Yeah, I know - but to get the proper connectors, (plus the pinout) & a 5v wall-wart with the proper minimum current rating then putting it all together, it is just easier to plug the thing into my computer & in 3hrs or so have it charged. (that is what her's took, anyway)
Also, I Do think I saw some sort of charger like this or battery powered as it is. My curiosity is up now, so I'll have to look & see. |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 221
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:33 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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I believe the picture is rather clear now
thank you..again
EL |
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drwho07
Joined: Nov 29, 2007
Posts: 1134
Location: Central FL, USA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:51 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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Re-Reading this thread, I noticed that a "Powered USB Hub" wasn't even mentioned.
That should supply all the power needed by something being 'charged' without causing any grief inside the computer. It may even work while the computer itself is shut off.
It can't hurt to try....... EH?
The Doctor |
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el
Joined: Nov 14, 2006
Posts: 221
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| Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: [Login to view extended thread Info.] |
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hmm..that's true..right now i don't have a 'slow' computer to test it on though
but i'll give it a try when i can..i wonder if it will make a difference..i'll report back (:
El |
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