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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Munich
Posts: 4731

Germany 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Baltic Blue
USB confusion
Please can someone explain?

Just installed a 2.1A double USB power socket (posh one from BlueSea) and a cheaper 1A single one Smile

Both sockets work and charge my iPhone. Only the 2.1A BlueSea charges my iPad.

However, for some reason, only the 1A socket will charge my little Nokia phone. When I plug it into the BlueSea nothing happens - it doesn't make sense Confused

Ideas?

Cheers
Matt Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #216958 7th Mar 2013 5:51pm
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SiWhite



Member Since: 19 Jan 2010
Location: North Hampshire
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United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
USB stuff can be quite fickle - I know that your iPad will not charge on a supply that outputs more than 2 amps.

I suspect your Nokia will not charge on anything over a certain figure - to protect itself from frying. My blog - www.anacreinhampshire.blogspot.co.uk

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Passat Alltrack - 4x4, auto, 45mpg, gloriously comfortable - but not a Defender!
Post #216962 7th Mar 2013 5:57pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
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^^^^ Sounds about right to me. Thumbs Up Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #216968 7th Mar 2013 6:04pm
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TheWarden



Member Since: 25 Feb 2013
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A lot of devices won't work with more than 500mA - this is probably the case with the Nokia.

The iPad has a bigger battery and needs more juice to charge. It will charge off the 1A - it just won't indicates it's charging... give it a lot more time and it will fully charge.
Post #216969 7th Mar 2013 6:05pm
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me@td5.org



Member Since: 16 Jan 2011
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2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
You can't output more current than is demanded.

The current quoted is the maximum current draw. What is supplied is dependant on the load.
Post #216988 7th Mar 2013 7:04pm
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
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That's what I thought - even though a power outlet can provide 2A maximum, a 500mA device shouldn't care (it won't draw more than 500mA and the outlet can't "push" more than is demanded). Unless for some weird reason the Nokia senses that more current is available (than it needs) and doesn't like it - but that doesn't make any sense Rolling Eyes

My big trouble is that the 1A socket is just a stop-gap, as a second BlueSea (f'ing expensive) will arrive soon from Blighty Thumbs Up

Thought I was doing well, but not being able to charge the Nokia is a totally unforeseen, ridiculous problem Big Cry Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #216995 7th Mar 2013 7:24pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
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ZeDefender wrote:
That's what I thought - even though a power outlet can provide 2A maximum, a 500mA device shouldn't care (it won't draw more than 500mA and the outlet can't "push" more than is demanded). Unless for some weird reason the Nokia senses that more current is available (than it needs) and doesn't like it - but that doesn't make any sense Rolling Eyes


Actually, Nokia thinks this does make sense Shocked
Some Nokia models are equipped with current and temperature sensor, and are charged with a fixed current at a higher voltage than USB, 6.1 V @ 890 mA.
Could be that the characteristics of your cheap (unregulated) 1A charger are just OK for Noka while the BlueSea does not fit because of fixed regulated current and/or voltage... Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
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1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
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Post #217018 7th Mar 2013 9:03pm
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
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Aha!
Many thanks Thumbs Up
Now what to do about it Confused Rolling Eyes Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #217019 7th Mar 2013 9:07pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
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ZeDefender wrote:

Now what to do about it Confused Rolling Eyes


If you have an inverter on board you could use the original Nokia 230V charger... Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #217024 7th Mar 2013 9:26pm
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me@td5.org



Member Since: 16 Jan 2011
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2000 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Are you saying that the Nokia USB charger is expecting to see over voltage?
Post #217025 7th Mar 2013 9:31pm
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Munich
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VeeTee wrote:
If you have an inverter on board you could use the original Nokia 230V charger...

Thanks, but not quite the "streamlining" I was hoping for Laughing Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #217026 7th Mar 2013 9:36pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
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Netherlands 
Modify an dumb charger to charge Nokia:

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=38230 Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #217044 7th Mar 2013 10:30pm
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XS Pete



Member Since: 13 Jan 2011
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Quote:
Could be that the characteristics of your cheap (unregulated) 1A charger are just OK for Noka while the BlueSea does not fit because of fixed regulated current and/or voltage...


And VeeTee wins the prize!

This is a simple case of voltage regulation. A lot of Nokias require a 5.1V supply. The BlueSea unit will almost certainly more accurately regulate the voltage to 5.0V exactly, and under all conditions, whereas your cheaper 1A unit is probably not as well toleranced and will allow the voltage to exceed this, probably reaching up to 5.2V or maybe slightly more, which is why it works with the Nokia.

You can prove this by Censored a standard PC USB cable and plugging one end into your USB socket, and the other end to your multimeter, then compare with the other socket. If you want to try this but are unsure, PM me and I'll take you through it.

Don't be mislead by the comments about devices being able to determine the current capability a particular outlet has. You can't change the law of physics. You could plug into a socket which could supply 100A. The device will only draw the current it needs, as long as the voltage is correct.

Pete
Post #217075 8th Mar 2013 12:15am
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ZeDefender



Member Since: 15 Sep 2011
Location: Munich
Posts: 4731

Germany 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Baltic Blue
VeeTee wrote:
Modify an dumb charger to charge Nokia:

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=38230


Another little project - many thanks Bow down

Matt

p.s. thanks too Pete (and all others) Thumbs Up Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing...
Post #217083 8th Mar 2013 8:12am
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
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Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
XS Pete wrote:

And VeeTee wins the prize!




Thumbs Up Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #217145 8th Mar 2013 2:29pm
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