Charger question

[connorp12]

So I recently got a replacement HTC one m8, due to a problem with my charger corroding the usb port basically. I was just wondering if my charger which was for my old droid razr, which is (input: 100-240v~50/60Hz .2A, output: 5.1v=750mA) would work okay. I don't really know what any of the means so any help would be awesome, thanks.

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[B. Diddy]

Are you saying the original M8 charger that came with the phone seemed to damage the charging port? Or were you using a non-OEM charger on the M8? In general, it's best to stick with the charger your phone came with.

 

[connorp12]

Are you saying the original M8 charger that came with the phone seemed to damage the charging port? Or were you using a non-OEM charger on the M8? In general, it's best to stick with the charger your phone came with.

The original charger that came with my phone actually damaged my phone and is ruined.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[B. Diddy]

Did you ask HTC for a replacement charger as well?

 

[connorp12]

Did you ask HTC for a replacement charger as well?

Yeah I suppose I can call them and ask about that, so you don't think my other one would work until then ?

Posted via Android Central App

 

[B. Diddy]

Chargers are mostly interchangeable, so it should be safe. The phone should have circuitry to prevent overcharging, and undercharging is more of a nuisance than a danger. Although I did say it's best to stick with the original charger, that's more if you've been noticing any problems with 3rd party chargers. I have a few different original chargers for my various devices, and I do use them interchangeably, because I've noticed no problems with them.

 

[Mooncatt]

In general, it's best to stick with the charger your phone came with.

This is true, but it's been my experience that USB charging is about the worst way to charge due to the cables going bad very quickly. Needless to say, I've use a few different chargers and many, many cables. Here's the main things to pay attention to...

Every charger should have an output rating listed on it (the input rating typically isn't that important, and stay away from any charger that doesn't specifically list the ratings). The USB standard voltage is 5V, which you shouldn't have to worry about. If it's a USB charger, it will be the same across the board. The really important number to look at is the amperage rating, which is how much current the charger puts out. Think of it like two buckets, one slightly higher than the other, and connected by a hose. Water will flow from the higher bucket (the charger's higher 5V), to the lower bucket (the battery's lower voltage). The size of the hose determines how fast the water flows (current/amperage). That's a little simplistic, but works to give you an intro into knowing about chargers.

That said, the stock charger is rated at 1.5A (amps) and that's what the phone needs to be able to charge and still be operational. To connerp12, the charger from your Razr is rated at .75A (750mA). The M8 doesn't ALWAYS suck a full 1.5A from the charger, but it could eventually over work the weaker charger and burn it out. You could even loose charge while plugged in, depending on your usage. Going back to the bucket example, it's like having a 1" hose between the buckets for charging, but having another 2" hole in the bottom bucket draining water (your usage). Even if the top bucket had infinite water, it'd never keep up with the hole in the bottom bucket.

The last thing to remember is the phone pulls the current, the charger doesn't push it. So getting a higher than stock rated charger won't charge the phone any faster or cause any damage, defects excluded of course. I personally have my M8 on a stronger, 2.1A charger most of the time and the phone before that too without any issues.

TL;DR version: Use a charger rated at least 1.5A (same as stock) or more for the M8.

I'm not sure what could be causing the corrosion, if that's what it really is. That's usually related to being wet, or defective battery/connections.

 

[B. Diddy]

Awesome explanation, dude!

 

[connorp12]

Yeah thanks for that explanation, I really appreciate it, I will look for a charger with that amperage.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Mooncatt]

No problem.

 

[Rhyalus]

My rule of thumb is this;

Look at the charger that comes with the phone. Do not use chargers that provide LESS current. You can assume that the provided charger is the optimal amperage.

In the case of the M8, the basic charger is 1.5A. Make sure to get a mobile charger that provides at least this much, too. Mooncat is 100% correct...

I would not use weaker chargers at all.

R

 

[sitlet]

My old car charger is rated at 800ma. I've only needed to charge this phone in my car once since I've bought it, but my 800ma charger just did not cut it. Over an hour on the charger and it barely gained 5%. So just keep that in mind, your 750ma charger will most likely be just as slow.