Need help with chargers - trying to find true 2a chargers that actually work!

[adam.bean]

Hey all,I have tried several charger/cable combinations to no avail (with the exception of the $30 Amazon Kindle Fire charger + cable - but this isn't the proper rating). I can not seem to recreate a constant 1900mAh rate that the OEM Samsung charger outputs. All of the below have been tested on two Galaxy S4's, multiple adapters/cables and different outlets. I keep buying and returning multiple cables/chargers to Amazon and I grow tired of it ... I really could use some help. All my tests were done with Galaxy Charging Current app.

Have tried the following to no avail:
- The "OEM S4" (Amazon.com: Samsung OEM 2.0 Amp Travel Charger with Detachable Micro USB Cable for Samsung Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 II, Galaxy S3 S III, Galaxy S3 Mini & Other Smartphones (Bulk Packaging): Cell Phones & Accessories) ... that charged at 460mAh.

- Another "OEM S4" (Amazon.com: Samsung OEM 2.0 Amp Travel Charger with Detachable Micro USB Cable for Samsung Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 II, Galaxy S3 S III, Galaxy S3 Mini & Other Smartphones: Cell Phones & Accessories) that charged at 780mAh.

- Pwr+ 2A Rapid Charger (Amazon.com: Pwr+? 2A Rapid Charger Ac Adapter for Use with the New Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire Hd Models: Kindle Store), this does charge at 1900mAh; however if you unplug, you have to wait several minutes before you can use it again. During that time the green charge light blinks and it won't output anything.

- The official Nexus 7 charger (Amazon.com: ASUS Nexus 7 Official Power Adapter: Computers & Accessories) was charging at 1900; however several days later now it won't go past 1480.

- The "Amazon basics 2.1a" charger (Amazon.com: AmazonBasics Wall Charger with USB Outlet (2.1 Amp Output): MP3 Players & Accessories). Charged at 700 something with a standard USB cable. I then paired with a true charge only cable (Amazon.com: Amazon Kindle Fire 5ft USB to Micro-USB Cable (works with most Micro-USB Tablets): Kindle Store) and it did sustain a 1900 charge. Yet after several days, two of the four chargers I ordered begin to omit an annoying humming noise.

- The "Amazon Kindle PowerFast" (Amazon.com: Amazon Kindle PowerFast for Accelerated Charging: Kindle Store) + "Amazon Kindle Fire" cable (Amazon.com: Amazon Kindle Fire 5ft USB to Micro-USB Cable (works with most Micro-USB Tablets): Kindle Store) started strong on 1900mAh for the first few days; however is now pulling between 1200 and 1500.

Then, in regards to car charging ... I found that the official VZW charger actually charges at 1900; however it makes the phone HOT, very very hot. I was able to use this (Amazon.com: New Trent Arcadia Rapiduo (1 pc), 10W 5V/2A Dual Port high-speed USB car charger w/ Free Full Speed Micro-USB Charging Cable (IMP80C/NT80C): Cell Phones & Accessories) combined with a data cable (Amazon.com : Mediabridge USB Charging Cable - (Coiled) - USB-A Male to Micro-B Charging Cable : Charging Only Micro Usb : Computers & Accessories) and it's doing the same thing as the Amazon charger ... was pulling 1900 at first, now at 1200.I am so confused here. Why is it so difficult to get a true 2a/1900mAh charge? I can't be the only one with this problem? I want to say it's the app that is lying to me in regards to the charge; however as soon as I use OEM, right back to 1900.

As far as pure charging cables go, here have been my experiences:
- Amazon Kindle Fire @ 1200 - 1900: Amazon.com: Amazon Kindle Fire 5ft USB to Micro-USB Cable (works with most Micro-USB Tablets): Kindle Store
- PortaPow @ 1100 - 1900: Amazon.com : PortaPow Specialised 5ft 24AWG Charge Only Micro USB Cable for Blackberry, Xperia, HTC One, Google Nexus, Other Fast Charging Devices : Puregear Charge : Electronics
- Amazon Basics @ 700: Amazon.com : AmazonBasics USB Cable - 2.0 A Male to Micro B (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters) : Computer Usb Cables : Electronics
- Media Bridge @ 1100 - 1900: Amazon.com: Mediabridge USB Charging Cable - (6 Feet) - USB-A Male to Micro-B Charging Cable: Computers & Accessories

This is driving me insane!I would truly appreciate any help here.

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Since the OEM charger works, maybe buy another one from Samsung?

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...phones-accessories%23container&token=OtwQtXP9

 

[adam.bean]

Since the OEM charger works, maybe buy another one from Samsung?

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...phones-accessories%23container&token=JwW8wUxW

Being that I am looking to purchase 4-5 of these, I'd really love to not spend a massive amount of money. That and the OEM has such a small cable that is not desirable. I don't understand why obtaining these chargers/cables is so difficult.

 

[Michael Vieux]

I've found on my phones and tablets, using Battery Monitor Widget, that the amperage varies depending on where the battery is in the charge cycle.

Higher at the beginning and tapering down towards the end.

I use this to charge my tablet and phone at the same time while driving.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU2912180

Also if the charger is designed to be used with anything apple, it probably won't work full amperage on an Android device.

The MediaBridge charging cable you listed should let you use any charger. Apple or Android.
Sent from my M470BSA

 

[adam.bean]

Hi Mike,

I would agree that I have been seeing variability with the amperage with the exception of when I use the OEM charger. I've used several of the aforementioned chargers at random amperage and then moved to the OEM only to see that it was going at 1900.

I mean, maybe I'm missing something and totally over thinking this; however thus far I have not yet been successfully with properly recreating the OEM charger outside of the $30 Kindle charger + kindle cable which as stated, is a 9v, 1.8a charger ... and it's expensive. That and I haven't had enough testing time with that combo to fully approve it either.

The media bridge cable gave off more variability than the others. I talked to their customer support and they stated that they have not yet tested out the S4 and it may not be properly working for it as of now.

 

[Michael Vieux]

Hi Mike,

I would agree that I have been seeing variability with the amperage with the exception of when I use the OEM charger. I've used several of the aforementioned chargers at random amperage and then moved to the OEM only to see that it was going at 1900.

I mean, maybe I'm missing something and totally over thinking this; however thus far I have not yet been successfully with properly recreating the OEM charger outside of the $30 Kindle charger + kindle cable which as stated, is a 9v, 1.8a charger ... and it's expensive. That and I haven't had enough testing time with that combo to fully approve it either.

The media bridge cable gave off more variability than the others. I talked to their customer support and they stated that they have not yet tested out the S4 and it may not be properly working for it as of now.

Well, ignoring the amperage being put out by the various chargers, are they charging the phone as quickly as the factory charger?

Or at least charging in an acceptable time.
Having less amperage isn't going to harm the phone, it just increases the time it takes to charge.

Sent from my M470BSA

 

[SenseMonkey]

Im usuing the stock charger and to my surprise is able to charge my S4 even faster than the intended amount. There are times when i see that it charges at a rate of over 2 amps per hr. Most of the time it while in using it it charges between 1 amp and 1.9 amps. :thumbup:

From my Sammy Galaxy S4

 

[Michael Vieux]

Adam bean.
This link takes your charger/cable testing to the max.


http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2274321

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[oshia86]

I can tell you that the 2A "Samsung" charger from the Android Central store did not charge at 2A, but rather .48A. Ya, it was that bad. I also find it funny that they still haven't posted my 2 star review. I did manage to snag a 2A charger from AT&T though. Also, make sure your cables are up to the job. Not all USB cables will carry 2A as the USB 2.0 spec only calls for .5A.

This one works as advertised -
AT&T 2.1A Single USB Low Draw Universal Wall Charger

This one doesn't -
Samsung Micro-USB 2A Travel Charger - Android Chargers & Cables

 

[Storm_75]

I too wanted another OEM 2-amp charger, found a lot of "fake" ones on Amazon that claimed to be OEM. Surfed over to the official Samsung store and found theirs, pricey at $39.99. But since I registered my new S4 on their site they e-mailed me a coupon code good for 50% off any one item priced under $50 bucks. So I ordered one, and they must be popular, because they are back-ordered!

I know the OP said he wanted five of them so this might not help much, but if you haven't registered your phone you might wish to... IIRC it also extends the warranty for three months?

 

[adam.bean]

As a follow up, the $20 Kindle Fire charger now no longer is pulling 1900, similar to the other chargers that after a few days or so, changed. Now I seem to vary between 1200 and 1500. Crazy.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Being that I am looking to purchase 4-5 of these, I'd really love to not spend a massive amount of money. That and the OEM has such a small cable that is not desirable. I don't understand why obtaining these chargers/cables is so difficult.

I apologize because I'm at work right now, and don't have my S4 charger here with me, but isn't the cable that comes with it a standard 6 foot cable? Even if not, it seems to be a decent length (Better than the 3 ft. cable that came with my old Thunderbolt!). It should also be noted that per the USB standard anything longer than 6 ft may cause reduced performance.

 

[adam.bean]

So now both the Nexus 7 and Kindle Powerfast chargers are coming in at 1200mAh.

I don't get it! Why are these chargers starting at 1900 then days/weeks later then drop down? I'm at such a loss on this and super frustrated. I also went to VZW today to try their chargers ... They have a 2.1a charger that's coming in at 1200 as well.

The only thing that I just now actually saw is that the OEM charger is 2.0a; whereas all these others are 2.1a. Could this be why? I have now tried basically every charger and cable combo on Amazon and have ended up returning them all.

 

[dakhath]

The Galaxy S4 is equipped with Qualcomm's Quick Charge 1.0. This alters the draw of power it will pull from a qualified charger. It is not a linear pull of power. It will pull more or less charge depending on what it needs.

Pulled from this article: AnandTech | Samsung Galaxy S 4 Review - Part 1

Samsung appears to implement Qualcomm's Quick Charge specification in the Galaxy S 4 and its bundled charger. I realize we haven't done a deep dive into what Quick Charge is and how it works, but I'll try to go through a quick explanation here. Most conventional chargers are linear, they take a fixed amount of input current (at 5V) and pass it along to the device being charged. The problem is that at deeply discharged states, the device's battery might be at a substantially lower voltage. A traditional linear charger won't change the current supplied based on the voltage of the battery being charged, and as a result can deliver sub-optimal charge times. When implemented, Qualcomm's Quick Charge technology can vary output current based on the voltage of the battery being charged, which results in less power being dissipated as heat and more being delivered to charging the battery itself.

You've got me curious as to why you need so many chargers. Wouldn't it be easier to just get the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Spare Battery Charger and just swap out batteries as the other one charges? It's only $25 after you register your S4 with Samsung and they send you the 50% off code.

 

[adam.bean]

You've got me curious as to why you need so many chargers. Wouldn't it be easier to just get the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Spare Battery Charger and just swap out batteries as the other one charges? It's only $25 after you register your S4 with Samsung and they send you the 50% off code.

I just registered my phone, haven't seen anything for a 50% code?

Either way, I'd like to have proper charges in different places in my house and at work. In regards to your statement of it will dynamically pull, not sure I can agree. When I plug into the OEM charger, it's a constant 1900; whereas other chargers it starts at 1900 (sometimes), but is usually around 1200-1400. I feel like there is definitely something about this phone and it's incompatibility with any other charger to properly pull a 1900mAh charge.

 

[mandoman28]

I sometimes use the charger that came with my iPad. It charges the phone quickly! I also have a wall charger from New Trent, that also charges my phone quickly.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[adam.bean]

Also, it's worth noting ( need to clean up the original post ) but now the nexus and kindle chargers won't even go past 1200 ... how are they progressively getting worse? This is just stupid.

 

[monsieurms]

I was looking at this one----a company I've used before and liked. I haven't personally tried it yet, but the specs are right.

Amazon.com: EasyAcc US 5V 2A Universal Travel AC Micro USB Wall Charger Adapter long cord for Tablet: Google Nexus 7,Google Nexus 10,Most Smartphone, external battery and other Micro USB Port Devices (1.6M/5.25 Feet Black): Kindle Store

 

[AshManMB]

My oem charger, ipad charger, iPhone charger, car charger all show 1 amp on current widget. .. Never seen 1900 on the oem one that came with the phone. Still charges pretty fast.

How are you reading the charge current???

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Michael Vieux]

Also, it's worth noting ( need to clean up the original post ) but now the nexus and kindle chargers won't even go past 1200 ... how are they progressively getting worse? This is just stupid.

I mentioned in my post, and others have posted (post #15)
The chargers and phones/tablets can vary the current and amps they need, depending on where they are in the charging cycle.

When you're accelerating your car 0 to 60 you use more gas then when you're maintaining 60.

Sorry, that's a really simplistic example, but close to why your amperage is varying.


Sent from my M470BSA