LG Marquee, AC/USB Charging, and YOU!

[AkumaX]

So I have various wall chargers, ranging from 500mA to 2.1A (2100mA, for iPad, etc..).
You would think that if you plug it in, it would "AC" charge (instead of USB charge).
You find out the type of charging via Settings -> About Phone -> Status -> Battery Status.

However, I found this not to be the case... and also to be the case!

So it turns out (let's say I use a 700mA charger, or even a 2000mA charger), that sometimes the phone detects it as USB.
It means that the phone only wants to draw +200mA to charge to the phone.. not something you want.
The problem is, it only does this "sometimes". To remedy it, I have to:
- a) unplug the micro-B USB cable from the phone, and plug it back in or
- b) leave the micro-B USB cable plugged into the phone, and unplug the USB-A from the charger and plug it back in.
Sometimes it remedies...

Anyways, I found this ridiculously awesome app on the market called Battery Monitor Widget
- (you don't have to use the widget part, but the app itself is gold)
https://market.android.com/details?id=ccc71.bmw&hl=en

Ever since the Marquee came out, battery life has plagued us all. This charts how the battery is being used, and how the battery is being charged (on AC/USB, and how much draw).
I have a 1000mA charger, and found out it only draws +500mA on AC!
I switched chargers (to a different 1000mA charger) and now it draws +900mA no problem (this will charge my phone from 10% to 100% in 2 hours!) Sadly, the phone knows not to draw anymore than 900-1000mA (even on 2.1A, it only draws around ~+900-950mA)

Lastly, in order to "fix" my confused phone's charging, I ended up getting this cable (a USB-charge-only) on Amazon:
Amazon.com: Naztech Micro USB Charging Cable - BlackBerry, Cal-Comp, HTC, LG, Samsung, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson: Cell Phones & Accessories . Works great!

A friend got this USB-USB adapter Amazon.com: USB Charging/ Charger Adapter for Sprint Samsung Epic/ Galaxy S/ D700 - Allows you to charge your Epic with any computer or USB hub + Free Stripes Stars Silicone Wristband: Cell Phones & Accessories .
But it didn't work for the Marquee (had to do the remedying tricks). Worked for him though... (Nexus S)

tl;dr - use battery monitor widget to make sure it charges correctly

 

[farfromuman]

I noticed this too but I attributed it to Blackberry USB cords I am using since I don't seem to have this problems when using the LG cord. I just did some tests with the BB cord and I get about 50/50 on the USB/AC charging (1A charger). I will test the LG cord when I get home.

 

[jojocat#AC]

Seems like everyone has some different method of wiring the pins to signal charge current availability. Apple did some stuff with resistors on the data pins, and on my palm pre I think they had to shorted together. Anyway, I'm sure it has to do with the pin wiring. I have a little Samsung charger that is listed on the unit as only supplying .5A output, but the phone reports AC charge and battery monitor widget estimates 900mA on it...so probably just wired the way the phone expects 1A current availability.

 

[mp3coupe]

Thanks for this tip! I would have never known. I just got my phone and it takes forever to charge.

 

[btrcp2000]

My marquee has had all the battery issues, lots of TwoS, heating up while look for a signal, general uselessness when it just won;t charge. I am on the 14th floor of a hi rise in a major metro, but it struggles to get a signal sometimes. I just installed battery monitor, and sitting here next to a window with three bars, it has been all over the map, anywhere from -200ma (discharging while on ac) to +650ma while plugged in using the original charger. This seems to get really bad in the afternoon, mornings are okay. Is there any thought that the amazon cable might make a difference here?