Problems charging with 3rd party MicroUSB cables

[eps]

The Google supplied charging cable charges my N7 at more than twice the rate of a generic 3rd party cable I have long used for my GN.

I noticed that the metallic connector on the Google cable is slightly longer than the generic cable.

Could this be the cause of slow charging with the generic cable?
Is Google shipping a proprietary/non-standard cable with the N7? :'(

 

[Ry]

I haven't seen the cable that ships with the Nexus 7, but is it a straight power cable or is it a USB power adapter where you still need plug in the micro USB cable into it?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

 

[stkorn97]

Usb adapter. And I've used 2 different cables without any issues so far.

 

[TheStereoMike]

 

[eps]

Usb adapter. And I've used 2 different cables without any issues so far.

Have you measured the charging speeds and compared with the supplied cable?

Is the metallic part of the google supplied microUSB cable end a bit longer than your 3rd party cables?

 

[uM-elo]

Besides a slower charge or not charging at all, the third party chargers won't harm the device/battery, right?

I've heard that the different voltage or something can be problematic, is that true?

 

[Flatland2D]

I noticed after plugging in a different USB charger for the first charge that it wasn't charging. It turns out the silver colored plastic bezel extends beyond the metal of the USB port. I think this is one reason why the supplied cable has a longer metal part on the micro USB side. I was able to get my other charger to work, but I had to make sure to really push it in all the way to make good contact.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[dpridgen]

The nexus 7 charger puts out 2amps @5 volts. Most of the generic or other brand chargers range from .5ams to about 1 amp. The cable itself won't make any difference, you can use any USB to micro usb cable you like, but you will want to use the charger that came with the Nexus 7 or find one that can put out at least 2 amps @5 volts. This one from monoprice will work, it puts out 2.1 amps. 2.1 amp usb wall charger.

 

[eps]

The nexus 7 charger puts out 2amps @5 volts. Most of the generic or other brand chargers range from .5ams to about 1 amp. The cable itself won't make any difference, you can use any USB to micro usb cable you like, but you will want to use the charger that came with the Nexus 7 or find one that can put out at least 2 amps @5 volts. This one from monoprice will work, it puts out 2.1 amps. 2.1 amp usb wall charger.

The cable itself does make a difference in my case. My monoprice cable will not engage the microUSB port snuggly due partial obstruction by the silver bezel. It remains wobbly regardless of how hard one tries to push it in since the plastic hood of the cable butts up against the silver bezel, preventing the metal contact from fully penetrating the port. It still "charges" with the monoprice but very slowly.... roughly half the speed of the OEM cable.

 

[dpridgen]

The cable itself does make a difference in my case. My monoprice cable will not engage the microUSB port snuggly due partial obstruction by the silver bezel. It remains wobbly regardless of how hard one tries to push it in since the plastic hood of the cable butts up against the silver bezel, preventing the metal contact from fully penetrating the port. It still "charges" with the monoprice but very slowly.... roughly half the speed of the OEM cable.

Yes, you are correct, I should have said that the cable should not make much difference since the pin-outs are standardized, however, the connector length and clearance could make a difference in whether or not you make good contact with the receiver pins

 

[biogon]

I'll have to check when I get home, but it didn't look like the N7 uses the same "extra-long micro USB" that the Nook Color/Tablet used -- there were extra pinouts to carry the additional power, I think.

It would fast-charge only with the special $30 Nook USB cable. ::

 

[cohoman]

The nexus 7 charger puts out 2amps @5 volts. Most of the generic or other brand chargers range from .5ams to about 1 amp. The cable itself won't make any difference, you can use any USB to micro usb cable you like, but you will want to use the charger that came with the Nexus 7 or find one that can put out at least 2 amps @5 volts. This one from monoprice will work, it puts out 2.1 amps. 2.1 amp usb wall charger.

What's the amps coming from a laptop or PC USB port? I wonder now of that is sufficient to charge the N7.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[Flatland2D]

Computer USB ports are regulated to 500 mA.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[stkorn97]

I cut some of the rubber around connection of a cable that wasn't working before, it had the same charge time remaining as standard cable according to battery app. Connector length could be the issue.

 

[pokingmon]

I have a microUSB cable that came with a wireless keyboard. It's labeled with a sticker that says it's for charging only and won't provide a data connection. Not only does it provide a data connection, but it also charges my N7 at a speedy enough rate that I can only assume is around the same speed as the cable that came with it. It's connected to the supplied charger that came with it though. Maybe this cable is similar to the included one and has the longer tab?

ALSO: my girlfriend's DROID RAZR charger (with 2 USB ports) charges it, as well as my single USB port Galaxy S2 charger. My cellphone/tablet stand/hub I got from Target does NOT charge my N7, nor does my Belkin 3 outlet mini surge protector with USB ports. (unless of course I plug the included charger to one of the power outlets.

 

[YAYTech]

The USB cable from my Droid RAZR charges my Nexus 7, though I don't know if the cable affects the rate. The charger from my OG Droid works, as does the charger for my RAZR, but they would definitely affect the charging rate, as they're both lower amperage chargers.

I have an aftermarket microUSB cable that has caused me some grief before - the microUSB head receeds just a bit into the plastic behind it. When it does this, the USB connection seems to work fine, but it doesn't charge. If I grab the end and slide it out, and carefully insert it into a device, then it charges (not tested on the N7, but on my RAZR). Something you might look at.

 

[pageo]

Nook Color uUSB plug is longer than N7 uUSB plug.

Here's desc of NC charging design, perhaps googke/asus did something similar on N7?

Nook Color charger uses special micro-USB connecto... - Barnes & Noble Book Clubs

 

[biogon]

Yeah, I noted that above.

I went home and checked, it looks like a regular-length micro USB though.

So I don't think that's it.

Annoying.

Nook Color uUSB plug is longer than N7 uUSB plug.

Here's desc of NC charging design, perhaps googke/asus did something similar on N7?

Nook Color charger uses special micro-USB connecto... - Barnes & Noble Book Clubs

 

[eps]

Graph showing reduced charging rate when changed from OEM to 3rd party microUSB cable.

 

[ace518]

Actually just got a couple of these to use charging the nexus 7. Unless I'm having an issue with my cables (they work if i plug into the PC) I'm not getting the nexus 7 to charge off of this. It works with other devices. Very odd. I will check further into it tonight after I get home from work and update. But, has anyone else had any issues with this wall charger?