Develop Bugs

AA USB travel chargers - any good? What's the real capacity?

Hello,
I'm thinking of buying a mini-usb AA (1, 2 or 4, to be decided) travel charger for an Orbit 2.
There's plenty of cheap stuff on Ebay or Amazon (and elsewhere), but If anyone has used them, I'd like to know
A) do you think the output is regulated enough to be suitable for safely charging my Orbit.
B) How much power is lost? For example a 1.2V 2500 mAH AA battery, should (if the rating is correct) should have nearly 2.7 WHour capacity (1.2*2.5), so that should roughly half fill an 1350mAH (3.7x1.35 = 4.8 WHour) Orbit 2, even allowing for some power loss.
Does this match your experience.
Perhaps it's easier just to carry a spare orbit battery, but AA's are so useful, and you can find them anywhere.

Ive been tempted by these, but never heard good enough reviews to buy one so am interested to know how you get on.

I've been looking at a Li-ion pack on evilbay - 2600mAh in a unit the same shape as a PPC phone but just a little smaller. Seems like it will fit on the back of my m700 with some velcro (or rubber band!) - so allowing extended GPS use outdoors.
My questions are similar - are external packs worth it, and do they keep the phone charged and do they fully charge a dead phone?
BTW, I'm also looking at a solar charger currently on offer at maplins . Its £9.99 (£20 off ?) and will hold and charge 5 AAA batteries. Solar chargers like this generally get crap reviews, but the seemingly good thing about this one is its rated at 1w, which is more than similar ones which I've seen

r_southampton said:
Hello,
I'm thinking of buying a mini-usb AA (1, 2 or 4, to be decided) travel charger for an Orbit 2.
There's plenty of cheap stuff on Ebay or Amazon (and elsewhere), but If anyone has used them, I'd like to know
A) do you think the output is regulated enough to be suitable for safely charging my Orbit.
B) How much power is lost? For example a 1.2V 2500 mAH AA battery, should (if the rating is correct) should have nearly 2.7 WHour capacity (1.2*2.5), so that should roughly half fill an 1350mAH (3.7x1.35 = 4.8 WHour) Orbit 2, even allowing for some power loss.
Does this match your experience.
Perhaps it's easier just to carry a spare orbit battery, but AA's are so useful, and you can find them anywhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have several of the 4 AA usb type for my PPC and WM devices. I haven't had any issues with it damaging the device, but I'm careful as to what the power rating is on the device. I don't going over by 1watt but anything else I don't risk it. My devices require 5watt to charge, so the extra watt doesn't hurt anything. It's been a life saver on long trips and when in a pinch to need to charge.

Altoids Battery Backup Supply

I am now taking orders for these.
Send me a pm stating that you would like to order one and what exactly you would like, I have the options posted below. I will order the materials as soon as 10 people have said that they will take one. Being unemployed I can't order the parts before I have confirmed buyers. I won't take any money from you until I have the parts in hand, I just need a pm saying you will buy one.
Options:
Circuit and Battery Holder (No Case) - $25
Circuit, Battery Holder with Case - $27
Circuit, Battery Holder with Case and Installation - $30
Shipping:
USPS Flat Rate - $5
Any other method will have the price calculated at the time of shipping. The weight is less than two ounces if you would like to estimate costs.
USPS first class to Los Angeles is between $0.75 - $1.15
Potential Options:
Solar Powered with Lithium Battery - $85
I have not tested this yet. If someone would like it I can build it but beware that charging with solar could take a long time.
Lithium without solar - $55
Charging would be done with any usb mini charger.
As of right now, Paypal would be the best way to pay. Just send me a PM if your interested and I will give you my Paypal email.
I've attached some pictures of the semi-finished product. I used scotch tape and a folded index card to secure the circuit temporarily while any shipped versions will use double-sided tape and solder.
It will work with rechargeable or alkaline batteries. After testing using two batteries, it just does not have enough capacity to really make carrying this around worthwhile. With two rechargeable batteries it only provided 30-40% of a full charge. So, unless specifically requested, the design will now be done with three batteries.

Hmmm, probably not a device you want to leave in your pocket when boarding a plane!

G35tr said:
Hmmm, probably not a device you want to leave in your pocket when boarding a plane!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you would have a problem as long as you don't try to hide it. Worst case they would want to x-ray it and make you hook it up to verify what it is.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype

So wait, turn an altoids tin into a USB charger?
2 AA batteries can charge the phone to capacity? Any idea how many times?

gunnyman said:
So wait, turn an altoids tin into a USB charger?
2 AA batteries can charge the phone to capacity? Any idea how many times?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. This is essentially a USB power source for whatever you need it for. It is capable of providing up to 500mA of current. So any device that demands more than that will not work. For our phones, that just means it charges slower than the wall wart but the same speed as a USB port on your computer.
I put some of the math up in the first post. Theoretically it could charge it 1 time but I have a feeling it is about 60-75% of the capacity. I'm testing that theory today.
So far, it has taken the phone from 40% to 63% in 50 minutes. I'll see where it stops and add that to the first post.

gunnyman said:
So wait, turn an altoids tin into a USB charger?
2 AA batteries can charge the phone to capacity? Any idea how many times?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the original developer and kit:
http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/
Basically you are converting 3V to ~5V. If you use 2-2500mAH batteries then you wind up with enough juice to charge the phone about 2/3 of the way (67%).
check out the FAQ on the link above.

Is there room for 4 batteries in the case, rather than 2? I have a good amount of NiMH AAs that I wouldn't mind using, but keeping 4 might let me get more run time between charges.

jdsemler said:
Is there room for 4 batteries in the case, rather than 2? I have a good amount of NiMH AAs that I wouldn't mind using, but keeping 4 might let me get more run time between charges.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is definitely possible to fit four batteries. I have changed the default design to use a set of three batteries but I do have a two battery holder left that I can use for those people who want to carry an extra set of batteries.
I can't make one with a four battery holder because if someone put alkalines in it, it could fry the chip.

hockeyrcks9901 said:
It is definitely possible to fit four batteries. I have changed the default design to use a set of three batteries but I do have a two battery holder left that I can use for those people who want to carry an extra set of batteries.
I can't make one with a four battery holder because if someone put alkalines in it, it could fry the chip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is that? Do you mean if someone tried to charge the alkalinene batteries through the chip?
If you wired series pairs in parallel so you had 3 volts and 5000 mah would that work?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

Does the price include the Altoids mints? j/k Cool idea.

Dani897 said:
Why is that? Do you mean if someone tried to charge the alkalinene batteries through the chip?
If you wired series pairs in parallel so you had 3 volts and 5000 mah would that work?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would fry the chip if four alkaline were put in series. It is possible to do two sets of series in parallel but putting batteries in parallel is very risky. If you replace the batteries with ones that are not perfectly matched, the batteries may be severely damaged and can even "explode". So I'm not going to risk damaging anyone's phone by putting batteries in parallel.
With my tin, I carry an extra set of batteries in the tin and change them when they get low.
back2honda said:
Does the price include the Altoids mints? j/k Cool idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If someone wants them, I have no issue sticking them in a zip-lock but I can't guarantee the safety if eating them after the seal on the package has been broken.

Added an option for lithium without solar and edited shipping costs.
Typos and other gibberish courtesy of Swype

Extended / Travel Battery Idea

I have posted this in other forums, but trying to get a general feel for the public acceptance on this:
I have an extended / travel battery idea.
Imagine this:
A small box about the footprint of our Evo. This box holds 2 of the regular batteries (think side by side flat). It has a normal USB Port on it and a micro USB Port. And maybe a few indicator LEDs. We can then hook this small box to a USB Charger, a Laptop, etc to charge the batteries inside.
Then when our Evo needs more juice, we have one of two options. Either pull out one of the batteries from this small box, or plug via USB cable into this box to charge the battery in our phone from the two batteries on board.
Because we are using stock batteries, the idea would to be make this box available, with and without batteries. Also it would need to work just with one battery installed. That way, people can spend as little or as much as they wanted.
Does anyone know of something like this? Is this something people would be interested in buying if could be purchased cheap enough... Maybe this is something when can petition Seidio to make?

webdude12 said:
Does anyone know of something like this? Is this something people would be interested in buying if could be purchased cheap enough... Maybe this is something when can petition Seidio to make?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thare a lots of things just like that with the exception of them using the HTC battery. Many are smaller than the evo and just have thier own Li-ion batteries in them and recharge via AC or USB. I have one made by energizer.
EDIT: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/

I know there are other options out there as far as being able to charge the phone from a remote battery. The key to my idea is, there have been a few occasions, where being tethered to a remote batter pack just isnt feasible.
With this option, would have the ability to pop out one of the fully charged HTC batteries and replace it in your phone and go on your way. But for things like long plane trips, etc, being tethered back to the battery pack is a great option, without wearing down your in phone battery.
I would think a company like Seidio would offer this for several different phones. The nice thing about the Evo, is its starting to use a standardized battery from HTC, as we see it in more devices.

I like the idea, but I don't think its something that would sell enough to be profitable to produce. Although, I think it would be a fun little project to tackle, I may steel ur idea and try to build a crude one for myself.
Right now, I just have a cheap remote battery charger in my pack, and a couple HTC batteries that are charged. If I can't get to an outlet, I'll swap batteries.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

producing the plastic box really is not that big of deal. Simple mold making stuff can be gotten from a place like Hobby Lobby. My concern is the electronics, i.e. making sure if dual batteries are installed, they do not drain to each other.
I would think with as many devices take this battery, it would be worth making. Right now, we have the following devices:
HTC Evo 4G (SPRINT)
HTC TOUCH PRO2 (Tilt 2)
HTC HERO
HTC DROID INCREDIBLE (VERIZON)
HTC Imagio
HTC Ozone
HTC Snap
And it appears the new HTC Slider that is coming to Verizon will use this battery as well, but thats not confirmed.
So, we 7 devices that are active on a many number of carriers. Thats alot of phones out there, that are potential customers.

Buy a couple of the AC Chargers for the battery casings a contacts ($10 maybe?). Use the Trickle charge circuit (making the voltage appear 3.8-4V) and install a mini usb port. Use a Plastic Hammond case or better still a 2.5" HDD case (cheap and will already have the miniUSB mounted).
Less than $20 before you calculate batteries.... and I hope you have a proper soldering station with a dremel and epoxy.

The idea of this thread is not to home brew this product, but to get enough feedback to see if its a plausible idea to take to one of our trusted manufacturers.
I do love small projects and do have some circuit design experience, soldering Station, etc... But anymore my time is better spent else where.

Cheap chinese cables

My brother bought 2 off ebay... for $8 (IDK if I can post the double facepalm image here, so Ill just leave the placeholder)
П
Apart from having compatibility issues with many devices, and being very short. Can they damage my device?
I am thinking of a cold heat soldering iron, where you have a very high resistance conductors (the chinese cable in my case) and a short thin segment which connects them and which melts (my phone´s battery)

I bought 3 6ft micro usb to usb cables to use with various stuff on eBay for like $5. I haven't had a problem or compatibility issues with anything I've used so far.

Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw with Chinese stuff on ebay. I also have bought cheap cables off ebay and they work perfectly fine. There is a higher probability that the cable's construction will not be as well done as from a legit company manufacturing these cables. With questionable quality work, chances of over heating while charging, and cause of fire may be higher. These issues also can be said about legit cables too where somehow, a faulty one passed QA testing. Usually you probably won't have any problems, but I would assume a chance for issues may be higher for cheaper cables, and cheap anything for that matter.

Better buy directly
I think thats is better buy directly to the chinnesse shop, bad quality but more cheap.

I would not recommend that you use them, because I had a really bad experience bought one such pretty cheap it did not work My advice buy directly from the shop or official distributor.

battery charger
I've stayed away from these as they can supposedly shorten batter life. Not sure if this is verified though.

veriessa system
Charging electronics are in the battery, but maybe a bad charger can give so bad voltage that the electronics cannot filter it out properly.

Some chinese cables are too thin and cause your phone to charge slowly or not at all.

It's cheap but bad quality

Help me to select a portable battery charger for my Galaxy S3 I9300

Hi all!
These days I'm planing to purchase a portable battery charger for my Galaxy S3 I9300. I need to know three things about the portable chargers.
1. What are the features that I should search? Eg: mAh.
2. What is the Galaxy S3 Output Current and Voltage?
3. I search on local market and I found one Energizer power pack. It's 4,000mAh one. It price approximately US $ 80. What are the other good portable battery chargers?
Thanks!

Here's a better/cheaper choice
iBattz BattStation Tough Dual Pro 7200/8400/12000 mAh
8400 mAh = $49.95 & FREE Shipping. (Amazon)

There are so many mobile chargers on the market.
The important things you should take a view on are:
- capacity (compare with the 2,1Ah battery on the S3; but take care, mostly the capacity is calculated in theory, these are not actual values!)
- size
- weight (this point is mostly connected to the capacity, so be aware of that)
- number of devices, which an be charged at the same time)
- time to charge the charger
I think you can use the ratings on amazon to find out a charger, which fits zur demand

The energizer packs are solid, but as mentioned definitely overpriced. I feel like I'm preparing for the apocalypse with the number of these I've purchased over the past few years but they've all come in handy. In the end the company I feel is most reliable is New Trent, who's battery packs also happen to be some of the most affordable.
If that capacity works for you, I'd probably go with the New Trent IMP52D, its 5200mah (which I've found to be pretty accurate with my S2 Skyrocket and S3) and is extremely small considering. Its also only $29.95 shipped. Right now for anything other than trips longer than a weekend I mainly use the Easypack NT70T (y000mAh) because I like the convenience of the built in USB cord for charging, and built in micro-USB for my S3.
They have a few new models I haven't used that look to pack a lot of power into some pretty impressively small packages but most of those are 10,000+mAh and probably not what you're looking for. I own batteries from about six different companies, and New Trent's have definitely been my favorite, take a look on Amazon.

I have this and have no complaints.... 10,000mah for $40 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009USAJCC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1372499185&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
Sent from my GS3

One of the highest capacity battery packs I know of and have tried out is the Limeade. A bit large in size for my liking, but for 18,000 mAh I'm not going to complain. Definitely has juiced up my Nexus 10, 7, and my S3 with no issues.
You can get it off Amazon for about 100 USD.

android addicts said:
Hi all!
These days I'm planing to purchase a portable battery charger for my Galaxy S3 I9300. I need to know three things about the portable chargers.
1. What are the features that I should search? Eg: mAh.
2. What is the Galaxy S3 Output Current and Voltage?
3. I search on local market and I found one Energizer power pack. It's 4,000mAh one. It price approximately US $ 80. What are the other good portable battery chargers?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are many on the market from cheap crap to good quality product, these days you will need the largest mAh you can afford, also consider the brands and what cells it uses (samsung, sanyo, panasonic and hitachi etc.), as many cheap stuff don't meet up their expectations. As for input at least 1A and output at least 2.1A.

android addicts said:
Hi all!
These days I'm planing to purchase a portable battery charger for my Galaxy S3 I9300. I need to know three things about the portable chargers.
1. What are the features that I should search? Eg: mAh.
2. What is the Galaxy S3 Output Current and Voltage?
3. I search on local market and I found one Energizer power pack. It's 4,000mAh one. It price approximately US $ 80. What are the other good portable battery chargers?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this one:KINKOO ,it works well ,i have charged my phone 5 times already and it still has juice in it.the Infinite One has a massive 8,000 mAh capacity and intelligent output control system(no matter which phone use), it can Compatible with all Apple and Android smartphones, Tablets, GoPro Cameras, MP3 Players, Mobile Gaming Devices, Bluetooth Devices, and other USB charged devices.i think that is good,if you like it ,you could check this brand in google.

Best Portable Battery Charger
Hey!
The foremost feature that you should look for is its compatibility with all the devices. Considering the battery capacity is also an important aspect.
The Galaxy S3 output voltage is 5.0V while its output current is 700mAh.
If you are in search of a 4,000mAh portable charger then the one you found is quite costly . Check this one with the same capacity but quiet a low cost i.e Flux Portable Charger.