Hacking Question USB C to USB A cable

[scary_dog]

Can I use this Amazonbasics cable for fusee payload?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01G...b+c+to+usb&dpPl=1&dpID=41wgZRjwXYL&ref=plSrch

 

[Ericthegreat]

I'd like to know as well.

 

[Skiiermike]

Looks like it should work just fine. It's the same rating as the cable I use and it works perfect.

Sent from my SM-N950W using Tapatalk

 

[Shadow LAG]

Make sure it has a 56ohm resistor; otherwise it can brick your switch if the PC tries to charge it. I use a USB C to USB C with my switch and haven't experienced the battery bug some people are getting. Part of me suspects that improper USB cables be contributing to the problem.

EDIT: Nope, don't buy it. One user already reported it is out of spec with the 56ohm resistor:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01GGKYN0A

 

[scary_dog]

EDIT: Nope, don't buy it. One user already reported it is out of spec with the 56ohm resistor:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01GGKYN0A

Can you please suggest me a cable that works? I don't want to purchase pro controller just for the cable. I already have too many Bluetooth controllers.

 

[H1B1Esquire]

Can you please suggest me a cable that works? I don't want to purchase pro controller just for the cable. I already have too many Bluetooth controllers.

https://www.gamestop.com/nintendo-switch/accessories/nintendo-switch-usb-c-charge-cable-used/160078

$7.99 if you're an Elite member; $9.99 otherwise.

 

[Peabutt]

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Anke...668123&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+c+56k+ohm+resistor
(changed link to a better known cable brand)

This should be a little more in line of what you are looking for.

 

[chemistryfreak]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GFAORTS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_dF97AbA85HN6F

I am using this.

 

[Shadow LAG]

Official Nintendo branded cables are your safest bet as stated by H1B1Esquire, or the 56ohm resistor cable Peabutt offered up.

 

[annson24]

Use whatever you want, it's not like you're going to connect the switch to your PC/Android phone for a long period of time. While people around here are very paranoid, I'm using a $5 USB-A to USB-C from miniso for f-g and even for charging my switch. Heck, I sometimes even use an old USB-A to micro USB-A with USB-C adapter if I happen to forget to bring the miniso USB cord.

 

[Shadow LAG]

Use whatever you want, it's not like you're going to connect the switch to your PC/Android phone for a long period of time. While people around here are very paranoid, I'm using a $5 USB-A to USB-C from miniso for f-g and even for charging my switch. Heck, I sometimes even use an old USB-A to micro USB-A with USB-C adapter if I happen to forget to bring the miniso USB cord.

Actually some people around here have an extensive background in IT and Electrical Engineering, not to be confused with paranoia.

This is the worst advice ever. Please disregard any recklessness recommended by other members that are not technically inclined. It only took a single third party dock without a resistor to pop a huge number of switches. Despite how short of a duration you actually use a cable is not of importance. Each time you use the cable, you are pushing voltage through the switch cannot regulate.

 

[re.lax]

Just purchased this one.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01E9W8KYC/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_dp_i2

 

[Ivellios]

Official Nintendo branded cables are your safest bet as stated by H1B1Esquire, or the 56ohm resistor cable Peabutt offered up.

I read somewhere that the update 5.0.1 and 5.0.2 fixed brick by using third party docks and cables, so is this information valid only for old firmwares or did i misunderstood something?

Im asking because i have a Switch on 3.0.2 and now i have no ideia if the usb-c cable for connecting the Switch with PC that i have here is safe or not.

 

[Shadow LAG]

I read somewhere that the update 5.0.1 and 5.0.2 fixed brick by using third party docks and cables, so is this information valid only for old firmwares or did i misunderstood something?

Im asking because i have a Switch on 3.0.2 and now i have no ideia if the usb-c cable for connecting the Switch with PC that i have here is safe or not.

Switches were bricking before the 5.0.0 update, and it just so happened that what ever was in that update allowed it to pop the switch. Regardless if an update fixed the issue with insta-bricking when updating, that is not the concern here. Also the only people claiming the docks were fixed with the latest update are the third party manufactures on damage control. I've not seen Nintendo confirm this anywhere. Just because an unregulated cable doesn't insta-brick with the latest update does not mean it isn't doing damage.

 

[annson24]

Actually some people around here have an extensive background in IT and Electrical Engineering, not to be confused with paranoia.

This is the worst advice ever. Please disregard any recklessness recommended by other members that are not technically inclined. It only took a single third party dock without a resistor to pop a huge number of switches. Despite how short of a duration you actually use a cable is not of importance.

1. The source can only give current of what the load can handle. It doesn't matter what resistance the USB cord has, it doesn't matter what the current rating the source has. The switch will only take what it can.
2. You said it yourself, "It only took a single third party dock," your argument is moot if you're referring to 3rd party dock while discussing 3rd party USB cables. Maybe the dock doesn't regulate voltage and some fluctuations happen. As I said, it's moot.
3. I'm a degree holder in electrical engineering. Not that this is relevant, huh?
4. If you have better explanation, please, I'll be glad to be proven wrong as this same question pops out every now and then.

Edit:

Each time you use the cable, you are pushing voltage through the switch cannot regulate.

Okay this one here is incorrect my friend. Voltage wouldn't rise above what the source is giving just because of the resistance of the cable. If the resistor is in parallel with the load, no voltage drop (or rise) will happen, only current drop. If the resistor is in series with the load (which is very unlikely), there'll be a voltage drop (but still, voltage rise is impossible). So no matter what resistance the cable has, voltage wouldn't rise at all that'll damage the load.

 

[Shadow LAG]

1. The source can only give current of what the load can handle. It doesn't matter what resistance the USB cord has, it doesn't matter what the current rating the source has. The switch will only take what it can.

Actually, the switch will try to pull more than it is allotted without a 56ohm. That's the whole purpose of the resistor is to keep the voltage regulated.

2. You said it yourself, "It only took a single third party dock," your argument is moot if you're referring to 3rd party dock while discussing 3rd party USB cables. Maybe the dock doesn't regulate voltage and some fluctuations happen. As I said, it's moot.

Not moot, this is very valid as it is not just the docks that are the problem, it is the switch itself. That was just an example of what can go wrong when pulling from an unregulated power source. Cables are relevant to this.

3. I'm a degree holder in electrical engineering. Not that this is relevant, huh?
4. If you have better explanation, please, I'll be glad to be proven wrong as this same question pops out every now and then.

I'm happy to help out a fellow technician. Here are the sources, specs, and all data you should need to get up to speed.
Video Media:



News article:
https://www.slashgear.com/nintendo-issues-switch-usb-c-cable-warning-06526394/
https://www.slashgear.com/nintendo-issues-switch-usb-c-cable-warning-06526394/
Technical overview:
https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSw...e_switch_is_not_usbc_compliant_and_overdraws/


And last but not least, Nintendo themselves:
https://support.nintendo.co.jp/app/answers/detail/a_id/34073/p/8664

 

[H1B1Esquire]

I'm just going to drop this here:
everyone is right in their own regard, but let us agree that until someone in this thread bricks from using the wrong cable, everything's okay......until it isn't.

 

[annson24]

-snip-

Look, your first argument you said people around here have extensive background in EE, I know, I'm one of them. But see, now your sources are random youtube videos and sites with no "extensive" explanation.

Another thing, have you watched the videos?

The first one clearly said "if you don't use a cord with rated 56k ohms, not enough power will be drawn to the switch and charging will be slower." This is correct, you'll only charge the switch slower. But it wouldn't brick the console.

2nd video is so wrong it should be removed from youtube. No matter how high of a current the load wants, the source can only draw what it can. Same thing in vice-versa, no matter how high of a current the source can give, the load will only accept what it can.

The next link is the same, no source to backup their claims. Although, I had a good read with the reddit link. But again, this is a problem with the charger and not the usb cord. The switch is rated 5V and 15V. If someone is stupid enough to use voltages other than those two, then no matter what USB cord you use, 3rd party or official Nintendo ones, you'll fry your switch.

The last one I've already seen a few days ago, it's a bit confusing tbh, what "malfunction" are they referring and which "equipment"? Yes we know having different resistance might result in power loss during power transfer, is this the malfunction they are talking about? Still very debatable.

Nintendo should seriously consider giving a clear explanation with this, else confusion will never stop and people will end up just buying their official USB cord. (Nintendo's plan all along?)

TL;DR I disagree.

until someone in this thread bricks from using the wrong cable, everything's okay......until it isn't.

I volunteer as tribute. I'll be this thread's test subject. Give me a few months. If I'm wrong and my switch bricks, I'll update you guys immediately.

 

[Kubas_inko]

99.9% of USB C to USB A 3.0 should work.

 

[Shadow LAG]

Facts with sources

TL;DR I disagree.

Okay, so you disagree with multi-billion dollar companies, a google engineer, a large database of popular tech news sites and documentation showing it CAN and WILL damage your components, but you are still going against the grain?

The first one clearly said "if you don't use a cord with rated 56k ohms, not enough power will be drawn to the switch and charging will be slower." This is correct, you'll only charge the switch slower. But it wouldn't brick the console.

Uh, did you even watch the whole video? That is not even remotely the extent of what was discussed. The video goes on to explain undervolting (starving components) damages your hardware which has clearly been proven already.

Here, read up some more:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/30/amazon-clamps-down-dangerous-usb-c-cables
https://www.cnet.com/news/usb-type-c-cable-problems/
https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/how-to-find-safe-usb-type-c-cables

To everyone else,

Just do your research. You can either take the word of someone on gbatemp that encourages you to just use what ever you want, without any evidence as to why he/she believes the contrary to documented expert analysis, or you can do a simple google search and trust a google engineer (Benson Leung), Nintendo, Cnet, Amazon, and countless other tech / news outlets that will tell you to get a cable with a 56ohm pull up or risk damaging your hardware.