Hardware Is it safe using an USB cable for charging?

[RodrigoDavy]

I have a USB cable for charging the 3DS, in case the charger is not with me. But I noticed that my US 3DS input is 4.6V while I know the USB cable outputs 5V. Sure 4.6V is less than 10% short of 5V. But I am just wondering, could it lower my 3ds's life in some way?

 

[jairo4]

I would want to know this too. I guess there's no problem.

 

[JoostinOnline]

I don't understand, how are you connecting a USB cable to your 3DS?

 

[RodrigoDavy]

I don't understand, how are you connecting a USB cable to your 3DS?

I use this: http://dx.com/p/usb-charging-cable-for-nintendo-3ds-dsill-dsixl-dsi-white-120cm-137541?item=3
I plug one end at the 3ds and the other end on my computer

 

[FireGrey]

It is designed for 3DS so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Snailface]

Best Buy sells them so it should be safe
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/eForCit...bolsp-app04-52?id=1218652675602&skuId=5540343

 

[Walker D]

I have one of these too, but never used it..

I don't know how well it regulates the voltage so, who knows how healthy for the battery it is..
Let's see if someone with more knowledge in electronics (or some experience with this cable) can say something about it

 

[JoostinOnline]

With that small of a difference, I seriously doubt it will harm your battery. Just don't go plugging it into a wall adapter used for phones.

 

[yuyuyup]

I swear to god I think charging w/ my USB charger SOMEHOW gave me my weird jittery stylus bug from a while ago. To recap, everything worked fine while it was charging (even w/ the usb charger,) but when it was running on battery with the brightness on max, dragging the stylus across the screen gave jittery results (so obviously some kind of power issue.) I sent the 3DS XL in to Nintendo for repair, and when I got it back, it was fine; till I charged it with the usb charger, and the problem returned. Since then, I started charging w/ regular charger and all of the sudden the problem vanished. What the fuck.

None of these issues occurred using the same USB charger on a regular old 3DS. Only my XL.

 

[JoostinOnline]

I swear to god I think charging w/ my USB charger SOMEHOW gave me my weird jittery stylus bug from a while ago. To recap, everything worked fine while it was charging (even w/ the usb charger,) but when it was running on battery with the brightness on max, dragging the stylus across the screen gave jittery results (so obviously some kind of power issue.) I sent the 3DS XL in to Nintendo for repair, and when I got it back, it was fine; till I charged it with the usb charger, and the problem returned. Since then, I started charging w/ regular charger and all of the sudden the problem vanished. What the fuck.

None of these issues occurred using the same USB charger on a regular old 3DS. Only my XL.

Check the voltage output on the XL charger. Even though they are interchangeable, there might be a slight difference in voltage.

 

[RodrigoDavy]

None of these issues occurred using the same USB charger on a regular old 3DS. Only my XL.

I heard the 3DS XL needs more power than the regular 3DS. Nintendo even considered using a different charger for it, but they used some method to keep the regular charger working on 3ds.

 

[RodrigoDavy]

Just don't go plugging it into a wall adapter used for phones.

Why not? Already did that and it works. Although, now that you mention it, I remember it was overheating the 3ds last time I used it.

 

[JoostinOnline]

Why not? Already did that and it works. Although, now that you mention it, I remember it was overheating the 3ds last time I used it.

Because that outputs a LOT more than 5 volts.

 

[aos10]

it charge alot faster if you plug it directly in the wall

it take long time if you try to charge through USB

 

[jairo4]

I own one of these cables from dealextreme (the one that have a ds and a dsi plug) and works ok with my 3DS, I used for about a year with my ds lite with no issues.

Because that outputs a LOT more than 5 volts.

No.

 

[Snailface]

Because that outputs a LOT more than 5 volts.

I have a usb wall adapter. Checked the output voltage -- 5 volts.

120V --> Wall Adapter --> 5V --> usb cord --> 5V --> 3ds
The output Amps are 1.2, don't know how that affects things.

 

[RodrigoDavy]

From what was said so far, I guess the small voltage difference problaby wouldn't affect the 3DS.
It was also noted by yuyuyup that using this usb cable for charging a 3ds XL may result in some problems.
JoostinOnline adviced not to use a charger with the usb cable and although it was noted that it has the same voltage as a computer usb port, I still suspect that using usb chargers may result in some problem. I noticed that if you play a game while you charge with a cell phone charger it will overheat the 3ds, I suspect it may be due to the bad quality of the charger I was using. (it may suffer from interference, voltage variations, etc...)

 

[ccr4]

You can charge the 3DS by using the USB cable. But it may have some influence on the battery life. So, better to use charger

 

[yuuna]

never been a problem, i even use a wall charger with USB port.

 

[Pleng]

it charge alot faster if you plug it directly in the wall

it take long time if you try to charge through USB

Uh, no it wont. USB outputs 5volts so if anything it should charge slightly FASTER.

I have a usb wall adapter. Checked the output voltage -- 5 volts.

120V --> Wall Adapter --> 5V --> usb cord --> 5V --> 3ds
The output Amps are 1.2, don't know how that affects things.

Some USB wall adapters can push out more than 5volts. I once fried a phone as I plugged it into an adapter which was supplied with my speakers, which were rated at 9 volts. Ouch!