Hardware Is it safe using an USB cable for charging?

[sweis12]

Glad someone who knows what they're talking about is commenting here.

Just for the record, no USB wall charger that's anywhere near spec will output MORE than 5 volts. The spec for USB, and for its wall chargers, is ALWAYS 5 volts. The current (amperage) varies, but the voltage is ALWAYS 5 volts.

And as far as the current goes, a power source is rated for how much current something can "draw" from it. That is, the power source isn't "forcing" a higher current and cannot fry something that's rated for less than the power source's current rating. In fact, you never want to use a power source rated for less than the device states — you will probably break something or start a fire.

All models of 3DS and New 3DS (as well as DS and DS Lite) are certainly capable of charging at 5 volts, and a cell phone charger would be more than adequate. The fact that it's rated for 4.6 volts officially isn't an issue because (and ONLY because) its integrated voltage regulators can handle a much wider range than "just" 4.6 volts. What WOULDN'T be adequate would be, for example, a bluetooth headset charger that outputs less than 500 mA — you'll probably damage or burn something, because the required current isn't high enough. Or someone mentioned their speakers' AC adapter outputs 9 volts which would also certainly burn a 3DS. But I can guarantee that such an adapter wouldn't be within USB spec, and should not have a USB port on it in the first place.

The 3DS's charging circuit is well-designed, and minor flaws and issues regarding charging voltage won't make a difference. Don't screw around with the power you provide to just any charging circuit, though. A poorly designed lithium ion battery charger can certainly cause a big, big fire.

I can assure you that a samsung fast charger outputs 9v at 1.67 amps at its max speed. Its not ALWAYS 5 volts.

 

[Xiphiidae]

~snip~

 

[cybrian]

I can assure you that a samsung fast charger outputs 9v at 1.67 amps at its max speed. Its not ALWAYS 5 volts.

Even then, the phone has to ask the charger for a higher voltage. The charger starts out providing 5 volts and only switches to 9 when a device that is plugged in tells the charger it can handle it. Also, this is out of USB spec entirely, which is why it needs to negotiate with the phone first.

 

[leonmagnus99]

it is defintely safe, i have been using USB to charge my 3ds'es for years now.

my og and n3ds, i use USB with those USB adaptor's and plug it in the wall ,works a charm never harms.

 

[sweis12]

Alright. I used a charge doctor to see what the 3DS would draw when plugged into a Samsung 2 amp charger.
Guess what.... It drew 4.7-4.9v at 800-900mA.....
The official 3ds charger is rated at (not actually tested though) at 4.6v at 900mA
The 3DS only drew what it needed, there will be no ill affects if you use a USB charger, even plugged into a beefy supply.

 

[nguyentuanphu]

it is totally fine, i have been using it ever since i bought the N3ds, it has been 1,5 years already. No problems so far

 

[regnad]

I use this snazzy one with an iPhone plug thing. Never had a problem.

http://www.dx.com/p/project-usb-pow...s-3dsll-3dsxl-black-150cm-261837#.V0ER-vTXfCQ

 

[cybrian]

Alright. I used a charge doctor to see what the 3DS would draw when plugged into a Samsung 2 amp charger.
Guess what.... It drew 4.7-4.9v at 800-900mA.....
The official 3ds charger is rated at (not actually tested though) at 4.6v at 900mA
The 3DS only drew what it needed, there will be no ill affects if you use a USB charger, even plugged into a beefy supply.

I just want to clarify something: the charger supplied 4.7-4.9v, the 3DS drew 800-900 mA. The voltage is regulated by the power source, and the amperage is what that which is plugged into the power source is pulling from it.

If you managed to plug a 120v AC cord into your 3DS and measured it, for example, you'd see 120v and then fire. Not sure how many amps it would draw there, though.

 

[sweis12]

I just want to clarify something: the charger supplied 4.7-4.9v, the 3DS drew 800-900 mA. The voltage is regulated by the power source, and the amperage is what that which is plugged into the power source is pulling from it.

If you managed to plug a 120v AC cord into your 3DS and measured it, for example, you'd see 120v and then fire. Not sure how many amps it would draw there, though.

A fuse would pop, or the battery would explode. It would draw nothing [emoji14]

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[wurstpistole]

I also have such a cable to load it with my phone charger. No problem.

 

[nl255]

Alright. I used a charge doctor to see what the 3DS would draw when plugged into a Samsung 2 amp charger.
Guess what.... It drew 4.7-4.9v at 800-900mA.....
The official 3ds charger is rated at (not actually tested though) at 4.6v at 900mA
The 3DS only drew what it needed, there will be no ill affects if you use a USB charger, even plugged into a beefy supply.

However that is not always the case. For example, I have one of those backup USB batteries and it specifically says not to recharge it with a charger rated for more than 1 amp. Presumably because it will try to draw more current than it can handle and it is easier/cheaper to add a warning to the instructions rather than add a current limiter to the charging circuit.

 

[sweis12]

However that is not always the case. For example, I have one of those backup USB batteries and it specifically says not to recharge it with a charger rated for more than 1 amp. Presumably because it will try to draw more current than it can handle and it is easier/cheaper to add a warning to the instructions rather than add a current limiter to the charging circuit.

I would not use a battery bank that can not regulate it's power. I'm sure that's not the only corner that they cut, and I would not trust it with my relatively expensive electornics.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[WiiUBricker]

The regular 3DS chargers output 4.6 volts at 900mA. I have a portable powerbank that outputs 5V at 2.4A. That's almost thrice more amperes. Is it safe to use this on my 3DS?

 

[pwsincd]

the device will only use the power it needs not all of it..

 

[TariqSoftDev]

One thing , the 3DS battery is designed for the 3DS CHARGER, not 3rd party chargers that deliver a different voltage, it may work but theres always a reason for everything, unless your fine with shortening your battery charge cycles and maybe damaging your 3DS , use a original 3DS charger they're like £10-£15(aprox $13-$18) saves you from going on the hunt for a genuine battery and buying 10 dodgy batteries

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

The regular 3DS chargers output 4.6 volts at 900mA. I have a portable powerbank that outputs 5V at 2.4A. That's almost thrice more amperes. Is it safe to use this on my 3DS?

Yeah if you want to damage your 3DS, the powerbank is 1.5 amperes higher , the standard charger delivers 3.78 Watts power and your powerbank delivers 12.5 Watts, now what do you think is safe?

 

[The Real Jdbye]

The regular 3DS chargers output 4.6 volts at 900mA. I have a portable powerbank that outputs 5V at 2.4A. That's almost thrice more amperes. Is it safe to use this on my 3DS?

Read a few posts above yours, which answers your question.
tl;dr yes, it's perfectly safe.

 

[WiiUBricker]

Read a few posts above yours, which answers your question.
tl;dr yes, it's perfectly safe.

Yeah if you want to damage your 3DS, the powerbank is 1.5 amperes higher , the standard charger delivers 3.78 Watts power and your powerbank delivers 12.5 Watts, now what do you think is safe?

the device will only use the power it needs not all of it..

Well, the reports are conflicting.

 

[mchew]

the device will only use the power it needs not all of it..

Just like if you put a 60 watt light bulb in your lamp it will only draw 60 watts from the outlet, but if you put a 100 watt bulb in your lamp it will draw 100 watts even though the outlet is capable of outputting much more wattage.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Well, the reports are conflicting.

Wrong post. @sweis12 actually tested it, so that's the person you should trust.

 

[simon66]

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

No it wont. You clearly have no clue what you're saying.

Wall Charger = 4.6v @ 900ma
USB Charger = 5.0v @ 500ma (You might not even get the full 500ma) <--- This of course if you plugged it to a PC

Wall charger is clearly faster than USB Charger
No wonder you fried your phone

PS: I just noticed that was a comment from 2012.... oopps
Also @weis12 plugged it to a samsung charger (which outputs at 2A). Then your 3DS will charge at the needed amperage (which is 900ma). Now he had plugged it to a computer, it will draw at most 500ma (Assuming hes using USB 2.0)