eGo USB Rapid USB Charger

[Oriana871]

Does anyone have any issues charging batteries with the USB Charger? I've always used it with the plug adapter quite fine, but the plug adapter just went south on me and... charging through my computer doesn't seem to work. Is it agonizingly slow for most of you? Does it eventually charge? Thanks.

 

[stew5150]

Mine does, and it does seem slower. One suggestion would be to make sure it's not plugged into a usb hub as those may not provide as much power as a dedicated usb port.

 

[Smile n' shine]

From personal experience, I don't recommend it (suspected battery issues). It is slower, but get an adapter asap if possible.

 

[Oriana871]

Thanks. Problem seems to be with my computer, switched to the laptop and got a charge.

 

[X P3 Flight Engineer]

Thanks. Problem seems to be with my computer, switched to the laptop and got a charge.

It's possible that your laptop has USB2 and your computer doesn't. USB2 was designed with different power parameters and is able to charge most things.

 

[ChellyNelly]

Haven't had issues with mine.

 

[slojas]

I have a 420MaH and 450Mah Ego charger and they will both act like they are broken if the USB source doesn't provide enough voltage and clean current.
Computer USB ports on the front draw power from a connector on the corner of the motherboard, the quaility of the motherboard and powersupply wil dictate if this USB output will be a true ripple free 5V or a very poorly regulated 4ish volts with terrible ripple and noise in the sine wave.

 

[Kevofar]

ever since I blew out a usb port with my 650 mAH ego battery I dont plug into ports. I plug into powered hub or plug, mostly plug

 

[slojas]

ever since I blew out a usb port with my 650 mAH ego battery I dont plug into ports. I plug into powered hub or plug, mostly plug

One of the biggest problems with cheaper power supplies is terrible 5v output, almost all pre-built computers come with a sub standard 20 dollar power supply that can barely handle half its rated current output, same goes for those OMG 1000WATT! power supplies that only cost 30 bucks, they will barely handle half their rated output and have terrible regulation.

Laptops have better quality power supply components because of strict battery management needs and power supply/charger minimum specs that need to be met, this all results in a more stable 5v current from the USB outputs.

If anyone wants to use their desk top computers USB ports for charging or pass through, make certain you have a quality power supply, a cheap looking tin thing claiming 350watts output will not do the job, Look into more reputable brands like Antec or Thermaltake, the money needed is in the 45 to 50 dollar range but in return you get a much more reliable power supply that won't suddenly crap out and kill your motherboard and have 5 volt rails that can actually handle a load.

You really get what you pay for when shopping for PC power supplies, keep this in mind if are planning to use PC ports to power PV equipment.

I just looked up the 5V specs on my computers power supply, It's tested to deliver a maximum of 16amps or 80watts on the 5V(21.4mV ripple/noise), thats like a 16000MaH wall adapter so it's fair to say it could handle a couple chargers or so.