USB Charger cable for N800?

[luketoh]

Hi guys,

http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=137008

Anyone know if this cable can be used to charge the N800 as well? The best is a cable that allows charging AND data transfer.


Luke

[Karel Jansens]

Hi guys,

http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=137008

Anyone know if this cable can be used to charge the N800 as well? The best is a cable that allows charging AND data transfer.


Luke

It should charge, but where are you going to plug the PopPort in?

[luketoh]

Well, that's the problem...I was wondering if there was a version of cable that had the other usb end so that it would be perfect for the N800. If it's the pop port, i think som may find it useful to connect to their nokia handphone?

[Steve O]

Check out boxwave.com. They have a similar cable. It's a USB to power and mini-usb.

[luketoh]

Hi Steve,

Sorry, couldn't find the cable you're talking about. Can you leave a link to it? Thanks!

[Steve O]

http://www.boxwave.com/products/minisync/minisync-retractable-cable-nokia-e62_2097.htm

It's for the e62 which I believe has the same power tip. If not I'll do a little hacking.

[jpj]

Luketoh, here's the BoxWave link:

http://www.boxwave.com/products/minisync/minisync-retractable-cable-nokia-e62_2097.htm

You'll note that it's listed as an accessory for the Nokia E62, which uses the same power and mini-USB connectors as the N800, plus (in the USA) the same Nokia AC-4U charger. So we might expect it to be compatible.

However, my miniSync is NOT working as expected. Although the N800 acknowledges the USB connection, on the other side Windows does not recognize the device. And the power tip seems defective, making and breaking contact intermittently as I wiggle it. This leaves me uncertain about whether the USB problem is a real incompatibility or just another quirk of this defective sample.

I'm waiting for BoxWave to respond to my request for an RMA number.

[bizshop]

Ahoy jpj and all!
It looks like the boxwave thingy is perfect - if the next one is not defective as well. Keep us posted!

[hawkfanz]

Does anyone know why my motorola usb mini car charger won't charge the N800? I tried with my Holux gpslim 240 mini usb charger and that didn't work either. Thanks

[jpj]

hawkfanz, the BoxWave miniSync we're talking about does NOT charge through the USB port. Check the supplied link, and you'll see that aside from the cool retracting form factor, it's equivalent to the Nokia supplied USB-to-miniUSB cable (which doesn't charge the N800 either), with the addition of an extra 5" cable section leading from the miniUSB to a 2mm (approx.) Nokia power tip. That's how they route the juice from your USB power source (wall wart or powered USB port) to the N800's standard power jack. So at least in theory, the cable does double duty: data connection through the miniUSB, and power through the round tip.

[luketoh]

it is advisable to check the polarity with a multimeter before sticking any charging end into the N800. Make sure it is suitable for the N800!

[gsagers]

Just as a reference point for how these charge: I knocked together a USB charger tonight by cutting the tiny Nokia barrel plug off a cheap aftermarket charger I bought (does anybody have a decent source for these plugs?), and chopped the end off a USB cable (doesn't really matter which type, A-B, A-Mini A, etc), then soldered the USB red to positive on the plug, USB black to the negative of the barrel plug, and cut off the green & white from the USB side. Shrink wrap the joints, and you're done. Just be careful to note that the outside (barrel) of the nokia plug is negative, and inside (tip) is positive.

The charger seems to work from the USB port on a PC, a 4AA battery NiMH pack that I put a USB socket on, and the AC-USB and 12V-USB adapers that came with my Holux GPSSlim 236. Should be a very handy charging solution, but unlike the boxwave noted above, this is for power only, not data.

[Steve O]

Update. I got my boxwave mini sync last night and it works perfectly. So again it's listed for the E62 but it charges and gives me the USB connection.

[jpj]

Great news, Steve O, thanks!

[genome4hire]

My el cheapo USB male->Nokia retractable cable purchased from ebay works perfectly. It took about a week to arrive.

It does a great job in charging. The only downside ivé found is that the USB end can get rather warm, but that could be because of the PC that its connected to.

I think all in all, it cost me less than 5 USD (see previous post for ebay link).

[expediter]

Luketoh, here's the BoxWave link:

http://www.boxwave.com/products/minisync/minisync-retractable-cable-nokia-e62_2097.htm

You'll note that it's listed as an accessory for the Nokia E62, which uses the same power and mini-USB connectors as the N800, plus (in the USA) the same Nokia AC-4U charger. So we might expect it to be compatible.

However, my miniSync is NOT working as expected. Although the N800 acknowledges the USB connection, on the other side Windows does not recognize the device. And the power tip seems defective, making and breaking contact intermittently as I wiggle it. This leaves me uncertain about whether the USB problem is a real incompatibility or just another quirk of this defective sample.

I'm waiting for BoxWave to respond to my request for an RMA number.

Just recieved mine today. The USB connection works fine on my box, windoze recognizes it and I am able to transfer files fine.
The power tip is flakey though as you described however it does work once situated properly. I can now charge it at work from my desktop PC. WooHoo :)

[jpj]

Gee, expediter, do you think BoxWave sent you my return? ;~/

[james.bottomtooth]

Gee, expediter, do you think BoxWave sent you my return? ;~/
did yours work fine after the exchange? mine is very very loose... hard to keep it in...

[aganon]

What does it mean exactly when the message area says "Not Charging?"

I plug in my BoxWave MiniSync cable and it says "Charging" and it does so for a few minutes.

And then I get a warning sound and a message "Not Charing." I haven't touched a thing. But it is most assuredly not charging because if I leave it like that the battery wears down and the unit turns itself off.

[jshthomas]

try this one
http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=299

[klinglerware]

So I'm using the miniSync to charge my n800 right now. It looks like it's charging, but the computer I am using to charge the n800 is giving me the warning message "Power surge on hub port". Should I ignore, or am I playing with fire?

[james.bottomtooth]

official Nokia Charger via USB port CA-100
$34.94
http://www.letstalk.com/img/prod/110/32875_pdi.gif

http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=EDITORIAL_356816
http://www.letstalk.com/product/productpop.htm?prId=32875

35 bucks :(
after trying out very flaky boxwave cable i'm ready to go for this one but the price for a simple usb cable is just :eek:

did anyone find a better solution? please.

[Lupin3d]

official Nokia Charger via USB port CA-100
$34.94
http://www.letstalk.com/img/prod/110/32875_pdi.gif

http://www.nokiausa.com/link?cid=EDITORIAL_356816
http://www.letstalk.com/product/productpop.htm?prId=32875

35 bucks :(
after trying out very flaky boxwave cable i'm ready to go for this one but the price for a simple usb cable is just :eek:

did anyone find a better solution? please.

no :( this is the one that really do well it's job.

[chilko]

http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_4860_3.jpg

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4860

here is one for $5.44 with free shipping worldwide. i'm using the site frequently and goods arrive in about two weeks
:)

[gemniii42]

I've dealt with that site in the past. Got the equipment in a few weeks, exchanged emails with the owner about new products.
They've a good rating at resellers.
If you buy 3 of the cables the price drops to $4.63@ plus $1.70 in shipping.

[fpp]

I got mine from Brando :

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12143

Works just fine for my tablets & Nokia phone.

This topic was already discussed at the end of this thread :

http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9901

[johnkzin]

As part of BlackMonday, cellphoneshop.net has a really cheap USB charger kit for $9 + shipping. It includes:

USB to charger cable

Adaptors (incl. nokia adaptor that works with phones that use the same charger as the N800)

A vehicle cigarette lighter plug (so you can use the USB cable in your car, instead of only at a PC).


http://www.cellphoneshop.net/unusbchkitfo.html

I bought 3 (1 cable to carry, 1 cable for the office, 1 cable for home; 1 plug to keep in the car).


(I've ordered other things from them before, and while it took a few days, everything was fine)

[Atarii]

Anyone in the UK wanting a usb Nokia charger can get one from Poundland (guess the price!) It it retractable and comes with connectors for mobile phones (samsung, sony ericsson), has a mini usb connector and has both the large and small nokia charger connectors.

Its a link to the product http://www.xpertonline.co.uk/Item_Detail.asp?ItemID=3400

I've got one myself and can say that it works and you can't really go wrong for £1!

[mulder]

If you really want the Nokia brand, Amazon (sold by ANTOnline) has it for $18.40 + 6.09 shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/Nokia-USB-Charger-%252d-CA%252d100/dp/B000QGF8OQ/

[mulder]

OMG!!! Is this for real?

Nokia Charger Via USB Port CA-100
http://www.vavolo.com/productdetails.asp,ProductID,4497,,.htm
$7.50 + $4 s/h

[petergunn]

$1.66 with free ship?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2538

Update: hasnt arrived yet but I have another one with the yellow tip - doesnt fit - too big - go for the Nokia one instead.

[bartsimpson123844]

Wow, they are practically giving it away at that price. I suppose if you don't have a charger, that should work. I've never seen one before, however.

[mulder]

That price is amazing... but after seeing a cheap Treo usb cable burn up while plugged in my computer, I'm hesitant to use really cheap cables.

I settled on this one:

Kensington USB Power Tips for Nokia Mobile Phones
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=184694

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/kml/EC.KML.24512US.JPG

I ordered it for in-store pickup hoping to score another free $24 gift card. Unfortunately, it was in stock. :p

It also charges my Nokia BH-800 BT headset so I'm happy.

[here.david]

I do not think that is the correct one...if I am not mistaken the correct one is:

DKE-5

Many are on ebay...got mine a while ago, works great, (DKE-5 has both a data cable and the charger cable) however, you maybe interested in the USB charger I just got for my N82 as it also charges the N770, which I assume is the same for the N800.

The difference with the DKE-5 is I can both charge and do data on the N770 with the usb cable I can only do one or the other. Smaller lighter can charge from PC/Laptop/Auto/Wall/Solar for traveling.

When at home I use the DKE-5 so I ssh into the N770 while it is charging, download/upload, root, etc., without worrying about the battery.:o

[Nutz]

That price is amazing... but after seeing a cheap Treo usb cable burn up while plugged in my computer, I'm hesitant to use really cheap cables.

I settled on this one:

Kensington USB Power Tips for Nokia Mobile Phones
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=184694

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/kml/EC.KML.24512US.JPG

I ordered it for in-store pickup hoping to score another free $24 gift card. Unfortunately, it was in stock. :p

It also charges my Nokia BH-800 BT headset so I'm happy.


It simply cannot be possible for a USB cable to 'burn up' - the current drawn is miniscule from a N8xx. Something else caused it to fail

[mulder]

It simply cannot be possible for a USB cable to 'burn up' - the current drawn is miniscule from a N8xx. Something else caused it to fail

All I can say is that the usb port and the Treo 650 worked before the cheap cable and they both work more than a year later without incident.

[TheGogmagog]

Just to be clear, I don't think you can charge the Nokia through the micro-B usb input (I tried my motorola razor charger). You need a USB-A to a Nokia E-61 connector.

I got the USB to Nokia retractable cable (http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+Battery+BP-5L+charger+Nokia+E61&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7RNWE), charger and two spare batteries (reduced battery life from the original). This cost about $14 and about two weeks.

Also for an FYI, I just found out You can't put spare batteries in checked baggage. (http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html) You must carry them on.

[gemniii42]

Just to be clear, I don't think you can charge the Nokia through the micro-B usb input (I tried my motorola razor charger). You need a USB-A to a Nokia E-61 connector.

I got the USB to Nokia retractable cable (http://www.google.com/search?q=ebay+Battery+BP-5L+charger+Nokia+E61&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7RNWE), charger and two spare batteries (reduced battery life from the original). This cost about $14 and about two weeks.

Also for an FYI, I just found out You can't put spare batteries in checked baggage. (http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html) You must carry them on.

Read the link - That's for Lithium batteries.

[bartsimpson123844]

Read the link - That's for Lithium batteries.

Uhh, duh, that is what the Internet Tablets use....Li-po batteries (Lithium-Polymer).

[cool_guy]

I'm using the Poundland usb charger adaptor hooked to a 5V PC's Power Unit. It charges but battery never gets full. The multimeter show smaller current on the USB charger than the nokia's original charger. I also suspect that nokia uses pulse current not steady DC but I got osciloscope to see for sure.
My wories are that the tablet might expect a certain type of input.
Wrong charging mode might be less optimal for battery life time in general.

Any comments?

[GeraldKo]

... cellphoneshop.net has a really cheap USB charger kit ... It includes:

USB to charger cable

Adaptors (incl. nokia adaptor that works with phones that use the same charger as the N800)

A vehicle cigarette lighter plug (so you can use the USB cable in your car, instead of only at a PC).


http://www.cellphoneshop.net/unusbchkitfo.html

I bought 3 (1 cable to carry, 1 cable for the office, 1 cable for home; 1 plug to keep in the car).
johnkzin (or anyone else who bought this combo charger kit): has it worked out well? For AC, car, and off powerpack or usb?

Same kit is available (http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7101) now at dealextreme for $6.60.

I'm considering buying one but I'm concerned about frying my Tablet -- any chance of that?

[cool_guy]

Just adding to my previous post that my concerns also apply to most other 3rd party (especially cheap ones) as they simply route usb 5V DV to the tablet.
It may be ok - may be not.
Depends on details in tablet/charger design, e.g. some bigger controller parts might be in the charger, not in the tablet cuz it's more cost effective.

[cool_guy]

Confirming that nokia charger (original) doesn't produce DC current (not clean DC at least).
I connected headphones and hear high pitched sound, while DC should be silent and cllick on connection only. Can't say much more without an osciloscope but I'll refrain from using my usb chagher. It either never managed to fully charge or just messed up tablet's charger status.
Either way I never saw "Fully charged" mesage even after leaving to chaarge over night in off mode (but tabllet worked for the whole day after).

[jgombos]

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4860

here is one for $5.44 with free shipping worldwide. i'm using the site frequently and goods arrive in about two weeks
:)
I agree. Also, this one is even better:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7087

http://www.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_7087_1.jpg

It's more versatile. Comes with a car/AC dual charger for a dollar more. The Nokia tip matches the n800 - I tested it.

[mityak]

USB cahrger CA-100 $0.01 - $1.00 on eBay:o

[sh1v]

I was thinking about hacking up the adapter that shipped with the n800 and just attaching a female USB connector on the other end. Has anybody tried this?

[gemniii42]

One point about the third party nokia tips from China, I've 4 sets and they are all a slightly smaller diameter than that which comes with the tablet. I have to "wiggle" them to get a connection, and if they are bumped they usually lose connection. Whereas my OEM does not.

[johnkzin]

One point about the third party nokia tips from China, I've 4 sets and they are all a slightly smaller diameter than that which comes with the tablet. I have to "wiggle" them to get a connection, and if they are bumped they usually lose connection. Whereas my OEM does not.

Yup. I've had that problem.

But, then, I had that problem with the one I mentioned above, another one (that's retractable), AND with the actual Nokia wall-wart charger. That's one of many reasons why I'd like to see the death of custom charging solutions.

Charge via ((Mini|Micro)-)?USB connectors only, thank you.

Somehow, I doubt we'll see that in the next NIT design, though.

[jgombos]

I suspect it's the outer diameter that's at issue. Has anyone tried dropping some silver solder on the outer connector to tighten it?