Question about car chargers

K

Ken

Guest
I have a few various car chargers that accept USB cables, attaching to
various devices with a mini-USB connector. Each has its own output,
from 500 mA to 1000 mAmps. I just purchased a new device (Callaway uPro
GPS). Its car charger has an output of 500 mA.

Can I use one of the units with higher or lower output to charge the
battery? Is the highest charge rate determined by the battery or the
charger? It is a PITA to always try to find the original charger
amongst all of the gear I carry. I would prefer some options!

Thanks
Ken K
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Ken wrote:
I have a few various car chargers that accept USB cables, attaching to
various devices with a mini-USB connector. Each has its own output,
from 500 mA to 1000 mAmps. I just purchased a new device (Callaway uPro
GPS). Its car charger has an output of 500 mA.

Can I use one of the units with higher or lower output to charge the
battery? Is the highest charge rate determined by the battery or the
charger? It is a PITA to always try to find the original charger
amongst all of the gear I carry. I would prefer some options!

Thanks
Ken K
Real automobile batteries need to have a charger that can deliver 10
Click to expand...
amps or more; trying to use a USB port or equivalent for that function
is not a bright thing to do...
 
Robert Baer said the following on 7/31/2009 8:57 PM:
Ken wrote:
I have a few various car chargers that accept USB cables, attaching to
various devices with a mini-USB connector. Each has its own output,
from 500 mA to 1000 mAmps. I just purchased a new device (Callaway
uPro GPS). Its car charger has an output of 500 mA.

Can I use one of the units with higher or lower output to charge the
battery? Is the highest charge rate determined by the battery or the
charger? It is a PITA to always try to find the original charger
amongst all of the gear I carry. I would prefer some options!

Thanks
Ken K
Real automobile batteries need to have a charger that can deliver 10
amps or more; trying to use a USB port or equivalent for that function
is not a bright thing to do...
Thanks for the reply but I must not have been clear in my post. My
Click to expand...
question revolves around small electronic equipment (bluettoth speakers,
camera batteries, GPS batteries, etc.) that can be charged in a car. I
have a collection of 5-6 of these varying in output from 250 mA to
1000mA and the question is whether I can use a charger of higher output
to charge one of lower output (is there a maximum built into most
devices to use just what is needed) or is that a dangerous process?

Thanks
Ken K
 
Ken wrote:
Robert Baer said the following on 7/31/2009 8:57 PM:
Ken wrote:
I have a few various car chargers that accept USB cables, attaching
to various devices with a mini-USB connector. Each has its own
output, from 500 mA to 1000 mAmps. I just purchased a new device
(Callaway uPro GPS). Its car charger has an output of 500 mA.

Can I use one of the units with higher or lower output to charge the
battery? Is the highest charge rate determined by the battery or the
charger? It is a PITA to always try to find the original charger
amongst all of the gear I carry. I would prefer some options!

Thanks
Ken K
Real automobile batteries need to have a charger that can deliver 10
amps or more; trying to use a USB port or equivalent for that function
is not a bright thing to do...
Thanks for the reply but I must not have been clear in my post. My
question revolves around small electronic equipment (bluettoth speakers,
camera batteries, GPS batteries, etc.) that can be charged in a car. I
have a collection of 5-6 of these varying in output from 250 mA to
1000mA and the question is whether I can use a charger of higher output
to charge one of lower output (is there a maximum built into most
devices to use just what is needed) or is that a dangerous process?

Thanks
Ken K
The major problems to consider are (1) is the connector compatible
Click to expand...
physically and electrically, and (2) is the voltage output of the (car
plugin) adapter compatible with the device to be powered (eg: a 6V
device but a 9V regulated output adapter).
As long as the adapter can handle at least the load rating of the
device, the above applies; if the device is specified to draw (say)
100mA, an adapter that can supply only 10mA cannot power the device and
may be damaged if used in those conditions. However, if the adapter can
supply (up to) 10 amps, then all is OK; the device will only draw 100mA
and the adapter will run as if there was no load.
 
Robert Baer said the following on 8/2/2009 4:13 PM:
Ken wrote:
Robert Baer said the following on 7/31/2009 8:57 PM:
Ken wrote:
I have a few various car chargers that accept USB cables, attaching
to various devices with a mini-USB connector. Each has its own
output, from 500 mA to 1000 mAmps. I just purchased a new device
(Callaway uPro GPS). Its car charger has an output of 500 mA.

Can I use one of the units with higher or lower output to charge the
battery? Is the highest charge rate determined by the battery or
the charger? It is a PITA to always try to find the original
charger amongst all of the gear I carry. I would prefer some options!

Thanks
Ken K
Real automobile batteries need to have a charger that can deliver
10 amps or more; trying to use a USB port or equivalent for that
function is not a bright thing to do...
Thanks for the reply but I must not have been clear in my post. My
question revolves around small electronic equipment (bluettoth
speakers, camera batteries, GPS batteries, etc.) that can be charged
in a car. I have a collection of 5-6 of these varying in output from
250 mA to 1000mA and the question is whether I can use a charger of
higher output to charge one of lower output (is there a maximum built
into most devices to use just what is needed) or is that a dangerous
process?

Thanks
Ken K
The major problems to consider are (1) is the connector compatible
physically and electrically, and (2) is the voltage output of the (car
plugin) adapter compatible with the device to be powered (eg: a 6V
device but a 9V regulated output adapter).
As long as the adapter can handle at least the load rating of the
device, the above applies; if the device is specified to draw (say)
100mA, an adapter that can supply only 10mA cannot power the device and
may be damaged if used in those conditions. However, if the adapter can
supply (up to) 10 amps, then all is OK; the device will only draw 100mA
and the adapter will run as if there was no load.
I think I am OK, then. The latest device is a GPS which has a draw for
Click to expand...
recharging the battery of 500 mA. I have 750 and 1000 mA adapters which
match the voltage, so what you are saying is that the device which
needs 500 mA for recharging will only draw 500 mA of either the 750 or
1000 mA chargers, as I read what you say.

Thanks for your input (no pun intended)
Ken K
 
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