[MOD] Android Charging Cable ★..:∞ Use Any USB Charger (Even Apple's) ∞:..★

[TheByteSmasher]

[MOD] Android Charging Cable ★..:∞ Use Any USB Charger (Even Apple's) ∞:..★

This thread is being created to summarize and condense all the knowledge on the interwebs about charging the Nexus 7 and various other Android Devices.

***I have been told this works for a variety of Nexus/Samsung Galaxy/Blackberry/General Android devices.***

The Google Nexus 7, 10 & 4 (Plus a myriad of other Micro USB devices) will charge from any USB, car or powerbug charger, including those designed for Apple products.

That being said, let's discuss why there are so may issues with chargers/charging with the N7. In order to do that, we need to look at the USB specifications. If you don't care about the technical aspects, feel free to skip ahead to Post #3 (I won't be offended) but please don't ask any questions that are clearly answered here as they tend to clog up a thread.

From Wikipedia:
The USB Battery Charging Specification of 2007 defines new types of USB ports, e.g., charging ports.[48] As compared to standard downstream ports, where a portable device can only draw more than 100 mA current after digital negotiation with the host or hub, charging ports can supply currents above 500 mA without digital negotiation. A charging port supplies up to 500 mA at 5 V, up to the rated current at 3.6 V or more, and drop its output voltage if the portable device attempts to draw more than the rated current. The charger port may shut down if the load is too high.

So basically, The Nexus 7 with a standard micro USB cable with the data (inner) pins not shorted will default to a 500mA charging status using a generic/Apple Charger. You still will NOT CHARGE properly even with a 2.1A generic/Apple USB charger. I discovered that even with the N7 powered off and plugged into a 2.1A car charger not only didn't it charge but I'm pretty sure it drained the battery somewhat too.

So What is the Solution? Create/Modify a standard USB cable to allow the N7 to charge from any USB port! Even one that supplies less than 2.1A.
The only downside is that this cable will be incapable of data transfer.

Some generic chargers will work, however, if it says designed for iPad/Apple, chances are you'll need the modded cable.

I have built some of these cables and will show you how to build one yourself using the wonderful tool that is digital photography... Please excuse my less than wonderful photographic skills. Read on for instructions and Photos!

UPDATE: Android 4.2's Kernel has enabled charging without these cables (&$^#&%*!). They still will be useful for other devices on older versions of Android.

 

[TheByteSmasher]

The History

So, I looked forever to find a solution. The Targus Universal USB Car Charger (2.1A) has a small (3") adapter cable that comes with it, ostensibly for the Galaxy Tab. That little cable also allows the N7 to be charged from ANY 2A car charger. I was using the adapter with a Scosche reVOLT c2 - Dual 10 Watt (2.1A) USB Car Charger (low-profile) Model# USBC202M

This is the Targus adapter connected to the charger and a standard USB cable.

After some research I discovered the information located in the OP and decided to modify some of my USB cables to work as charging only cables for the N7. This cuts down on the clutter on my dashboard and I don’t need to use an adapter to charge.:victory:​

 

[TheByteSmasher]

The Method


The method is fairly simple assuming you have a basic working knowledge of wire stripping, soldering and such.

The Materials Required::

• A Micro USB Cable
• A Soldering Iron
• Electrical Solder
• 14 & 28 AWG Stranded Wire (American Wire Gauge) Strippers (A really sharp pocket knife and steady hands can be used instead, but it's harder)
• Electrical Tape -OR- Liquid Electrical Tape
• Heat Shrink Tubing (1/4" to shrink to 1/8")
• A Heat Gun (A lighter will work but this is very tricky and dangerous and NOT recommended, Try a very Hot Hairdryer instead)

ENSURE THE USB CABLE IS COMPLETELY UNPLUGGED PRIOR PERFORMING ANY WORK

• First cut the USB cable in two. I recommend cutting it about 3/4 the way down toward the micro (Device) end.

• Strip about 1 inch of both ends of the USB cable (usually 14 AWG Stranded). If the cable is good quality you may find both bare wire and foil shielding around the 4 wire bundle.
• If present, unwrap and cut off both foil and bare wire.
• On the charger ended cable, Strip a bit off of the Red and Black wires (see photos) and shorten but don’t strip the Green and White wires.

• If you are using Heat-Shrink (Highly Recommended) slide it over the USB cable before making any connections. A 3 inch piece should be more than sufficient. Just remember it needs to cover both the job and a bit of the unbroken cable on each end to ensure a good fit and protection.

• On the device ended cable (micro) Strip a bit of wire off the end of all four of the wires.
• On the device ended cable (micro) Twist and solder the GREEN and WHITE wires together.

• Reconnect the 2 cable halves as follows:
o Twist the Black wires together and solder. I prefer to do it straight as in the photo but side to side works too, it’s just bulkier.
o Twist the Red wires together and solder.
o REMEMBER: Only a small amount of solder is required. The bigger the blob, the worse the job.

• Now you have a choice: You can lightly coat the soldered joints in liquid electrical tape (recommended) or wrap them individually in standard electrical tape. Standard electrical tape is trickier to use since the wires are so small. Since it’s only 5V, not a lot is required. For the liquid (dries in 5 minutes) I did 2 light coats to ensure I coated all exposed wire.

• Now place the wires next to each other and either:
o Slide the Heat-Shrink over the entire break, ensuring you have covered some unbroken cable on each end and apply a heat with a heat gun or a hairdryer on hot. Don’t hold the heat source too close or you can melt either your USB cable or the heat shrink. Use a sweeping back and forth motion for best results. -OR-
o Wrap the entire job in electrical tape, ensuring to have covered at least ½ inch of cable on each end. Wrap with overlapping wraps (spiral like) from one end of the break to the other and then without cutting the tape, reverse and still using the overlapping wraps, wrap back to the starting point.

• That’s it! The completed cable should look like this

 

[TheByteSmasher]

The Test

To test this I used a Belkin Surge Suppressor with 2 USB charging outlets. I believe the amperage rating of the charging ports is only 0.5A each.

As you can see, using an unmodified USB cable, The Nexus wouldn’t charge:

Using the Modified USB Cable, Viola!

REMEMBER: Even though the Nexus 7 will draw current from less than 2.1A chargers, They may not provide sufficient current to charge your Nexus while in use. I used the 0.5A charger as an example. I created this cable for use in my car on the 2.1A cigarette lighter plug-in.

I hope this has helped you

 

[TheByteSmasher]

<Reserved>

 

[Flowyk]

and now the guide to make it for pogo pins!

 

[TheByteSmasher]

pogo pins

and now the guide to make it for pogo pins!

I'm working on that one.

 

[Prostheta]

I am waiting on delivery of a batch of PCBs for a pogo pin charger based on the N7 dock.

 

[TheByteSmasher]

Re: [MOD] Android Charging Cable ★..:∞ Use Any USB Charger (Even Apple's) ∞:..★

I am waiting on delivery of a batch of PCBs for a pogo pin charger based on the N7 dock.

Oooh... from what source?

Sent from my Nexus 4 or 7

 

[2kst]

I ordered these at a Forum member suggestion, from Monoprice dot com. They work perfect either with the factory charger or a Nook Color charger:
5457 3ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/24AWG Cable w/ Ferrite Core (Gold Plated) $1.10. I bought 3 @1.10 each and $3.30 shipping for total of 6.95. They also worked with my Samsung phone.
..

 

[TheByteSmasher]

Re: [MOD] Android Charging Cable ★..:∞ Use Any USB Charger (Even Apple's) ∞:..★

I ordered these at a Forum member suggestion, from Monoprice dot com. They work perfect either with the factory charger or a Nook Color charger:
5457 3ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/24AWG Cable w/ Ferrite Core (Gold Plated) $1.10. I bought 3 @1.10 each and $3.30 shipping for total of 6.95. They also worked with my Samsung phone.
..

Not bad!

Sent from my Nexus 4 or 7

 

[Prostheta]

Oooh... from what source?

Sent from my Nexus 4 or 7

Custom fab. It's basically an N7 dock circuit but slimmed down so it can be used in thin frames. I have a few designs I want to try out for custom wooden docks.

 

[TheByteSmasher]

Re: [MOD] Android Charging Cable ★..:∞ Use Any USB Charger (Even Apple's) ∞:..★

Custom fab. It's basically an N7 dock circuit but slimmed down so it can be used in thin frames. I have a few designs I want to try out for custom wooden docks.

I had a similar idea.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ineedaname]

I don't get something. Maybe I'm missing something but wouldn't it be a lot easier to just solder the two pins inside the USB connector head?

 

[TheByteSmasher]

I don't get something. Maybe I'm missing something but wouldn't it be a lot easier to just solder the two pins inside the USB connector head?

Depends on what you find easy... I think that working with wires is easier and neater when done... It's harder to cut open the USB head and then uglier when done and you need to be MORE careful when you solder and you're working with smaller bits... Your choice though...

 

[ineedaname]

Question.

Would there be any problems with me shorting the two data pin outs on the charger side?

 

[TheByteSmasher]

Question.

Would there be any problems with me shorting the two data pin outs on the charger side?

Technically, no.

 

[ineedaname]

Depends on what you find easy... I think that working with wires is easier and neater when done... It's harder to cut open the USB head and then uglier when done and you need to be MORE careful when you solder and you're working with smaller bits... Your choice though...

Anyway I took a pic of a plug to show u what i meant by shorting the plug because I don't think u knew what I meant. Basically soldering where the red line is. I think it would probably easier this way than cutting up the wire.

 

[TheByteSmasher]

Anyway I took a pic of a plug to show u what i meant by shorting the plug because I don't think u knew what I meant. Basically soldering where the red line is. I think it would probably easier this way than cutting up the wire.

Seems to me you stand the chance of damaging your USB outlet this way...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[etgcm]

Not pretty but easy and works great. Thanks for the information.