[Q] Should there be any concern using off brand car chargers.

[marnel47]

I scored a deal somewhere off the web not to long ago for micro usb car chargers for .98 cents free shipping. Didn't have a use then but figured one day I might. The day has come and now I wonder if I need to be concerned with these killing the battery prematurely or not?

 

[LlirasChosen]

Just make sure the voltage and amperage on the device is ok for the phone you're connecting. It won't hurt the battery, but if your using something too low you won't get a charge and if it's too high you'll destroy the device.

 

[motionmind]

You don't really have to worry about it...all USB car plugs should be @ 5VDC (USB standard) even if they are incredibly cheap. Something with 1A output should be great, though this is not the amount that is force-fed to your phone but the max amount the charger can put out (so a 2A one will NOT damage your device & may end up charging the phone faster.)

 

[Entropy512]

Just make sure it's 5 volts and provides at least 700 mA.

Also, if the charger doesn't short D+ and D- together the phone will assume USB charging and drop charge current to 400 mA.

If it's $0.98, then most likely it's only good for 300-400 mA. I know monoprice has some dirt cheap "1A" car chargers that if you open them up, prove to have a current limiting resistor set for around 350-400 mA. About the only time in my life I've been unhappy with a monoprice product.

 

[marnel47]

Thanks guys!