New Trent, 15W 5V@3.1A Dual USB port car charger - B1G1 at $10.95 from Amazon

Quote from rsveteran : So basically what you guys are saying is that there are two types of USB cables, data+charging (slower charging), and charging only (faster charging), and the one included with this charger is the data+charging kind? Oh, and deal is dead btw.

There are three different kinds of cables (someone correct me if I am wrong)

Data + Charging - All 4 wires (2 power wires and 2 data wires) are present and not shorted, so it depends on the charger and the device how many amps will be delivered. If the device is connected to a USB source, it will detect that the computer's data wires are not shorted, so it will only draw 0.5 amp ("USB Setting"). If the device is connected to a charger that has its data wires shorted, the device will detect the data connection is shorted, and it will be on the "AC Setting", which generally means it can draw more than 0.5 amps.

Charging Only, Data Wires Shorted - This charging cable has its data wires shorted, it's a signal that tells the device that it can draw more than 0.5 amps.

Charging Only Cable, Data Wires Missing - Well this is a crippled cable, since the data wires are missing, it isn't possible that the device can detect that it is shorted. There's no way for the device to know if the charge source can deliver more than 0.5 amps, so it goes into USB charging mode and only draws 0.5 amps.


The above applies to non-apple devices. Apple devices and some other manufacturers use resistors within the charger. Through data wires, apple devices detect a proper resistance across that circuit and knows how many amps it can draw. This New Trent charger is made for Apple devices, so for Android devices it doesn't charge at the fast-rate by default using any regular cable.

Simply: Using this charger, for android devices, you need a cable that has its data wires shorted. For apple devices, use the apple charging cable and it should work as advertise.

[Someone please correct me if I have my details wrong]

Your post made a LOT of sense, thanks.

Quote from r2d2 : Simply: Using this charger, for android devices, you need a cable that has its data wires shorted. For apple devices, use the apple charging cable and it should work as advertise.

Do you know where I could buy these data shorted, charge only cables? I don't see a lot of places advertising them as such. I've been looking at this [monoprice.com] monoprice cable, but it isn't very clear if it's a charge only cable (although some reviews seems to hint at that.)

Quote from rsveteran : Your post made a LOT of sense, thanks. Do you know where I could buy these data shorted, charge only cables? I don't see a lot of places advertising them as such. I've been looking at this [monoprice.com] monoprice cable, but it isn't very clear if it's a charge only cable (although some reviews seems to hint at that.)

Just make it by yourself. Open the usb cable, and your will find five different color thin cables. Just cut the green and white cables, and connect them together at the microusb ends, leave another ends open. You can wrap the whole thing up with black electrical tap.

USB MicroUSB
------------------------------red (+5v)
-------- -----------white (data -)
|
------- -----------green (data +)
-----------------------------brown (reserved)
-----------------------------black (gnd)

duplicated, please delete.

Quote from rsveteran : Your post made a LOT of sense, thanks. Do you know where I could buy these data shorted, charge only cables? I don't see a lot of places advertising them as such. I've been looking at this [monoprice.com] monoprice cable, but it isn't very clear if it's a charge only cable (although some reviews seems to hint at that.)

Ironically enough, the New Trent iTorch external battery pack that I purchased (same brand - New Trent), came with a charging cable with data wires shorted. I can use that with the New Trent car charger and my device goes into "AC Setting" charging.

I think if you search amazon for "Micro-USB Charging Cable", it should be like perhaps $3 for a charging cable with data wires shorted (hopefully). Remember that Amazon has a very generous return policy so finding the right cable won't destroy your funds.

If you are tired of searching for proper cables, or always remembering to use a special cable, you should check out these two alternative chargers:

Android Version:
http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge...B00AAHRZI8

Apple Version:
http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge...B007TV88F2

Quote from r2d2 : If you are tired of searching for proper cables, or always remembering to use a special cable, you should check out these two alternative chargers: Android Version: http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge...B00AAHRZI8

So with this charger here, the cable difference doesn't matter? This charger would allow either cable type to draw the full 1A or 2A (depending on which port it's plugged into?)

Quote from rsveteran : So with this charger here, the cable difference doesn't matter? This charger would allow either cable type to draw the full 1A or 2A (depending on which port it's plugged into?)

Yeah almost any cable should work, then you don't have to worry. Then just check your device settings and you should see it is charging on "AC Setting".


Buy the grey charger for android.

Buy the black charger for apple.

Quote from r2d2 : Yeah almost any cable should work, then you don't have to worry. Then just check your device settings and you should see it is charging on "AC Setting". Buy the grey charger for android. Buy the black charger for apple.

Awesome! Thanks.