Lost my charger. Which one to buy? - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Self explanatory really. I realise any micro USB charger will fit, but I've read that of the voltage / amperage doesn't match, it can fry the phone. How true that is I don't know, but I don't want to risk it. I asked LG, and they directed me to their spares and accessories website. Initially it looked promising, but it turned out the website was terrible, was no info about anything.
I've had a look to find other 5V 1.2a (the specs of the charger that comes with the phone) micro USB chargers, but not had much luck. Any chance anyone could send me a link to a charger that matches the nexus charger? That would be very much appreciated.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I read something that said if you use a charger with a higher amp, that won't cause any problems at all. Is that true? So I could use a 5V 2a charger with the nexus 4 (the original charger was 5v 1.2a)?
The reason I'm so concerned is that when I use my HTC Desire charger (5v 1a), the screen stops working properly. I used it all the time when I first got my phone and the battery in the phone died, and I had to get it replaced. I don't want that to happen again, so I don't want to use a charger with different amp output.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

phil35 said:
I read something that said if you use a charger with a higher amp, that won't cause any problems at all. Is that true? So I could use a 5V 2a charger with the nexus 4 (the original charger was 5v 1.2a)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's true. The phone will only draw the current that it needs. A 2A charger won't "push" the whole 2A to the phone, the phone will just "pull" the 0.8A or so that it needs.
Sent from my Nexus 4

Order the Nexus 4 Wireless Charging Orb - Comes with Wall Charger & USB Cable (probably way Google doesn't just sell the Charger/Cable - to push the Orb)

steviewevie said:
Yes, that's true. The phone will only draw the current that it needs. A 2A charger won't "push" the whole 2A to the phone, the phone will just "pull" the 0.8A or so that it needs.
Sent from my Nexus 4
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Click to collapse
Exactly. The amperage rating is what the charger can output based on demand of its load.
Sent from my Nexus 4

Related

Some chargers slower than others

Unfortunately I left my Nexus 7 charger in a hotel room a month ago and it has not yet been handed in. Consequently I have had to buy an off the shelf charger. One I tried stated that it was rated at 2 AMPS, and it does work, but at about 1.5-2x the charging time as the stock charger. I also noted that when using that charger the Nexus system did not say it was charging, although it obviously was.
I just obtained another charger rated at 2.5 AMPS and it performs exactly as the stock charger. Has anyone else noted this - that if the charger outputs less than 2 AMPS the Nexus 7 does not notify the use that it is charging and does so at a much slower rate?
Larry
My understanding - the charger has to let the device know it supports high current mode. Otherwise the Nexus limits it to 500 ma, which is correct for a cable plugged into a computer.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
rmm200 said:
My understanding - the charger has to let the device know it supports high current mode. Otherwise the Nexus limits it to 500 ma, which is correct for a cable plugged into a computer.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true; the same method applies to samsung chargers. There has to be 5v on one of the data lines as well to let the device now it should change to high-power mode.
Search for a tutorial on what to solder together inside of the charger or buy an official samsung charger of at least 1A (I believe Galaxy S2 chargers have that output).

Dual Nexus 4 or Nexus 4/10 Car Charger

Has anyone found a dual car charger for two Nexus 4's or a Nexus 4 and a Nexus 10 whilst in use?
Most dual car chargers seem to have one output to charge Apple devices at 2A plus another output to charge non-apple devices at 1A which is not what I need.
Thanks
I've managed to find something but it seems to be unavailable in the UK
http://www.discountcell.com/cellular/p/gonexus-10_usbd3-1ablk_3
Monoprice has plenty of these. I love their products and pricing.
It might be possible to charge two Nexus 10 tablets or two Nexus 4 phones using a dual iPad charger and power USB cables as described in the first link below.
The second and third links are items from Amazon which might work.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_...-at-once-with-qmadix-twin-tablet-charger-4.2/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scosche-reVOLT-Charger-without-Cable/dp/B0077PM3KG
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PortaPow-Ra...TYUE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357754579&sr=8-2
Have you tried to charge your nexus 4/10 with a 2.1a apple USB port? I tried it with both my nexus 4 and 7 and they do not deliver more than 1a. I just ordered the powergen dual USB. It will only give 1a to android devices according to the guys at the nexus 7 forums. 1a is enough to slowly charge my nexus 7 in the car with maps running but im not sure about the nexus 10. We need a car charger specifically made for android tablets that can output more than one amp but I don't know if there are any on the market yet.
neotekz said:
Have you tried to charge your nexus 4/10 with a 2.1a apple USB port? I tried it with both my nexus 4 and 7 and they do not deliver more than 1a. I just ordered the powergen dual USB. It will only give 1a to android devices according to the guys at the nexus 7 forums. 1a is enough to slowly charge my nexus 7 in the car with maps running but im not sure about the nexus 10. We need a car charger specifically made for android tablets that can output more than one amp but I don't know if there are any on the market yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you read the article in my first link above then that says that a dual iPad charger with the correct cable should deliver 2.1A.
Here are some Amazon customer reviews showing that a dual iPad charger can charge a Nexus device at 2.1A when using the correct USB charger cable.
http://www.amazon.com/Qmadix-QM-DMC...iewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Gaugerer said:
If you read the article in my first link above then that says that a dual iPad charger with the correct cable should deliver 2.1A.
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Click to collapse
Unless someone tested it with the nexus 7 or 10 im still skeptical. Anytime you see the 2.1a it's designed for the Ipad. Just read that article and it doesn't say anything about android tablets just ipads. Im sure they do output 2.1a but just to ipads, android devices will only get 1a.
Sorry for offtopic a bit but is it okay to use 2A to charge the N4?
I mean does it kill the battery faster or it is totally fine?
THanks
Gaugerer said:
Here are some Amazon customer reviews showing that a dual iPad charger can charge a Nexus device at 2.1A when using the correct USB charger cable.
http://www.amazon.com/Qmadix-QM-DMC...iewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just read the reviews, just because it shows AC charging it does not mean its output is 2.1a. AC charging just means that its using a charger or cable that has the D+/- pins shorted. I have a moto 700mah car charger that shows AC to both my nexus 4/7 but only delivers around 6-700 mah. What im saying is that it probably wont output more than 1a to an android device. 1a is more than enough to charge a nexus 4(or any other android phone) with nav on but is a bit too slow for tablets. If you do get this car charger let us know if it does output more than 1a. you can use current widget app to find out how much current the phone is receiving from the charger. Im still looking for a car charger that can deliver more than 1a to an android device.
Emama said:
Sorry for offtopic a bit but is it okay to use 2A to charge the N4?
I mean does it kill the battery faster or it is totally fine?
THanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it's fine. The nexus 4 will not draw more current than is safe for the battery.
Emama said:
Sorry for offtopic a bit but is it okay to use 2A to charge the N4?
I mean does it kill the battery faster or it is totally fine?
THanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong post
neotekz said:
i just read the reviews, just because it shows AC charging it does not mean its output is 2.1a. AC charging just means that its using a charger or cable that has the D+/- pins shorted. I have a moto 700mah car charger that shows AC to both my nexus 4/7 but only delivers around 6-700 mah. What im saying is that it probably wont output more than 1a to an android device. 1a is more than enough to charge a nexus 4(or any other android phone) with nav on but is a bit too slow for tablets. If you do get this car charger let us know if it does output more than 1a. you can use current widget app to find out how much current the phone is receiving from the charger. Im still looking for a car charger that can deliver more than 1a to an android device.
yes it's fine. The nexus 4 will not draw more current than is safe for the battery.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I've ordered the charger and the USB power cable and I'll report back.
I use this
http://www.myinnergie.com/mCubeDC10/Default.aspx
Bought it when I had an iPhone and it could charge it and an iPad at the same time.
Now I use it with the SGS3 and the Nexus 7, works fine for both and they pick it up as AC.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

We can only use the LG charger?

Since the battery life of the phone is quite poor it's only natural that i would like to charge it when i'm on class or with an usb cable when im using my laptop, using other usb chargers/cables, but on the manual says (of course) that we should only use it with the lg charger that comes in the box or an official nexus 4 charger .
It kinda sounds like bullsh*t until i remember what happened with my motorola milestone, sometimes when i used another charger the screen started doing crazy things, like swipping the homescreens by itself , oppening apps, until i charged it for at least a few minutes with the official charger, some months later my digitalizer died, so you can imagine how traumatized i am, but then i think what's the point of trying to make a standard out of microusb chargers if we can only use the official charger? what do you guys think?
I find battery life to be very good.
I have been using an old HTC charger on mine without issue though. I suspect the 'only use LG charger' is to cover themselves in case you kill the device with a cheap and badly made knock off.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
AW: We can only use the LG charger?
I have literally problems in draining my battery, running Franco's Kernel and Minco v6.
Anyway, using another charger should be no problem. I used the charger of my Asus Transformer and a mobile charger in my car without issues.
sent from my francoed Nexus 4
templope athletes,"
Feel free to use any USB wallcharger you'll find.
I tried some i had laying around (HTC, iPhone 5, iPad) and they all charged without trouble.. :good:
Yeah, I've used a 1A HTC charger with no issue. I accidentally left my lg charger at a friends house and had to use what I had.
the battery life is good, better than s2 with its extended battery, i was wondering about this too as i want to use a sony rx100 at 2amps to charge while im traveling.
on page 168 of the service manual it states the max charging current is set at 900mah, over voltage protection upto 28volts
The current should be controlled by the phone, not the charger. Therefore there shouldn't be a problem with more powerful chargers. The voltage has to be correct, though
The phone certainly regulates the power it takes.
If you are really worried about the chargers just flip them over and read the output ratings. Most of them are exactly the same these days.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
I use my GNex charger with no problems.
P.s- the battery life on this device is outstanding, you just need to find the kernel that works well on your device
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Any USB charger will work. Note the output current on the charger though, as that will impact how fast it can charge and whether or not you can have the screen on while you charge. The LG charger that comes with the phone is 5v 1.2a, an iPhone charger (at least as of the 4S when I got mine) is 5v 1a and an Amazon Kindle charger is 5v 0.85a. The USB 2.0 spec calls out a max power output of 5v 0.5a.
EnIXmA said:
I use my GNex charger with no problems.
P.s- the battery life on this device is outstanding, you just need to find the kernel that works well on your device
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
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Click to collapse
+1 for the GNex charger.
[email protected] said:
Any USB charger will work. Note the output current on the charger though, as that will impact how fast it can charge and whether or not you can have the screen on while you charge. The LG charger that comes with the phone is 5v 1.2a, an iPhone charger (at least as of the 4S when I got mine) is 5v 1a and an Amazon Kindle charger is 5v 0.85a. The USB 2.0 spec calls out a max power output of 5v 0.5a.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm confused , the lg nexus 4 charger is 5.0v 1.2A and my galaxy nexus charger which i use sometimes with my nexus 4 is 5.0V 1.0A , what does this mean? what's the difference?
My Nexus 4 is on the way so i cant comment on that but my Sony Xperia S acts differently to different USB leads even on the same charge unit. It might charge at 500mAh or 950mAh (on a charger rated at 850mAh), the screen might be fine or it might act erratic and it all depends on the lead plugged in to the charger
I used Samsung/blackberry chargers and they worked. Not sure if they were as efficient though.
I pretty much use anything but the LG charger and have been doing so over a month. So feel free to use any quality charger you like.
I also charge of my Philips Qi pad and off computer USB ports.
As long as it's providing stable power or anything close to it, it's good.
Just be careful with (fake) cheapo chargers. Those might cause issues with the touchscreen going haywire while charging off them. I've also read that about some car chargers, but so far my cheap 2A 2port USB car charger that came of DX is working fine for me.
YMMV of course. But there is no need to stick to just the LG charger.

Nexus 4 QI Charger - Input and Output Question

Okay, let me start off by saying that I am complete noob when it comes to electrical matters, so excuse the silly question here...
I have found a USB powered QI charger for the Nexus 4 on eBay with an input of 5V and an output of 5V/1A. Two questions following from that...
1) Will the charge time be the same as if I just charged via USB?
2) Instead of connecting the USB end to my PC, could I not connect it to supplied Nexus 4 wall charger? If so, does it specs comply with those of the QI charger I just mentioned (i.e. will I get a fast charge time?)
Thanks in advance for the support.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Bump
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Expect the charge times to be more compared to the Usb charger.. It can be ordered on fasttech.com for $40. Yes.. usb powered.. The AC adapter one on fasttech is $35.. All hav free shipping!!!!!
ii) That would depend on how much power the wireless charger needs.. The normal nexus 4 adapter is 1.2A.. If the wireless charger wants 1.5A, it will be slower due to less power... but since it is USB powered.. normal pc/laptop usb ports give 0.5A so your original nexus 4 adapter will be fine!!!!
Also.. wirless charging tends to heat up the phone sometimes.. so watch your temps..
I have the Energizer Qi charger and they warn that the Nexus supplied wall charger should not be used to power the WiFi charger. It doesn't have the power capacity to run the wireless charger.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
The cahrging rate is almost the same
The power requirment for this charger is 5v 2A input. According to my test, as long as your power supply stay above 1A output, you will have no problem at all, just will charge a little bit slower. but once I hooked up with a samsung charger that was rated at 700ma, the red light goes on after a beep. The problem is, most of the usb chargers in the market are overrated that's why you will get red light on with these inferior charger. I purchased mine from a seller on eBay called gadgetsalon who included a original HP Touchpad adapter with my purchase which is fully rated 2A output, I have been using mine for almost 2 months now never had a single problem ever with my Tmobile GS3. BTW, I charge my phone with a ballistic case on all the time.
esskayy said:
Okay, let me start off by saying that I am complete noob when it comes to electrical matters, so excuse the silly question here...
I have found a USB powered QI charger for the Nexus 4 on eBay with an input of 5V and an output of 5V/1A. Two questions following from that...
1) Will the charge time be the same as if I just charged via USB?
2) Instead of connecting the USB end to my PC, could I not connect it to supplied Nexus 4 wall charger? If so, does it specs comply with those of the QI charger I just mentioned (i.e. will I get a fast charge time?)
Thanks in advance for the support.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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Click to collapse

different charger amp levels

I recently bought the nexus 4 and have been having a blast with it. For a little while I lost the USB charger in my house, so I started using my iPad charger for it. Since the stock nexus 4 charger has an output of 1.2 amps 5v DC and the iPad charger has 2.0 amps 5v DC would prolonged use of the iPad charger possibly affect how long the battery last since it charges it faster then normal, or am I just being stupid and its fine to use the higher amperage charger?
There is a lot of threads explaining this but I'll explain the best I can higher amp equals quicker charge however gets the battery hotter so the battery life could be affected
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
It is the phone that decides how much current to "pull", not the charger that "pushes" it.
So it's fine to use a higher-rated charger.
Sent from my Nexus 4
steviewevie said:
It is the phone that decides how much current to "pull", not the charger that "pushes" it.
So it's fine to use a higher-rated charger.
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This info is correct. You have nothing to worry about.
Unless you go stupidly over. Like 13 amps will probably overload and Fry the charging circuit.
But at 2 amps you will be fine
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Current is not pushed... it is drawn. You could have 20 Amps available (like a typical 120V outlet). Whatever current the device plugged into it needs it will draw... nothing more.
With that said, Apple chargers do not short pins 2 & 3 (data pins) of the USB connector. Instead, they put a resistive load across them to communicate the charger specs to the device. Nexus (and most OEM Android) chargers short these pins. Some android devices, Nexus 7 for example, sense the load on Apple chargers' data pins and assume it is a computer and drops the load to draw only 500 MA. I have not tested the Nexus 4, but would assume it behaves the same way as a Nexus 7.
Okay thanks guys. I did notice it was a little warmer, but i think that might have been from the emulator on that i was using. Just wanted to make sure i was killing the overall possible battery life.

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