Chanticrow

I purchased some additional microUSB cables for use with my Droid at work and home so I'm not carrying one around all the time. I've found that the third party cables will not charge the Droid when plugged into the AC plug. The cable supplied by Motorola works fine, so I know it's not the AC plug.

The cables do work as data connections when plugged into my laptop.

Did I just buy crappy cables, or is there something special about the Moto cable?

Last edited by Chanticrow; November 8th, 2009 at 10:44 AM.

OctoMom

Wow, I really hope Moto didn't pull some BS like using non-standard USB cables. I don't have any spare micro USB cables so I can't try this but I am going to be ordering some.

GrandMasterB

I was worried about this because I bought my wife a Moto Rival a few months ago and NONE of my BlackBerry MicroUSB chargers will work with it. When you plug them in you get a message on the screen that says 'Unauthorized Charger Detected' wtf....

__________________

Barbara

I used a third party usb car charger but I used the cable that came with the phone. The third party charger worked fine.

billbunton

I used a charger from another phone and it worked fine.

CombatChuck103

I haven't used the moto charger yet. I haven't had a problem with BB or LG chargers.

Droidood

I used a cable I bought from the Best Buy mobile dept. and it worked fine. It's from Rocketfish (their store brand).

Chanticrow

Thanks. I got these cables from Frys. Cellet brand. I will return them and purchase a different cable from elsewhere, and post with my results.

OctoMom

I'm just going to buy some $90 Monster Cables for my Droid, I figure with those it will charge in about 10 seconds.

GrandMasterB

LOL , let us know how that works out for ya

Chanticrow

Stopped by Best Buy. Sales associate said that the Rocketfish cable only does charging and will not do data connections. Based on packaging I have no reason to disbelieve him. Ended up at Target later, and purchased one of their universal mobile kits. It does indeed charge the phone when hooked up to the PC or the AC plug, but does not do data connections.

I've checked most major retailers in the area, and they all have either a charging cable that doesn't do data, or a data cable that may or may not charge the Droid.

I'm not sure what the difference between the Droid's included cable and 3rd party cables is, but it would be nice if all the manufacturers would get on the same page and provide a single standard.

I guess I'll see about purchasing a few OEM Moto cables from an online retailer. I sure don't want to pay $20 each direct from Motorola.

JoeFresco

That sucks. That's what MicroUSB was supposed to prevent.

someguy9

I ordered some cables from newegg, hopefully I don't have the same issue you have

__________________
I post my meaningless life on Twitter, won't you join me?
My Funny/Stupid called Dula (this isn't spam right? (it works on Android!)) |My Portfolio | Awesome Stuff to Buy

wypoon

I've been using the MicroUSB charging cable for my Kindle DX on the Droid for BOTH charging and data w/o any problems so far. Very convenient ... as both devices are my daily mobile appliances and both require daily topups

russell5

I had this problem with my iphone.

I bought a really cheap usb cable (like 3 dollars) And the site said it will only charge via the computer and will not work in the apple charger?

It did both data and charge on the computer so it was good second charger to keep at work. I wonder if i can find one for the droid

syntrix

It's not a droid problem.

Some of the cheap cables do NOT have the power pinout, and it's what makes them "cheaper".

Not all micro usb cables are the same. Just keep that in mind.... just like mini-usb cables, not ALL will provide the power pinouts.

JoeFresco

ok, Cool. The RAZRs used a different power pinout that wouldn't work with normal miniUSB cable. It looked like the Droid had this same problem

OctoMom

So how can you tell if they do? I just ordered some cables from Monoprice and there is nothing in the description about pinout.

For only $1.12 each when QTY 50+ purchased - USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/24AWG Cable w/ Ferrite Core - (Gold Plated) - 10ft | USB 2.0 Cable - Micro-B Type

Granada

Let us know how those work for you. If they work then I will order a bunch. (one for work, one for home, one for travel...) That way I don't have to worry about moving one cord around each time I go.

gthrift

I'm using a 1.5ft cable with a usb extension cable at home and 3ft in the car. Both are from monoprice and both work really well.

I order all of my cables from there and have never had a problem. They also have excellent customer service.

johnnybirdman

Monoprice is the best. I recommend them to anyone and everyone I meet.
For only $0.81 each when QTY 50+ purchased - USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/24AWG Cable w/ Ferrite Core - (Gold Plated) - 3ft | USB 2.0 Cable - Micro-B Type
I haven't tested this cable yet but when I get it I'll review it specifically for Droid compatibility.
J.

iamloco724

the charger setup it comes with is not long enough for me..i know theres travel chargers out there that have longer cables..but if my lg charger works with it is there any harm in using that?

jer.lawrence

I also have a 3rd party 110 volt Wall plug to USB adapter. I plugged the USB cable from the Droid into that and it seemed to charge it up to about 80% but wouldn't go any higher than that. I thought that was a bit odd as well. It's by Griffin or something.

Anyone else tried any of those? I keep that at work as I use it to charge my iPod and used it for the Blackberry as well. Hoping it'll work with the Droid as well.

derrickonline

I've used my Palm Pre microUSB cable with my laptop to charge and transfer files...no problem.

I have a bootleg (probably made in China) microUSB car charger, no problem.

ginigma

If you're going to use a 3rd party charger, just make sure it can source more than the standard USB spec of 500mA. The Moto charger that comes with the phone is 850mA, so as long as you're at that or above on a 3rd party charger, you should be fine.

iamloco724

if your charger isnt at that would it still work?..because im not sure of my specs on my old charger but it does seem to work

ginigma

Yes, it will probably still work, but it will charge it slower, and it may not be able to charge it to a full 100%. Try it and see what happens. It won't hurt the Droid.

havi007

Ok so so how many pins should the mirco b hav wen gettin a third party micro b cable wat r the specs for so I can make sure it works with the droid

RonDutt

Found issues with a couple car chargers as well. Have a cheapo car to USB adapter that didn't work (Droid showed the charging light, screen didnt update to say it was charging). Bought a $15 adapter from Fred Meyers and it worked perfectly. All the wires are wired the same way (I stripped the Moto cable to make sure), issue seems to be the adapter itself.

jer.lawrence

Does the block that came with the phone say 850mA? The Griffin block that I have says it's 1000mA, so that should work, I guess. I'll have to try it again. I don't have a MicroUSB cable here at work yet.

RonDutt

Did some testing, looks like anything below 700mA doesn't start charging the Droid (at least it doesn't show it's charging). My Blackberry charger supplies 600mA, didn't work. My HTC Touch Pro 2 does 1mA, worked fine. Another HTC one (don't remember from what) does 650mA, nada. My brothers LG charger does 700mA, worked fine.

QrafTee

I don't know... but can't you just buy 1 (or 2) and use it for all three situations?

Moose

Yeah who at Motorola thought that a 3 foot cable was OK for charging, heck it hardly can make to the top of a bed side table, let alone to the bed to look at the phone! 2-3 extra feet of cable would have broke them I guess, prolly saved 2/3 of a cent!

QrafTee

Think of it as an incentive to buy the Home Media Dock.

iamloco724

does the media dock come with a wall adapter or just usb?

rlivin

i got some cables off of ebay for 1 buck a piece and they work great.

blazingwolf

LG EnV Touch cable works just fine.

I also have an iGo travel charger with the A97 tip that works just fine in my vehicles.

1979w72

I bought some of those cables last week along with

For only $1.47 each when QTY 50+ purchased - High-Speed WALL Power to USB Female Converter (1000ma) - Black | Power to USB Converter

and

For only $0.83 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Car Charger (Cigarette Lighter) to USB Female Converter - Black | Car Charger Accessories

and so far they all work well with the Droid.

-Myk-

LG dare chargers and cords work fine

Granada

At that price I would rather just buy a few and be able to leave one at my desk, one in my travel bag and not have to worry about either carrying a power cord with me everyday.

johnnybirdman

Got the 3' and 10' cables from monoprice and they work fine to charge and to transfer data on the Droid.
I also got the $.97 usb car charge adapter (For only $0.83 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Car Charger (Cigarette Lighter) to USB Female Converter - Black | Car Charger Accessories). it works but gets kinda hot and smells of burning plastic and/or electronics. I think I would only use it in a pinch.... but what do you want for >$1
J.

landis73

Thanks very much for the monoprice links, always great to have the stuff that works (a longer usb cable!), and the price is hard to beat too.

joneee

don't do it...Monster cables are sooooooooooooooooo overpriced...
Save your money and get a desk dock, car dock, 10 USB cables from monoprice, some dinner and ice cream instead.

Last edited by joneee; November 16th, 2009 at 01:42 PM.

barry99705

You hear that sound waaay up there in the sky? Yea, that's the joke you missed.

phillytarheel

So can anyone recommend a usb wall charger that has 2 ports+ and pushes at least 850ma out to each (2 amp max total?). If you do please let me know I am having trouble seeing them and beginning to doubt their existence. I saw some 4 port but people have been saying those are garbage. Thanks

allanlaw

I ordered a converter cable - mini USB to micro USB, which is designed to let you use all your old RAZR (and other Moto mini USB devices) chargers (AC and DC) with Droid. Verizon has it for $10 from the website, I ordered from Amazon for $4 including shipping (alleged to be a Moto oem cable, but you know how that goes).

UPDATE: It arrived, and is in fact a genuine Moto cable. I'm now charging the Droid on one of my old RAZR AC chargers.

Last edited by allanlaw; November 20th, 2009 at 02:37 PM.

tensider

Just checked with a tech at monoprice regarding this cable:

For only $1.12 each when QTY 50+ purchased - USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/24AWG Cable w/ Ferrite Core - (Gold Plated) - 10ft | USB 2.0 Cable - Micro-B Type

He says that he didn't have exact specs, but believed that the USB passthrough maxes out at 1500 mah for that cable. Caveat emptor, as he said they haven't tested the cable on the Droid yet.

johnnybirdman

That is one of the cables I got. Works fine for charging droid. Use the shorter 3' for data and also works fine.
J.

terryharrison

I bought this 6 foot cable. Works good. Charges and syncs. 6.99 for two.

6 Feet Micro USB Data cable for new Cell Phones, USB 2.0 Type A Male to Micro-USB Type B cable