Nexus 4 and 7 chargers - interchangeable?

[Cowshill]

As the title suggests I am wondering if there is any reason why the chargers for my Nexus 4 and 7 are not interchangeable. The cables appear identical and both chargers output 5v. The only difference is the charger for the 7 is rated 2 amps while that for the 4 is rated 1.5.

Of course, the manuals warn not to use any but the supplied charger and cable, but they would do that to protect themselves regardless. I assume that if I plug the tablet into the phone's charger it might take a little longer to recharge, but that's the only difference I can see.

Am I missing anything?

- Jim

 

[SiempreTuna]

Agree about using the N4 charger for the N7.

The only thing about using the N7 charger for the N4 would be whether you feel that extra half an amp is a risk ..

 

[Cowshill]

My electrical theory is not the best, but I assume the amp rating is the max available and the device will draw what it needs. Same as I can plug a 1 watt night light into a 20 amp circuit as long as the voltage rating is the same. Or ?

 

[Phoenix1974]

My electrical theory is not the best, but I assume the amp rating is the max available and the device will draw what it needs. Same as I can plug a 1 watt night light into a 20 amp circuit as long as the voltage rating is the same. Or ?

Cowshill is correct. You could use a 3 amp output charger but the device will only take what it needs. I always use my highest amp charger for all my devices and have never had any issues.

 

[Justin01]

My electrical theory is not the best, but I assume the amp rating is the max available and the device will draw what it needs. Same as I can plug a 1 watt night light into a 20 amp circuit as long as the voltage rating is the same. Or ?

Thank you for enlightening us regarding amp and all...

 

[Harry2]

The phone/tablet limits the amount of amperage needed.
So the charger's ability of amperage could be bigger than the phone's/tablet's needing, but should not less.

Quality chargers are protected against overload if a phone/tablet would demand more amperage than the charger would be able to supply.
Neverless, it would be a stress situation for the charger.

Harry

 

[Davdi]

Charger = 2Amps, device = 1.5Amps - Result, device charges properly, charger stays cool


Charger = 1.5 Amps, Device = 2 Amps - Result, device won't charge properly (Voltage drops) and charger overheats - Avoid at risk of damaging device.