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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Roobarb on Monday 10 November 25 14:32 GMT (UK)

Title: USB charger
Post by: Roobarb on Monday 10 November 25 14:32 GMT (UK)
I've just bought a rechargeable dental water flosser that doesn't have a charging plug, just a USB lead. Will it be okay for me to use this with my phone charging plug that has a USB socket? I don't want to do anything that would damage the plug but neither do I want to buy yet another plug if it's not necessary.
(Have just bought a new tablet that comes with what I believe is known as a USB C fitting and doesn't fit anything so had to spend a tenner on a plug as well!).

Why do they have to keep changing these things?  :-\
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: RJ_Paton on Monday 10 November 25 15:34 GMT (UK)
I've just bought a rechargeable dental water flosser that doesn't have a charging plug, just a USB lead. Will it be okay for me to use this with my phone charging plug that has a USB socket? I don't want to do anything that would damage the plug but neither do I want to buy yet another plug if it's not necessary.
There shouldn't be any problems
Why do they have to keep changing these things?  :-\

Improvements in the design and function of the units and partially economics as the EU directed a single interface be used on all such devices and it is cheaper for the manufacturers to create one interface rather than different connectors for different markets.
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: martin hooper on Monday 10 November 25 15:35 GMT (UK)
Yes you'll be ok to use any USB charger. It's the device itself that limits the charging current.

Martin
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: purlin on Monday 10 November 25 15:42 GMT (UK)
As I understand it USB cables are capable of dealing with a range of voltages ie from 5-20volts.  However, the individual USB sockets can vary eg USB 2 and 3 are 5volts whilst USB c can be anything from 5-20volts.  As long as the cable you have fits both the flosser and the charger then all should be well.
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Roobarb on Monday 10 November 25 16:27 GMT (UK)
Thanks everyone, that's useful information.  :)

As soon as I'd posted I realised that the changes were probably related to saving the manufacturers money but I wasn't aware of the EU directive. Hopefully I'll be able to use the plug I've bought for the tablet for future purchases of devices with a USB  C cable.
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Zaphod99 on Monday 10 November 25 16:42 GMT (UK)
I was surprised by the earlier replies.  I searched for "fires wrong usb cable plug", and I suggest that you do the same.

I can't believe that it doesn't say what it was supplied with on EVERY PLUG AND CABLE supplied with a device.  I always put a luggage tag on any USB cable and/or plug that I acquire, detailing what it came with, and reserve them for the original device.  I started doing that after discovering a cable I was using was too hot to touch, and started to melt before I found something to use to remove it.

The above search will list many differing views, and reports of fires from using incompatible parts.

Zaph
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: RJ_Paton on Monday 10 November 25 21:01 GMT (UK)
I was surprised by the earlier replies.  I searched for "fires wrong usb cable plug", and I suggest that you do the same.

I suggest that you read some of those articles - they refer to the dangers in using cheap knock off cables.
Try searching "can i use my usb charger to charge other devices" instead.

I can't believe that it doesn't say what it was supplied with on EVERY PLUG AND CABLE supplied with a device.  I always put a luggage tag on any USB cable and/or plug that I acquire, detailing what it came with, and reserve them for the original device.  I started doing that after discovering a cable I was using was too hot to touch, and started to melt before I found something to use to remove it.
Zaph

For some time now manufacturers have been reducing the equipment they supply with any device that requires USB charging to the extent that many now no longer even supply a cable let alone a charge plug. The argument is generally along the lines of "reducing" the amount of electrical waste in society (basically the same argument put forward in respect of one connector fits all).

Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Jo6100 on Tuesday 11 November 25 08:41 GMT (UK)
As a side note, I have found these type of adapters useful as we seem to have more usb plugs than usb-c
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Charger-Connector-Mini-Led-Generation-Black/dp/B07Z662186/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=24O0JK0GPOPBO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JK_8XNchMGCLDpEI2rH-XmArH-OK1FgKNCc3X6bOABB1LCKD27qgTSSE56KTad9GkFylcri_M8LDm13DCey5BqtySt3nOVHxMGN7EpacBTPMNtPP_JEyC1aK6mzaIYJYoToxt_D58ZW-wP3x_cTlSzr3ghKLVlcHBrADcf7NO1IBkMGkFPgwVejFn4x9zqYUvKeyMC1y6vB7FJSMwOtPGunlVU8rmRqhyzR-F5DDxDnoFuVGhYaHh8DhVGt8pT1Cnn0c2U_xVCj1_gahX5YIKoXO38KdMpr4GX9lP5JdEiE.BpR0stOSJRdhGmSpL6KYHMKfJ9Efdttq9UMFtBHX0Z4&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Bto%2Busb%2Bc%2Badapter&qid=1762850379&s=electronics&sprefix=Usb%2Celectronics%2C99&sr=1-2-spons&aref=4Nn7v0bgcY&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Kiltaglassan on Tuesday 11 November 25 09:47 GMT (UK)

As a side note, I have found these type of adapters useful as we seem to have more usb plugs than usb-c
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Charger-Connector-Mini-Led-Generation-Black/dp/B07Z662186/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=24O0JK0GPOPBO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JK_8XNchMGCLDpEI2rH-XmArH-OK1FgKNCc3X6bOABB1LCKD27qgTSSE56KTad9GkFylcri_M8LDm13DCey5BqtySt3nOVHxMGN7EpacBTPMNtPP_JEyC1aK6mzaIYJYoToxt_D58ZW-wP3x_cTlSzr3ghKLVlcHBrADcf7NO1IBkMGkFPgwVejFn4x9zqYUvKeyMC1y6vB7FJSMwOtPGunlVU8rmRqhyzR-F5DDxDnoFuVGhYaHh8DhVGt8pT1Cnn0c2U_xVCj1_gahX5YIKoXO38KdMpr4GX9lP5JdEiE.BpR0stOSJRdhGmSpL6KYHMKfJ9Efdttq9UMFtBHX0Z4&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Bto%2Busb%2Bc%2Badapter&qid=1762850379&s=electronics&sprefix=Usb%2Celectronics%2C99&sr=1-2-spons&aref=4Nn7v0bgcY&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

ShrinkLink (make long links short)
https://www.rootschat.com/links/


Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Biggles50 on Tuesday 11 November 25 16:21 GMT (UK)
If I need USB leads then I only buy those manufactured by Belkin (1st choice) or Anker.

I have a few of the C to A adapters that Jo6100 suggest and concur with them.

Having bought a couple of cheap Amazon USB Chargers and both ran hot and both failed I then spent a lot more money and bought a twin outlet Belkin which we use to charge a high capacity Power Bank.  30 months later is is still going strong despite being powered on as one of its two sockets is used to power the Firestick TV adapter.

As they cost either £59 or £79 to replace I am not keen on using my two Apple chargers on another manufacturers equipment.
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Zaphod99 on Tuesday 11 November 25 16:21 GMT (UK)
RJ, thanks, but my experience with the melted cable will overrule anything I read. And yes, it was a branded one from a reliable supplier. But not the one supplied with the item.

Zaph
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: JohninSussex on Monday 17 November 25 23:58 GMT (UK)

As a side note, I have found these type of adapters useful as we seem to have more usb plugs than usb-c
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Charger-Connector-Mini-Led-Generation-Black/dp/B07Z662186/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=24O0JK0GPOPBO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JK_8XNchMGCLDpEI2rH-XmArH-OK1FgKNCc3X6bOABB1LCKD27qgTSSE56KTad9GkFylcri_M8LDm13DCey5BqtySt3nOVHxMGN7EpacBTPMNtPP_JEyC1aK6mzaIYJYoToxt_D58ZW-wP3x_cTlSzr3ghKLVlcHBrADcf7NO1IBkMGkFPgwVejFn4x9zqYUvKeyMC1y6vB7FJSMwOtPGunlVU8rmRqhyzR-F5DDxDnoFuVGhYaHh8DhVGt8pT1Cnn0c2U_xVCj1_gahX5YIKoXO38KdMpr4GX9lP5JdEiE.BpR0stOSJRdhGmSpL6KYHMKfJ9Efdttq9UMFtBHX0Z4&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Bto%2Busb%2Bc%2Badapter&qid=1762850379&s=electronics&sprefix=Usb%2Celectronics%2C99&sr=1-2-spons&aref=4Nn7v0bgcY&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

ShrinkLink (make long links short)
https://www.rootschat.com/links/

No you just need to only copy out the part up to the ? mark.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Charger-Connector-Mini-Led-Generation-Black/dp/B07Z662186/ref=sr_1_2_sspa

The garbage on the tail tells Amazon where you found the link, what your Facebook friend's name is, what you had for lunch, typed in as a search term, what you already visited on their site, whether you're a regular customer or some list like that.
I always test the URL (on any address with a long tail like that,not Amazon specfically) shortened to the part before the ? , then if it leads to the right place I will post it.
Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Wayne N on Tuesday 18 November 25 08:08 GMT (UK)
Yes, any USB charging socket/plug will be fine.

USB A & C device cables are more or less the international standard in the efforts to reduce wastage.

I've lost count of how many other cables I've tossed into a storage container in the spare room over the years before big corps decided to settle on A & C (at least for now).

Title: Re: USB charger
Post by: Roobarb on Tuesday 18 November 25 10:44 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the replies everyone, I haven't had to charge it yet but will feel confident doing so when I need to.  :)