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Topic starter
2023-09-08 5:59 pm
Hi guys and gals,
I have a question if I can use a Type A USB to Type C fast charge cable to power up small electronics projects. Is it as easy as using the other types of USB like standard type A-A or mini or micro types? The reason I ask is I bought a bunch of those lithium battery charge modules with type C for the power connector and then I checked on regular type A to type C cables and they are really expensive. But I found a good price on type A to type C "fast charging cables" and all I need is the power and not going to use any data lines. Anybody tried and used a fast charging type C cable for voltage only?
Thanks
Thanks,
Voltage
2023-09-08 8:04 pm
Hi guys and gals,
I have a question if I can use a Type A USB to Type C fast charge cable to power up small electronics projects. Is it as easy as using the other types of USB like standard type A-A or mini or micro types? The reason I ask is I bought a bunch of those lithium battery charge modules with type C for the power connector and then I checked on regular type A to type C cables and they are really expensive. But I found a good price on type A to type C "fast charging cables" and all I need is the power and not going to use any data lines. Anybody tried and used a fast charging type C cable for voltage only?
Thanks
My gut feel is the claim is BS. The 'fast charging' happens due to the PD protocol, and a USB-A cable/connection has NO PD ability. However my gut could be wrong, test it and let us know.
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.
Topic starter
2023-09-09 12:09 pm
@zander Now that I think of it, the fast charge cables must have a USB 3 or 3.1 spec on the one end, and a type "C" connector on the other. So I should rephrase my question. Will they still work if plugged into a regular USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 outlet?? I went ahead and ordered the cables and when they get here I will know for sure.
Thanks
Thanks,
Voltage
2023-09-09 12:14 pm
@voltage They will all work as long as the charge wires are implemented. BUT when connected to USB-A they will only work at max 2.4A if that. Sorry my memory just went blank. Do you not have one of them USB power meters so you know exactly what is happening? Here is the Amazon.ca link
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.
Voltage reacted
Topic starter
2023-09-09 12:54 pm
@zander Thanks for the info. I do not have one of those USB power meters but I have been wanting to get one as Sorin uses one all of the time. You may know of him but if not, here is a link to his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/Electronicsrepairschool/videos
I ill buy one right now as when I went to the link Sorin posted, they were always out of stock. Thanks for the link.
As far as the charge wires implemented I was worried a little as there is a small chip in the fast charge cables as seem here at around the 3:00 minute mark:
Added: I ordered this one for a better price in US:
Thanks,
Voltage
2023-09-09 12:58 pm
@voltage There is probably dozens if not hundreds of those USB power meters. I have about 6 or so. Yes, that is part of the PD (Power Delivery) technology. It requires a 2 way communication so if you are going through a USB-A connector, there will be NO communication (different from the 2 data lines) and the current supplied will be at USB-A levels. If on the other hand I connect my Mac I get something like 70 watts of power.
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.
2023-09-09 1:02 pm
@voltage I don't have time to watch his video, but I would be wary as he seems to be promising something that could damage your equipment. THINK!
Remember, if your ultra fancy and powerful Type C PD cable is connected to an old USB-A then the water only flows at the speed and volume of the type A. Sort of a waste of money. Also, current is drawn not pushed. You can connect a mains 100Amp cable to your old USB-A device and it will still only draw between 1 and 2.4 A.
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.
Voltage reacted
2023-09-09 1:09 pm
@voltage Here is everything you need to know about USB
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hardware
Even less power than what I was thinking.
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.
Voltage reacted
Topic starter
2023-09-09 2:57 pm
@zander Thanks for the response. I remember searching USB output power a few years back and I think V1.0 and V1.1 only had 500 mA and V2.0 bumped it up some, then V3.3 and above went even higher. I will look at the link in a few minutes and bookmark it for future reference.
Thanks,
Voltage
Topic starter
2023-09-09 3:01 pm
@voltage I don't have time to watch his video, but I would be wary as he seems to be promising something that could damage your equipment. THINK!
Remember, if your ultra fancy and powerful Type C PD cable is connected to an old USB-A then the water only flows at the speed and volume of the type A. Sort of a waste of money. Also, current is drawn not pushed. You can connect a mains 100Amp cable to your old USB-A device and it will still only draw between 1 and 2.4 A.
I don't know about damaging equipment but I watched the video and it seems like he knew what he was doing. I am not interested in what he was doing though. I was just pointing out the IC in the fast charging cable. As far as a waste of money, my idea came to save me money. I bought 100 3' USB Type A - USB Type C charging cables for less than $70. If you look up the prices on regular (not fast charging type)Type A to C cables they start at about $4.00 each and go up from there.
Thanks,
Voltage
Topic starter
2023-09-09 3:05 pm
@voltage There is probably dozens if not hundreds of those USB power meters. I have about 6 or so. Yes, that is part of the PD (Power Delivery) technology. It requires a 2 way communication so if you are going through a USB-A connector, there will be NO communication (different from the 2 data lines) and the current supplied will be at USB-A levels. If on the other hand I connect my Mac I get something like 70 watts of power.
That is what I was hoping. I am not worried about the amount as that is all I need at the moment for the small projects in mind. I don't need any communication, just 5V and 500mA or more if I plug into a USB 3.0 port.
Thanks,
Voltage
Ron reacted
2023-09-09 3:25 pm
The Wiki I posted is MUCH more comprehensive and being a Wiki less likely to be wrong or have ulterior motives.
First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.
Topic starter
2023-09-09 3:33 pm
The Wiki I posted is MUCH more comprehensive and being a Wiki less likely to be wrong or have ulterior motives.
Agreed. Wiki is a great resource. And after trying to sort this all out I realized the projects can/will be using a cell phone type wall wart for the most part as this is just mainly for recharging lithium batteries with the famous TP4056 module. I bought the better version with the over charge and under charge circuits added.
Thanks,
Voltage
Ron reacted