USB Sync Cable

ppcvidz.com · 07-22-03, 11:52 PM

When I purchased my Axim, I also purchased the USB sync cable that was offered on Dell's website. I was under the impression that this cable could also charge the Axim, after all the Axim is charged by the cradle connection and the USB cable has the same type connection. Is this cable capable of charging the Axim or is mine just defective?

BTW, the move to College Station hasn't been a good one for anybody that cares...lol

fux · 07-23-03, 12:56 AM

As far as I know no sync cable actually charges. They might claim it, but there are threads all over this site saying that's not right.

cartvader1 · 07-23-03, 09:48 AM

My USB sync/charge cables do actually charge my axim. Granted it isn't the fastest charging but it will keep my axim fully charged while i'm using it.

CV1

TheAce · 07-23-03, 09:50 AM

I had to buy the awesome MiniSync cable, because its........well, its just awesome :D

However, I do get the feeling that, in order for this cable to charge the Axim, I would have to wait until Time itself ended, and the Universe was no more.....;)

spectre3ooo · 07-23-03, 09:53 AM

The cradle has to have the ac adapter connected for it to charge the axim. I don't think it will charge it through the usb connection.

AxiMonkey · 07-23-03, 09:55 AM

Basically, so long as your battery is up above 80% or so you should be able to draw a charge via a sync/charge cable. Reason being is that a USB port puts out about .4 V less than what the Ax needs to charge. Below 80% or so, you're actually putting an additional load on the battery.

I use my charge/sync cables to keep my battery from draining throughout the day while I'm here at work. I never have to worry about my Ax being on a low charge because it's always up at 100%. It's been down to around 93% before and my sync/charge cable had it back up in less than an hour I believe.

spectre3ooo · 07-23-03, 10:02 AM

What about those power kits that come with the usb sync/charge cable and adapters to plug into a wall outlet or cigarette lighter? How does it charge while using the adaptors?

Here's an example of what i'm talking about:
http://www.aximsite.com/reviews/inde...id=77&catid=26

Thanks

spectre3ooo · 07-23-03, 10:03 AM

I meant to say how *well* does it charge using the adaptors... Does the 80% limit still come in to play?

cartvader1 · 07-23-03, 10:34 AM

I don't think it does. The one time I really needed to use mine I was using the cagarette adapter portion w/ my cable and the battery power said it was at something like 87%. I plugged it in and the percentage dropped to something like 70%. I let it sit there and charge thinking - if I get home and the AX is dead then I know that this car charging thing don't work below 80%. So I drove home and the charge was above 80% when I got there (about 20 minute ride). So, I think it does.

CV1

AxiMonkey · 07-23-03, 11:01 AM

Never had a problem with mine not pulling through. The only limitation when running it through the USB port on a PC is the voltage limitation of USB devices. With an adaptor you no longer have that limitation. They come in handy.

snathanb · 07-23-03, 11:37 AM

Just for the record... I purchased a USB Sync/Charge cable from someone's Ebay store ($2.95) and it works just fine. As mentioned, it doesn't really work well if the battery charge is below 80%.

If you bought a basic and don't have a cradle, or if you use a case that keeps you from using a cradle, it's a great alternative to having to plug in the sync cable and the AC adapter.

ppcvidz.com · 07-23-03, 06:59 PM

I plugged mine into my laptop while it was still at 100% and started playing a webcam through the connection. I forgot about it for about an hour and the next time I looked it had drained to about 60%.

My roommate has a Toshiba e740 with a similar type cable and a cigarette adapter. I didn't want to open it, but i'm assuming that it is either a simple voltage divider circuit or a voltage regulator chip that takes the voltage from 12V(automotive standard) to 5V(USB). His cable also charges his e740 whenever it is plugged into the laptop. Why couldn't Dell have implemented this concept?