Powering USB Travel Sync Cable using 2nd USB port

csc12345678 · 03-01-05, 07:40 AM

I've ordered a USB Travel Cable with Dell x50 which will arrive soon.

I read that it requires AC power to charge.

Since I have another USB port on my laptop, is it possible to get "AC" power from the 2nd USB port, assuming that is can deliver the power required ? What cable should I use ? Can I use a regular Nokia USB charge cable do the work ?

Thanks.

bigdave240 · 03-01-05, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by csc12345678

I've ordered a USB Travel Cable with Dell x50 which will arrive soon.

I read that it requires AC power to charge.

Since I have another USB port on my laptop, is it possible to get "AC" power from the 2nd USB port, assuming that is can deliver the power required ? What cable should I use ? Can I use a regular Nokia USB charge cable do the work ?

Thanks.

No that won't work. Not enough power available. What you need is either the AC adapter that comes with the cradle or it also will charge the x50 if it is turned off. But it will be slow. Not sure where you are located but the AC adapter is the exact same for both the x5 and the x50 series so you can find them pretty cheap on ebay.

csc12345678 · 03-01-05, 08:14 AM

Won't work even when powered by a 2nd USB ? I want to leave the machine on at the office as I sync frequently. Also, I may be off-site which I don't have AC, just working with the laptop.

It still worth a try. I only need to know what type of cable can be plug into the USB Travel Sync Cable. Can the Nokia USB Charge cable do it ?

Actually, my Nokia USB Charge Cable has PCB to help charge the phone. I think the purpose of the PCB is to raise the voltage to make it easier to push current into the phone. But obviously at a lower current and takes longer. Hope my electronic is not too rusty.

Originally Posted by bigdave240

No that won't work. Not enough power available. What you need is either the AC adapter that comes with the cradle or it also will charge the x50 if it is turned off. But it will be slow. Not sure where you are located but the AC adapter is the exact same for both the x5 and the x50 series so you can find them pretty cheap on ebay.

bigdave240 · 03-01-05, 08:20 AM

not sure what the nokia cable looks like but the power tip has to be the same as the one on the ac adapter. that cable may not put uot 5vDC so you should measure it before tyring/frying your pda. you need 5- 5.4 volts dc.

ocharlies · 03-01-05, 10:27 AM

I bought a usb charge/sync cable on eBay. It works (charge and sync) on my dell 700m, but it does not work on my dell 8600. I think the reason is that the 700m has powered usb ports, but the 8600's usb ports are unpowered.

Carrying the bulky Dell charge/sync adapter is a pain when you travel.

*JakeRich* · 03-01-05, 12:16 PM

Almost any USB port, powered or not, should allow you to charge the unit WITH THE X50 OFF. (Yep, emphasis added.) The major problems come from trying to charge it while also using it, in which case some USB ports work and some do not. Read the sticky thread that is at the top of this forum for a detailed discussion of why that happens.

csc12345678 · 03-01-05, 12:22 PM

I've read the sticky thread before writing this thread.

I want to know if it's possible to substitute the AC power with USB source. Different from the sticky thread.

Originally Posted by JakeRich

Almost any USB port, powered or not, should allow you to charge the unit WITH THE X50 OFF. (Yep, emphasis added.) The major problems come from trying to charge it while also using it, in which case some USB ports work and some do not. Read the sticky thread that is at the top of this forum for a detailed discussion of why that happens.

csc12345678 · 03-01-05, 06:33 PM

update .....

*JakeRich* · 03-01-05, 08:31 PM

No, you cannot do that. As the thread says, the external AC power ports are configured to draw a lot more power than the USB port can provide, even if you use a second port to provide the power. With a relatively dead 1100 battery, the draw when charging is 630mA, above the 500mA that USB provides.

csc12345678 · 03-02-05, 01:00 AM

I see what you mean.

What I normally do in the office is that once I set up my latop, I would plug my PDA to the USB to sync & charge. The night before, I also leave it on the cradle overnight. So this would work for me most of the time and sometimes not (when I go off-site). I don't want to bring the AC adapter all the time.

Now, my issue is that I need to know what cable can be plug into the USB Travel Sync cable (for the AC power inlet).

Any idea ?

Originally Posted by JakeRich

No, you cannot do that. As the thread says, the external AC power ports are configured to draw a lot more power than the USB port can provide, even if you use a second port to provide the power. With a relatively dead 1100 battery, the draw when charging is 630mA, above the 500mA that USB provides.

*JakeRich* · 03-02-05, 09:14 AM

The easiest and cleanest way to do this is to use the Dell sync cable. It has a socket that fits the external power supply. If external power is connected, you can run and charge at the same time. If not, you can run OR charge, just as with the 3rd party cables. The X50 takes the same power supply as the X5 series, so you can find a power supply that puts out 5v or 5.4v/2A pretty easily on the internet, then put that in your office connected to the cable full time and leave it there. This is the solution I have adopted, except that I have the cradle at work and the cable at home. I don't have to carry any cables for the X50 at all!

csc12345678 · 03-03-05, 05:56 PM

My Dell x50 arrived. Nope, my nokia USB charge cable cannot fit the Dell USB Travel Sync cable.

Originally Posted by csc12345678

I've ordered a USB Travel Cable with Dell x50 which will arrive soon.

I read that it requires AC power to charge.

Since I have another USB port on my laptop, is it possible to get "AC" power from the 2nd USB port, assuming that is can deliver the power required ? What cable should I use ? Can I use a regular Nokia USB charge cable do the work ?

Thanks.

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