Whoa your Horses... I want Slow Charging, here's my idea... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Petdevils
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 05:10:35 pm
content: Hello,TL : DR - I'm soliciting some super sexy details on interesting ways to charge stuff slowly.I'm hoping you guys can help me flesh out a plan to slow things down when charging my family’s devices. It’s a little long/detailed, but be brave, and maybe you can add some useful wisdom to share with us all?I’ll leave the more detailed stuff for the second half - in case you just want to read the more important ideas at the start (and then comment).I hope you don't mind me posting this on this forum; I'd really love to hear what y'all electronics experts think (compared to just average android users).Obviously, I want to do this to extend, and protect the battery life of my devices. However, please do not argue about whether or not that matters… that is not what this thread is for - ok.I’ve tried reading up on this, and not had too much luck. From what I’ve seen online, I know that I’m not the only one interested in this info.Please note that all of the below devices are USB-C, except the Nokia which is [Micro USB (USB 2.0)]Our devices are:Samsung A33 SmartphonesSamsung S7-FE TabletsBose QuietComfort II (note the II, also called QC II) - ANC earbudsSoundcore by Anker Life P3 - ANC earbudsNokia C01 Plus 4G [Micro USB (USB 2.0)] - dirt cheap, recent, very basic backup phonesBoss TU-05 guitar tunerI’m most concerned with the first group of devices.For Reference, I will be charging some of these with my PC some of the time. The motherboard is a Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro DDR4 (rev. 1.x)www.gigabyte.comZ690 AORUS PRO DDR4 (rev. 1.x) Specification | Motherboard - GIGABYTE GlobalLasting Quality from GIGABYTE.GIGABYTE Ultra Durable™ motherboards bring together a unique blend of features and technologies that offer users the absolute ...www.gigabyte.comwww.gigabyte.comIt has multiple USB types, up to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, 2x USB-C ports…Though, it is mostly a mix of USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1 / Blue and Red, and older USB 2.0/1.1.I’ve realised that I can slow it down a tad by using the older style USB ports, instead of the faster newer ones. But it doesn’t make that much difference, sadly.We have 6x phones (3x Samsungs, 3x Nokia backup phones), 2x Samsung Tablets - all for myself, and my family. Of course, I want to get this right - if I'm going to shell out to buy a bunch of new stuff.BTW, I’m in Australia if that is germane to any of your responses (seriously, how often do you get to write ‘germane’ in daily usage). We use 240 V, 50-60 Hz for Wall Power plugs/adapters etc.So I’ve read about Programmable Power Supply / PPS, and it sounds like a good thing. But, can you get it on a super slow cables and/or slow chargers?Please note - if you suggest any brands or specific items to buy, I only want either official/genuine branded items (e.g. Samsung), or at least very well known, reliable third party brands (more affordable but not cheap/nasty – eg Belkin, Cygnett but no cheap no name/super generic brands etc).So, should I just keep using all the genuine wall chargers which we already own (all essentially brand new); but buy specific USB-C/A cables to slow down the charging?I don’t care if that will dramatically reduces Data transfer rates - as I could just use them for charging only (would it actually slow Data down) ?Should I avoid anything with PD listed? Someone told me any USB-C cable will likely fast charge… should I avoid them and just get USB-A to USB=A and put an adapter plug on the end to USB-C (maybe over thinking that) ?Another idea, could I just get really good quality USB Cables, with fast Data Transfer and High Power, but then just plug it into a USB 1/USB 2 extension cable or Converter Plug, and then back into a USB A to USB-C Cable or Converter plug to 'dumb it down' for slow charging? That way I could still use it as a fast data/high power cable when I want too?I know that sounds convoluted, but it could work - right?Examples of what I mean... (these are no name brands, just as examples)USB A - USB C Cable (hopefully slowest USB A type that I can find)https://www.startech.com/en-au/cables/rusb2ac1mbUSB-C to USB-A Extension Cablehttps://www.certech.com.au/product/3694-unitek-usb-c-to-usb-a-active-extension-cable-5-metresand/or instead use a USB-A to USB-C Adapter (or two instead of two cables)https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/satechi-aluminium-usb-a-to-usb-c-adapter-space-greyOr alternately, is it really necessary to buy super slow chargers instead of focusing on the cables?As an extra optional solution…Is there a way via windows 11 / BIOS etc, to arbitrarily slow down charging for specific USB Ports (e.g. not all of them) ?Or if that won’t work for the PC, is there some weird adapter/limiter or something I can buy to place in-line when charging via USB in the PC?For Car Chargers and Power Banks, I’m thinking along similar lines as above?BTW - I have no experience at all with either of those; so please point out anything that I might overlook when buying them (for this ‘slow’ purpose).I’m thinking about my overall plan to slow things down via two main sets of possibilities...(Remember… Australian - 240 V, 50-60 Hz)Primary GroupUSB Cables (for both PC USB Charging, and Wall Charging)Wall ChargersSecondary GroupCar ChargersPower BanksObviously, the Primary group is my main concern, with the Secondary being an extra bonus.We don’t have any Car Chargers, or Power Banks yet, but I’d like to buy them now. We have old ‘dumb’ vehicles, no fancy integrated android stuff.Just cigarette lighter thingies. I assume that’s the only way to use car chargers, without messing with wiring etc.We have official Samsung chargers for both the phones and tablets, so again - we already have one per device. No chargers for the other devices listed.So can you tell me per device or type of device, what exact values/numbers I should look for when it comes to amp, voltage, wattage, both IN and OUT (it says IN and OUT on some)…eg, should I get below this Amps, voltage and wattage for the phones, these values for the tablets etc… or for specific items.If you look at the info I pasted in (way down below) for the Samsung USB-C - ‘Wall Charger for Super Fast Charging 25W’, from the item page - that's the kind of detailed info I'm looking for (to know how 'slow' a charger/cable I should buy). It's just a big ol' pile of numbers.I imagine you could go tooo slow, I don’t want that.I don’t necessarily want things to be plugged in overnight, I just want to avoid super/fast charging.So charging for an hour or 2 at the maximum - would be good (depending on the device). We try to charge regularly so the batteries don’t usually go below 50-70%.I also have the Samsung phones, and tablets auto-limited to 85% charging.That's the end of the first half - Below here will just be specific Power/Charging info that I had found for each device… so please do comment if you have some useful advice, as it would be greatly appreciated.Thank you for your help, and read on below for the rest of the details...Samsung A33 Smart Phones ChargersWall Charger for Super Fast Charging 25WTravel adapter Model - EP-TA800www.samsung.comWall Charger for Super Fast Charging 25W | Samsung AustraliaFast Charge AC Charger - Type C - 25W (A series) White (EP-TA800NBEGAU) - See the benefits and full features of this product. Learn more and find the best Mobile Accessories for you at Samsung Australia.www.samsung.comwww.samsung.comSamsung S7-FE Tablets ChargersFast Charging Travel Adapter (USB-C)(9V)Travel adapter Model - EP-TA200www.samsung.comEP-TA20 | EP-TA20HWECGAU | Samsung AUThe perfect wall charger and travel companion for smartphone or tablet enthusiasts. Charge your Samsung battery from empty to 50% charge in only 10 minutes.www.samsung.comwww.samsung.comFor the official Samsung USB-C - ‘Wall Charger for Super Fast Charging 25W’, on the item page it says:Super Fast Charging max. 25W, PD 3.0 PPS max. 25WInput Voltage100-240 VOutput Voltage (Max, Normal Charge)5 VOutput Voltage (Max, Fast Charge)PDO : 9 V / PPS : 3.3-5.9 V or 3.3-11.0 VOutput Current (Max, Normal Charge)3 AOutput Current (Max, Fast Charge)PDO : 2.77 A(9 V) / PPS : 3.0 A(3.3-5.9 V) or 2.25 A(3.3-11.0 V)For the Bose QuietComfort II - ANC eabuds…I found this (below); buried in the ‘Regulatory and Legal Information’ section of the Manual.But I’m not sure if these are the actual numbers, or just the ‘safe/max’ levels set for the Taiwan Restriction of Hazardous Substances Table which was directly above it?Input Rating: 5V p 1.2AOutput Voltage: 5VDCOutput Current: 0.16A x 2Output Capacity: 680mAhFor the Soundcore by Anker Life P3 - ANC eabudsIn the manual, it says...Input5V ⎓ 0.35ABattery capacity63 mAhx2 (earbuds);800 mAh (charging case)Charging time 3 hoursFor the Nokia C01 Plus 4G [Micro USB (USB 2.0)], the manual says...Battery:3,000 mAhRemovableCharging:5V1A ChargingVoltage:210-240Wattage:5 WI don’t know if anything might need to be different with this having a removable battery?I couldn’t get any info on power values etc, for the Nokia C01 Plus 4G, or the Boss TU-05 Guitar Tuner.That’s the end, again, please comment if you have something useful to add, and thanks for reading this far.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 05:26:23 pm
content: Gosh, that was a long post.But the simple answer is, that if you are charging from USB, then you basically have to go with the capabilities of a USB charger.The slowest and most basic power output (or charge rate) for USB A is 500 mA. This is typically what will be available from a USB A port on a computer.You could potentially buy a USB charging brick that is limited to 500 mA output, but that will be difficult as there is no demand for such a thing. Even the slowest and most basic Apple charger is 1 A.So without going to extraordinary lengths, the best thing to do is to plug into a USB A port on a laptop. That will normally give you the slowest charging possible. Or you could buy a very cheap and basic USB A hub and plug into that. That should also limit the output to 500 mA per port.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 05:27:54 pm
content: I should add that you can't really go below 500 mA, as the device being charged will take what it wants. If you try to throttle it and refuse to give it what it wants, then it will simply switch off and refuse to charge.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 05:33:23 pm
content: yeah a huge and loooooooooong postwindows can not tell to control the charge currentnormally you may use low current chargers say 500ma,i did found out some wire where adding some resistors id's to limit the charge speed ... some chargers react to that, and changing the wire to better quality / bigger gauge wire, speeded up the charge

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 05:44:11 pm
content: Outside of using a low power charger like a you pretty much need to rely on the device to regulate its own charging.Android (and probably iOS, I just don't know) support smart charging where they fast charge to 80%, then hold at that level until 2 hours before it's target charge time, then slow charge to 100%. The idea is that most of the wear comes at high state of charge, and even just being stored / maintained at 100% decreases life. So you minimize the amount of time the device is above 80% SOC to increase battery lifetime. No idea it's actually effective but I would look at your devices to see if they support this.Just charging with a 500 mA USB port is fine but probably going to annoy your family when they go to pick up their phone or tablet and find it's only at 50% charge because you swapped out all the chargers.

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 05:49:35 pm
content: Quote from: Petdevils on January 15, 2024, 05:10:35 pmThe reason why fast charging kills batteries is because of heat.So thinking outside the box, what about building a "cold" plate to place your phone on whilst charging? (like a kitchen stove hot plate, but cold!). An insulated cold box would work even better than a plate.A peltier element (and heatsink) should be up to the job. Maybe a PWM temperature regulator to keep it cool at 10degC whilst charging. Obviously such a setup consumes waayyyy more power than slow USB charging.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 06:04:54 pm
content: The A33 has a 5000mAh battery and charging it from 50-85% is 1750mAh.Assuming the nominal voltage is 3.7V and an 85% charger efficiencyyou need 7.6Wh. With a 5V/1A charger that's 1.5h, with 0.5A around 3h.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2024, 10:42:11 pm
content: Using a common USB port may limit charging to 500 milliamps, but many devices will draw 900 milliamps minimum no matter what port they are connected to.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2024, 03:37:21 am
content: For supported Android devices, use this app:https://f-droid.org/en/packages/mattecarra.accapp/