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[Q] Charging ASUS transformer using computer?

I wanted to know if it is possible to charge the ASUS transformer using a computer?
Is there any hack for it?

umasood said:
I wanted to know if it is possible to charge the ASUS transformer using a computer?
Is there any hack for it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IIRC it will charge if the transformer is turned off but very slowly
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

When I was driving the other day with it connected to the USB charger in the car (same as PC USB) and it got 4% in about an hour.

isnt this the biggest DOWN SIDE of TF.
Like this is such a basic feature these days that you should be able to charge your android device using PC usb/ charger etc.
I thought there would be some hacks for this. or is this a hardware specific lacking?

The USB plug on the Sync/Charge cable of the Transformer is a USB 3.0 plug. It uses the extra pins of the USB 3.0 for the electricity to charge.

umasood said:
isnt this the biggest DOWN SIDE of TF.
Like this is such a basic feature these days that you should be able to charge your android device using PC usb/ charger etc.
I thought there would be some hacks for this. or is this a hardware specific lacking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this issue is specific to the Transformer. I seem to recall that the iPad comes with a high-current charger, and charges slowly if done via a computer. I think the issue is that the battery is much larger than any smartphone battery, and the USB port spec was created to power things like mice and USB memory sticks, and provides a low current. This way it also won't overload the host computer's power supply and cause stability issues on the computer.

nxt said:
The USB plug on the Sync/Charge cable of the Transformer is a USB 3.0 plug. It uses the extra pins of the USB 3.0 for the electricity to charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the extra wires in USB 3.0 cables are for higher speed transfers the voltage is still 5.0V the TF uses one of the wires to signal the power supply to provide 15V vs 5 V. The connector is not a true USB 3.0 If you want to charge mobile ,just connect the 12VDC from your vehicle to pins 1 and 4.

After reading this i put my transformer in the USB 3 socket and hey presto... trickle charge enabled! It doesnt say that its dojing it but mine went up from 95 - 96% in the 10 mins i had it pluged in (whilst on it)

mazimo said:
After reading this i put my transformer in the USB 3 socket and hey presto... trickle charge enabled! It doesnt say that its dojing it but mine went up from 95 - 96% in the 10 mins i had it pluged in (whilst on it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, it would only take like 16h to charge it from empty to full then! ... compared to ~1.5-2h depending on use with the 15v charger.
But if you want to charge it from the PC, just hook it up to the 12v rail on the PSU (build a molex to usb adapter or similar)
Edit: what would be interesting though, is if you could charge and sync at the same time by connecting the data cables to a usb port, but keep the power cables hooked to the 12v rail. Or maybe the TF shuts down all sync stuff when its charging...

Just a quick update... After 6 hours if gone up to a whapping...... 76%
I guess it was just playing trick on me!!!! sorry to get peoples hopes up.

Go look at USB3.0 specs. You do not have the current and Voltage necessary to do anything more than a slow trickle charge. 3.0 os basically 2.0 with an extra pair of wires for faster data transfer not higher voltage. The connector on the TF charger is not wired to USB3.0 standards.

The AC adapter reconfigures itself when it recognizes the asus tablet and it gives 12v instead of 5volts. Just tried now and it's working.

[Q] Transformer not charging with extension

As the cable is too short, I attached an extension cable.
However, now it does not charge. If i connect the short cable that came with the Transformer, it charges fine. Any suggestion?

The TF101 "short cable" as you call it, is a USB3 cable, what has +5 pins inside. One of these pins control the 15V charging (the tablet takes 15V from the charger instead of the usual 5V USB), if it can not send the signal through, it won't charge. You need a USB3 extension cable what's pretty expensive though.

Get this one or a similar one. As you can see, 2 reviewers vouch that this cable works.
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-6-Fe...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316952334&sr=1-1

ondoy1943 said:
Get this one or a similar one. As you can see, 2 reviewers vouch that this cable works.
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-6-Fe...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316952334&sr=1-1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can vouch for it, too.

Got on of this USB 3 cable while at HK and work without any problem.

Thank you guys. Will be purchasing one. I am guessing Belkin F7C008QAF Conserve Valet USB Charging Station - Energy Saving wont be working with this :/

That is correct, because the transformer looks for termination of one of the usb 3 pins, if you plug it into a usb 2.0 or lower extension/hub it just wont work. You must have a usb 3 extension/hub, or, there are many DIY chargers that are probably cheaper than a usb 3 extension cable and definately cheaper than a usb 3 hub.

Even a usb 3.0 hub or charging station will not charge it. Usb does not provide the voltage required. Only the outlet adapter will work
Sent from my mopho

Are you saying that my cigarette outlet will be the only thing that charges this?

It won't charge it all with anything unless turned off. Guess I need to make a hybrid cable
Posted on the fly with my XPLOD Evo4G

TF700 charger/cable requirements?

I was planning on using my iPad charger to charge my phone, iPad, and TF700 while on the road. It puts out more than enough current at +5 volts but doesn't work with the TF700. The Asus charger outputs +15 and +5 and works with the Asus cable and an OEM cable, and also works charging my phone using a micro-B cable. Is the TF700 charged using +15 volts?
The TF700 booklet says it can be charged from a USB port, which is +5 volts. While that may be an impossible task on a PC, it still means that the TF700 can be charged using a USB cable and +5 volt charger. Why doesn't it work? Has anyone gotten a 2A +5V OEM charger to work with the TF700? Is there a pinout diagram for the Asus cable and charger anywhere? Thanks.

Not sure if this helps, but the keyboard dock (unlike the tablet itself) can only be charged from the charger, not usb, so it must draw more power than a standard usb.
It's also possible your Apple charger usb port is pinned to only work with "apple approved" products? Have you been able to charge other devices from it?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app

phiffoo st o
Studiozut said:
Not sure if this helps, but the keyboard dock (unlike the tablet itself) can only be charged from the charger, not usb, so it must draw more power than a standard usb.
It's also possible your Apple charger usb port is pinned to only work with "apple approved" products? Have you been able to charge other devices from it?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have a dock nor am I trying to charge the TF700 from a PC USB port. The Apple charger puts out +5 volts to anything plugged into to it and the TF700 apparently "knows" when the Apple charger is connected to it because it turns on if it's off.

Haidozo said:
I was planning on using my iPad charger to charge my phone, iPad, and TF700 while on the road. It puts out more than enough current at +5 volts but doesn't work with the TF700. The Asus charger outputs +15 and +5 and works with the Asus cable and an OEM cable, and also works charging my phone using a micro-B cable. Is the TF700 charged using +15 volts?
The TF700 booklet says it can be charged from a USB port, which is +5 volts. While that may be an impossible task on a PC, it still means that the TF700 can be charged using a USB cable and +5 volt charger. Why doesn't it work? Has anyone gotten a 2A +5V OEM charger to work with the TF700? Is there a pinout diagram for the Asus cable and charger anywhere? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will charge VERY SLOWLY on 5v USB while turned off. Will not charge via 5v USB while on. The TF700 requires at least 12V/2A to charge while on. 15V/1.2A is what's recommended by Asus (based on their proprietary charger specs).
Here's a battery I use to charge my TF700 while on the go, and it also charges my phone, BT headsets and other devices. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1796750. Great battery, I highly recommend it.

AspenMan said:
It will charge VERY SLOWLY on 5v USB while turned off. Will not charge via 5v USB while on. The TF700 requires at least 12V/2A to charge while on. 15V/1.2A is what's recommended by Asus (based on their proprietary charger specs).
Here's a battery I use to charge my TF700 while on the go, and it also charges my phone, BT headsets and other devices. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1796750. Great battery, I highly recommend it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. With the TF700 turned off, an hour of charging with the 2A Apple charger had increased the battery level from 29% to 34%. I expect the TF700 to be fully charged in only 14 hours!
Thanks.

Have you considered a power inverter? I use this one with my A100 though I use a FM transmitter to charge my phone.

Somewhat related to this: in the past, when using devices that have a power block with a USB port and a charge/sync cable, such as an iPod or even my Galaxy Nexus, I've used a USB extension cable to give me a little extra slack. For some reason, that doesn't seem to work with the Infinity. I've tried three different USB extension cables and the tablet never shows that it's charging. Is there a certain USB cable I can use for this?

AspenMan said:
It will charge VERY SLOWLY on 5v USB while turned off. Will not charge via 5v USB while on. The TF700 requires at least 12V/2A to charge while on. 15V/1.2A is what's recommended by Asus (based on their proprietary charger specs).
Here's a battery I use to charge my TF700 while on the go, and it also charges my phone, BT headsets and other devices. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1796750. Great battery, I highly recommend it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have that same exact charger. do you use the "I" or the "S" USB port?
I never knew what the difference between the two were
EDIT...i shouldve read the thread lol...you modified yours

I ordered a pair of cables from eBay item # 320942102464. A house charger and a car charger. I just plugged in the dock and seems to be working fine.

USB 3.0?
FrontRowJoe said:
Somewhat related to this: in the past, when using devices that have a power block with a USB port and a charge/sync cable, such as an iPod or even my Galaxy Nexus, I've used a USB extension cable to give me a little extra slack. For some reason, that doesn't seem to work with the Infinity. I've tried three different USB extension cables and the tablet never shows that it's charging. Is there a certain USB cable I can use for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using a USB 2.0 or 3.0 extension cable? It's my understanding that the Infinity uses USB 3.0.

You need 15v to charge the Pad (I kept thinking 11, but the adapter says 5V or 15V output). This makes sense since there are more pins. Standard USB has 5v rails (ther are 4 pins, I 5v power, Data+, Data-, ground). Since our chargers are 40 pins, my assumption is that there are more pins dedicated to charging and multiple pins dedicated to data (possibly a few that are dedicated and some that are for whatever data is being passed through (assumption)). If the adapter is outputting 11v then it can send more power through the cord and multiple pins can push electricity through. When you are only pulling 5v (i.e. most AC->USB transformers) you will need a lot more time to charge, hence the trickle effect (and don't turn on the screen!)

It can be charged with 5v if the tablet is off.
There is a jumper in the USB cable itself that kicks the Asus charger into 15v mode so it doesnt accidentally fry your devices if you plug in, say, your cell phone to charge for a bit.
To make a custom cable just throw 15v across three pins in the connector (5v each). You can find all the info here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633747
Yes, i know its for the prime, the connector is exactly the same, the pinouts SHOULD be identical.

DIY approach?
I've got a TF700T and a TF201 dock and a misplaced charger. I ran into the same trouble that a lot of people here did ....... generic chargers not working, USB on my computer only trickle charges the tablet, nothing for the dock, etc.......
After much poking around I learned that both require 12 volts to charge. That said I dug thru my junk and found a 2.2a 12v DC wallwart. I hacked apart a USB extension cable for it's female end, broke out my breadboard and put together a 12v USB connector... that after several days of charging and draining.... charging and draining .... works like a champ.
So to be a bit more specific, pin 1 that's normally 5+ volts I'm supplying 12+. Pin 4 is ground same as always and that's it. If you wish let me know I can probably throw up a little illustration or something.
Since I did that I've refined the whole thing a bit, cleaned it up, wired everything directly and heat shrinked the whole assembly.
It will charge both together or either one by itself in just hours EVEN while using them..... heavily. No overheating, no troubles.
HTH

AnakiMana said:
Are you using a USB 2.0 or 3.0 extension cable? It's my understanding that the Infinity uses USB 3.0.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the cable type might only matter after the ics.30 update when I was on the ics.26 I could use a standard extention cable, I had my device plugged in when I updated and my device stopped charging, and I freaked out thinking I broke something. But after finally removing the extention my tablet would charge. I have not tried to use the extention cable since so I don't know if it works with jb.
Asus Transformer Infinity running CleanRom 2.7.x

Bluemgt06 said:
I think the cable type might only matter after the ics.30 update when I was on the ics.26 I could use a standard extention cable, I had my device plugged in when I updated and my device stopped charging, and I freaked out thinking I broke something. But after finally removing the extention my tablet would charge. I have not tried to use the extention cable since so I don't know if it works with jb.
Asus Transformer Infinity running CleanRom 2.7.x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Asus charger switches its output to 15V from 5V when a USB3 plug is detected. If you need an extesion cable to charge the Transformer, you'll have to use USB3 extension cable. If you want to use this charger on other devices, be sure to use a USB2 cable to not to fry it with 15V.

Kraka said:
If you want to use this charger on other devices, be sure to use a USB2 cable to not to fry it with 15V.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the warning - I hope there are no cables with USB3 and micro-USB2 plugs though.

[Q] Do you need the AC adapter to charge this tablet?

I went to europe recently and brought along my TF-700. I have come back and cannot find the part that plugs into the wall that came with my transformer. Plugging it into another ASUS adapter (from my N7, for example) doesn't seem to charge the dock, nor does plugging the cable into a USB port on my computer. So my question is this: will this thing only charge with the factory plug that came with the Transformer? I don't want to pay 40 bucks for a new one if I can avoid it.

This thread might shed some light -TF700 charger/cable requirements?
Long story short, you'll need something capable of pushing 15 Volts at 2 Amps to get charging while the device is on. Other variations of voltage might work while the device is off. Most computers won't push 2A through USB. I'm a little surprised the N7 adapter doesn't do you any good, I've used generic 120V AC to USB adapters to charge the TF700 in the past.

If you put the charger cable in the tablet and the usb end in the tf dock, it will charge the tablet!

Basically, Yes. Any other Transformer chargers will work, as will any 15V adapters from other sources. The N7 adapter gives off 5V. It may be 2A, but the voltage is too low.
The AC adapter gives 15 Volt. A USB port only gives 5v, as do all regular USB chargers. The TF700 starts detecting a charge at 12V (light/notificationbar). At 5V, it will charge about 1-3% an hour, which is less than/equal to the amount if drains whilst sleeping. Oh, and if you have any other USB cable attached between the TF700's charger cable and the charger, make sure it's a USB3.0. Anything else doesn't allow enough voltage to pass through.
The Infinity Manual: (People, READ THIS THING. Even if you didn't get it in the box, it's on the official website.)
Page 10:
- Ensure that your ASUS Transformer Pad is turned off before charging it via your computer's USB port.
- Charging through the USB port may take a longer time to complete.
- If your computer does not provide enough power for the ASUS Transformer Pad, use the wall outlet instead.
Page 83, not relevant in this case, but to others who try:
- The ASUS Transformer Pad cannot be charged through the USB dock when it is connected to the mobile dock.
usern ameisval idandnot said:
If you put the charger cable in the tablet and the usb end in the tf dock, it will charge the tablet!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the dock, you can just dock the tablet in the dock the way it's supposed to......

How to extend the length of your dock charging power cord.

When I got my Asus TF700T I got one power plug and 2 USB to tablet/dock plugs. The first thing I was VERY disappointed about is how short the USB cord was. When in my bed I could not plug it in I had to use it off battery only due to the shortness of the USB cable.
I went out and bought a USB male to USB female cord to use as an extension cord and low and behold it would not charge both the dock and the tablet when plugged into the Asus supplied AC adapter. I am assuming the extra length might have knocked down the power from the AC adapter just enough to not charge both devices.
What you need -
1) Original USB to Tablet Asus TF700T cord
2) Any length Male to female extension cable. I bought a 7 foot.
3) A 110-220 to 12 volt 2 amp power jack(car jack) converter. This is the one I bought any should work with the same specs. http://www.ebay.com/itm/130962356608?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
This is a very easy "hardware hack" to do.
1) Pull off the 12 volt car jack at the end of the converter it will leave you with a + and a - cable coming from the power brick.
2) Simply strip off the male side of the USB extension cable disregard the 2 data cables and just use the + and - power cables. Solder/clamp/or connect and cover each connection with electrical tape.
3) Plug the USB cable into the female end of the extension cable that is connected now to the converter.
3) Plug in your dock and tablet and watch both charge at a decent rate. This gave me enough cable length to plug it in behind my bed and be able to have it plugged in and on my lap.
Also doing it this way allows you to not have to hack up your devices USB cable and you can still take it out of the female end for any syncing or traveling purposes.
Hopefully this helps someone else who has issues with how short the charge cable is for this tablet.

A USB extension cable does work, but you specifically need a USB 3.0 cable. 2.0 doesn't allow enough voltage to travel through.

All I did was buy a lamp extension cord for .99, plug the wall wart into it and plug it in the wall. Now it's close enough to the bed or anywhere else I might be.

flhthemi said:
All I did was buy a lamp extension cord for .99, plug the wall wart into it and plug it in the wall. Now it's close enough to the bed or anywhere else I might be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or you could do that. :laugh:
Still the best solution, I quite agree.

ShadowLea said:
A USB extension cable does work, but you specifically need a USB 3.0 cable. 2.0 doesn't allow enough voltage to travel through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...because the charger uses some of the USB 3 wires to detect the tablet and enable 15 V - with a USB 2 cable it detects only a generic USB device and charges it with the standard 5 V.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 4