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[Q] Charging cable

I have just bought up my transformer ( Love it ) but it's at about 10% battery right now... I take the cable that came with it (the usb one) and plugged it into my computer but it is not charging ? Any idea what's wrong with it ? when i plug it into the charging unit it works fine though

i've heard it has to be turned off for the USB charging to work....

Like off as in screen off or off as in complete off ?

It will not charge in your computer. You have to charge it in the wall.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App

One of the pamphlets that came with it said the screen has to be off in order to charge it using a computer's USB port, cause the screen uses too much power and a USB port doesn't output as much, its best just to charge with the ac adapter. Nothing is wrong with your unit, thats just how it works.

Dark lord me said:
I have just bought up my transformer ( Love it ) but it's at about 10% battery right now... I take the cable that came with it (the usb one) and plugged it into my computer but it is not charging ? Any idea what's wrong with it ? when i plug it into the charging unit it works fine though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turn off the screen and it will charge. (you don't need to turn it off; you just need a black screen) It is very, very slow though.
My wall charger never charged my tablet so I am awaiting a replacement. The USB charge is MUCH slower than the wall charge. We are talking about maybe 4-5% an hour -- max with the USB cable alone.

Connecting this thing to a computer will NOT charge it. Even a normal 5V 1.2A-2A charger won't charge it fast enough. I used a 2A charger and it trickle-charged for over half a day and managed to clock in @ 50pc. I think the unit uses hardware info from the ASUS charger to detect the charger. Any other charger wont do.

Isn't the cable and charger USB 3 and charging is at non USB 2 values (voltage and current).

Good amount of mis-info in this thread...
The unit *will* charge from computer USB, assuming the USB port provides enough amperage (not voltage). I have not yet measured out the amps used, but it's on my list of things to do...
In order to charge from computer USB, the display on the Transformer needs to be off. The unit can be on, but it must be asleep.
The adapter that comes with the transformer provides 15VDC via extra pins which loosely resemble USB 3.0. These are *not* USB 3.0 data/power specs, however a USB 3.0 extension cord could be used to lengthen the existing adapter.
Any USB car adapter should work to charge this in sleep mode, similar to a computer USB port. In order to "fast charge" in a car, however, you'd basically need to use an AC inverter with an ASUS Transformer adapter.

ChristoA1 said:
Good amount of mis-info in this thread...
The unit *will* charge from computer USB, assuming the USB port provides enough amperage (not voltage). I have not yet measured out the amps used, but it's on my list of things to do...
In order to charge from computer USB, the display on the Transformer needs to be off. The unit can be on, but it must be asleep.
The adapter that comes with the transformer provides 15VDC via extra pins which loosely resemble USB 3.0. These are *not* USB 3.0 data/power specs, however a USB 3.0 extension cord could be used to lengthen the existing adapter.
Any USB car adapter should work to charge this in sleep mode, similar to a computer USB port. In order to "fast charge" in a car, however, you'd basically need to use an AC inverter with an ASUS Transformer adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried a 2.1A 5V charger. Took about 8 hours to charge @ 50pc. The ASUS charger is rated at 1.2A.

is the only way to plug the device into your PC or laptop via USB on the dock?
you cant use the proprietary charger cable to do USB data transfer with the charging cable USB component?
ie....to do data transfers via USB (not the memory card), the only way is via the dock?

makaveli25 said:
is the only way to plug the device into your PC or laptop via USB on the dock?
you cant use the proprietary charger cable to do USB data transfer with the charging cable USB component?
ie....to do data transfers via USB (not the memory card), the only way is via the dock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, one end of the charging cable is regular USB and the other end (tablet-end) is proprietary. You can transfer files over by connecting to your computer's USB.

awesome, thanks.

do you think that if you get a male/female USB converter, you could plug in a USB memory stick device or a mini hard drive device and have it work fine in the charging cable just like you would if you were to plug in a mini hard drive into one of the usb ports on the dock?

Why won't my TF charge via USB hub?

[Q] I have a USB charging station that has worked for every device I've thrown at it. I know the TF trickle charges on USB, but this hub is plugged directly into an outlet, and it's not charging at all. Why?

Because the TF needs a USB 3.0 lead to charge it while it is being used / screen is awake
USB 2.0 only charges when the device is powered down or in sleep mode / screen off

The usb2.0 can provide only 500mAh and as far as i know the usb3.0 provides 800mAh.

Seems to be the voltage, USB 2.0 = 5v, USB 3.0 = 12v
Just from what I have read so far, I don't have USB 3.0 so can't test

Nonentity018 said:
I have a USB charging station that has worked for every device I've thrown at it. I know the TF trickle charges on USB, but this hub is plugged directly into an outlet, and it's not charging at all. Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because, as user DevCake figured out, if you look closely at the AC adapter it is dual voltage 5v & 15v. He determined (summary): if pin 7 (USB 3.0 spec) in the AC adapter is triggered by the tablet or dock then the voltage switches from 5v to 15v. Also, if you apply 11v-15v directly to the tablet or dock (via USB 2.0 power leads in the 40 pin cable) the charging indicators work. In my opinion, this triggering mechanism makes the AC adapter *more* proprietary than the ASUS 40 pin cable.
Thereafter, everyone went looking for ways to provide 15v optimally (12v also works) to charge the tablet. Over 15v is a mistake, and if you plug any of your other USB 2.0 5v devices into 12v-15v you will burn them out.
There are a bunch of DIY charging threads and comments if you look around.
Good luck.

Well, I've ordered a USB 3.0 hub from Amazon, and hopefully that works.
I know 2.0 will only give the TF a trickle charge, but it wasn't giving me anything, and the indicator was not coming on.
Anyway, I'll be sure to post the result!

Yea keep us updated, and you wouldnt see the indicator as the screen needs to be off for it to charge via USB 2.0 - so as soon as you turn the screen on, it stops charging, kinda like trying to see if the light in the fridge really turns off when you shut the door lol

magicdave26 said:
Yea keep us updated, and you wouldnt see the indicator as the screen needs to be off for it to charge via USB 2.0 - so as soon as you turn the screen on, it stops charging, kinda like trying to see if the light in the fridge really turns off when you shut the door lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I got my USB 3.0 hub, today. Long story shor: it doesn't charge, either. I haven't left it long enough to see if it trickle charges, but it doesn't seem to.

Nonentity018 said:
Well, I got my USB 3.0 hub, today. Long story shor: it doesn't charge, either. I haven't left it long enough to see if it trickle charges, but it doesn't seem to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My laptop (Asus G73) has a USB 3.0 port. I just tired it and it doesn't seem to charge (not indicator on my battery widget or "charging on the lock screen).

RojasTKD said:
My laptop (Asus G73) has a USB 3.0 port. I just tired it and it doesn't seem to charge (not indicator on my battery widget or "charging on the lock screen).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would at least think Asus would make their devices work well together! This blows; I'm sure some dev could figure out a way around this, if we knew exactly what was going on.

Read the reply from above. The tf needs 15V in order to charge. Usb was not designed with this kind of charging power in mind. Usb provides a max of 5.25 V.
Sent from my mopho

Question about charging

Reading the manual, it says after charging the first time, that the tablet can be charged by USB if there is enough power through the USB port. I put an extension between the Asus adapter and the proprietary cord, and it won't charge unless directly connected to the adapter. I have USB 3 port on my computer that gives out higher than standard power, and I have a USB port in my car, and this tablet won't charge on anything except a direct single asus wire connection to the Asus adapter. Is this correct? It seems that I may have a defective tablet.
Are there any other people having this issue.

USB 3.0
pixel-painter said:
Reading the manual, it says after charging the first time, that the tablet can be charged by USB if there is enough power through the USB port. I put an extension between the Asus adapter and the proprietary cord, and it won't charge unless directly connected to the adapter. I have USB 3 port on my computer that gives out higher than standard power, and I have a USB port in my car, and this tablet won't charge on anything except a direct single asus wire connection to the Asus adapter. Is this correct? It seems that I may have a defective tablet.
Are there any other people having this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The USB extension also needs to be USB 3.0. Is the one you're using?

The extension was to the power outlet in the wall.
I wonder if the Asus chord is made for USB 3 then?
Sent from my brain to my hand to XDA

Is your extension just a USB extension or a powered USB extension? Maybe it carries data but not power? Can you charge other devices with the extension (and do they actually charge at a decent rate)?

Yes! I charge my htc sensation on it all the time. But I more than that, I am trying to find out if others are able to charge via the Asus proprietary USB cord to another source such as a computer or car etc.....
as opposed to using the wall power adapter from Asus
Sent from my brain to my hand to XDA

I also can't get the tf700 to charge with any adapter other than the supplied charger. I've tried 500mA, 1A and 1.9A (from a Nook color) USB chargers and none work.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app

pearl62 said:
I also can't get the tf700 to charge with any adapter other than the supplied charger. I've tried 500mA, 1A and 1.9A (from a Nook color) USB chargers and none work.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am quite certain that it says in the user manual that it is possible to charge via USB, i don't have it with me at work, but can someone verify this.... it could be a major issue for some, and needs to be addressed. I know that the battery power at full charge is not going to last all day for me, and being able to charge via USB is really important since i am in sales so i do not have access to an electrical outlet, but i do have a USB port in my car.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda premium

I'll add my personal experience to this...
When I got the tablet I put in a basic USB extension cable between the tablet cable and the outlet adapter. I didn't notice for an hour or so that it wasn't saying it was "charging".
Except...in that hour the battery hadn't gone at all.
And with the screen off and left to its own devices it will charge to 100%.
So I guess the point is this, it may not say its charging but it is getting power. If you're using it as like an overnight charging thing, it should work just fine.

Doesn't the manual say that you need to power it off before changing over USB?

Splaktar said:
Doesn't the manual say that you need to power it off before changing over USB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing this out.
I'll have to check this out, but I hope one doesn't need to have to restart a tablet, just to change the power source. Kind of a pain

troa11 said:
I'll add my personal experience to this...
When I got the tablet I put in a basic USB extension cable between the tablet cable and the outlet adapter. I didn't notice for an hour or so that it wasn't saying it was "charging".
Except...in that hour the battery hadn't gone at all.
And with the screen off and left to its own devices it will charge to 100%.
So I guess the point is this, it may not say its charging but it is getting power. If you're using it as like an overnight charging thing, it should work just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So maybe it is charging a little, even though it says it isn't. I think I will try this out and leave it for a few hours or overnight as a test.

pixel-painter said:
So maybe it is charging a little, even though it says it isn't. I think I will try this out and leave it for a few hours or overnight as a test.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I plugged into the USB port and the power level was at 78%, I left it plugged in for about 5 hours and when i rechecked, it read 97%. The whole time it read as Not charging. This is good news, I really need that feature. It is interesting that it reads as Not charging, this must be a software error.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda premium

See this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1788055

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......