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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/17/2013 :  19:18:26  Show Profile
I know this is way off topic but, there are a lot of guys here that will likely know the answer to my question.

Does anybody know the voltage/amps that come out of a PC USB port. My daughter has an MP3 player and won't have access to her computer for a few days while on a school trip. The player has a mini-usb port and her 110volt phone charger is the same. The phone charger's output is 5.1v and 0.7amps. I just don't know if the current is safe for the MP3 battery.

My assumption is that if the mini-USB plug fits(and it does) it should be OK. Am I way off base here?

Thanks.
John Russell
1999 C250 SR/WK #410
Bay Village, Ohio
Sailing Lake Erie
Don't Postpone Joy!
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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts
Response Posted - 05/17/2013 :  19:40:39  Show Profile  Visit shnool's Homepage
USB is TTL voltage at 5volts.. it's SUPPOSED to be limited to .5 amps (500ma)... but most laptops can provide overcurrent to devices that require it.. (you'll see A Dell or HP computer usually mark those ports with a USB symbol with a "+" next to it (indicating standard USB voltage and more than 500ma current, hence "+").

The iPad/iPod Touch, and iPhone all require (as do most smartphones) more power (generally) than 500ma, but most can charge with .7A (700ma), the larger the device will push the limits to 2.1 amps (yep 2100ma).

Anyway, long and the short... if the charger is 700ma, then USB MIGHT be able to charge it, or more importantly the cell charger that provides TTL 5V and 700ma should be safe to charge an MP3 device that only needs 5V and 500ma.
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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 05/17/2013 :  19:59:55  Show Profile
Thanks, John.
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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts
Response Posted - 05/17/2013 :  20:18:27  Show Profile
I use phone chargers all the time to charge any other device that charges via micro-USB. When we get rid of old phones I always keep the chargers, because they come in handy. They may not be the fastest chargers because of limited amps, but they will charge almost any USB device overnight.

I also pick up the 12v USB car adapters for $2 at various discounters - when paired with a USB cable, they are good for mobile charging.

Some USB cables have two plugs - one for data, and another pigtail for supplemental power. If your USB ports are limited to 500 mA each but you have two of them, you can get 1 A by using one of the double-ended USB cables.
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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts
Response Posted - 05/17/2013 :  20:50:54  Show Profile  Visit shnool's Homepage
One of the many reasons I like android... most of the phones use a standard, MICRO-USB cable. Same as a normal GPS for the car... and most will charge under 1000ma, so you can even get cigarette to 2 or 3 USB ports that'll charge a phone and a GPS, or 2 phones... oh you get the picture, it's late and I am (as always) rambling.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.