12V power outlet - Samsung Galaxy S5

[honzacaf]

Hello,

I would like to ask if one of you gentlemen are experiencing this following issue:

I have a SCOSCHE USBC242M 12 Watt USB Car Charger (2.1amp) plugged into the Kawa's 12V power outlet, 3.0 USB from it to my phone (Samsung Galaxy S5),and every time I have either Google Maps, or Waze app running, plus Bluetooth to my helmet. The issue I am facing is the phone is still loosing power, even-though it shows it is on charger. (It used to work with Galaxy S4)

If I have the same scenario in my car, all good and the phone is charging.

Please let me know if you have any idea.

Thank you, very much appreciated!

Honza

[RBX QB]

Confirm that the charger is fully seated in the socket (not loose). There have been instances (documented in other threads) of the contacts not fully engaging the factory socket, resulting in poor electrical connection.

Beyond that, I have no other ideas.

[honzacaf]

Confirm that the charger is fully seated in the socket (not loose). There have been instances (documented in other threads) of the contacts not fully engaging the factory socket, resulting in poor electrical connection.

Beyond that, I have no other ideas.

Sir!

I shall do that! Thank you for your input

[reh8388]

Sir!

I shall do that! Thank you for your input

I had issues with my phone discharging when it said it was charging. It can be a couple of things. The first thing I would suspect is the cable. (Yes it sounds crazy) But there are 2 different cables.

1. Standard micro USB data cable. All pins pass straight through the cable.

2. Android charging cable which shorts together the Data+ and Data- lines basically telling the charger it is "OK" to push more then the USB2.0 standard of 500mA.

Obviously if you are using the same cable in the car and on the bike then it isn't the cable.

To check mine I use an app called Battery Monitor Widget (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccc71.bmw) and one of the screens shows you the "mA flow" which a negative number means it is discharging while a positive number shows charging. If you leave all the apps off and plug it in and are only seeing ~500mA then it is your cable. Search for android charging cable and there are a ton to choose from for cheap.

[maxtog]

I had issues with my phone discharging when it said it was charging. It can be a couple of things. The first thing I would suspect is the cable. (Yes it sounds crazy) But there are 2 different cables.

1. Standard micro USB data cable. All pins pass straight through the cable.

2. Android charging cable which shorts together the Data+ and Data- lines basically telling the charger it is "OK" to push more then the USB2.0 standard of 500mA.

Obviously if you are using the same cable in the car and on the bike then it isn't the cable.

Yep, that is likely the answer (you posted before I could).  A modern smartphone with the display on bright and actively CPU loaded with radios on and active can pull more power at "low amp charge" than can be supplied through a data cable.  So it ends up pulling from the battery, anyway.  So it is technically "charging" but thinking it is connected to a computer, where it is only allowed to pull 1A and it can't keep up.  With the correct cable, it can jump to the full 2A and can supply more power than the device can use (so some of it goes to the battery).

Common question on the Nexus 10 forum- since that tablet (with big screen and super-fast processors and a huge battery) will do the same thing (lose power while charging) when not using the "correct" cable or charger.  And/or people will complain it is taking 8+ hours to charge the 9AH battery instead of the expected 4.5 hours.

[honzacaf]

Yep, that is likely the answer (you posted before I could).  A modern smartphone with the display on bright and actively CPU loaded with radios on and active can pull more power at "low amp charge" than can be supplied through a data cable.  So it ends up pulling from the battery, anyway.  So it is technically "charging" but thinking it is connected to a computer, where it is only allowed to pull 1A and it can't keep up.  With the correct cable, it can jump to the full 2A and can supply more power than the device can use (so some of it goes to the battery).

Common question on the Nexus 10 forum- since that tablet (with big screen and super-fast processors and a huge battery) will do the same thing (lose power while charging) when not using the "correct" cable or charger.  And/or people will complain it is taking 8+ hours to charge the 9AH battery instead of the expected 4.5 hours.

Hello,

Thank you for your reply, I took two screenshots while on the charger. I have turn off the bike in between,  it has shown different mA each time

[maxtog]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply, I took two screenshots while on the charger. I have turn off the bike in between,  it has shown different mA each time

If I am reading your posting correctly, you answered your own question.... you do know that when you turn off the bike, the accessory port is unpowered, right?

[honzacaf]

If I am reading your posting correctly, you answered your own question.... you do know that when you turn off the bike, the accessory port is unpowered, right?

Sorry, bad wording, what I meant was, the difference the -1149 mA was before I stopped at a pharmacy; after I got there, I turned off the motorcycle, got my drug, and went back, started the motorcycle, and then took the second screenshot. So it had two different readings.

[VirginiaJim]

Loose connection.  My GPS will charge/not charge and it's the connection.  Wrap the plug with electrical tape to give it a tighter fit in the socket.

[jirod]

I had the same problem. I stuck a strip of velcro, the loop side, to the plug. The fact that is thick but giving keeps the plug tight in place. Looking at mounting a marine USB charging port on the left side.

[reh8388]

I had the same problem. I stuck a strip of velcro, the loop side, to the plug. The fact that is thick but giving keeps the plug tight in place. Looking at mounting a marine USB charging port on the left side.

This is what I did to add a USB charger to the bike. I will say that it is not exactly easy to plug and unplug the USB cable since the cubby is so small and the plug is near the bottom, but I just leave the cable plugged in and it works great. The cubby does get quite warm, but not hot enough that I have been concerned yet. I plan to eventually put some insulation on the outside of the cubby to remedy the heat problem.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=17016.msg208757#msg208757

[honzacaf]

Thank you for all of your replies, this is a great community. I will try all of the above.

Honza

[MAN OF BLUES]

I had the same problem. I stuck a strip of velcro, the loop side, to the plug. The fact that is thick but giving keeps the plug tight in place. Looking at mounting a marine USB charging port on the left side.

Before you try that, and assuming you think it will fit in the spot that looks like the location opposite of the original one, I'll caution you there is a metal bracket behind that will not let you simply punch a hole and install... just cautioning you beforehand.

[jirod]

Before you try that, and assuming you think it will fit in the spot that looks like the location opposite of the original one, I'll caution you there is a metal bracket behind that will not let you simply punch a hole and install... just cautioning you beforehand.

Thanks M.O.B, I was aware of the bracket bedhind the dash piece and that's what kept me from taking on the task. I saw a video or a pdf of an installation where they made it sound like it is possible with some filing, but I wanted to see for myself. Just waiting to have some downtime.

[mikeeitup]

Hey just wanna make sure of something. Did you buy a charging only cable with 22-24awg wire for the charger? I have the SAME charger and spent more money on a fast cable that is not capable of transferring data. This apparently allows for more charge to go through and dosent let the phone waste battery and time on trying to "pair" with anything. I have NO problems running bluetooth, gps, screen on, and music while charging at the same time. TLDR DON'T GET A CRAPPY CHARGING CABLE WITH THE BEST CHARGER. Hope this helps you out.
Mike

[KaTieM505]

I experienced the same charging problems.  In addition,  my charger always seems to vibrate enough to lose the connection.  With the phone plugged in, it still discharged. While looking for a better solution,  I discovered a USB charger that plugs directly into the connection used to attach a trickle charger. These are made by Battery Tender and are available on Ebay for $12. After rerouting my trickle charger connection up closer to the top of the tank, I now have a convenient 2 amp charger that is always hot and doesn't vibrate loose. Problem solved. 

[danl]

I ran into this problem with my S3. It charges fine if I am only doing tunes via Bluetooth, but once I enable the GPS chip and use a mapping app, after about 5 hours it'll pop up the low battery warning. The USB charger simply can't output enough juice to charge the phone with the load of the GPS chip.

[reh8388]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply, I took two screenshots while on the charger. I have turn off the bike in between,  it has shown different mA each time

Looking at the screenshots again, the update interval on the app is pretty slow. My guess is that it just hadn't updated yet. If you tap the Charge/Discharge number it tries to update. The fact that you were at +0mA even when it was "charging" means the charger was not keeping up. The battery was not discharging, but was also not increasing in charge either. My guess is it is a bad charging cable.

[Classvino]

And just in case...

If you're using one, make sure the lighter dongle (the DC to DC adapter that plugs into the stock power socket) is a 2A model rather than a 1A model, or less - as with anything, you get what you pay for - most of the dollar store ones are only 500mA... 

I bought a battery charger (actually charges a battery outside of the phone) and a spare battery. (Twice now - Got an S5 when my S3 died)

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Micro-USB-Desktop-Battery-Charger-Cradle-Dock-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S5-I9600/1873942163.html?currencyType=CAD&af=ppc&isdl=y&src=Google&albch=Google&aff_short_key=6vYvMRFf&gclid=Cj0KEQjwm6CgBRC0zOmrydrqmosBEiQA_xoLRjnPXWcAhGKE3R3iFPjwFH3hGm_ysK-3EMaL01Zb1kYaAgvV8P8HAQ

With a 2A adapter, the spare is always charged before the one in the phone dies....  Pretty easy to change them too - under a minute, though you do have to pull over to do it...

Secure the battery in the cradle with an elastic, plug it in, and drop it in the glove box for when it's needed.  I use the same charger/cord to charge the 2nd Cardo BT unit...   Never run out of tunes...  or GPS directions from my phone.   

Jamie