FAQ: Why is charging of Motorola phones so slow on the travel charger?

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John Navas - 05 Dec 2005 22:56 GMT

Q: Why is charging of Motorola phones so slow on the travel charger?

A: The standard travel charger packaged by Motorola with many current
phones puts out insufficient power for fastest possible charging and for
continuous use while charging.

For example, charger SSW-0509 for the V551 puts out only 375 mA. The
V551 detects this as a slow charger, and thus keeps the external display
backlight off during charging. Worse, there's not enough current to
keep up with use of the phone while charging, so while the phone is use,
the battery will still be discharged even with the phone on the charger.
With a fast charger the external display backlight is on during
charging, and the phone can be used while the battery is charging.

Motorola makes fast 1500 mA chargers that are compatible with these phones:
* SPN4716* (where * might be "B" or "C"), also known as
* NNTN4250 (nominally for Nextel, but also works with non-Nextel phones).
These chargers are readily available from dealers and on eBay for under
$15 (plus shipping).

(For what it's worth, Motorola probably saved less than $1 in cost by
packaging slow chargers instead of fast chargers with these phones.)

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bamp - 07 Dec 2005 18:47 GMT

| Q: Why is charging of Motorola phones so slow on the travel charger?
|
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
| (For what it's worth, Motorola probably saved less than $1 in cost by
| packaging slow chargers instead of fast chargers with these phones.)

Do you have any part numbers for a rapid charger for a Razr?

..
bamp

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John Navas - 07 Dec 2005 18:55 GMT

>| Q: Why is charging of Motorola phones so slow on the travel charger?
>|
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
>Do you have any part numbers for a rapid charger for a Razr?

I'm pretty sure the same chargers work for the V3 RAZR.

Signature

Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Dale White - 07 Dec 2005 21:24 GMT

>>Do you have any part numbers for a rapid charger for a Razr?
>
> I'm pretty sure the same chargers work for the V3 RAZR.

Hmm, Well, here I was thinking my Car charger (Branded by Cingular) had
something wrong with it, because it left the display light on while charging
(not to mention the phone gets warm when charging), yet my Wall Charger and
PC data cable leaves the display off. My wall charger says it's output is
550 mHa, which is guess is still to low to dual charging and talking. Though
I pretty much never do either.

Not sure what the proper term for the connectors are. but the Razr uses the
same connector type has most digital cameras and some MP3 players, while the
other V series phones use the same connector type as say the Motorola
Bluetooth headset. But I did find a rapid wall charger for the Razr out on
the web

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BruceR - 07 Dec 2005 23:04 GMT

SPN5202A is 850ma and charges the razr pretty quickly and even while
talking. Don't worry about the "A" at the end it can be any letter.

From:Dale White
dale.white@noinsightbb.com

>>> Do you have any part numbers for a rapid charger for a Razr?
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> as say the Motorola Bluetooth headset. But I did find a rapid wall
> charger for the Razr out on the web

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BruceR - 07 Dec 2005 23:06 GMT

BTW, the SPN5202A can be found on ebay for about US$10 delivered.

From:Dale White
dale.white@noinsightbb.com

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SMS - 07 Dec 2005 23:56 GMT

> | (For what it's worth, Motorola probably saved less than $1 in cost by
> | packaging slow chargers instead of fast chargers with these phones.)
>
> Do you have any part numbers for a rapid charger for a Razr?

Razr
----
Rapid $9 "http://www.cellularaccessory.com/98605.html"
Mini $20 "http://www.cellularaccessory.com/98604.html"

V551 and other "CE Bus" Motorola/Nextel Phones
----------------------------------------------
Mini $7 "http://www.cellularaccessory.com/spn5037.html"
Fast $9 "http://store.yahoo.com/cellularaccessorycom/spn4716.html"

Enter "gift4u" for an additional 7% off.

In reality, the rapid charger almost certainly cost Motorola LESS to
make because it lacks the folding plug. They think that people want the
smaller charger for traveling, and that since most people charge
overnight anyway, that the charge rate is immaterial.

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Dick - 08 Dec 2005 01:05 GMT

>> | (For what it's worth, Motorola probably saved less than $1 in cost by
>> | packaging slow chargers instead of fast chargers with these phones.)
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>smaller charger for traveling, and that since most people charge
>overnight anyway, that the charge rate is immaterial.

My rapid charger PSM4716A with 1500 ma output does have the folding
plug. Bought it on Ebay.

Dick

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SMS - 08 Dec 2005 01:23 GMT

> My rapid charger PSM4716A with 1500 ma output does have the folding
> plug. Bought it on Ebay.

Yes the PSM4716A has the folding plug ($7 at
http://www.cellularaccessory.com/98357.html) but it's quite a bit larger
than the SPN5037 ($7 at http://www.cellularaccessory.com/spn5037.html).
I've found http://www.cellularaccessory.com to have better prices than
eBay for genuine Motorola stuff, when shipping is taken into account.

I prefer the smaller charger for traveling, and since I'm charging
overnight anyway, the extra time is immaterial.

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Dick - 08 Dec 2005 04:47 GMT

>> My rapid charger PSM4716A with 1500 ma output does have the folding
>> plug. Bought it on Ebay.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>I prefer the smaller charger for traveling, and since I'm charging
>overnight anyway, the extra time is immaterial.

True enough. The 5037 comes with the V551. It is not a rapid
charger, however. I thought that's what we were discussing.

Dick

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John Navas - 08 Dec 2005 03:16 GMT

Yet another clueless statement: The rapid charger for the V551 *has* folding
plugs.

Signature

Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

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Mark Rosen - 11 Dec 2005 02:10 GMT

Cingular sales rep told me the standard disclaimer:
if you use any charger other than the one that comes with the v551 phone
you could damage the phone and/or battery and void Cingulars warranty

This being interesting: I moved from Nextel to Cingular last Feb.
I had a couple of spare Nextel chargers

Noticing the difference in amperage and voltage -- I figured I could
get faster charge
I emailed Motorola V551 support and asked them if the chargers could be used
they said yes

I got faster charge times and it seemed the battery time was longer
(but I didnt do
any comparisons)

Another case of the manufacture says yes and the repackager (Cingular says no)
I dont understand the reasoning -- you can buy the little travel
chargers for the same price
as the Nextel on ebay or 3rd party vendor

The real killer is that there is no Cingular authorized faster charger
they have only the one -- they could sell you one for $30 at sales
time and make a killing
But -- I guess they are no up on the consumers needs
Usually the first add on is a second charger or a case/holster
Considering the cost for the consumer to buy the holster and the cost
to make is prob close
to 10,000 times net profit ( a hunk of plastic)

the unlogic befuddles me sort of incomplete marketing
I guess he answer is (if you have to ) warranty repair through Motorola and
stay clear of Cingular for repairs if it is even possible

> Q: Why is charging of Motorola phones so slow on the travel charger?
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> (For what it's worth, Motorola probably saved less than $1 in cost by
> packaging slow chargers instead of fast chargers with these phones.)

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