USB cable question

[NeutralFan]

Having a family that all have Apple iPhones, the 1 aspect of the Lightning cable that I like is that it can be inserted either way. There’s not a top or bottom to it. On the other hand, the micro, mini, and regular USB can only be inserted 1 way. And with the micro USB, sometimes I think I’m inserting it the right way, but then it seems to not quite fit and then I’ll realize to turn it around. I haven’t broke a micro USB in a device yet, but my son has. They seem a little fragile.

[Venom]

@RollerBoySE

Also be aware that many USB cables use very thin wires, which does affect their ability to transfer high current, meaning that the charge time will be considerably longer.
Anker, for example makes excellent cables.
The Rolls Royce of cables is probably this one: https://paracable.com

I went to the paracable website and they were out of stock on the one I want. How are the Anker Powerline Plus cable?

[Barkuti]

I have absolutely 0 problems with one-way cables, NeutralFan, and wouldn't pay even a single additional dime for such feature were it to be an option.

All of you Apple users? Ouch! Not my cup of tea. @#$% closed systems and implied enforcements.

Paracable… overpriced. My custom No-frills USB to MicroUSB Heavy-duty Cat-5e 5+ft 1'5+m Charging/data Cable beats them all performance/price wise.

Cheers

[RollerBoySE]

@Venom

@RollerBoySE

Also be aware that many USB cables use very thin wires, which does affect their ability to transfer high current, meaning that the charge time will be considerably longer.
Anker, for example makes excellent cables.
The Rolls Royce of cables is probably this one: https://paracable.com

I went to the paracable website and they were out of stock on the one I want. How are the Anker Powerline Plus cable?

Anker makes good cables.

[RollerBoySE]

@Barkuti

I have absolutely 0 problems with one-way cables, NeutralFan, and wouldn’t pay even a single additional dime for such feature were it to be an option.

All of you Apple users? Ouch! Not my cup of tea. @#$% closed systems and implied enforcements.

Paracable… overpriced. My custom No-frills USB to MicroUSB Heavy-duty Cat-5e 5+ft 1’5+m Charging/data Cable beats them all performance/price wise.

Cheers 

Custom can always beat stock.

However:
I was sick and tired of having to replace my charging cables over and over again (since they break). So I tried Paracable and couldn’t be happier.

Paracables may be expensive (the profit margin is probably huge), but they really are built like a tank and will very likely outlive most other brands by a hefty margin (and thus pay for themselves by not having to be replaced). Charging is noticeably faster too and I don’t mind that they look good.

I use both Apple/Lightning and micro-USB (for different devices).

[dodge_911]

@fireblade893

All micro USB leads will fit , however the charge rate will vary I have some cheap ones that will pull a max of 0.5A while a good on will pull 2.0A . Makes a big difference charging my BT speaker (Anker 3143) on that its 0.5A generic lead vs 1.5A Anker lead. Accordng to my Portapow USB power monitor.

I beg to differ. Have tested a lot of cables, and none of them show a drop in amps, even really really crappy ones.

They do have a voltage drop, maybe that is what's influencing your readings, making the device you're charging demand a lower current.

Using a device featuring charging circuitry isn't optimal for testing cables.

Regarding what brand to buy : I'm quite happy with the bang-for-buck factor of BlitzWolf's latest cables, tested a lot of them and they seem to be built pretty good and have low resistance.

If you want to know what cables I've tested, check the links in my sig.

[HKJ]

@dodge_911

I beg to differ. Have tested a lot of cables, and none of them show a drop in amps, even really really crappy ones.

The cable do not change the current, but many phones and other devices will reduce the charge current when the voltage drops due to a crappy cable.

[Yokiamy]

@hIKARInoob

Yes. The “U” of USB stands for “Universal”. Some companies like Apple have their own standard indeed (not compatible). The only minor exception perhaps is the latest USB C type plug. But very few devices use this new format that require a different new cable. For example Samsung Galaxy S8, and Wuben T102 (only flashlight that I know of) use USB C.

Google pixel, as well as the Nexus 5x and my Nexus 6P

[dodge_911]

@HKJ

The cable do not change the current, but many phones and other devices will reduce the charge current when the voltage drops due to a crappy cable.

I thought I said that in the next paragraph. I always laugh when they advertise a 3A cable :)

[RollerBoySE]

@HKJ

@dodge_911

I beg to differ. Have tested a lot of cables, and none of them show a drop in amps, even really really crappy ones.

The cable do not change the current, but many phones and other devices will reduce the charge current when the voltage drops due to a crappy cable.

Exactly, and thus the charging time is affected considerably. Especially Apple drops the current quite a bit.

[Barkuti]

My custom cable uses 3 pairs of AWG24 (3 × AWG24 = AWG19.2623) wires for power transmission; this is 86.56mΩ of total wire resistance, or close to 260mV of drop when 3A of current flows through it. Bear in mind this is just for the cable! There are additional losses because of plug contact resistances (bottlenecks), which get worse with usage wear and tear. So even with my low drop custom cable such high rate would be problematic, I believe.

Honestly, lots of consumers are half-wits. Don't get me wrong, I may still be half-witted under certain circumstances. Problem is you really can't/shouldn't trust advertising (as a rule), but half-wits tend to. You know, when people buys UltraTurd 18650 9800mAh cells in bulk… :facepalm:

Cheers ^:)

[Venom]

Thanks for all the replies!

[Venom]

Just to update this thread. I went with the Anker Powerline Plus cable.

[NeutralFan]

Anker seems to be a quality company. We have many of their products, all bought on Amazon. My son has an Anker bluetooth portable speaker that stopped working after close to a year after we bought it. They replaced it without an issue and the new one has been working great despite the abuse he puts on it.

[Venom]

@NeutralFan

Anker seems to be a quality company. We have many of their products, all bought on Amazon. My son has an Anker bluetooth portable speaker that stopped working after close to a year after we bought it. They replaced it without an issue and the new one has been working great despite the abuse he puts on it.

I got my Anker cable from amazon and hopefully I will have no issue with them. By the reviews on Amazon any issue was taken care of by Anker without a hassle.

[jerm03]

I do a lot of charging of my tablets. Currently the cables I have and the wall plugs are as “Slow as Christmas.” The Paracables are rather expensive. Are the Anker cables better in terms of speed of charging?
Jerry

[RollerBoySE]

@jerm03

I do a lot of charging of my tablets. Currently the cables I have and the wall plugs are as “Slow as Christmas.” The Paracables are rather expensive. Are the Anker cables better in terms of speed of charging?
Jerry

I would say that Anker cables and Paracables are about equal when it comes to charging speed, and faster than cheap stuff.

[jerm03]

Thanks, I’ll get some.

Added: I found them on the WalMart website for $6.99 regular list price $29.00. They are 6 ft. I ordered 2 with no postage. $13.98.
Jerry

[XXX-Man]

I ordered this Aukey set and they work perfect up to 2.4A (don’t have a device that can use more)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Aukey-5-Pack-Micro-USB-Cable-Fast-Charging-Adapter-5V2A-Data-Charger-Mobile-Phone-Cable-for/32637756862.html

[blinker]

Good, inexpensive cables at monoprice.com,