Can I use a phone charger to charge my ebook reader?

happykayaker

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone with more knowledge of electrical currents can advise. I have a BeBook eReader which came with a cable to charge through the usb port of my computer. This is fine however I would sometime prefer to just plug it into the mains with a charger - rather than fire up the computer. I use it for work .pdf's annotating and at home for personal reading - so it is well used.

I can buy a charger from BeBook, but I hope I have found a way to save some money. I have an old Motorola phone charger which fits the charging connection on the eReader. The eReader says on the back 5V - 1A. The phone mains charger says 5V - 0.2A.

I'm hoping someone can confirm my belief that the phone charger will not fry my eReader if I plug it in and will indeed charge it without causing lasting damage to the battery. I'm assuming it will take a bit longer to charge though.

Advice and guidance very much appreciated.

I_luv_cats

I'd buy a USB charger and you'll have it for the e-reader and any other USB devices you might buy.


You ole phone charger polarity might be different, charging will take too long, (will it affect the battery?) could there be issues with stability too.

Enterprise_1701C

Sone E-Readers (my Sony included) will not charge direct from a USB charger. The best work-around for that is to get the USB charger and get a lead to go with it that plugs into the DC socket on the reader. Works with my Sony anyway. All you have to do is find out the correct size of DC plug!

KillerWatt

From an electrical viewpoint, the Moto charger will charge your BeBook quite happily and it will take 5 hours for a full charge based on the numbers you have posted.
Somehow I suspect the claimed output current you say the charger puts out is what the charger pulls off the mains when it is in use, I have just checked 2 Moto chargers we have here and both put out up to 550mA on the secondary side, so they would charge your BeBook in just under 2 hours from flat.

You can ignore whatever has been said about polarity and plug sizes, USB is USB and there are no detractions from the standard.

PS

Just checked the BeBook website, you can use any USB charger you like providing it puts out 5V (which they all do).

happykayaker

Thank you all., I just had another look and KillerWatt is right - I was looking at the input not output - which is 500mA. So that looks like it will save me some money!

Thanks