[geordielady]

Posting this on behalf of my next door neighbour who has a kindle. He normally charges it on the computer via USB but he has now got a digital camera that comes with a mains USB adapater to charge the camera battery. Its sort of a plug that has a USB port which he plugs in the camera's USB lead to charge the camera.
What he wants to know is can he plug in his amazon Kindle USB cable into this plug and charge the kindle via the mains in the same way he charges his camera.

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by geordielady

Posting this on behalf of my next door neighbour who has a kindle. He normally charges it on the computer via USB but he has now got a digital camera that comes with a mains USB adapater to charge the camera battery. Its sort of a plug that has a USB port which he plugs in the camera's USB lead to charge the camera.
What he wants to know is can he plug in his amazon Kindle USB cable into this plug and charge the kindle via the mains in the same way he charges his camera.

Yes. Generally a USB port is a USB port. The only problem comes with devices like the iPad that need a high current. But you still can't do any harm, all USB ports are 5V, the device might just not charge. Kindle should be OK, I charge mine on a variety of mains adapters.

[Voynich]

I use my phone charger sometimes and the car usb charger.

[Brush Master]

Originally Posted by tdenson

Yes. Generally a USB port is a USB port. The only problem comes with devices like the iPad that need a high current....

The first part is correct (it generally works), and the last part is correct (devices needing high current). The middle part is not though ("only").
Some devices only draw power after connecting to their designated driver; my Texas Instruments calculator is an example for that. I should add this is one of few (the only?) device I have seen to require a driver connection prior to accepting the good juice.

[tdenson]

Originally Posted by Brush Master

The first part is correct (it generally works), and the last part is correct (devices needing high current). The middle part is not though ("only").
Some devices only draw power after connecting to their designated driver; my Texas Instruments calculator is an example for that. I should add this is one of few (the only?) device I have seen to require a driver connection prior to accepting the good juice.

Actually it's more common than you might think. It happens with my iPhone if I have a Windows virtual machine running on my Mac. The VM spots the plugging in of a USB device and pops up a message to ask which machine you want to connect it to. Only after dismissing that dialogue does the iPhone start charging.

[geordielady]

Thanks for the comments guys, will pass them on to my neighbour.
His only concern was it would damage the kindle if there was a voltage problem but appears from your comments no damage will happen it just wont charge.

[spiney2]

yes.

the usb standard is well defined including voltage.

but beware of usb "hubs". some - eg those from pound shops - are essentially fake and just parallel the sockets with no buffering or protection. i expect the kindles are designed to withstand 19 v dc but best not to test that.

most of the usb chargers can probably supply sufficient current for kindle maximum charge rate but some might not and take longer.

[spiney2]

..... the driver thingy is extra protection. for situations like above with fake usb hubs etc. however any device that is specifically a usb charger - ie one of those mains plugs with just a usb socket on it - is ok.

[neo_wales]

Look on Ebay for 'USB kindle charger' and there are lots for sale, two three quid a time.