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Droid Charging on the road
- Thread starter Spbeyond
- Start date
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- Tags
- motorola droid
shadowdude777
Android Expert
I don't see why you can't charge it in your car. Unless you're THAT worried about draining your car battery but considering this device is designed to charge from USB and it runs forever off its tiny battery, I doubt you're gonna be killing your car battery much. Comes with a car charger too just in case you were wondering. 
I don't see why you can't charge it in your car. Unless you're THAT worried about draining your car battery but considering this device is designed to charge from USB and it runs forever off its tiny battery, I doubt you're gonna be killing your car battery much. Comes with a car charger too just in case you were wondering.
Mine did not come with a car charger...
MotoDroidHelpandInfo
Well-Known Member
Don't think there's an official car charger yet. Just check ebay or Radioshack for a car charger that can have a USB connect to it. Also if you have a 5below by you they have them.
ratchetjaw
Android Enthusiast
I would Just start using it to drain the battery so you can start in on the initial charging cycle
uberjeff
Newbie
The phone uses a standard micro USB port. Any Verizon Wireless store or reputable wireless store will have a car charger for it. Micro USB has become the standard charging port for just about every manufacturer but Samsung. Personally I'd stay away from the ebay junk. I actually have a car charger with 2 USB ports that I bought for my ipod. I used to take quite a few international flights on American and they have car charger ports on board. I haven't had a problem charging anything with it that will charge via USB. I think it was made by Griffin, but I can't remember for sure. Considering how many devices charge via USB these days it almost makes more sense to have one of these to charge everything.
blazingwolf
Well-Known Member
It won't hurt.
uberjeff
Newbie
It makes no difference. Lithium Ion batteries have no memory effect, so partial charges make no difference. The one thing that do have in common though is a 300-400 charge cycle life to them. Once you hit that range you will slowly see a decrease in capacity until they will finally no longer hold a charge. If you want your batteries to last try to charge them only as needed. Topping them off when unnecessary is just going to waste a charge cycle.
I wouldn't say it's a standard yet. The micro USB is still hard to find if not even sold in large electronic stores like Best Buy, Frys, etc.. I found ONE car charger with micro USB at a Best Buy which was a combination unit with like 12 different plugs on the end.....it was like $60.....
I agree though, any Verizon store should carry it.
Finding just a straight USB > Micro USB Cable is what I would like to see more of, since most chargers have a USB port on them now.
-Z
blazingwolf
Well-Known Member
It was just approved to be the new standard for most smartphones. Happened a month or so ago.
True, but that doesn't mean it's readily available is what I am getting at.
blazingwolf
Well-Known Member
I really haven't had a problem finding things so far.
For my vehicles I am using an iGo vehicle charger with the A97 tip. Works perfectly.
Um... no. Do you live in a mobile home or something?Comes with a car charger too just in case you were wondering.
You probably should have asked for some help, because I work at Best Buy and we carry several of them in addition to Mini -> Micro adapters. They're also in at least 2 different sections of the store AFAIK, Computers and Mobile.
The Best Buy store brand micro USB is around $20.
uberjeff
Newbie
That surprises me about Best Buy. As an authorized Verizon dealer you think they would have a better selection of Micro USB chargers since 90% of Verizon's current lineup uses Micro USB. A few older devices and Samsung are really the only exceptions. I just ordered 4 extra USB to Micro USB cables of Monoprice at another poster's suggestion. That way I can have one in both laptop bags, my car, and a spare. My car stereo has a charging USB port so I always have that as an option too.
uberjeff
Newbie
It was ratified by every major handset manufacturer other than Samsung for regular phones almost a year ago. I forget the name of the handset standards association off the top of my head. It was only a matter of time for the smartphones to catch up. I guess I should have included Apple in that exception too since they will always do their own thing.
shadowdude777
Android Expert
Really? Go figure, mine came with a plug that goes right into the cigarette lighter port. Maybe it was only included in mine cause I got it at Costco. They love to throw in extra stuff.
shadowdude777
Android Expert
This is not true about Li-Ion batteries. For example, if you charge them from 50% to 100%, that counts as 1/2 a charge cycle. If you charge them from 25% to 100%, that counts as 3/4 of a charge cycle. There is essentially no realistic way to cheat yourself out of usage accidentally with Li-Ion batteries.
They do have a few requirements though:
- They use special circuitry to prevent overcharging so you can leave them plugged in indefinitely with no adverse effects. As a result though, you don't want to run them down all the way to 0%. It risks damaging that circuitry
- If you don't use them for an extended period of time (we're talking over a month here), the best way to store them is at 40% charge at around 30 degrees Fahrenheit (I am not entirely sure about the temperature so don't quote me on that. I'm sure about the 40% part though).
uberjeff
Newbie
According to an internal document from electronics giant Fujitsu:
A) Maintenance
A lithium-ion battery supports between 300 and 500 discharge/charge cycles. Any incomplete discharge/charge cycle (every contact to main supply) is counted as a complete discharge/charge cycle and decreases the remaining number of useable cycles.
The lithium related cell is also subjected to an ageing process, independent from the usage. Lithium-based batteries have a lifetime of 2-3 years, given an optimum of maintenance. This life span starts as soon as the battery is constructed. This loss of capacity is caused by an increase of internal resistance due to oxidation.
Insufficient maintenance of batteries will obviously shorten capacity and lifetime."
This is backed up by my 5 years experience servicing and supporting cell phones. Users who are able to wait and recharge as necessary as opposed to constantly charging will see longer life out of their batteries. This is likely due to a combination of the charge cycle issue as well as heat buildup during the charging process speeding oxidation.
A) Maintenance
A lithium-ion battery supports between 300 and 500 discharge/charge cycles. Any incomplete discharge/charge cycle (every contact to main supply) is counted as a complete discharge/charge cycle and decreases the remaining number of useable cycles.
The lithium related cell is also subjected to an ageing process, independent from the usage. Lithium-based batteries have a lifetime of 2-3 years, given an optimum of maintenance. This life span starts as soon as the battery is constructed. This loss of capacity is caused by an increase of internal resistance due to oxidation.
Insufficient maintenance of batteries will obviously shorten capacity and lifetime."
This is backed up by my 5 years experience servicing and supporting cell phones. Users who are able to wait and recharge as necessary as opposed to constantly charging will see longer life out of their batteries. This is likely due to a combination of the charge cycle issue as well as heat buildup during the charging process speeding oxidation.