How much power does the Hero's battery charger use?

[TheAppMan]

Just read that some mobile phone battery chargers use power, even when there no phone connected to charge up.

Does this apply to the charger for the Hero? I currently use a electrical timer switch for the Hero charger, but, am I wasting my time doing that?

 

[jev]

The charger will use power (a bit) when plugged into the wall socket. Always. The only way to not use power is to unplug it from the socket.

 

[daveybaby]

Most modern chargers are pretty efficient when theyre not actually charging anything. Just checked mine, and it draws 6W when charging, <1W when the hero is unplugged. Will report back on the draw when it's fully charged.

 

[TheAppMan]

you know using the electircal timer probably uses more electricity than leaving it plugged in

Dunno, it runs off its own internal battery.

 

[alinver]

Well it's true you really do learn something new every day. Never in a million years would I have guessed that the charger would use electricity, even if it's a tiny amount.

Al

 

[Jaffa]

Your charger reduces the mains voltage to 5v, basic physics says you can't do this without losing power, even unloaded...ie not connected, the charger still does the volt drop.