Wireless (Qi) Phone Chargers

[twobjshelbys]

Does anyone have recommendations? Amazon has quite a few but they all seem to be Chinese... They do have "2 packs" though and I thought of getting one for each of us. Wife's phone is iPhone XR and mine is Samsung S10. The S10 has a "fast charge" mode on wired but I'd use it at night so fast turnaround isn't as important.

[tekheavy]

Does anyone have recommendations? Amazon has quite a few but they all seem to be Chinese... They do have "2 packs" though and I thought of getting one for each of us. Wife's phone is iPhone XR and mine is Samsung S10. The S10 has a "fast charge" mode on wired but I'd use it at night so fast turnaround isn't as important.

I have the Samsung Wireless Charger but doesn't seem too work with an Otterbox on my S10e. It worked quite well with my S7 without the Otterbox.

[twobjshelbys]

I have the Samsung Wireless Charger but doesn't seem too work with an Otterbox on my S10e. It worked quite well with my S7 without the Otterbox.


Yes, I see mention on some of them that they work with cases. I have a hacked up case on mine- I buy a "holster" with a belt clip and just use the phone wrap part of it. It provides the kind of protection you want when dropped but not against a direct screen hit but I've never had one of those anyway. Do these chargers work if the phone is laid on it "screen down"? I know they use some sort of inductive transfer system that does require close proximity of the two coils.

[tekheavy]

Yes, I see mention on some of them that they work with cases. I have a hacked up case on mine- I buy a "holster" with a belt clip and just use the phone wrap part of it. It provides the kind of protection you want when dropped but not against a direct screen hit but I've never had one of those anyway. Do these chargers work if the phone is laid on it "screen down"? I know they use some sort of inductive transfer system that does require close proximity of the two coils.

Pretty sure the screen would have to up, but I could wrong.

[HSURB]

We have two at the house. I'll look what brand when I get back Sunday. I've found they charge really slowing. However, I think that is because of the protective case I have it in.

I did buy a FuzeChicken (I know odd name) that I travel with. It is wireless charging and portable. It will charge my phone 4X before it needs charged itself.

It was $80 bucks, but I won't travel without it now. May be something to consider Here is a link to it - https://www.fusechicken.com/collections/frontpage/products/universal?variant=19143348650073

HSURB®

[Tommy Gun]

How do these charge wirelessly? :look:

[tekheavy]

How do these charge wirelessly? :look:

How does a microwave cook your food?

[twobjshelbys]

How do these charge wirelessly? :look:

Inductive coils. It's not really very efficient but if it's just sitting on a night stand overnight who cares if it takes 2 hours or 6 hours. My only concern is about the constant top charging I would see - today I usually get two full days on a charge so now I'd be taking it from 50+/-% to 100% every day. Supposedly these batteries are OK with that but I've never tested the theory. What's happening though is the phone is now about a year old so sometimes I don't get the full 2 days+. Some days over the past two weeks the battery has been fully discharged by about 2 or 3 am. It's just the aging process - about 2 years is all you really get any more... I did get about 3 years on my S7.

[Tommy Gun]

How does a microwave cook your food?


You plug it into a wall. :look:

[Tommy Gun]

Inductive coils. It's not really very efficient but if it's just sitting on a night stand overnight who cares if it takes 2 hours or 6 hours. My only concern is about the constant top charging I would see - today I usually get two full days on a charge so now I'd be taking it from 50+/-% to 100% every day. Supposedly these batteries are OK with that but I've never tested the theory. What's happening though is the phone is now about a year old so sometimes I don't get the full 2 days+. Some days over the past two weeks the battery has been fully discharged by about 2 or 3 am. It's just the aging process - about 2 years is all you really get any more... I did get about 3 years on my S7.


So this “energy” goes through everything in the phone (and everything around said charger) ?

How does that effect the phone (and everything around it) that this “energy” is going through?





Even a microwave supposedly “captures” this energy so it doesn’t destroy everything around it. ....although I’m guessing the plates used are probably turning radioactive over time. :surprised:


.

[twobjshelbys]

So this “energy” goes through everything in the phone (and everything around said charger) ?

How does that effect the phone (and everything around it) that this “energy” is going through?





Even a microwave supposedly “captures” this energy so it doesn’t destroy everything around it. ....although I’m guessing the plates used are probably turning radioactive over time. :surprised:


.


Don't know exactly but it's limited "reach". It needs practically direct contact. Reports are that some phone cases add enough space that it doesn't work or becomes very ineffective. It appears you have to lay it back side to the charger and won't charge if you put the screen down.

[Tommy Gun]

I wonder what happens if you put a 9V battery on it. :innocent:

[Tommy Gun]

I see these things in car, guess it’s the same thing.

[tekheavy]

I wonder what happens if you put a 9V battery on it. :innocent:

Put one in the microwave. :popcorn:

[twobjshelbys]

I wonder what happens if you put a 9V battery on it. :innocent:


I tend to think that it's similar to what is used in the inductive cooktops - you know the flat glass ones that you need the special pots. Maybe you can get a inductive coffee cup and keep your coffee warm on it. Hmmm, market for a new product :)

Seriously, when I was on the USB committee one of the guys told of a product that had been submitted for certification: It was a coffee cup warmer. Literally. Specifically, it "claimed' to be a battery charger so it could suck maximum current from the Vbus lines.

[68fastback]

Most of the phones use a smart-charge strategy that watches how you use the phone and when you charge it and then optimizes the charge cycle around that to maximize battery life. Even on Jan's old iPhone 4 she got nearly 6 years before max charge (100%) was down to 80% of original capacity, so I watched a YouTube video and replaced the battery myself ($7.95 on eBay for original sealed with Apple part number on it and I already had the jewelers screwdriver bits needed) for her a few years ago -- when we both got iPhone 7s several months ago that 4s replacement battery is now 3 years old and was still seeing its 100% at 92% of max.

Not sure I'd replace the battery on the iPhone 7 myself tho -- the 4s was easy peasy and built like a brick sh!thouse but the 7 is more complex to disassemble and requires more finesse to because it's IP67 (1 meter for 30 minutes) waterproof. Both of the used iPhone 7s we bought (two different sources, one commercial, one private sale) are approximately 4 years old. Jan's 100% is at 85% and my 100% is at 80% so the 7's battery may have less capacity relative to phone demand or possibly the phones were heavily used (I know mine was, b/c I spoke to the owner, but it lived in a Otterbox and is nearly pristine so I liked that), yet Jan will play games on hers for hours on end sometimes and talk to her GFs and still the battery holds out the whole day usually with 30-40% left.

But when 100% gets down to 75% or so I'll just have I-Fix-and-Repair do it ...lifetime national warranty too. I think they charge +/- $45 for a battery replacement (less if replacing a screen at the same time which we did on a friend's iphone 7 before we discovered it ws NOT Verizon compatible -doh!- tho she told us it was).

Only problem with i-fix-and-repair is understanding them (some techs have weak English skills, at least here) but it's nice to have fixes done in 20-40 minutes while you shop.

[Tommy Gun]

How do you know what percentage your battery is actually taking?

[twobjshelbys]

How do you know what percentage your battery is actually taking?

My laptop (Thinkpad) battery they tell me that at 100% of charge that is xx% of original capacity. I don't see that anywhere on the phone although I'm sure they can compute it. The Google phone that my daughter has comes with a much more comprehensive battery monitor than the Samsung.

[68fastback]

How do you know what percentage your battery is actually taking?

On iPhones/iOS, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Dunno on Androids.

[Tommy Gun]

On iPhones/iOS, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Dunno on Androids.


Wow, didn’t know that. Mine says 98% and had the battery replaced a couple years ago.

[68fastback]

Wow, didn’t know that. Mine says 98% and had the battery replaced a couple years ago.


:wtg: That's great! Just curious, what iPhone do you have?

[Tommy Gun]

:wtg: That's great! Just curious, what iPhone do you have?


6s, CoPilots is 6s plus

[68fastback]

6s, CoPilots is 6s plus


Awesome battery life!

[twobjshelbys]

Maybe you can get a inductive coffee cup and keep your coffee warm on it. Hmmm, market for a new product :)



...

Believe it or not

...


There is one...

https://www.amazon.com/AAOBOSI-Wireless-Charging-Constant-Temperature/dp/B07RZX6MZ3



This one reverses and cools as well

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Qi-Certified-Charger-Warmer-Nomodo/dp/B07J4XPR7N

I don't think this one actually uses the charging pad as the heater/cooler though. The first one does.

(We had chillers that used this technology to cycle temperature on hard drives. We had huge temp cycling chambers (that could go from -40*C to short of +100C) but it was impractical to instrument in there so we had these table top cyclers. It was an aluminum block that the drive was then mounted in and made contact with the alum and cooled the drive down. They would get frost on them (which was hard to do in the almost 0 humidity air in Colorado). They use "Peltier effect" to create the cold.

[68fastback]

I saw recently that someone also makes cellphone hard cases, similar to Otterbox, but about 1/8" thicker than the max Otterbox -- it includes a LiIon battery pack (like the ones in cell phones) that not only doubles cell phone battery capacity but can be Qi charged without removing the phone and, in turn, charges the phone within as well. Haven't looked but I'm sure Amazon, eBay, etc. have it. Don't know anyone who has one but seems like a cool idea.

[68fastback]

Here's an example of a 'thinner' (semi-soft) one (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Smart-Qi-Wireless-Power-Bank-Battery-Charger-Case-4500mAh-for-iPhone-XR-Black/313313239?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&adid=22222222222315840253&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=75247939005654&wl4=pla-4578847485375237&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&%20wl10=Walmart&wl12=313313239_10001021262&wl14=Qi%20rechargeable%20cell%20phone%20hard%20cas e&veh=sem) that adds a 4500mAh pack and Qi charging. I think the Otterbox-like ones add even a bit more capacity.

[twobjshelbys]

I saw recently that someone also makes cellphone hard cases, similar to Otterbox, but about 1/8" thicker than the max Otterbox -- it includes a LiIon battery pack (like the ones in cell phones) that not only doubles cell phone battery capacity but can be Qi charged without removing the phone and, in turn, charges the phone within as well. Haven't looked but I'm sure Amazon, eBay, etc. have it. Don't know anyone who has one but seems like a cool idea.

Our friends use those on their iphones. I almost got one for my S7 but got the S10 instead.

[68fastback]

I guess if you're using it all day and driving a lot of apps it's could be a godsend for those folks.

[twobjshelbys]

So back to the original question: Does anyone have one? What brand and how does it work?

[Tommy Gun]

No



3 pages later :haha:

[Highwayman]

I just got a Samsung S10e so I haven't had a need for one before now. I will be interested in seeing where this discussion goes.

[tekheavy]

I just got a Samsung S10e so I haven't had a need for one before now. I will be interested in seeing where this discussion goes.

I have the same phone. I think I tried it on my Samsung Wireless charger and it didn't work. Can't remember if I removed the Otterbox and tried it that way.

[68fastback]

It will charge on the console of many new Ford vehicles :innocent:

:tiptoe:

[Highwayman]

It will charge on the console of many new Ford vehicles :innocent:

:tiptoe:

As well as several other car manufactures. This is becoming a standard for charging that is being implemented everywhere. Even bars, restaurants and coffee houses are installing them at the tables and bars. One day planes will have them around the seats too.

[Tommy Gun]

So if power can be transferred like this it sounds like info can be taken like this. :look:

[68fastback]

So if power can be transferred like this it sounds like info can be taken like this. :look:

It could if there were an inductive communication interface in cell phones, but there isn't.

Infinitely more concerning would be to let your phone auto-connect to wi-fi networks or leave bluetooth on all the time. :shades:

[tekheavy]

I leave bluetooth on all the time. :look:

[twobjshelbys]

It could if there were an inductive communication interface in cell phones, but there isn't.

Infinitely more concerning would be to let your phone auto-connect to wi-fi networks or leave bluetooth on all the time. :shades:

These devices are dumber than a rock. They have no "smarts" and at the prices they are sold for it would be inconceivable to attempt to build any kind of grabbing intelligence into it. First of all, the USB link to the device is attached only to a power wallwart, which are also dumb as a rock. In fact, the prices of most of these is so cheap because they don't even give you the wallwart which for rapid charging you must purchase separately and cost more than the hockey puck or stand.

I'm sure I could engineer such a device, but it would have to serupticiously connect to WiFi or bluetooth, and all phone bluetooth stacks require manual intervention these days. I can't even transfer files either in or out to my laptop without a manual handshake on both sides. It used to be "automatic" once the device was paired and authenticated the first time. No more... But for that to be meaningful on Bluetooth they'd have to be in my house and for wifi no more than out in front of the house... So they'd have to build an expensive device, sell it to someone they want to get something from at a loss, and then be nearby (where did it go? It's like finding Waldo) to capture the data. In other words, possible but unlikely.

[68fastback]

It's fairly safe but a good idea to turn off when not needed. There was a show on TV that demonstrated what equipment is needed to hack a phone and then he did it to the reporter. Dunno exactly what he did and reasonable proximity is required but might have been like this:

https://www.bullguard.com/blog/2018/01/can-a-device-be-hacked-via-bluetooth

[68fastback]

There are also YouTube videos showing how to hack Android phones via bluetooth ...it's all Greek to me.

[twobjshelbys]

Finally got some. Amazon had a two pack of Choetech brand. You have to get the usb chargers separately. The 10w units do fast charge on my Samsung s10 and standard on my wife's iPhone xr. My phone did 60 to 100 pct in a couple of hours. I could feel it warm up but it doesn't heat up with cable so I think I'll opt for std charge and see how long it takes. We have them by our bedstead so overnight is all we need

[twobjshelbys]

Finally got some. Amazon had a two pack of Choetech brand. You have to get the usb chargers separately. The 10w units do fast charge on my Samsung s10 and standard on my wife's iPhone xr. My phone did 60 to 100 pct in a couple of hours. I could feel it warm up but it doesn't heat up with cable so I think I'll opt for std charge and see how long it takes. We have them by our bedstead so overnight is all we need

Decided to return these. The LED stays on bright green while charging and is way too bright to have on the night stand. Swapping for Soqool which says the LED goes off in steady state. I can see charge status on the phone so don't need the thing to wink at me.

[tekheavy]

Decided to return these. The LED stays on bright green while charging and is way too bright to have on the night stand. Swapping for Soqool which says the LED goes off in steady state. I can see charge status on the phone so don't need the thing to wink at me.

I have a few devices in my bedroom that have bright green LED's. I just cover them with a small piece of electrical tape.

[twobjshelbys]

I have a few devices in my bedroom that have bright green LED's. I just cover them with a small piece of electrical tape.

I thought of that earlier. I'll try the new ones then decide.

[68fastback]

For just partial darkening sometimes Sharpie markers work well

[twobjshelbys]

Without a doubt the best tech purchase of 2020

[Highwayman]

I purchased the Letcom Ultra Slim wireless charger for my S10e through Amazon. It arrived yesterday so I did a quick 5 minute test and it took it from 74% to 76% that quickly. I had to put a piece of electrical tape over the small LED to eliminate the bright light at night. This morning it was fully charged.

What I am going to enjoy the most is not looking for the cord when I am tired after reading on my phone and I want to go to sleep. This will also severely limit the amount of damage to the cord and to the port on the phone.

[twobjshelbys]

I purchased the Letcom Ultra Slim wireless charger for my S10e through Amazon. It arrived yesterday so I did a quick 5 minute test and it took it from 74% to 76% that quickly. I had to put a piece of electrical tape over the small LED to eliminate the bright light at night. This morning it was fully charged.

What I am going to enjoy the most is not looking for the cord when I am tired after reading on my phone and I want to go to sleep. This will also severely limit the amount of damage to the cord and to the port on the phone.

I find I have to be rather precise where I put it or it doesn't fast charge. I've found if I hold the phone with my fingers on the power and volume down then place it down so that the fingers hit the outer edge of the (round) charger it lands in just the right place.

The second ones I got have a small LED that comes on when the phone is connected and charging then goes out after 15 seconds or so. Even if it stayed on it's small enough to not be distracting on the night stand.

[Highwayman]

So far these past several nights I have only had to get the phone on top of the round device and it has started to charge. Strange thing is there seems to be a magnetic pull once I have the phone almost toughing the device that pulls it tightly on it, probably just me. The phone has been fully charged every morning.

[68fastback]

Is your phone designed to Qi charge wirelessly or did you have to add a plug-in 'antenna' pad?

I don't think mine supports it natively.

[twobjshelbys]

I haven't seen a phone that doesn't support wireless charging for quite some time. My s7 supported it but I didn't get one until now. My wife's iPhone also supports it but Apple doesn't do fast charge. Doesn't matter since it's charged by morning. Mine gets from about 50% to full in about 2 hrs.

[Highwayman]

Yep my S7 had it and my S10e has it. This thread and the fact that I have another cord that needed replaced from using it every night motivated me to get the wireless charger. It definitely makes it easier when I am finished using the phone before bed, no more fumbling for the cord and trying to align it to plug it in. Plus it saves wear on the port on the phone.

[68fastback]

Thanks guys. Have to do some reading for our old iPhone 7s.

[68fastback]

Turns out iPhone 7 doesn't support Qi wireless charging. There's a plug-in device that can be added but it won't fit in my case and uses the charge port either of which makes it NG for me.