1 (edited by brian6330 2010-04-03 16:32:19)

Topic: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

I got a MP 3 player a few days ago that charges over USB.
I don't know how long it takes to charge and people say to keep your Computer on the whole night and having it plugged in should be enough.
Then I had the idea if I could charge it on my Chumby One.
I want to ask first, because I don't want anythong to happen to my Chumby.

My question is simple:
Is it possible to charge something on the Chumby One over the USB connector?

Kindest Regards Brian6330

2 (edited by MSlafka 2010-04-03 17:53:15)

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

I would highly doubt it would damage your Chumby since it is designed to have MP3 players plugged into it.  The only question would be how effective the USB ports are for charging.  Unfortunately I don't know the answer, but for what it's worth, I know that not all USB ports are created equally.  In my experience, some (especially those from USB hubs) take forever to charge electronics, while others do it in relatively short order.

It would be interesting to hear about others' experiences with charging devices via Chumby (either the One or the Classic).

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

I am going to mostly charge an Eclipse MP 3 Player.
It is only charged over the USB Hub.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

The USB spec requires 500 ma output over USB, so there is no reason to worry about using your chumby to charge your mp3 player.  If the chumby cannot provide enough power, the usb player may not power up.  This tends to happen on devices requiring more than 500 ma, or when using unpowered usb hubs with a few devices requiring power.

Linux Guy - Occasional Chumby Hacker

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

thx for answering

6 (edited by Materdaddy 2010-04-05 08:02:21)

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Serial_Bus#Power and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hub#Power have more information about power requirements of USB.  I should have posted links with my original answer.

Linux Guy - Occasional Chumby Hacker

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

@Masterdaddy: thx for the link.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

I sometimes charge my cell phone from my chumby

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

Well if it can charge a cell phone then I'm sure it can charge an MP 3 player.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

Note that you should *not* attempt to charge a device over USB while the Chumby One is running from battery.  You should only do this while running off the power adaptor.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

Thanks for telling me that.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

Sounds like you already got your answer, but wanted to chime in that I use mine to charge my cell phone nightly and it works great.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

Thanks for sharing that endjinn.

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

Does the Chumby One charge the internal battery (if-fitted) over USB?

david

Re: Using the Chumby One to charge things over the USB Connector

No - it only charges the battery from the power connector.