Charging a PS3 controller

[Steve]

Can a PS3 controller not be charged by a mini-USB phone charger? I have some chargers for old cell phones, and I thought it would be great to use them to charge my PS3 controllers since the connections are the same. However, after plugging them in and leaving them for several hours it appears they have not been charged at all? When I plug the controller into the console is the only way I can get them to charge. I know the cell phone chargers work because when I them plug them into a cell phone or bluetooth accessory those items light up and take a charge. Is there something special about the PS3 controllers that they have to be charged with special PS3 only chargers?

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by Steve

Can a PS3 controller not be charged by a mini-USB phone charger? I have some chargers for old cell phones, and I thought it would be great to use them to charge my PS3 controllers since the connections are the same. However, after plugging them in and leaving them for several hours it appears they have not been charged at all? When I plug the controller into the console is the only way I can get them to charge. I know the cell phone chargers work because when I them plug them into a cell phone or bluetooth accessory those items light up and take a charge. Is there something special about the PS3 controllers that they have to be charged with special PS3 only chargers?

i use a digital camera mini usb to charge my ps3 controller on my laptop.

i very rarely use my 15 foot mini usb cord to connect to the ps3.

if youre charging on anything besides the ps3 you cant 'charge & play'

[Snake_XRS]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

if youre charging on anything besides the ps3 you cant 'charge & play'

Not true, I charge and play on my laptop all the time.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

i use a digital camera mini usb to charge my ps3 controller on my laptop.

i very rarely use my 15 foot mini usb cord to connect to the ps3.

if youre charging on anything besides the ps3 you cant 'charge & play'

I don't like to 'charge and play' is the thing. I don't like being tethered to the console. Kind of defeats the purpose of a wireless controller IMO. I wasn't trying to play while I had my controllers plugged into the wall chargers. I was just hoping it would charge them so they would be fully charged when I wanted to play.

[groovyone]

I charged 3 controllers off my laptop yesterday. Works great.

[igotcabada]

I can charge off my pc/laptop but can't charge with a usb wall adapter

[Steve]

Originally Posted by igotcabada

I can charge off my pc/laptop but can't charge with a usb wall adapter

I wonder why this is. You can get charging stations for your controllers and they're basically glorified wall chargers. What's the difference?

[Xerios]

no u cant charge a ps3 controller using a wall socket phone charger usb mini.... ive tried with the sidekick LX charger....



mini usb to usb works fine though

[igotcabada]

Originally Posted by Steve

I wonder why this is. You can get charging stations for your controllers and they're basically glorified wall chargers. What's the difference?

I have no idea... It would be nice to be able to charge all 4 of my controllers at the same time

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Xerios

no u cant charge a ps3 controller using a wall socket phone charger usb mini.... ive tried with the sidekick LX charger....



mini usb to usb works fine though

Yeah I have 2 different wall socket mini-USB phone chargers and nothing happens when I plug them into the controller. I have a USB to mini-USB cable and a wall plug adapter for a USB cable. When I plug the cable into the computer it starts charging the controller. If I plug the cable into the USB wall plug adapter nothing happens. I know the adapter works with the cable though, because I can use it to charge my bluetooth ear piece. I guess this is how they force you to buy a tabletop charging station. If they work that is.

[Another_Dude]

My cable box has a USB port on the back of it. I charge one controller off of that while using the other controller.

[Steve]

Just for the heck of it I tried plugging it into a USB port on my Xbox 360 and it didn't work with the console on or off, nor did plugging it into my AV receiver's port. The port on the front of my Dish Network box worked though.

[skygreenleopard]

Probably has to do with the specific settings needed by the controllers to charge. USB power coming from an external device is likely lower than that provided by the average wall charger. I know wall chargers' voltages and other specifics vary by the device they're intended for, so they probably don't match up to the PS3 controllers' requirements.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by skygreenleopard

Probably has to do with the specific settings needed by the controllers to charge. USB power coming from an external device is likely lower than that provided by the average wall charger. I know wall chargers' voltages and other specifics vary by the device they're intended for, so they probably don't match up to the PS3 controllers' requirements.

I'm starting to think you're right. I tried a Google search and I'm finding mixed results. Many are older posts, but they're saying Motorola RAZR chargers are working most of the time, but most others aren't. Apparently it's hit or miss with any wall charger that came with a phone.

[bilbravo]

A lot of times it has to do with the phone manufacturer purposefully leaving out a pin or some such to make their adapter "special" so you couldn't charge these phones with any old cable. But they would still work with a USB cable to hook up to the computer.