Micro USB OTG Cable with Charging

wildstone on 02/09/2015 - 09:26

I'm just wondering if anyone had actually bought a working micro USB OTG cable that can allow charging at the same time?
I've recently made my second purchase of these kind of cables on eBay to go with the tablets on this deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/200493.

All these cables, despite the fact that in the description it says it will charge at the same time, it does not. About $10-$15 wasted now.

The ones I've bought:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Charging-Data-Cable-USB-Type-A-Fe…
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Port-Micro-USB-Power-Charging-O…

Has anyone bought one that actually work? There are a lot of variants in eBay so just wondering which one to actually get instead of keep wasting money. Thanks in advance!

Computing

Comments

  • ESEMCE on 02/09/2015 - 09:40

    To my knowledge these cables only allow you to power the USB drive if your device doesn't officially support USB OTG to power the drive.
    Nexus 4 was one such device that had the capability to do USB OTG but couldn't power the drive.

    But this forum says that it's not usually a supported function in software.
    http://rootzwiki.com/topic/30615-can-you-charge-usb-host-mod…

    When the device detects that it has entered USB Host Mode (OTG) the charge controller switches from charge mode to boost mode. In effect it reverses the charge circuitry (not exactly, but close enough for this explanation) so that instead of charging the battery it draws power from the battery to power whatever device is connected. When in Boost mode, the controller will not charge the battery from the VBUS (USB) input.

    You could try a Powered USB Hub maybe?

  • wildstone on 02/09/2015 - 09:53

    Thanks for the detailed explanation and reply.

    What do you mean by powered USB hub? Do I get use the OTG cable -> USB hub -> charger ? And it would charge?

    I just need something that would allow me to plug in a wireless keyboard/mouse to use with the tablet and at the same time supply power to the tablet. Thanks!

    • ESEMCE on 02/09/2015 - 10:29
      +1

      You can get unpowered USB hubs that draw power from the "mother" device (in this case the tablet) to power the hub and distribute power to devices plugged into the hub.
      Or Powered hubs that have a plugpack to power the electronics in the hub and the devices get power from the Hub.

      So it's possible (but I cannot confirm due to the software issue mentioned above) that a Powered USB hub might work around the issues you're seeing if you arranged it as you mention.

      If not, then you'll have to get your hands dirty to modify the kernel of the tablet, or with any luck find a modified kernel that someone else has already created. To make the Kernel change you'll need to have root access to the tablet.

  • seefu on 02/09/2015 - 10:16

    I'd be curious to know if the powered USB hub will work too to charge the tablet. It should work as a hub anyway as I use it as such on my Android TV Dongle.

    I use Bluetooth Logitech Keyboard and Mouse as they seem to work fine together.

    • ESEMCE on 02/09/2015 - 10:30

      If OP only needs Keyboard/Mouse and charger, then Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse could well be the solution to their problem.

      A Powered USB Hub might also solve the problem as peripherals connected to a Powered hub shouldn't activate the USB OTG function on the tablet.

      • wildstone on 02/09/2015 - 11:24

        Yes I realised bluetooth k/m would solve the issue however wireless k/m are cheaper and more common. If the cable is between $5-$10 then would worth getting it. Otherwise yeah I'll have to just get a bluetooth keyboard/mouse.

  • futaris on 02/09/2015 - 10:45
    +1

    Generally your device needs to support it too.

    There are patched Android kernels on xda-developers for certain devices…

    e.g. Nexus 7, Nexus 9

    Otherwise you need to patch the kernel (yourself).

    As to the cheap Windows device that you mentioned… Who knows.

  • ESEMCE on 02/09/2015 - 10:53

    All this time I've been assuming you're using an Android tablet. Only just realised you're talking about the Unisurf tablets..

    They have a barrel port for charging, they don't charge by USB!
    My 8" doesn't anyway.

    This is the definitive reason why the USB OTG charging cable doesn't work!

    • wildstone on 02/09/2015 - 11:25

      They charge by USB as far as I can see? I'm talking about the 7" ones.

      • ESEMCE on 02/09/2015 - 11:56

        Yeah, the User Manual doesn't mention a charge port, so I guess you're right.
        I assumed the 7" was the same as the 8" with a smaller screen.

  • Lurker on 02/09/2015 - 23:20
    +1

    Try this may be:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/205241

    • ESEMCE on 03/09/2015 - 13:11

      Perfect thread. there's even a list of supported devices there

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