BajaNomad - Charging electronics? Problems?

Charging electronics? Problems?

baja_turtle - 2-23-2009 at 04:21 PM

Just wondering if anyone has experienced probs with charging electronics?

Laptop charges fine, but other things with same outlet, notsomuch. Bose headphones, electrical flashlight, some batteries - all look like they are charging properly & then when you go to use them, don't work...weird... :?:

Woooosh - 2-23-2009 at 04:32 PM

Incoming low voltage problem most likely. Have you stuck your finger in the socket to measure your incoming voltage yet? If you yelp it's only 110, if your hair stands on end- you're good at 120.

DanO - 2-23-2009 at 04:37 PM

You might want to try a multimeter instead. Just saying.

Inverter ?

MrBillM - 2-23-2009 at 04:38 PM

I'm assuming (always dangerous) that the question involves using charging adaptors with an inverter.

There are SOME (few) charging adaptors that don't work with other than TRUE sine-wave inverters. Makita was notable in that respect years ago. Backwoods Solar, among others, used to maintain a list of devices that fell into that category. I haven't looked lately. Try a few searches.

Personally, I've NEVER had a problem with charging adaptors and I've got an unbelievable number of the Dang things. So many, that I've got an oversize Shaving kit bag that is filled with nothing but chargers. The one STRANGE problem I've had in the past with electronics was an ORION 13" TV that wouldn't work on a small Statpower Inverter. The same inverter that DID work for my RCA, Sanyo, Samsung and Sylvania. I brought the TV down and thought it was defective, but it worked fine on my Trace. Quien Sabe ?

baja_turtle - 2-23-2009 at 04:40 PM

Good to know, Whooosh! I'll try that

[Edited on 2-23-2009 by baja_turtle]

TonyC - 2-23-2009 at 04:44 PM

Do they charge ok in other outlets? Do you have other things in that outlet? Loose connection in the outlet, power adapters, bad recharge batteries, exceding amps for that outlet maybe? If it works fine in another outlet on a different circuit breaker, outlet problem, or it could be what we call a FM problem......Freak'en Magic. Sorry couldn't help it.

baja_turtle - 2-23-2009 at 04:46 PM

MrBillM, thanks for the reply. Not sure I understand what you mean about using a charging adapter with an inverter. Another example is my portable ipod speakers. they work fine plugged in, but the battery is not recharging...

baja_turtle - 2-23-2009 at 04:48 PM

Thanks Tony
Tried in various outlets. None of the electronics (ipod speakers, bose headphones, camera batteries) take a charge in any outlets in the house though they all work when plugged in. On the other hand, laptop computer charges just fine...guess it must be an FM problem

As I said, that's the trouble with "Assuming"

MrBillM - 2-23-2009 at 05:21 PM

Living beyond the commercial power lines and "Real" electricity (as a friend once described it), I "assumed" the problem might be the one infrequently encountered with DC to AC Inverters.

Buena Suerte.

Woooosh - 2-23-2009 at 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baja_turtle
Good to know, Whooosh! I'll try that

[Edited on 2-23-2009 by baja_turtle]

Hey- at least I didn't throw inverters at you

If your incoming house voltage is not in the correct range your electornics are designed for- they may work, but not have enough extra voltage to charge the batteries fully. Electronics don't like low voltage and they live shorter lives due to the "brown outs".

Check with the multi-meter, not your finger- and see if you are getting enough juice. I don't most of th etime at my house in Baja Norte. If it's low or high you can get an APC Battery Back-up box on ebay that regulates the power. You can plug six or more electronic chargers/components into the UPS (Uniterrruptable Power Source) and be fine. I have four of these in use. Or you can stick your finger in the socket.

There are other active threads on power too.

baja_turtle - 2-23-2009 at 08:12 PM

Thanks mrbill - now i know a little something about inverters

Thanks Wooosh - that is super-helpful. I think that's the problem...do you happen to know how we can ensure against this when we're building our house? Will do a search on those threads...thanks again all for the advice!

BajaNuts - 2-23-2009 at 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TonyC
..Freak'en Magic. Sorry couldn't help it.

F & M Electric :lol:

We thought about that for our business name (for that exact reason...!)

but chose another more explainable name instead.

Our company motto " we ain't fast, but we are expensive!" :lol:

Woooosh - 2-23-2009 at 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baja_turtle
Thanks mrbill - now i know a little something about inverters

sorry charlie- you get from CFE the voltage quality they give you. Unless you are off their grid you have no control. I'm sure there are expensive whole-house ways to treat the power fluctuations just like some peolpe treat water for their whole house while others do it at the tap. I use the tap method for electricity and place the UPS boxes where I have the most sensitive electronics and chargers.

CaboRon - 2-24-2009 at 05:21 AM

There are whole house UPS systems that can be instaled at the service entrance . The power problems are multifold. Here at my casa I have 137v. this morning. Other places in town have low voltage. The other problems are improper grounding and phaseing issues (which can destroy digital devices).

CaboRon

Grounded ?

MrBillM - 2-24-2009 at 11:17 AM

That reminds me of a story.

Back when the Home Depot opened in Mexicali a friend of mine stopped to buy some Romex since the price "seemed" to be better. He found the reason was that the "Mexican" version didn't include a separate ground wire.

TonyC - 2-24-2009 at 05:01 PM

If the voltage checks good, another problem maybe noise (harmonics) riding on the AC signal. Don't think it's a polarity problem, cause your laptop works. Causes for noise on the line, usally bad grounds. Does your laptop plugin have a ground, same as the other equipment that don't charge? I think Woooosh is right, AC out of tolerance. Remember it does not work in any of your outlets, start at the circuit breaker box on your checks. It may be your box.