Feb 10, 2019, 10:52 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: cheltzel

If you want to use USB C for more than charging, then these two posts are useful: 1 2.

When planning your charger loadout, do note the charger your laptop shipped with is not a requirement, a lower one will be fine. For example, https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/25/60w-u...-all-macbooks/ says

Quote:

the 87W charger filled up my 15-inch MacBook Pro battery more quickly than the 60W charger, but not by very much. After an hour and a half, the 87W charger added 76% battery while the 60W charger added 72%.

On the other hand, most laptops are not built to use higher wattage even if available. It won't hurt your laptop, though.

Buy chargers on Amazon at your own risk, they are known to commingle stock from every third party sellers. But, the chargers here do not have fakes (yet?) so even Amazon might be safe.

The smallest USB C chargers:

Mu One. 45W. Comes with UK, US, EU folding plugs. 96 x 55 x 14mm, 82g with the UK plug attached. 3.78 x 2.17 x 0.55 inch, 2.89oz. Manufacturer shop, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N1PK1RP https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N1PK1RP
RAVPower GaN 45W : 72 x 54 x 14.9mm / 2.83 x 2.12 x 0.59inch, 75g / 2.65oz. This is a similar charger to Mu One only without the nifty plug heads. It is marginally cheaper, but without the unique multi-region folding plugs it isn't as good of an option for international travelers. Manufacturer shop, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H9WMW6N
Innergie 60C (nee 55CC): 65W 60 x 30 x 30mm / 2.3 x 1.2 x 1.2 inch, 85g. While much thicker than the previous two, when the socket is hidden in a recess this has a much better chance to fit. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBYVF4Q Also, a cable is available to charge legacy laptops https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBYL5KZ only compatible with the Innergie 60C. This makes the Finsix Dart fully obsolete, it started as a legacy laptop charger and a USB C cable was planned and reviewed two years ago but never shipped.

If you have more than one USB C device:

Satechi 75W: USB C 60W, USB C 18W, two USB A share 12W. 4" x 2.63" x 1", 11.14 oz. Manufacturer shop https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078864F15
LVSUN LS-PD87-2C sold as Hyperjuice 87W charger: two USB C and one USB A all three share 87W. 4.33" x 3.86" x 0.79", 8.32oz Aliexpress Hyper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLWDY9C
Hyperjuice battery: 27000 mAh USB C 100W, USB C 60W, USB A 18W. 7.2" x 3" x 0.84" / 183.2 x 77.1 x 21.3 mm Manufacturer shop (although it goes through indiegogo, it is not crowdfunding, it's just a shop)
Maru & Masa Kickstarter: Maru is a 82mm/3.23" diameter bagel, 28mm/1.1" thick, 7.4oz, USB C 45W, USB C 18W, two USB A share 15W, three international AC sockets, nifty interchangeable international plugs. Masa is a battery 80 x 80 x 28 / 3.15" x 3.15" x 1.1" , 11.3oz 18000 mAh, USB C 45W, USB C 15W, Qi 7.5W, kickstand. Promised shipping: April 2019 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...e-yet-powerful
SuperTank & SuperPort 4 Kickstarter: SuperPort 4 is a 114 x 100 x 24 / 4.5" x 3.95" x .95" charger, weight not disclosed, USB C 100W, USB C 18W, two USB ports share 18W. SuperTank is a 27000 mAh battery w/ lots of features, 4.7" x 2.8" x 1.6", 17oz USB C 100W, USB C 60W, USB A 18W, USB A 15W all ports share 138W Promised shipping: May 2019 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ek-recharge-in
AlsterPlus Kickstarter: 7.4" x 3.28" x 0.85", 20oz / 568gr, 27000mAh battery with 2 x 100W USB-C + 2x 18W USB-A, lots of features. All ports share 156W.
Anker Atom PD4. Two USB C, two USB A all share 100W, USB A per port is 12W max. 4.1" x 3.3" x 1.3", 13.5oz. https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Chargin.../dp/B07VSMK849
MagicFox PD180. This is a DC-DC unit, it takes 12-28V 180W via a 5.5mm x 2.5mm jack or 100W max via USB- C input and provides three ports: USB C 100W, USB C 40W, USB A 40W. Size 3.15" x 2.76" x 0.53", 3.44oz. Possible interesting AC-DC choices: Lenovo 4X20Q88542 at 135W either from Encompass with very long ship times or from Japan via Rakuten, Lenovo-to-5.5mm plug adapter here. 4.65" x 3" x .83", 15.24oz. If that's not enough Razer has a 180W which, AFAIK has the right plug. Notably light at 14.82oz, 5.98" / 152mm x 2.87" / 73mm x 0.93" / 23.5mm. The MagicFox PD180 itself is, so far, China only, I had good experiences with Superbuy as proxy so https://www.superbuy.com/en/page/buy...832086035.html While the MagicFox PD180 itself is cheap, high wattage, quality, lightweight AC-DC adapters are anything but.

Getting multiple units from the small section can be more compact and versatile. It is expensive, though and requires plugging multiple devices. Recommended: power strip, wall tap, wall tap. Add USB A ports via slim chargers, Amazon list and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016XO41KQ/

Cabling wise, AmazomBasics and Monoprice is your friend. Do not use female USB C to USB A / micro USB adapters, these are explicitly forbidden by the USB C standard. Male USB C to USB A / micro USB is fine.

Outfitting your travel kit for USB-C

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Jan 2, 2020, 9:04 am

#226

deniah

Join Date: Jul 2008

Location: K+K

Programs: *G

Posts: 4,866

Quote:

Originally Posted by der_saeufer

Your solution is far less likely to fall out of the outlet but also less compact. In situations where you can get away with the really light chargers (e.g. the PD1 or Mu), I still think those are a better option. When you need more ports or more power, though, I totally agree on the separate cord solution--heavy chargers on a plug adapter are just plain annoying even if the outlet isn't worn out.

Yeap, it is 1 extra cord for storage, but overall footprint of the unit is similar to the other units. Also there's the option to replace the cable with a duckbill.
The way I configure it is:
-USB-C to USB-C
-USB-A to USB-C
-USB-A to microUSB, with microUSB-->USB-C adapter

So I have 1 port free, but still can do 3 USB-C devices at once. The phone (or tablet) can charge <12W from the USB-A source, or get lots more juice from the dedicated USB-C port (5V/9V/12V/15V/20V up to 3A) when laptop doesnt need to be plugged.

Jan 2, 2020, 9:12 am

#227

richarddd

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: NYC

Posts: 6,424

It looks like the PD1, my existing USB-C to USB-C cables and a USB-C to micro-USB cable can replace my laptop charger, USB-C phone charger and USB-A charger. This would save a bunch of weight, space and complexity.

If I want to charge multiple devices, I can use the ports on the laptop. Recent planes have had a USB-A plug.

This also seems much lighter than the formerly monoprice charger.

ETA: I decided to go for a RAV with a foldable plug rather than the PD1. They're about the same specs, size and weight.

Amazon

Last edited by richarddd; Jan 2, 2020 at 12:13 pm

Jan 2, 2020, 3:20 pm

#228

paperwastage

Join Date: Jun 2012

Posts: 3,369

Agree with @der_saeufer, any usb-c cable should support 3A at minimum, which is enough for your 20V/3A scenario

There are some types of speciality cables (which doesn't apply in your case)
You need a e-marked cable for 3-5A or PPS (programmable power supply). Note10 uses needs a emarked cable and PPS supported charger to reach 45W (a regular cable with nonPPS 60W charger will max out at 25W)
Oppo/Huawei supercharger requires special usb-C cables
USB 3.1 gen 2 - I need this cable to run power&display(single cable) from my laptop to portable screen

Jan 3, 2020, 1:07 am

#229

chx1975

Join Date: Jun 2008

Location: YVR

Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage

Posts: 2,100

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperwastage

USB 3.1 gen 2 - I need this cable to run power&display(single cable) from my laptop to portable screen

Nope, you don't, Gen 1 is enough. All C-to-C cables, USB 2.0, Gen 1, Gen 2 are capable of power and Gen 1 speeds are enough for DisplayPort alternate mode -- HBR2 data rate is below 5gbps. (For the pedantic ones: yes, HBR3 requires Gen 2 but there are barely any desktop monitors requiring HBR3 and I have yet to hear of an 5K portable screen.)

Jan 3, 2020, 6:44 am

#230

crackjack

Join Date: Jul 2014

Posts: 1,129

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackjack

Anyway, I just picked up an Innergie 60C on Amazon with a “40% coupon”.... I was waiting for the right price, and <$70 was it for me, will allow me to drop the ridiculously-large laptop charger. Not sure if the coupon is available for everyone, but thought it might be helpful to some.

Been playing around with the Innergie 60c, mighty impressive. Its output is essential the same as the laptop charger, but in half the weight and half the size - 100% worth the $65 i paid. The foldout prongs are a bit annoying to try to get to, but that’s the only jiggle I have with it.

Definitely going into the travel kit, going to start leaving the small phone charger behind too!

Last edited by crackjack; Jan 3, 2020 at 7:08 am

Jan 4, 2020, 1:03 pm

#231

richarddd

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: NYC

Posts: 6,424

Quote:

Originally Posted by richarddd

I decided to go for a RAV with a foldable plug rather than the PD1. They're about the same specs, size and weight. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T7M2799

I just got it. It's tiny - smaller than the charger with came with my phone. Based on a few minutes of testing, it appears to work with everything: laptop, phone, micro-USB headphones and Airpods. My laptop popped up a warning about slow charging, but so long as this will power the laptop and charge it at a non-glacial pace, it should be fine for my purposes.

It should be a lot better for travel than a big laptop charger, phone charger and USB-A charger. I'll have to see how well it works with an airplane socket.

Jan 6, 2020, 11:34 am

#232

notSoFreqFlyr20

Join Date: Jan 2020

Programs: United MileagePlus, AAdvantage, HHonors, Marriott Bonvoy,

Posts: 13

My favorite power adapter was the Finsix Dart-C, until recently the USB cable started to crack/wear-out; and the tech support is nowhere to be found.
Lesson learned - no more devices with proprietary plugs.

My current wire-kit has the following to support ThinkPad-X1, 1 iPhone, 1 OnePlus and an iPad.

1. SlimQ - 65W GaN adapter (1 USB-A, 1 C port), no foldable prongs
2. Cables: SlimQ USB-C to USB-C cable, 1 A-to-C cable, 1 C-to-lightening, 1 A-to-lightening, 1 A-to-micro-USB
3. USB-C Hub - An old one from Monoprice, with 3 USB A and 1 Ethernet
4. USB-C to VGA adapter (this gets borrowed a lot, so prefer to keep this separate, in case somebody forgets to return it)
5. Anker PowerCore 5000 for emergencies

On order:
1. HyperJuice - Indiegogo, 100W GaN charger with multiple ports
2. InCharge Universal Cable - Indiegogo ; Hoping that in the future everything will be USB-C only.

Drooling over:
1. Charby Pico - 65W charger, Indiegogo; Similar to SlimQ, but has 3 ports and foldable prongs.

Would be happy to share details or run tests.

Cheers!

Jan 6, 2020, 12:08 pm

#233

richarddd

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: NYC

Posts: 6,424

Quote:

Originally Posted by notSoFreqFlyr20

5. Anker PowerCore 5000 for emergencies

I was thinking of

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K18LV6K/

Amazon

as USB-C 5000mAh batteries. They seem to be the same except finish and packaging.

The products are Xcentz 5000mAh 18W PD Portable Charger 2 USB Outputs with USB C Power Delivery&Quick Charge 3.0 Phone Charger for iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/8/X/XS, Samsung S10, Pixel 3/3XL, iPad Pro 2018, and More

and

NOVOO Portable Charger 5000mAh USB-C Power Bank Ultra-Compact with 18W Power Delivery & QC 3.0 Cell Phone External Battery Pack for iPhone11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/8/8+, Samsung, Pixel, Mate 20 Pro, P30

I can't get the links to work

notSoFreqFlyr20 likes this.

Jan 6, 2020, 3:02 pm

#234

LordHamster

Join Date: May 2003

Location: Cleveland, OH

Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)

Posts: 1,966

Quote:

Originally Posted by chx1975

https://www.themu.co.uk/products/mu-one-international I tested it on airplanes, works fine. Not sure what problems others had...

Can confirm the MU One is great for planes... especially because with the different tips, you can "fit" even oddly recessed outlets. Plus, if you put the UK tip on there, it will stay put even in the super-worn out outlets on US domestic airlines where the US prongs are all worn out. The UK boat-anchor style stays in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordHamster

I ordered this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The other day. I'm eager to see how it works out. Currently I'm using a single Gan based 45W charger for everything, which leaves me looking for USB ports in the hotel room for my headphones etc. This little guy should do all in one. 45W is enough to slow-charge my Macbook pro 15 inch while it is in use.

The fact it has a cable is also a bonus for those horrible recessed conference room chargers.

Received this a few days ago. It is slightly larger than my MU one, but has 3 USB A ports. Tested it and like the MU one, it charges my Macbook Pro (albeit slowly). I will take this one to India in a few days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperwastage

I pack a short extension cord for my long travels

But don't Carry it around for daily commute/goign to different offices

That's why I wouldnt mind too much about the extra cord for the desktop 2usbC+usbA i linked above

@

With my MuOne I take a short extension cord to combat recessed conference room tables.

Quote:

Originally Posted by notSoFreqFlyr20

Damn this thread, costing me a fortune. That SlimQ is very tempting. The Charby Pico also... need to resist the temptation.

Jan 6, 2020, 6:11 pm

#235

richarddd

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: NYC

Posts: 6,424

Why does a 30W PD charger cause my Thinkpad X1 to pop up a warning about slow charging, while the 18W PD charger that comes with a Pixel 2 does not cause any such warning?

Jan 6, 2020, 7:59 pm

#236

paperwastage

Join Date: Jun 2012

Posts: 3,369

Quote:

Originally Posted by richarddd

Why does a 30W PD charger cause my Thinkpad X1 to pop up a warning about slow charging, while the 18W PD charger that comes with a Pixel 2 does not cause any such warning?

can you use BatteryInfoView, or a physical voltmeter like below, to confirm the negotiated voltage/amperage?

Amazon

Jan 6, 2020, 10:36 pm

#237

freecia

Join Date: Oct 2003

Posts: 2,303

Quote:

Originally Posted by richarddd

The products are Xcentz 5000mAh 18W PD Portable Charger 2 USB Outputs with USB C Power Delivery&Quick Charge 3.0 Phone Charger for iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/8/X/XS, Samsung S10, Pixel 3/3XL, iPad Pro 2018, and More

I own the Xcentz 5000mAh. Does pretty much what it says except for working with USB-A low power devices. There's no on/off switch and plugging in a small usb LED touch sensitive dimmable light, on low light, will usually result in it switching off less than a minute later.

Jan 7, 2020, 4:36 am

#238

richarddd

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: NYC

Posts: 6,424

Quote:

Originally Posted by paperwastage

can you use BatteryInfoView, or a physical voltmeter like below, to confirm the negotiated voltage/amperage?

https://www.amazon.com/Eversame-Mult...dp/B07JYVPLLJ/

BatteryInfoView: Pixel charger: 7,000 milliwatts, RAVPower, 20,000 milliwatts. Both 17,000 millivolts. Reported charge times much longer on the Pixel charger.

Jan 7, 2020, 8:03 am

#239

crackjack

Join Date: Jul 2014

Posts: 1,129

Aukey seems to have released a new line of GaN chargers, with 2 of them going up to 100W (one w/ a single & one w/ double USB-C ports):
https://www.xda-developers.com/aukey...b-pd-ces-2020/

Appears that the 2 100W chargers will be somewhat smaller than the Apple 61W charger, though the 54mm / 56mm dimensions given may be somewhat off (they look much larger in comparison to the other chargers in the picture).

Hyper’s ‘smallest 100W charger’ claim didn’t stand for long... perhaps they can still claim the smallest 4-port GaN 100W charger?

Jan 7, 2020, 3:19 pm

#240

pseudoswede

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: Denver, CO

Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist

Posts: 21,530

Quote:

Originally Posted by richarddd

I was thinking of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K18LV6K/
or
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Smal.../dp/B07LB1JQJW
as USB-C 5000mAh batteries. They seem to be the same except finish and packaging.

The products are Xcentz 5000mAh 18W PD Portable Charger 2 USB Outputs with USB C Power Delivery&Quick Charge 3.0 Phone Charger for iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/8/X/XS, Samsung S10, Pixel 3/3XL, iPad Pro 2018, and More

and

NOVOO Portable Charger 5000mAh USB-C Power Bank Ultra-Compact with 18W Power Delivery & QC 3.0 Cell Phone External Battery Pack for iPhone11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/8/8+, Samsung, Pixel, Mate 20 Pro, P30

I bought four of the NOVOO chargers (the 10000mAh version for $14 each) for my family and I for our trip to Disney World. They worked great.

Why is it so difficult to find decent (and value-priced) 3ft USB C-to-C cables?