USB charging?
 

Is it possible to charge a PDA just with a USB connection?

I have an Ipaq 1910 that I would like to sync to my computers both at work and home. It came with a dual cable (one wire to plug into the wall for charging and one for USB sync connection). I don't need a $50 cradle, so I was looking to buy this same design that the PDA came with. While looking online, the only design I keep seeing is just a USB connection, but they say that it also charges the device. I've never heard of this, so I was wondering if anyone knew if this was possible. I don't want to bust my ipaq...

The iPaq I use at work requires the actual power connection (with or without cradle) in order to charge the batteries for it. I haven't tried to charge it via the USB connection, but if that worked, that'd be pretty neat.

Here is a link to the cable I am talking about. I think it may be different than a normal usb cable, because the one I have now does not charge.

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/ibizpda/usbcharkitfo4.html

Hmm. I'd imagine that the cable is rigged to provide power like a USB cable provides power to an optical mouse, rather than the traditional USB cable connecting an iPaq to a PC that only transfers data.

If they say it does it, I'd imagine it does. Very cool.

With a connector I can charge my CLIE with only USB, but not with the cradle, I had to buy a portable connection cable so I could eaisly connect to other computers

5v can't do too much

Boxwave
 

http://www.boxwave.com sells USB cables to sync and charge just about any PDA out there. I got their miniSync cable for my Dell Axim X5 Advanced Pocket PC PDA and it's the only cable I carry around for my PDA now. The cradle and power cable stay at home on my desk and my miniSync cable goes everywhere my laptop bag goes. Hope that helps!

It is a special cable, yes, but it can be done as the wall-wart that comes with the iPaq is 5V, same as the USB bus. You may want to use it with a powered hub though.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try it out...

yep works fine i charge my 3800 with it, also two cellphones and a headset, usb rocks ;)

zipLinq makes some cool cables that spool up autoamtically and come with different adapters for different devices

You can do it, if you use too much stuff on your USB straight off your mobo you can burn it out...then you are stuck USB-less unless you invest in an expansion card or USB hub.

if that happens youve got a bad mobo or usb chipset as usb is designed to shut down if you go over the power requirements for the port.

yep.. some of the new IPaq USB cradles will charge and synch at the same time... you have to watch your settings if connecting to a laptop on battery power...