DIY USB cable fix for iPhone 2A chargers

[birdastrompgman]

DISCLAIMER: Improper use may damage charger source.  I am not responsible for damage this mod may cause.  Do this at your own risk.

We have half a dozen other threads in this forum about chargers for our N7s.  The consensus is our N7s can benefit from 2A of current input into their mini-USB charging ports.  In fact, they'll discharge even when plugged in with most chargers.  The reason is the USB standard is only 0.5A, 5V DC, intended to protect devices like your computer from being damaged by supplying more current to connected USB devices.  Keep that in mind if you do this cable mod.  Mark your modified cable "for charging only," and use it carefully and wisely.

The problem with most 2A and 2.1A chargers is they only supply 2A to Apple devices like iPhones, using resistors and protective circuitry to know when an iDevice is connected.  Other devices, like our N7s, only get 0.5A current out of the same charger.

One way to fool those 2A chargers into supplying adequate current to today's power-thirsty devices is to short the data wires in the USB cable.  Here's how I made my cable, and the results.

I started with a USB extension cable (cablestripped photo), and clipped the green and white data wires (cableclipped photo). 

[birdastrompgman]

I soldered the data wires together from the target battery end (datasoldered photo).  I shrink-wrapped (shrinkwrapped photo) the connection and wrapped the wires with electrical tape.

[birdastrompgman]

I'd bought a car charger that didn't charge my N7.  Using the same cable that came with my N7, one USB port of my car charger gave a status: not charging message.

[birdastrompgman]

And the other port was worse.  It gave a "Status: Discharging" message on my N7 (last line of battery widget display).

[birdastrompgman]

So, what results did I get with my modded USB extension cable?   Plugged into the right port, and using the same OEM USB to mini-USB cable, my formerly deficient car charger now charges my N7.

[birdastrompgman]

And, plugging my modded extension cable into the left port, which had been discharging with the OEM cable, that port also charges my N7.

[phatchef6]

Was the wires going into the nexus or USB side?

[birdastrompgman]

I soldered the data wires coming from the Nexus 7 (female) end of the extension cable.

[phatchef6]

Thanks works great

[deluxe]

I use a Nook charger with no issues, nor modifications. Puts out 2 amps. Found it at one of those weird stores that sells cheap the confiscated/lost/left behind items from airlines/TSA.