Mazda mx-5 USB port not working

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Join Date: May 2016

Location: SF Bay Area

Posts: 45

The sad truth of the USB ports

Most of you probably know this but I think it bears repeating:

The built-in USB ports in front of the shifter only supply 0.5 amp power. These ports are designed for data transfer and not charging. They do not provide sufficient charge for the latest phones (1A and up).

If you want to charge your ultra-modern phone quickly, you need to use the 12V cigarette lighter interface. It seems gigantic and bulky and old school, but it's actually pretty robust. As long as your charger doesn't tend to pop out, then the connection is very robust, way better than USB, and it only provides power so that you don't need to worry about your charge system compromising your data. There are very-real hacks out there which will compromise your device if you plug your USB cable in for a "free charge" -- you know you've done this at an airport -- SHAME!

Anyway, the point is, the only interface for more than 0.5 amp charge is the cigarette lighter in the passenger footwell. Amazon provides plenty of high quality devices that will charge your phone from this interface much better than from the USB interface in front of the shifter.

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Join Date: Dec 2015

Location: Long Beach CA

Posts: 1,346

The USB ports charge my iPhone 6s just fine....

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Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: Austin

Posts: 4,824

I had the same issue ... while running Waze or EscortLive, the phone battery discharged in spite of being plugged into the NDs USB ports.

I used the op's suggested solution until another forum member suggested a power-only cable from PortaPow.

The one I used: http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Speci...ilpage_o05_s00

Note that other lengths are available, as are cables for Android phones.

I can now run power-hungry apps while the phone recharges.
Much neater solution.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Army Faction

The USB ports charge my iPhone 6s just fine....

At about a half of the charging rate that an iPhone 6s can support.

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Bacon.

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Location: Chicago, IL

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this is why when im using maps or other battery suck apps I just use the 12v. I bought a USB adapter/charger and a long usb cable. works great!

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Army Faction

The USB ports charge my iPhone 6s just fine....

Not while actually using it it doesn't.

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Join Date: Nov 1999

Location: Jerome, AZ

Posts: 36,488

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwallins

The built-in USB ports in front of the shifter only supply 0.5 amp power. These ports are designed for data transfer and not charging. They do not provide sufficient charge for the latest phones (1A and up).

I've noticed that all over the industry, not just the ND. When the power source is a utility company or car alternator, truly the only limit to the power available would be melting the power cord. Why do they cripple the chargers?

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Join Date: Mar 2016

Location: Boynton Beach, FL

Posts: 463

I wonder if something like this would work:

Could this feed power from both USB ports and offer up 1A of current?

First gear

Join Date: May 2015

Location: San Diego

Posts: 53

Quote:

Originally Posted by turborascal

I had the same issue ... while running Waze or EscortLive, the phone battery discharged in spite of being plugged into the NDs USB ports.

I used the op's suggested solution until another forum member suggested a power-only cable from PortaPow.

The one I used: http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Speci...ilpage_o05_s00

Note that other lengths are available, as are cables for Android phones.

I can now run power-hungry apps while the phone recharges.
Much neater solution.

Thanks!

Fifth gear

Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: Austin

Posts: 4,824

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Army Faction

The USB ports charge my iPhone 6s just fine....

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanC

Not while actually using it it doesn't.

It does if you use this:

http://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Speci...ilpage_o05_s00

Note that other lengths are available, as are cables for Android phones.

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You have verified that the USB port can supply more than 500 mA when using a charge-only cable?

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Bacon.

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Join Date: Oct 2011

Location: Austin

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I haven't yet put a meter to it to verify the charge level, but using the linked cable in the NDs USB port DOES charge the phone while running power-sucking apps like Escort Live or Waze.

Interestingly, my '14 Mazda3 charges the phone via its USB ports and a conventional cable while running the same apps on the same phone -- no HD cable needed.

It's obvious that the power supplied to the NDs USB ports is marginal at best.

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Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: Virginia

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Anecdotally (i.e., I haven't used a voltage meter to verify), my iPhone 6s charges just fine from the USB ports - and yes, this is when running both Waze and Pandora simultaneously. In fact, I can charge up my phone to 100% with a long enough drive even with those apps running. Maybe its the charge cord folks are using?

Fourth gear

Join Date: Dec 2015

Location: Long Beach CA

Posts: 1,346

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanC

Not while actually using it it doesn't.

I just drove 12 hours straight with Maps on and the phone plugged in and it didn't lose any juice....

Fourth gear

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Liverpool, NY

Posts: 1,056

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance Schall

I've noticed that all over the industry, not just the ND. When the power source is a utility company or car alternator, truly the only limit to the power available would be melting the power cord. Why do they cripple the chargers?

Cost

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Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Liverpool, NY

Posts: 1,056

Quote:

Originally Posted by turborascal

It's obvious that the power supplied to the NDs USB ports is marginal at best.

No, not really, it's a SDP, standard downstream port that only will support 500mA, that's the USB spec. If you want to charge your phone as fast as possible then use a DCP, dedicated charging port, which a lighter adapter will gladly supply.

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Mine charged my I phone 6 yesterday while using Pandora with no problems at all. I didn't use anything other than Pandora though.

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I have a big Samsung Note 5...with big power sucking screen.

Use standard USB cable and you can watch the battery level fall while using Navigation.
Use Charge ONLY USB cable and even with Navigation keeping screen bright and using Pandora it will charge the phone to full.

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Brian Goodwin
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Location: Jackson, MS

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All of these anecdotal data points are interesting, but we just need someone who owns one of these...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Charger-...-/141882140703

...to do a few tests with a device capable of pulling at least 2 amps, and with both a data cable and charge-only cable.

I have the USB meter, device, and cables, but not the car.

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Bacon.

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Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Liverpool, NY

Posts: 1,056

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Goodwin

I have a big Samsung Note 5...with big power sucking screen.

Use standard USB cable and you can watch the battery level fall while using Navigation.
Use Charge ONLY USB cable and even with Navigation keeping screen bright and using Pandora it will charge the phone to full.

Standard USB cables are usually 28AWG, once the voltage drops to the minimum USB spec voltage the device won't draw any more current. As you found out the only way around it is with more wire. Charge only cables are usually 24AWG.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by The Pirate

Mine charged my I phone 6 yesterday while using Pandora with no problems at all. I didn't use anything other than Pandora though.

But was the screen on? That's the biggest draw. My 6+ charges fine without the screen on, but drops with it on, although fairly slow.

Wheels flew off

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There are USB cables that are 28 or 30 AWG for the data wires but also have 24 AWG for the power wires. These cables should charge just as efficiently as charge-only USB cables and you can still use them for syncing. Here's one example:

http://amzn.to/1V28rZn

Mark

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I don't know about all you iphone users, but for android, especially samsungs, there are apps available to tell you how much current you're drawing from AC. It's interesting to note differences in cables, wall warts, and car chargers. It's also a great way to check cables.

I really like galaxy charging, but battery monitor pro works pretty well for non galaxy devices.

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Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Liverpool, NY

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Booth

There are USB cables that are 28 or 30 AWG for the data wires but also have 24 AWG for the power wires. These cables should charge just as efficiently as charge-only USB cables and you can still use them for syncing. Here's one example:

http://amzn.to/1V28rZn

Mark

Yup, but you have to pay for it, over $14, but it is worth it if you use the phone while charging.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by micven55

Yup, but you have to pay for it, over $14, but it is worth it if you use the phone while charging.

The usb ports only put out 0.5 amp. No cable will improve that, its the best it will do. Yes, cable gage can mak it worse but not better. Any cable, cheap or pricey will handle the mere 0.5 amp. Dont waste your $14. Its weak but will charge my galaxy 7 as long as the screen is off. You can run apps as long as the phone screen isnt active and get a very slow charge with the usb ports. I suspect the iphone 6 waould have similar resut, screen off.

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