When I try and use the charger, with a laptop, USB-C to USB-C and a PC, USB to USB-C all that happens is the lights keep blinking. Has anyone noticed the same thing? I got the A1 2 a day before my trip to Columbia so I didn’t take the dual charger. When I got back, I plugged the charger into the PC and again all that happens the lights keep flashing. Is this normal?
AFAIK the blinking lights are an indication that there is not enough wattage being supplied by the USB port. I just plugged mine into a USB-A port that supplies only about 12W and the lights blinked. I then plugged it into a 60W USB adapter and no blinking lights.
The Sony specs say "simultaneous two-battery charging requires USB PD (30W min.) compatible power and cable (3A min.)". Not sure what the "3A min." refers to, but the 30W PD requirement is probably the key here.
The new chargers for the Sony A1 ii must be plugged into a high voltage source. I returned one of mine to Sony before I realized that these were upgraded, fast chargers that require high voltage. Sony could have been clearer about this with a slip of paper explaining that the new chargers are fast, but require a higher voltage source than a laptop.
wordfool wrote:
AFAIK the blinking lights are an indication that there is not enough wattage being supplied by the USB port. I just plugged mine into a USB-A port that supplies only about 12W and the lights blinked. I then plugged it into a 60W USB adapter and no blinking lights.
The Sony specs say "simultaneous two-battery charging requires USB PD (30W min.) compatible power and cable (3A min.)". Not sure what the "3A min." refers to, but the 30W PD requirement is probably the key here. Be nice if they would supply one with the camera
I think it's better to talk about a USB PD-source rather than "high voltage source". The PD source communicates with the receiving part and the voltage out from the PD source is variable.
A 3A USB cable is wired for being capable of handle a 3 ampere current.
I don't have the A1 mark ii but already my A1 orig can handle a USB PD source and charge the battery "fast" in the camera. This tech isn't brand new and perhaps Sony thinks everyone already have a good USB source and cables.
I agree a cable could/should have been provided by Sony.
billsnature wrote:
This charger could possibly be the dumbest thing that Sony has ever done!!!
Really? I fail to see your point. It is a fast DUAL charger that is smaller than the previously available single charger. I remembered a thread or two about some FMers willing to pay for something like that previously.
Jonas B wrote:
I think it's better to talk about a USB PD-source rather than "high voltage source". The PD source communicates with the receiving part and the voltage out from the PD source is variable.
A 3A USB cable is wired for being capable of handle a 3 ampere current.
I don't have the A1 mark ii but already my A1 orig can handle a USB PD source and charge the battery "fast" in the camera. This tech isn't brand new and perhaps Sony thinks everyone already have a good USB source and cables.
I agree a cable could/should have been provided by Sony....Show more →
I was puzzled by the 3A thing and was not sure if it referred to the cable or the charger, but I assumed the cable because that basically means you have to use a USB-C to USB-C cable and that corresponds with the PD standard (every pure USB-C cable can handle at least 3A because that's part of the USB specification). USB-A to USB-C cables, however, are limited to 2.4A (a limitation of the USB-A plug IIRC). Sony could have simply stated that only a USB-C to USB-C cable can be used with this charger and things would be clearer than this cryptic "3A" message.
billsnature wrote:
This charger could possibly be the dumbest thing that Sony has ever done!!!
I have the opposite opinion -- I think it's an awesome charger, as fast as the old A1's mains charger, charges two batteries at once, and uses USB power that is far more convenient in this era of USB-charged devices everywhere. I either just use my phone charger or plug it into a power bank if I'm in the field.
AGeoJO wrote:
Really? I fail to see your point. It is a fast DUAL charger that is smaller than the previously available single charger. I remembered a thread or two about some FMers willing to pay for something like that previously.
I agree. I love this new charger, it is especially useful when I am on safari and have limited time for charging my batteries between game drives.
dallvr wrote:
I agree. I love this new charger, it is especially useful when I am on safari and have limited time for charging my batteries between game drives.
I agree too, Its compact, uses the same cables and sources I use to charge my mobile devices all without having to use AC power. For those without a PD charger/battery bank I guess that is a con but if you can afford an A1 II you could likely also afford a PD charger and power bank.
billsnature wrote:
This charger could possibly be the dumbest thing that Sony has ever done!!!
Why? I love this little charger. I never took the ol' single chargers out of the box and just chose to plug directly into the camera or use my 3rd party triple charger. But I really like this little fast charger so I'm using it all the time now.
Merlinator wrote:
When I try and use the charger, with a laptop, USB-C to USB-C and a PC, USB to USB-C all that happens is the lights keep blinking. Has anyone noticed the same thing? I got the A1 2 a day before my trip to Columbia so I didn’t take the dual charger. When I got back, I plugged the charger into the PC and again all that happens the lights keep flashing. Is this normal?
I'm not sure what you mean by a PC, but you need a laptop with a USB-C PD port that supports reverse charging. Many newer laptops have one port like that. Even so it may need enabling with an app or in the BIOS.
arbitrage wrote:
Why? I love this little charger. I never took the ol' single chargers out of the box and just chose to plug directly into the camera or use my 3rd party triple charger. But I really like this little fast charger so I'm using it all the time now.
I love the concept and hate the execution. It doesn't work with any of my phone chargers and cables. So now I need to go buy a charger that has sufficient power to run this. Not providing a cable either in the box of a $6500 camera is just stupid. I didn't mind that the A6500 came with poor charger, but the A1 II REALLY?
billsnature wrote:
I love the concept and hate the execution. It doesn't work with any of my phone chargers and cables. So now I need to go buy a charger that has sufficient power to run this. Not providing a cable either in the box of a $6500 camera is just stupid. I didn't mind that the A6500 came with poor charger, but the A1 II REALLY?
Do you have a USBC power brick for a Mac or PC laptop? That should work. ZSOme power banks work as well.
I’ve been using USBC PD power supply’s for years. I have a 6 port 160W PD and Gan3 one on my desk and another by my bedside. I get some want a charger but I don’t care. As an aside it’s an EU regulation that new devices not supply a power brick and your getting that box in the US as well. The same one than makes your iPhone USBC.
I get more annoyed by the devices that do have a USBC port but require a USBA to USBC cable and won’t charge of a USBC to USBC cable…. Too many standards.
billsnature wrote:
I love the concept and hate the execution. It doesn't work with any of my phone chargers and cables. So now I need to go buy a charger that has sufficient power to run this. Not providing a cable either in the box of a $6500 camera is just stupid. I didn't mind that the A6500 came with poor charger, but the A1 II REALLY?
It's definitely a rip-off. Efficiency is not ideal either because you need a PD charger, cable and the Sony battery charger. Power efficiency is better if the charger is all in one and it uses fewer materials, so should be lighter weight and simpler to use. There is a fallacy that somehow one PD charger can be used for multiple products, saving something, but it doesn't work when you need to charge phone, tablet, laptop computer, and several camera batteries at the same time.
“3A min” means “3 Amperes of current”. 30 Wattt Power Delivery is only part of the equation since Power Delivery is Volage x Current and there are a lot of 30 Watt systems that can’t supply 3 Amperes of current.
Also use a thin Baseus USB C Charger, 65W 2 Port With mine that I bought separately since I don’t own an A1 II yet.
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