Lytro Support/Support Forums/Lytro Camera - Support Questions
Answered
what is the approved wall charger
graciela scharnhorst
asked this on April 16, 2012 04:22 pm
how do I get a wall charger for my Lytro camera?
Comments
Can I use an iPhone charger? Since an iPhone can be charged with the PC USB or it's wall charger.. Thus would this give Lytro same power?
A list of compatible chargers would be great. Of course, iPad and iPhone come to mind but maybe a Kindle? Thanks. Having tons of fun with the new camera.
I'm afraid we can't really compile a list like that; too much variability and liability involved.
We've designed the camera charging system to be quite robust, though, so here's my advise: Try it! I believe the Kindle will work just fine. At worst, you will get a "This Charger Won't Work" error message.
Just be sure you are using a quality product charger. The only real problems we've ever heard about came from cheap/bootleg/knockoff chargers that looked like good ones, but didn't deliver on the ratings and stickers that were printed on them.
We'd love to hear about your experiences here... check back and let us know how it goes.
I use a little (1"x1.5") usb charger that I got at Fry's food store for $9.95 - it works fine. (A picture of it is attached to this message)
Thanks chis i will check that charger out and Adam I do have several Mac chargers so will check those too. thanks guys for the info. :)
I did use my Kindle Touch charger and it worked perfectly. The Kindle cord plugs in to the Lytro camera too. Very easy.
Chris and Laura, thanks for checking in, it's nice to see what's working well for people.
If you would publish the spec on this, that would help. For example the iPhone charger has an output of 5V , 1A. As long as we knew that was safe we would feel better.
The Lytro fastcharger (available soon!) specs are:
Input: 100-240V ~0.5A Max 50-60Hz
Output Power: 10W Maximum
Output: +5V--2.0A
Efficiency Level: V
Cool! Got a picture of it?
Cool. My understanding then is that an iPhone or iPad charger should be safe to use.
iPhone
Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 0.15A
Output Power: 5V~1A
iPad
Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz 0.45A
Output Power: 5.1V~2.1A
I've used the iPad charger on my iPhone with no problems. My understanding si the more Amps out the faster the charge. iPhone charger will just take more time charging the Lytro.
The nice thing about the Kindle charger is that both the charger and the connector cable worked. Tried my camera connector and that didn't. I have so many cables around I was not sure which was the Lytro.
Chris, no can do but there are no surprises here; it's a pretty standard looking adapter.
The thing I'm curious about is: does it have an integral cable, or do we plug the usb cable that attaches the camera to the computer into the charger?
It's a wall charger that goes directly from the wall to the camera. It's a fixed cable, as opposed to a detachable USB cable.
More good info: page 21 of our general user manual actually has some nice specifics here I neglected to repost:
=====================================================
The Lytro camera is designed for use with a 500 mA USB cable or a 2000 mA
USB charger. We found most common USB to micro-USB cable and micro-USB
charger brands to be compatible under the limitations of our testing conditions.
Some of these chargers are
The battery will charge to 100% in eight hours when using the included 500 mA USB cable.
For faster charging, you may use a range of wall adapters. As a reference, when using these
adapters, charging times shall be no more than the following:
From an iPhone 3/3GS or 4/4S wall adapter (1000mA cube): 5 hours.
From an iPad wall adapter (2100mA): < 5 hours.
If the camera detects that the attached charger is incompatible, it will display
a “this charger won’t work” screen, as shown right. Please note that certain
third-party chargers display inaccurate specifications and may be incompatible
with the Lytro camera.
A solution for Apple iPhone users with Lytro:
The EU requires mobile phone companies like Apple to standardize on micro USB for the chargers. The Apple UK has already started selling a micro USB to Apple connector for its customers. http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MD099?mco=MjU5MjAwODM So Lytro is on the right track by backing a soon to be universal standard of micro USB.
For most American customers wanting to only travel with their iPhone charger and still wanting to charge their Lytro I would recommend bringing their current iPhone charger, pull out the current USB to Apple connector cable and replacing it with a white micro USB cable and a micro USB to Apple connector. This way you can still charge your iPhone, but when you need to charge your Lytro you pull off the Apple connector and direct connect the micro USB cable.
Here are the 2 items you would need to add:
The micro USB to Apple Connector Adapter:
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MD099ZM-adapter-connector-iPhone/dp/B00...
The micro USB cable (the one below is 3 feet):
http://www.amazon.com/Oriongadgets-Charge-Cable-Amazon-Kindle/dp/B0...
Remember you need to keep your existing iPhone 110 volt AC wall adapter and plug this cable in and add the adapter at the end to charge your iPhone.
For those of you wanting a Lytro solution buy the Lytro wall charger and then add the iPhone micro USB adapter to charge your iPhone or iPad.
My Samsung Galaxy II charger worked just fine. Ouitput at 5v and 0.7amps. Tried another charger and got the "charger won't work". A very robust DC voltage measuring system. Hats off to the designers.
Followup: you can now purchase the Lytro wall charger, which will charge your Lytro in 2 hours or less!
http://support.lytro.com/entries/21642482-usb-wall-charger-accessory