USB Recharge Cable Question

[fulgore66]

This may sound like a stupid question to a lot of you, but I am confused. I wanted to purchase some extra PS3 controller recharge cables. I am using them to connect the controllers to my PC for gaming.

Anyway, I did some searching before I ordered a cable from monoprice and found (on wikipedia) that the PS3 charge cable is a mini-B type plug. So I ordered a one from monoprice. When I received it, it is not the correct shape. After doing some digging, it appears to me that mini-B is not a standard plug size. Monoprice has several different mini-B cables with different shaped plugs.

So I guess my question is: how can you tell if a USB cable will work with a PS3 controller? Obviously I could tell if I was looking at it in person, but it can be tough to tell from pictures.

[007Omega]

just search for a three pin usb adaptor mate. thats what most places call it.

edit: maybe i am wrong, but madcatz sell spare cables. check it up

[Sam_From_Space]

This may sound like a stupid question to a lot of you, but I am confused. I wanted to purchase some extra PS3 controller recharge cables. I am using them to connect the controllers to my PC for gaming.

Anyway, I did some searching before I ordered a cable from monoprice and found (on wikipedia) that the PS3 charge cable is a mini-B type plug. So I ordered a one from monoprice. When I received it, it is not the correct shape. After doing some digging, it appears to me that mini-B is not a standard plug size. Monoprice has several different mini-B cables with different shaped plugs.

So I guess my question is: how can you tell if a USB cable will work with a PS3 controller? Obviously I could tell if I was looking at it in person, but it can be tough to tell from pictures.

I got a cable a few years back with a digital camera that works fine, otherwise get a usb to mini usb cable.

Or get a madcatz game pack, extra controller (Battery powered) Extra wire with hdmi cable thrown in.

[fulgore66]

I got a cable a few years back with a digital camera that works fine, otherwise get a usb to mini usb cable.

Or get a madcatz game pack, extra controller (Battery powered) Extra wire with hdmi cable thrown in.


But the problem is that there are multiple types of mini usb cables.

I also have one from a camera that works, so I know it is some kind of standard, I just can't tell how to actually identify them without seeing them in person.

just search for a three pin usb adaptor mate. thats what most places call it.

edit: maybe i am wrong, but madcatz sell spare cables. check it up

Thanks for the tip, but those are way more expensive than I think they should be. There is a reason I went to monoprice. I paid $1.50 for the one I ordered...it was just the wrong kind.

[CCourtney]

This may sound like a stupid question to a lot of you, but I am confused. I wanted to purchase some extra PS3 controller recharge cables. I am using them to connect the controllers to my PC for gaming.

Anyway, I did some searching before I ordered a cable from monoprice and found (on wikipedia) that the PS3 charge cable is a mini-B type plug. So I ordered a one from monoprice. When I received it, it is not the correct shape. After doing some digging, it appears to me that mini-B is not a standard plug size. Monoprice has several different mini-B cables with different shaped plugs.

So I guess my question is: how can you tell if a USB cable will work with a PS3 controller? Obviously I could tell if I was looking at it in person, but it can be tough to tell from pictures.

Technically Mini-B is a standard cable plug size. It just that there's been some other variants made that aren't part of the USB standard. The Mini-B 5 pin on the monoprice site is the one you want. These are actually extremely common these days.

[daevv]

Weird actually...I was just looking at cables in Walmart lastnight, they look just like the one that came with the system. They were $9.99.

[fulgore66]

Technically Mini-B is a standard cable plug size. It just that there's been some other variants made that aren't part of the USB standard. The Mini-B 5 pin on the monoprice site is the one you want. These are actually extremely common these days.


You're my hero! I didn't even notice that the pin count was different. That must be the deal. I ordered a 4-pin.

This one looks better:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030302&p_id=3895&seq=1&format=2

Edit: Well...if it wasn't 1 ft it would be better :mrgreen:

[CCourtney]

Weird actually...I was just looking at cables in Walmart lastnight, they look just like the one that came with the system. They were $9.99.

Probably because they are. The 'PS3 recharging cable' is just a USB to Standard Mini-B cable. I have at least a dozen of these at home and I've charged my controllers with other cables using laptops, PCs, DVRs, USB Hubs, ... as well as even my mini-USB (mini-B) cell phone charger in my truck and the one in my study.

[CCourtney]

You're my hero! I didn't even notice that the pin count was different. That must be the deal. I ordered a 4-pin.

This one looks better:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030302&p_id=3895&seq=1&format=2

Edit: Well...if it wasn't 1 ft it would be better :mrgreen:

Yeah, that's the one. Sorry you went through the hassle, they should label these better IMO.

[fulgore66]

Yeah, that's the one. Sorry you went through the hassle, they should label these better IMO.


Eh...it was $1.50. Can't complain too much.

I agree that they should be labeled better. You have to really know what you are after to get the correct cable. I had no idea prior to this how many different types of usb cable types there were, which seems so stupid for something with "Universal" in the name!

[rader023]

Eh...it was $1.50. Can't complain too much.

I agree that they should be labeled better. You have to really know what you are after to get the correct cable. I had no idea prior to this how many different types of usb cable types there were, which seems so stupid for something with "Universal" in the name!

Since this thread has been answered I figured I would add on a question. If i purchase on of these 10 footers can you use the controller while it is charging? I wont be home for a few days and wanted to have the cable waiting when I got there if you can play n charge.

[fulgore66]

Since this thread has been answered I figured I would add on a question. If i purchase on of these 10 footers can you use the controller while it is charging? I wont be home for a few days and wanted to have the cable waiting when I got there if you can play n charge.


I think that as long as you are charging it on a PS3 you can If you are charging it on a PC or USB hub, I'm not positive, but I assume that would still work too.

The cable shouldn't make a difference. If it works with the one you have it will work with these.

Edit: Oh, your not home to try. Excuse my stupid. I'm at work so I can't verify for sure at the moment.

[rader023]

I think that as long as you are charging it on a PS3 you can If you are charging it on a PC or USB hub, I'm not positive, but I assume that would still work too.

The cable shouldn't make a difference. If it works with the one you have it will work with these.

Thanks, i didnt know if it works with the original cable because I sit so far away from the ps3 that I never play that controller while charging. I just switch controllers, or dont play 2P.

[fulgore66]

Thanks, i didnt know if it works with the original cable because I sit so far away from the ps3 that I never play that controller while charging. I just switch controllers, or dont play 2P.


I think I played while recharging when I first got my PS3. I have the same problem as you as far as distance goes. My memory is too crummy to recommend taking my word for it though.

[Punisher99]

Since this thread has been answered I figured I would add on a question. If i purchase on of these 10 footers can you use the controller while it is charging? I wont be home for a few days and wanted to have the cable waiting when I got there if you can play n charge.

Yes you can play and charge. Even if the controller is completely dead. And if you are using the PS3 to charge it.

[Judgegeo]

Question: Why dont buy a bluetooth dongle and just use the controller wireless ;0

[fulgore66]

Question: Why dont buy a bluetooth dongle and just use the controller wireless ;0


It hadn't crossed my mind. But that would be great. Do you have a link to such a device?

Edit: Have you tried using this method with the PC driver for the PS3 controller? I seem to remember the instructions saying that you had to use a USB cable...but I haven't looked for an updated driver in a while either.

[menefreghista]

does anyone know how much voltage an OEM ps3 controller needs to recharge its battery ?

i plugged mine into a wall charger used for Motorola phones and it didn't work out

[CCourtney]

does anyone know how much voltage an OEM ps3 controller needs to recharge its battery ?

i plugged mine into a wall charger used for Motorola phones and it didn't work out

The USB Standard is a 5V+/-5% Supply Voltage level. That said, some chargers turn the power to the voltage rail off if they do not detect something being connected over the data pins. I had a HUB that wouldn't charge mine because it didn't think something was connected. If you have a Voltmeter/Multimeter you could measure this. The voltage is Pin 1 and ground is Pin 5 (the outside pins) To go outside that voltage range could damage USB devices since it's outside of the USB spec, and since the PS3 accepts standard USB items (mice, keyboards, etc.) then it would have the same voltage level.

BTW, are you sure it's not charging? It could be the current limit on the charger taking it a long time to charge. The PS3 is probably allowing up to 400mA current to pass while some of these charges may only pass 100mA - the rating should be on the charger itself.

A good example is, when I use my Blackberry charger which has an 850mA rating on my controllers it chargers them fast, when I charge my Cell Phone using my PC at work, it charges it slow (lower current limit on PC USB ports and PS3 USB ports than on my charger.)

If you haven't tried, let it sit overnight on the charger and check it.

TAZ427

[fulgore66]

Question: Why dont buy a bluetooth dongle and just use the controller wireless ;0

It doesn't appear that anyone has figured out how to get PS3 controller bluetooth to work for the PC yet. I am using the filter driver (which I believe is developed by MS):

libusb-win32-filter-bin-0.1.10.1.exe

Don't know if anything else is available yet as far as drivers go.

[menefreghista]

The USB Standard is a 5V+/-5% Supply Voltage level. That said, some chargers turn the power to the voltage rail off if they do not detect something being connected over the data pins. I had a HUB that wouldn't charge mine because it didn't think something was connected. If you have a Voltmeter/Multimeter you could measure this. The voltage is Pin 1 and ground is Pin 5 (the outside pins) To go outside that voltage range could damage USB devices since it's outside of the USB spec, and since the PS3 accepts standard USB items (mice, keyboards, etc.) then it would have the same voltage level.

BTW, are you sure it's not charging? It could be the current limit on the charger taking it a long time to charge. The PS3 is probably allowing up to 400mA current to pass while some of these charges may only pass 100mA - the rating should be on the charger itself.

A good example is, when I use my Blackberry charger which has an 850mA rating on my controllers it chargers them fast, when I charge my Cell Phone using my PC at work, it charges it slow (lower current limit on PC USB ports and PS3 USB ports than on my charger.)

If you haven't tried, let it sit overnight on the charger and check it.

TAZ427

the wall-charger output reads as 5.0v or 550mA so the ps3 controller ought to work. I did leave it overnight but it didn't charge ... will get a Voltmeter & check it out

thanks !

[ScottPattison]

Buy one from a shop, You chimera

[menefreghista]

what are you, like 12 or somethin' ?
doesn't really matter although you would be better off on the Britney Spears forum

Buy one from a shop, You chimera