Occasionally using my work laptops’ charger (MBP 2018).
I spoke too soon. Sort of. Tuns out the coil whine only happens with one of the two USB-C ports on my charger. Weird.
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Under my desk i have this one from Anker, powers my laptop plus accessories (keyboard, mouse etc…).
For on the go I use this Choetech charger. 2x USB-C PD at 100W max, and quite small to fit in any backpack.
For cable I have had the best results with Otterbox. Good solid cables that come with 2 years warranty and in 3 lengths. At my desk I use the 1m one and on the go the 3m one (you never know how far you are from the outlet).
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https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004237402278.html
USD$28 shipped roughly.
Powers both my Picopix 620 projector (~90w charging / ~40w continuous once charged) in the top slot and and Framework laptop in the second slot simultaneously. No whine on the unit, gets warm but not hot under heavy loads, etc.
I’ve been using a Satechi 75W Travel Charger since I got my Batch 5 Framework, and just picked up a smaller Satechi 100W Wall Charger for traveling.
Reviving this thread to ask a question specifically about grounded third-party adapters. For context there has been some discussion in the original blog post thread about the rarity of grounded USB chargers and why one might be a good idea.
I recently bought an Anker 727 specifically because it’s grounded, to use as an “all gadgets” adapter when traveling.
But when I first got to use it over the holidays, combined with Anker 100W USB-C cables, I felt the tell-tale leakage current tingling on both my Framework and my Pixel 7 (metal body). Same thing (tingling) with an ungrounded Google USB-C wall-wart from some earlier Pixel.
Now back home, however, I can no longer replicate the “delta” between that Anker/Google chargers and the Framework one. So I don’t know if what I experienced on holiday was the Anker not grounding its USB outputs (note it also serves as a power strip, so presumably those grounds are passed through - didn’t check) - or just a ground wiring issue at the place we were over the holidays.
So, any idea how to test that a USB charger is grounded? I tried a simplistic test with a multimeter with the Framework connected to the FW power adapter, and the adapter not connected to AC. There seemed to be no continuity between the FW body and the adapter’s ground prong. Is this a valid test or is there some (capacitor?) trickery expected to be in the ground connection that’s preventing the continuity from showing in this test?
Can anyone more electrically inclined here shed some light? Is the Anker a disappointment or did I just happen upon a not so well grounded Airbnb (tried the bathroom outlets too, so yikes, maybe).
That shouldn’t have happened, the anker 727 is supposes to be grounded:
Anker 727 Charging Station ($94.99) – built-in 100-watt charger with 2 USB-C ports (100-watt max port output), 2 USB-A ports, and 2 grounded outlets.
This however does require a working eletrical setup at home.
I also use Anker chargers and dont have any grounding issues.
I am using the UGreen 100W GaN charger with 3 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port. There’s a bit of static I can feel as it is not grounded. The only high capacity one that I could find that is grounded would be the Apple 96W and 140W models (too bad they don’t at least have another slot unlike the 35W model).
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@Anachron note the wording though - 4 USB ports total, and, separately, 2 grounded AC outlets.
It’s the USB ports that are the interesting ones here.
Unfortunately I didn’t have the FW adapter with me on the trip so I couldn’t do an apples-to-apples test, and the problem doesn’t reproduce here with either power supply, so I’m still looking for a way to safely test whether the Anker is in fact grounded for the USB outputs.
Yes you really require a tester that can provide ac to emulate mains. However some properties are separated from the ground, in that it was the ‘fashion’ in some older properties to ground the negative line. Which can add a small ‘signal’ to other devices in the same or neighbouring property.
I have a couple of these 65 watt Lenovo chargers I use with it, one of which came with an X1 Carbon and the other I bought: https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-4X20M26268-Included-Original-Packaging/dp/B06Y2YPWSM/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3SUBD52YXC9UC&keywords=lenovo+65+watt+x1+charger&qid=1672925495&sprefix=lenovo+65+watt+x1+charger%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-8
They are good quality and not expensive.
I am using an Anker 737 charger for direct charging and a Lenovo Thunderbolt 3 Dock (Gen1) for docked charging. BOth work as expected. I skipped the Framework Charger because of all the charging cord issues, and its maximum power delivery rating.
I’m using this Samsung multiport charger (so I can charge my phone too if I need to): Amazon.com
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im using the one that came with my Lenovo T580. its a 65W USB-C charger and seems to work perfectly fine with my 11th gen framework
This one looks good, how well does it perform?
Does it have tingling leakage, since it isn’t grounded…?
The ‘UGREEN 65W USB C’ B08CDDSVN4 from https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08CDDSVN4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 works fine here (Ryzen 7).
Confirmed by being able to flash the BIOS (battery at ~70%, charger connected).
I think this is the ultimate test, not just ‘charges’ or ‘charges while powered on’, as another USB-C PD charger I had here, that said it supported the same wattage, volts and amps did not work for BIOS updates, though it was fine as a daily driver.
https://www.wavlink.com/en_us/product/WL-P1101.html I am using this one and it has no coil whine that I can hear. Works fantastic!
It’s ok, I have not noticed any issues
HP Thunderbolt Dock G2
In fact works better with my Fedora 39 Framework laptop than with my work Windows 11 HP Elitebook 840 G9, which often has trouble making sense of the 2 external monitors.
But I noticed after leaving the Framework charging via the Dock for more than 24 hours it was unusually warm.
Anyone know if I should be worried about temperature while charging? Haven’t found any such comment in the community.
I’ve been using an Anker Nano 3 when out of the house, which generally works. At home I use Lenovo USB-C charger from my old laptop. I forget the wattage.