Question about compatible USB chargers

[Merlin5]

For you experts, perhaps you can me help me. I'm buying a camcorder which comes with a USB cable to connect to a source to charge the battery, but it doesn't come with a USB mains power supply, it's a separate item to buy. The official spec is:

Rated Input:
AC100 - 240V
Rated Output:
DC 5V / 1A (center positive)

It's one of those mains chargers with a USB socket to connect the cable from the camera.

I'm wondering if it's ok to use my Samsung fast charger without damaging the camera?

Samsung Charger:
Input 100- 240v 50 - 60hz 0.5A
9.0 V@ 1.67 A or 5.0 V @ 2.0 A
Does this spec mean that it will only give 5V and not 9V when connected to the camera?

Or will any other charger work that's 5V and 1amp or more? There's a Duracell 5V/2.4A I've seen. I'm guessing that would work?

But what of polarity? I believe that's another important consideration. The official spec mentions 'center positive'. I think I read that if it's a USB charger I don't have to worry as they're standardised wiring?

 

[bremen1874]

If you're using the USB charging cable supplied with the camera then you don't need to worry about the polarity, how could it be wrong?

If your Samsung charger has a standard USB outlet then it should be fine. I'd assume that unless you use a specific Samsung cable and a compatible Samsung device it'll only ever provide a standard USB +5V output.

If you aren't completely sure just buy any decent quality (Anker?) 1.0A+ USB power supply and use that.

 

[Merlin5]

If you're using the USB charging cable supplied with the camera then you don't need to worry about the polarity, how could it be wrong?

If your Samsung charger has a standard USB outlet then it should be fine. I'd assume that unless you use a specific Samsung cable and a compatible Samsung device it'll only ever provide a standard USB +5V output.

If you aren't completely sure just buy any decent quality (Anker?) 1.0A+ USB power supply and use that.

Thanks bremen. Yes, standard USB outlet on the Samsung, so I'll give it a try.

Regarding the polarity, I clearly misunderstood what it referred to. I'm really clueless on electrical stuff.

I thought the centre positive was referring to the way it's wired inside the 3 pin wall adapter itself and that if I were to use a different wall plug like my samsung that it might be wired differently. But you've put my mind at rest.

I won't need to as I'm using the supplied cable, but what about if I happened to use a different branded USB cable with the Samsung adapter or different 5v/1a power supply, would polarity still be nothing to worry about?

 

[aardvark]

if its a mini usb then you will be fine as they are a standard spec.
The polarity comes into it if you need one of those power sockets that are a circular hole with a pin, if you know what i mean - then some devices might have reversed polarity.
But usb is fine.
The ampage should also be fine as its the device that 'pulls' what it can take rather than the charger that 'pushes' as much as it can.

 

[Merlin5]

if its a mini usb then you will be fine as they are a standard spec.
The polarity comes into it if you need one of those power sockets that are a circular hole with a pin, if you know what i mean - then some devices might have reversed polarity.
But usb is fine.
The ampage should also be fine as its the device that 'pulls' what it can take rather than the charger that 'pushes' as much as it can.

Awesome. Thanks aardvark.

 

[Merlin5]

Just to say that the Samsung phone charger with the camera's supplied cable is charging the battery perfectly. And with the camera battery removed, I can still shoot video. Fortunately I have two of these Samsung chargers so don't have to keep unplugging the one that charges my phone. So that's saved a few quid.