this post was submitted on 24 Nov 2023
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Discussion around the Framework mission of building products that last longer by making them upgradeable, customizable, and repairable. Consumer electronics can be better for you and for the environment.

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My Anker charger has stopped working after only 2 uses, and the only other USB-C charger I have in the house is a 20W iPhone charger. Is it possible and safe to trickle-charge the laptop with a low power charger whilst it is powered off and not in use?

Edit to add it’s only a temporary solution until my new charger arrives tomorrow.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Only if the Iphone charger is a USB-C PD rated charger.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yes, theoretically the Framework should charge even on a standard 5V charger without Power Delivery (very slowly of course). However there might be incompatibilities.

Should be fine to try, but I wouldn't use a very cheap charger, because who knows what shocks that could give to the delicate Framework electronics. But Apple should be fine.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How do I know if there are ‘incompatibilities’? If the charge light is on is it safe to assume it’s working?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I guess so. If it blinks it could indicate that the charger shuts off because it's overloaded or so, but if the light stays on it's probably charging.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

20W is enough for lightweight use. Just don't run anything intensive to avoid the battery draining.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah, should work. Mine charges with an 18W PD Google Pixel charger even while powered on. Although sometimes I have to retry a few times before it accepts a charge.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Interestingly, I occasionally use my steam deck 45w charger for my framework. From totally dead, it won’t recharge or let me boot when plugged into the front left port, but will from the front right port.

Once it’s powered on, either one will charge it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I tried it with a no name 20w charger and it eventually had to shut down, but did get me to 25% after a few hours.

I have a dedicated 65w GaN charger now 😊

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah, but it will be very slow. I had the same issue on my Samsung Galaxy Book2 when its charger failed, and my laptop would only accept 0.8-1W of power from my 15W phone charger 😑