Thanks to a genius suggestion from a member of another forum I have found a simple travel charging solution....
Plug MS USB charger into the Surface 3.
Plug phone into the S3 USB port.
I just tried this and it's working. S3 is closed and sleeping plugged into it's MS charger. Note 4 plugged into USB port on S3 and charging. I'll have to experiment a bit and make sure this works when both devices are flat before I can rely on it.
The MS charger is beefy but smaller than carrying 2 x USB chargers.
My experience so far would lead me to be skeptical. some of these "intelligent" devices say iPad @2.4A and if it doesn't recognize an iPad you don't get 2.4A. If you already have one or plan to get one test it thoroughly and return it if it's not working well.Has anyone tried charging it with the EC Technology charger (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F5Q4F0U)? Do you think that will work?
Another disappointing event. The dreaded 0.54A mode.
I charged overnight and everything went normally up to achieving 100% charge and observed about 200ma (0.2A) usage while still shutdown.
I started my day and left the Surface 3 plugged in, the charger did not increase to full power but went to 0.54A where it has stayed throughout the morning while battery level has decreased to 88%. Things I would normally do that would draw 2.3A from the charger just drain the battery faster while we remain stuck in 0.54A micro USB Charging HELL.
Decisions decisions should I let this play out to the eventual system shutdown or shall I disconnect and reconnect the charger to reset.
Seems worthy of a full on investigation by Microsoft.
What is to be determined is if it's an MS issue, in which case Id expect a firmware update would resolve it, or if it's a USB Power spec design flaw in which case there may not be a fix possible or perhaps MS can issue a reset and clear the condition. Would need to dig into the spec and observe the communications between the charger and the chargee.Do you reckon this is something that can be fixed through software or is it a somehow unforeseen hardware issue? definitely not good though. Micro usb charging should be micro usb charging. The MS store even has a Q&A stating that you can use any usb charger and battery pack, but that charging time may vary. Not that it will discharge.
When you say another power supply what use case do you have in mind? Just a spare? Something that handles foreign power connections? A battery pack?Hey, I'm traveling next week and would love another power supply. Can someone please do a simple recommendation. Like XX from Radio Shack or order XX from Amazon... or is this power thing so bad that we should consider sending it back. I guess I'll know after next week on the road.
