ThePyroPath said: OK, here's one. I have a Xtorm AL450 powerbank. What I noticed is that the list linked in the OP states many many readings of about 5 volts, 500mA. And I can confirm the slow declining of battery percentage while playing Zelda with the powerbank attached. However, when I disconnect the cable while it's charging and then reconnect within a few moments it actually starts charging the Switch. Progress is extremely slow, like 1% each 20 or 30 minutes, but it shows this should be providing more power than it's using or in other words, it can't be 5 volts, 500mA...
I use an Anker power bank. Can't remember which but it does power up the console. At least at 75% brightness.
ThePyroPath said: OK, here's one. I have a Xtorm AL450 powerbank. What I noticed is that the list linked in the OP states many many readings of about 5 volts, 500mA. And I can confirm the slow declining of battery percentage while playing Zelda with the powerbank attached. However, when I disconnect the cable while it's charging and then reconnect within a few moments it actually starts charging the Switch. Progress is extremely slow, like 1% each 20 or 30 minutes, but it shows this should be providing more power than it's using or in other words, it can't be 5 volts, 500mA...
I use an Anker power bank. Can't remember which but it does power up the console. At least at 75% brightness.
OK, nice it works as intended for you and your type of memory bank. However it seems the majority of people have issues with powerbanks on the Switch where battery percentage is dropping faster than it should. For those people I suggested something to try.
I use an Anker power bank. Can't remember which but it does power up the console. At least at 75% brightness.
OK, nice it works as intended for you and your type of memory bank. However it seems the majority of people have issues with powerbanks on the Switch where battery percentage is dropping faster than it should. For those people I suggested something to try.
That's cool. If that doesn't work and money isn't an issue, here's the one I use: Anker PowerCore 20100 - Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with 4.8A Output, PowerIQ Technology for iPhone, iPad and Samsung Galaxy and More (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X5RV14Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_ruPAihJ9DUgUz
I have a write-up that I'm working on to hopefully clarify a bunch of this, but it is slow going and unfortunately there are a bunch of edge cases and exceptions that don't make talking about this easy.
The bottom line is that if you use a Type A charger, regardless of what's on the label, on 90+% of the chargers you might use, the Switch will only draw 5V 1.5A or 7.5 watts.
7.5 watts is right at the threshold where in full brightness, full volume, wifi on, I can reliably get the Switch to drop about 1% every 11 or so minutes. Under the same circumstances, I can also get the battery to hold the line. It is scene dependent. If you drop the brightness and other factors, you increase the likelihood of either holding the line or even slowly charging while playing. This is where the confusion comes in-many people reporting on their Type A chargers are testing it at all kinds of settings, and whether the charger will charge or not is not binary. There aren't "good" or "bad" Type A chargers, they are all largely the same (delivering 7.5 watts) and the variation in results is the result of a spectrum dependent on the gaming scenario.
Anyway, if you want to reliably charge the Switch while playing, it is kinda simple--pick a charger that uses a USB C-C cable. If it's C-C on both ends, worst case scenario, you are sending 5V 2A. If your charger has USB PD, you might send more, but you'll at the very least send 10 watts.
Use a Type A charger if that's what you have; it will work, not harm your Switch, and in most cases, will charge your Switch slowly. But if you're looking to spend money on a new charger, there's no reason not to choose Type C.
