The old 9v charger question

[Cantante]

Hi all,

I fully understand that these cameras will run off 5 V but require 9 V to charge.

In the Arlo FAQ section it recommends using the original charger that came with a device, that’s fine if you still have it, but I don’t.

So I purchased a 9 V charger with the correct wattage and polarity and USB micro connector from a local electronics store and it does power the camera but does not charge the battery.

I’m thinking it is something to do with either the wiring of the USB micro plug might be different to other  non-Arlo devices, or we need to trick the batteries into charging somehow. 
I would be happy to buy a brand-new Arlo charger but I cannot find anyone that supplies an original in Australia.

Thank you in advance for anyone who can help.

Cantante

[Dannybear]

You would need the charger and cable to be compatible with Qualcomm quick charge.

https://kb.arlo.com/1152208/What-is-Quick-Charge-and-why-does-my-Arlo-Pro-Wire-Free-or-Arlo-Go-camer...

[Cantante]

Thanks DannyBear.

So a non-Qualcomm QC charger would not work *at all* , even at a slower charge rate ?

[Dannybear]

I don’t believe so, the charger circuit within the camera manages the battery charging for safety purposes.

If you used a 5vdc generic charger continuously it would just run the camera electronics only and the battery would not drain although eventually discharge (shelf life) over a year probably.

You should be able to easily purchase a compatible charger from jaycar,

[Cantante]

Appreciate your reply yes I already purchased a regular 9v charger from Jaycar with an adapter to convert to USB micro and like I said it powered but not charged.

Anyway thanks again for your time.

[Dannybear]

You could return the regular charger and swap for a compatible unit. The camera battery is 7.2vdc so needs the higher voltage solution for charging. The Qualcomm QC uses communication to set the charger voltage.

https://kb.arlo.com/290/What-type-of-battery-does-my-Arlo-camera-use

[Cantante]

So I bought a new 9v 1.5A Qualcomm charger from Jaycar with USB A socket.

Used a standard USBA to USB micro cable and as before the blue light lit up and the camera fired up and worked fine. Two hours on charge and the battery still shows as 0% so as soon as I unplug it the camera dies. I’ve got 4 cams and they all do the same thing so it’s not the battery.

My guess is that the Arlo USB micro cable is wired to have separate charge and power terminals and a standard USB micro cable is different. I have noticed this before with a Bose speaker, certain cables work to charge others don’t even though the table looks identical at first glance. 
i’ve been onto the Arlo website and look to all the accessories but there are no chargers offered otherwise I’d simply buy one.

If there was an Arlo technical department I would contact them but I can’t see it.

Anyway thanks again for your imput looks like a problem not easily solved.

All the best

[Dannybear]

Looking at the arlo site the VMA4400-100NAS is a new battery with the following included items.

Power Cable (1)
Power Adapter (1)
Arlo Pro 2440 mAh Rechargeable Battery (1)
Quick Start Guide (1)
Arlo Window Decal (1)

https://www.arlo.com/en-us/accessories/VMA4400-100NAS.html

If your pro battery has completely discharged then the camera will not allow you to charge it for safety reasons.

https://kb.arlo.com/000052305/My-Arlo-Pro-or-Arlo-Pro-2-battery-is-dead-what-do-I-do