My Kobo Lookbook

[Phebe]

Hi guys, I wanted to pool all the genius here as I'm an ignorant girl in the ways of electronics and such. I got a replacement for my e-reader (a Kobo lookbook) but my charger doesn't work and apparently they don't make them anymore. It is one of those setups where I don't charge from USB but only from a charger with a tip at the end (does that make sense?) Anyway, I've been hearing that I can use a USB wall plug to charge (mind you, it doesn't charge when connected to my PC via USB). I have a USB wall plug but the specs on it are slightly different... which is where, hopefully someone here will come in.

 

On the old unit I have:

INPUT: 100-240v (squiggly line) 50-60Hz 0.45A MAX

OUTPUT: 5.0V (straight line over jagged line) 1.5A

 

The possible replacement unit has:

INPUT: 100-240V (squiggly line) 47-63Hz, 0.2A

OUTPUT: 5V (straight line over jagged line) 1A

 

I guess what I want to know is, do you think I can use the USB dock to charge it, and if so, would these chargers be compatible (is that the right word?)

 

Thank you in advance to any good Samaritan who helps me.

[CraigD]

I've never laid hands on a Lookbook, but a quick google search suggests it can be charged by a standard miniUSB charger - pretty much the most common kind of cellphone charger, available even in 7-11s - or by connecting it to a powered-on PC or Mac with a simple USB-to-miniUSB cable.

 

Perhaps yours is a different model than what I'm reading about. In this case, my advice to you, if you're not handy with plugs and cables and the reading the specs printed on them, if to visit a RadioShack store with your device in hand, and asking the sales staff to find the right generic charger and tip for you.

 

As a general rule, a replacement charger must have at least the same voltage at amperage as what it replaces (5 V at 1.5 A, in your case), but will work if it's slightly more powerful (eg: 5.5 V at 1.5 A, 5 V at 2 A). Often, an underpowered charger will power the device, but won't charge the battery very well or at all.

[Phebe]

I've never laid hands on a Lookbook, but a quick google search suggests it can be charged by a standard miniUSB charger - pretty much the most common kind of cellphone charger, available even in 7-11s - or by connecting it to a powered-on PC or Mac with a simple USB-to-miniUSB cable.

 

Perhaps yours is a different model than what I'm reading about. In this case, my advice to you, if you're not handy with plugs and cables and the reading the specs printed on them, if to visit a RadioShack store with your device in hand, and asking the sales staff to find the right generic charger and tip for you.

 

As a general rule, a replacement charger must have at least the same voltage at amperage as what it replaces (5 V at 1.5 A, in your case), but will work if it's slightly more powerful (eg: 5.5 V at 1.5 A, 5 V at 2 A). Often, an underpowered charger will power the device, but won't charge the battery very well or at all.

 

Thank you so much for this. I'm definitely going to take it in to a store. I too had read the stuff on google but, since I just got it replaced, I honestly didn't want to take the chance without getting advice from someone who knows the science better.

 

Thanks a lot.