How to Charge Your Retro Handhelds Safely

There's a lot of confusing around charging retro handhelds and Ide like to give my input. Retro handhelds need retro chargers. Stick to slow chargers and you'll be okay. Always match the voltage and try to match or exceed the amperage. Fast chargers are not all created equal. They all have different protocols and are made for specific devices. Even iPhone 15 can be damaged by the wrong usb c fast charger. Look up some videos. If it can happen to iPhone it will happen to a budget Chinese retro handheld. Stick to slow chargers usb A to C for the cable. Just be safe.

[JaviPlayRetro]

Hey guys, would you guys like to see more testing done with different chargers? Maybe switch chargers, samsung chargers, apple, etc?

Good stuff Javi, as a previous employee of a giant tech repair facility. We always recommended using oem charging cables and charging bricks according to device specifications. If not, at least name brand charging cables and charging bricks according to device specifications. If a device doesn’t have an oem charging cable and charging brick, then we always recommended name brand charging cables and charging bricks according to device specifications. But, when it’s all said and done at the end of the day, it’s your device, do as you please and thank you for the repeated business and keeping me employed. 😊👊

[BH]

since i got my rg35xx plus i have only used my desktops usb 3 port to charge it using the cable that came with it, no issues so far the battery doesn't get hot at all, it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to get to 100%.
i am glad i watched videos and reddit post before receiving my device otherwise i would suffered the same fate.
thanks for making these videos they have really helped me setting up my device ❤
Edit- takes 3 to 4 hours to charge

[-dAtA-TRoN-]

A rather insightful and crucial video debunking various rumors. Excellent work!

[-Marco]

So I am going to share some info about batteries (LiPo in particular). Im an RC car enthusiast for about 10 years and in the last few years we use LiPo batteries almost exclusively for powering the cars. While charging LiPo batteries the rule is, that you shouldn't exceed 1C charging rate (e.g. 3300mAh in RG35XX+ charge max 3.3A). If you charge with lower current, you will get more charging cycles from the battery in the future. What can kill the battery is charging with higher Voltage than the battery itself. So propably RG35XX+ can't deal with higher voltage chargers, but dont quote me on that, I haven't seen the internal circuitry.

[rassular]

If you didn't know, the reason not all USB C to USB C cables work is that these companies cut costs by omitting a singular $0.05 resistor. That alone should show how far they'll go to save money lol

[sittthugyii]

Retro gaming need retro chargers. Got it!

[seansysig]

Javi FYI here are some formulas to demystify the charging conundrum. FYI I’m a retired Power Plant Engineer.

Watts= Volts x Amps. Ambernic states 7.5 watts so the math 7.5watts divided by 5 volts= 1.5amps.

So only use any USB chargers of 7.5 watts or less.
Lithium Polymer batteries charge best and have the longest life expectancy when charged at or below specified temps. Also only charge to 80% as this will greatly extend life expectancy. Also try not to let battery go below 20%.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!!

[DanielDa]

Thank you so much man, I’m about to get the handheld and you definitely saved me. Not gonna lie, at first I was thinking your initial video’s tip was bullshit but I see you’re serious and give good advice.

[justinwollman]

Thanks brotha! I appreciate the video. I couldn’t get it to charge because I was using my turbo charger

[edge]

Thank You making the time to care we need more honesty on YouTube 🔥🙏🏽🆙

[Encl]

Lol your video made me smile. That's the same exact way I reacted when I got mine. Keep up the great work!

[jayfreeze]

I have many retro handhelds...over 30 and always use 5v 1.5 amp...sometimes even 5v 1.0 amp...or a older laptop usb port...never use fast chargers, or high output power chargers...they will undoubtedly destroy the device..i modified a few psp's taking out the drive and replacing with a 3.7 flat battery..soldering the wires to the old battery connection where it connects to the machine...and always use the psp charger ...works awesome...

[Potatochief]

this is so confusing thank you so much Im hoping plugging it in to my laptop will help

[dadeyes]

Battery may explode in the fire means ... if the battery is exposed to fire it may explode. Meaning heat will make the battery swell until failure which will release under pressure and generate enough heat to self ignite with "run away" battery.

[BooksTinn]

A well done video. Thank you so much Javi for this.

[AztecMod]

OMG 25 minutes!!! just to say stick whith a 5v 2.0 Amp, IDK I didn't even watch the video 😅😅😅

[lullylew]

Good info for the most part.

The voltage you see on screen while charing is the voltage of the battery, not the voltage it is receiving.

In conclusion:

- Not all USB-C cables are made equal. Use a slow charge charger and just to be safe make sure the cable isn't capable of fast charge. The controller is pants in the RG35XX, using an adapter with several rails will basically confuse the thing.

- Use 5V DC only.
- 1.5A or greater. The device's controller 'draws' amps from the charger. It will only draw the amps it needs/is capable of. Using a lower than 1.5A charger can cause problems. Resulting in more heat on the battery and adapter because it is trying to draw 1.5A but is meeting resistance. Resistance causes heat or excessive load on the charger causes heat.

Also have a separate memory card with official software for charging otherwise you will run into problems charging (this is where my problems started).

[khanimania]

Really appreciate your work not only, you raised importance of safety cocnern and also promote the danger of ignoring these things, including me i been stupid to ignore these devices are from china.

[FloatingSunfish]

Look, ma! I'm on TV! 📺
Going back, that pinned comment in the Tips video about someone frying their device made me feel that Anbernic either gave the wrong Voltage/Ampere information, or their device doesn't behave like a typical one and pulls power beyond the stated 1.5A which will indeed lead to overheating, device damage, and possibly even a fire.
I only use a 5V/2A charger on mine and never saw any issues, probably because the 0.5A difference wasn't enough to cause problems.