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What are people using for USB C charger for Sonos Move?

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Jake_11
Userlevel 2
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Boo Hoo :disappointed_relieved: ...I feel so unappreciated. I posted the information regarding 3rd party charger requirements in this thread and over a month ago in the announcement post right here. That’s the last time I’ll do the heavy lifting if I’m just going to be ignored. Double Boo Hoo :disappointed_relieved::disappointed_relieved:   LOL 

Sorry! Thank you for posting that - I was going to buy the charger actually but now that they are saying the Macbook charger should work I am going to try that again! Appreciate your help but if I can not carry any extra chargers around I would prefer that haha! 

Ryan S
Userlevel 7
Badge +26

You had some excellent recommendations AjTrek1 :) Don’t feel left out!

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AjTrek1
Userlevel 7

Boo Hoo :disappointed_relieved: ...I feel so unappreciated. I posted the information regarding 3rd party charger requirements in this thread and over a month ago in the announcement post right here. That’s the last time I’ll do the heavy lifting if I’m just going to be ignored. Double Boo Hoo :disappointed_relieved::disappointed_relieved:   LOL 

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Jake_11
Userlevel 2
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Correct, no problem with the 61W on that connection. If you do run into any issues with a Macbook charger, you may have to unplug the whole charger from the wall and from the Move, then wait about a minute, and plug it back in on both sides. We’re looking into a specific issue here that has come up rarely in testing.

Thanks Ryan - I will also report back. Y’all are welcome to my diagnostic stuff too, if needed, I can send if that would help if it does not work. 

Ryan S
Userlevel 7
Badge +26

Correct, no problem with the 61W on that connection. If you do run into any issues with a Macbook charger, you may have to unplug the whole charger from the wall and from the Move, then wait about a minute, and plug it back in on both sides. We’re looking into a specific issue here that has come up rarely in testing.

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Jake_11
Userlevel 2
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I’m sure I read somewhere that USB-C charger for the 'Move' needs to output at any of these three levels: 12V/3A, 15V/3A, or 20V/2.25A. 

Presumably the last two will charge a little quicker at 45w.

Thanks for sharing everyone! These specs are correct from Ken.

 

The power adapter must be USB PD. For 45W operation the PD source must put out either 20V/2.25A (or higher current) or 15V/3A (or higher current). For 36W operation the PD source must put out 12V/3A or 15V/2.4A and charging speed is reduced if listening to audio at the same time. Anything less than 36W will not power or charge Move.
 

As a data point regarding Macbook chargers, I just tested this out with my Move and a Macbook charging cable and it was charging just fine. We’ve also tested several chargers in the office that worked out well too. The app shows charging within a few seconds of being plugged in, and the LED lights up on the unit indicating the charge is connected (for a few seconds).

 

This is with the USA power block with 110 connected, but it should still work for 220 with other regions.

 

One thing that we’ve seen with power ports that have multiple plugs is that the manufacturer may sum up the total of each of the outputs, so you could have a USB-C that supplies 30W and the USB-A that supplies 19.5W, but the box may market it as 49W. In this case, the Move would only be getting 30W, which wouldn’t be enough to charge it.

Thanks for this - I will try my macbook pro charger again when I get home tonight but I assure you it did not work before even though it shows 15v/3A on the power brick. I assume it being 61w doesn’t matter correct? The move would only draw the 45w max right? This all being said I did return my first Move because the battery life on it was not even close to 10 hours.  (3.5 hours on 75% volume, I realize the 10 hours is at 50% volume so I expected at least 5 hours at 75%).  Anyways maybe my unit had other faults too and so will try with my new one later. 

Airgetlam

OK, I was too lazy to include it in my last post, but then I went and found it in the introduction post, straight from Sonos,  here:

https://en.community.sonos.com/announcements-228985/introducing-sonos-move-brilliant-sound-anywhere-6829500

Specifically this:

Power and battery:
Move’s battery will last for up to 10 hours of uninterrupted playback. If left off the charging base and unused, Move will automatically go into suspend mode to reserve battery for up to 5 days. The battery is rechargeable with an included indoor charging base or with any USB-C charger with the following output levels: 12V/3A, 15V/3A, or 20V/2.25A. After about three years, or 900 charges, Move’s battery can easily be replaced so you can keep listening for years to come.

Bruce
Airgetlam

And, the other possibility is that your particular Move might be faulty. While unlikely, it seems very odd that all of those devices wouldn’t work. I’d love to know the various amperage and voltages for all of them, but I’d think at least one would match.

It might be worth collating that data and then calling Sonos Support directly to discuss it.

I suggest the phone folks, they have more tools available because they're on the phone with you, but they are only available Monday through Friday during business hours. Both the Twitter and Facebook support folks are available 24/7.

I’m in no way suggesting that you’re incorrect, or that you haven’t tried all of those various chargers. Just trying to figure out why one wouldn’t work. Ryan S from Sonos has indicated in other threads (and I’m too lazy to go look) that there’s nothing “special” about the Sonos charger itself.

 

Bruce
Ryan S
Userlevel 7
Badge +26

I’m sure I read somewhere that USB-C charger for the 'Move' needs to output at any of these three levels: 12V/3A, 15V/3A, or 20V/2.25A. 

Presumably the last two will charge a little quicker at 45w.

Thanks for sharing everyone! These specs are correct from Ken.

 

The power adapter must be USB PD. For 45W operation the PD source must put out either 20V/2.25A (or higher current) or 15V/3A (or higher current). For 36W operation the PD source must put out 12V/3A or 15V/2.4A and charging speed is reduced if listening to audio at the same time. Anything less than 36W will not power or charge Move.
 

As a data point regarding Macbook chargers, I just tested this out with my Move and a Macbook charging cable and it was charging just fine. We’ve also tested several chargers in the office that worked out well too. The app shows charging within a few seconds of being plugged in, and the LED lights up on the unit indicating the charge is connected (for a few seconds).

 

This is with the USA power block with 110 connected, but it should still work for 220 with other regions.

 

One thing that we’ve seen with power ports that have multiple plugs is that the manufacturer may sum up the total of each of the outputs, so you could have a USB-C that supplies 30W and the USB-A that supplies 19.5W, but the box may market it as 49W. In this case, the Move would only be getting 30W, which wouldn’t be enough to charge it.

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Airgetlam

I’m delighted you tried all of those devices. Did you confirm that those devices match the requirements, as suggested in Ken_Griffith’s post above?

How (and even why)  would Sonos block a charger from working, assuming it meets the electrical requirements? I’m not aware that there’s anything beyond voltage and amperage being carried here. Is there other data that I’m not aware of?

Bruce
H
Userlevel 2

I’m wondering how much time you’ve given these charger to work? I’m not sure (and I mean that literally) that Sonos knows/cares what kind of charger is connected, as long as it matches the minimum input voltage and amperage. It might be slower than their own charger, but I’d think electricity is electricity.

Seriously? Let me explain that I tried each and every one of these devices here in this link - and not a single one charges the sonos AT ALL. So i’m afraid your “electricity is electricity” is a little too simplistic here. Clearly Sonos have decided that only “special” electricity is enough - which is exactly the opposite of the point of Power Delivery USB-C charging specs! 

 

AjTrek1
Userlevel 7

Below are components I use to charge my Move.  1 and 2 via electrical outlet. 2 and 3 outdoors for power boost before the battery drains.

  1. Wall Plug
  2. USB-C Cable
  3. Portable Power Brick

All

The products I provided links to work with the Move and match the output specs of the OEM Move charger.   Yes, when being used you can see the Move battery being charged either via electrical wall outlet or portable battery pack.  My apologies I forget to list the adapter that must be used with the Portable Power Brick when charging the Move. The link is below:

USB-C to USB-A adapter

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
Ken_Griffiths

I’m sure I read somewhere that USB-C charger for the 'Move' needs to output at any of these three levels: 12V/3A, 15V/3A, or 20V/2.25A. 

Presumably the last two will charge a little quicker at 45w.

Jake_11
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

You can tell if its charging in the Sonos app so you shouldn’t need anytime to test it if you are testing it at home connected to the wifi. This is how I know nothing I tried would work. It is super frustrating on a $400 speaker. 

Airgetlam

I’m wondering how much time you’ve given these charger to work? I’m not sure (and I mean that literally) that Sonos knows/cares what kind of charger is connected, as long as it matches the minimum input voltage and amperage. It might be slower than their own charger, but I’d think electricity is electricity.

Bruce
H
Userlevel 2

Chargers that don’t work:

 

  1. Macbook Air / Macbook 12 - 29w and 30w chargers (genuine Apple)
  2. Macbook Pro 13 60W charger (Genuine Apple)
  3. Anker 30w PD-1 Atom charger

  4. Anker USB Type-C with Power Delivery 30W USB Wall Charger

  5. Anker Dual Port 49.5W Wall Charger, PowerPort II with Power Delivery for MacBook

  6. Anker PD USB-C battery - PowerCore 10000 PD

So in effect nothing I travel with. I now have a flat Sonos Move :-( 

 

Why does Sonos not allow a wider range of compatible chargers?!

Jake_11
Userlevel 2
Badge +1

Great - thank you! Does it play music and charge at the same time with these? 

AjTrek1
Userlevel 7

Below are components I use to charge my Move.  1 and 2 via electrical outlet. 2 and 3 outdoors for power boost before the battery drains.

  1. Wall Plug
  2. USB-C Cable
  3. Portable Power Brick
Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
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