Chargers running very slow in new house...

[udaman]

Hi all

I've just recently moved into a new house. I've made another post about some of the other electrical related stuff. This one though is something I've never come across or read about, but maybe someone can explain it....

Usually our mobile phones take about 1 - 1.5 hours to charge, but here they are taking 4 - 5 hours. The electric toothbrush likewise. In fact anything that needs charging. Other than that, electrical items seem to work fine, although the lights do dim briefly when you switch on the vacuum, etc.

But this charging thing has got me confused. Anyone any ideas?

Many thanks

[Bob225]

old house, out in the sticks ? overhead cable ?

[udaman]

Yes, yes, and more or less :)

The house is over 200 years old but has more recent extensions and conversions.

It is in a rural area with not many properties about. But there is a small village 1.5 miles away and two towns both around 5 miles away.

Cables come to the house overhead but then into the house underground. I think we're the last on the line.

So is this normal and to be expected?

And what other implications might it have on the electricity in the house, aside from slow charging?

Cheers

[arco_iris]

Are you SURE that you are using the same chargers, and leads, as before? Not got muddled up in the house move?

Smart phones & tablets ideally need a 2.1A charger - check the tiny print on it, some are as low as 0.85A & will take longer.

Also, genuine manufacturers's leads are much better than cheapo replacements (even though they look the same, to you), do not be tempted to use longer leads or usb extension leads.

Further, what are you using, if non-OEM, to provide your 5 volt usb output? Dual output types (two x usb sockets) are very often 2.1A in total so that if two phones are connected, each usb only outputs 1.0 Amps.

[udaman]

Hi

Yes, definitely using the original and correct chargers which worked fine previously. We both have Motorola's. When you plug them in they say TurboPower connected or similar, but then say 4+ hours until fully charged; whereas they'd usually say 1+ hours.

The toothbrush also took two days!

Many thanks

[Bob225]

Is there a transformer up the nearest pole ? I would say its low voltage and/or a mains frequency issue, I would get the incoming mains checked

Do you have a generator on the property ?

[kellys_eye]

No. The house move isn't the cause. Large loads 'may' cause the lights to dim but a charger is 5watts to 10watts and 'insignificant' in the scheme of things. Charging can vary a lot - depends on whether you're doing it from zero or half way etc but the electricity supply will not be the cause of slow charging.

[Bob225]

More frequent paging to cell sites may account for the higher battery use in the phones, but the toothbrush is a strange one

[dewaltdisney]

Is there a property close by with blacked out windows? It could be an illicit marijuana farm draining all the power.

DWD

[Bob225]

Is there a property close by with blacked out windows? It could be an illicit marijuana farm draining all the power.

DWD

well farmers are diversifying in these tough times

[ayjay]

I doubt it's relevant here, but a friend of mine bought a new kiln, brand new, not just new to them.

It wouldn't reach temperature and just kept shutting off about 100°C short. The supplier checked it and said it's fine, she took it to another friends house and it fired perfectly to temperature.

To cut a long story short, the local leccy board were consulted and on their third visit they discovered that of the two transformers supplying a whole new (in the 80s) estate only one was working, on further investigation they discovered it hadn't been working for about six months and no-one knew.

[kellys_eye]

In this case the chargers are of the SMPS variety that adapt (internally) to voltage drops.

The paging that Bob mentions is a good possibility though.