3rd Party Charger - Fried Port

[chefwong]

I've got various Anker products.....all fine. Have even use the powerbank to top off batteries on MBP via USB C

Anyhow, in reading a review on their 60W charger, etc - review states the charger fried the MBP charging board and subsequently a $$$ mainboard repair.

Hell, I've even taken the 130W Dell USB adapter and have used it to charge my MBP.
For fellow MR forum brethren, ever have a USB C charger do as major damage as the ~reviewer states~

 

[jerryk]

I've got various Anker products.....all fine. Have even use the powerbank to top off batteries on MBP via USB C

Anyhow, in reading a review on their 60W charger, etc - review states the charger fried the MBP charging board and subsequently a $$$ mainboard repair.

Hell, I've even taken the 130W Dell USB adapter and have used it to charge my MBP.
For fellow MR forum brethren, ever have a USB C charger do as major damage as the ~reviewer states~

Yep. I have a friend who has had about 20 2016+ MBPs in his staff. 3 or 4 of them have had their motherboards fired by 3rd party chargers from various places in China. The staff is based in China and used the chargers they sprinkled around their office there. Usually occurs when they really load up the system systems (mostly 13" MBPs) with accessories (external drivers, projectors, etc). I have no idea what brand charger they are using, just something generic. Also, do not know if they are running certified cables (see https://www.androidauthority.com/best-usb-type-c-cables-682801/) with PD chips.

He always asks me if I fried a motherboard when he sees me with my MBP 15". They have mostly switched to Lenovo laptops running Linux

 

[chefwong]

I've got 3 longer length cables - 14 feet connected to a OE charger though.....did not even care if IF certified or PD chip was on my radar at that time, since it was the only 14 footer available when I was looking for a PD capable USB C cable at that time.

Go figure. Fried mainboards due to funky usb c power supplies was not really on my radar of concern. Wouldn't even have second guessed anker until I read that review. I use the DC USB C Anker auto charger to ~top off~ my MBP whenever I'm in the car..

In retrospect, hell, I've used that same 130W usb c to charge my IPP all the time as well....

I dunno. It is a QC charger issue or more about what V is applied at what rate. Off to do some more in-depth googling

 

[jerryk]

I've got 3 longer length cables - 14 feet connected to a OE charger though.....did not even care if IF certified or PD chip was on my radar at that time, since it was the only 14 footer available when I was looking for a PD capable USB C cable at that time.

Go figure. Fried mainboards due to funky usb c power supplies was not really on my radar of concern. Wouldn't even have second guessed anker until I read that review. I use the DC USB C Anker auto charger to ~top off~ my MBP whenever I'm in the car..

Anker used to be my go to provider. These days it looks like the competition has caught up and surpassed them in many aspects. Things like their wireless earbuds are kind of junk compared to similar or even lower priced competition.

Cable wise I try to buy the shortest one I can get away with and with descent shielding. Having done a bit of hardware engineering I also try to keep cables as short as possible and the runs tidy.

 

[chefwong]

Off topic, but does anyone make a lighted end USB C to USB C cable ?

I mention the Dell one I use - always easy to find as the end is lighted. I suppose this is OE speced and built.....and even this massive 130V brick won't fast charge a Pixel phone whereas the Anker USB C PD will.....

Anyhow, the lighted ends, while may seem gimmicky sure does make it easy to find in dim/dark rooms.

Most of my USB cables are nexctact. Chargers/Power supplies are a mix if OE apple chargers, and various anker power options...(battery, 5 port and even their new dual usb c 100W dual USB a charger)

 

[chefwong]

Just goes to show you don't believe all you read on the internet. Ordered a Nexteck USB C IF cable just because it has a huge following and fairly positive reviews. The monoprices ones I have appear to be better in -build quality