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Charging MBP 2018 via USB-C charger (with CalDigit TS3+ attached)?

M

MadDog31

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 20, 2007
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Hi there -- new to the USB-C MBP world after upgrading from an older MBA.

I have the CalDigit which is fantastic, and charges perfectly fine. However, when I'm in Windows (meh) and running some games, there is a tiny draw on the battery due to the lack of full power delivery from the TS3+. Is it okay to keep the Mac plugged into the CalDigit and also plug the Mac in via the stock USB-C charger to maintain a 100% battery charge without having to move cables around?
 
MadDog31 said:
Hi there -- new to the USB-C MBP world after upgrading from an older MBA.

I have the CalDigit which is fantastic, and charges perfectly fine. However, when I'm in Windows (meh) and running some games, there is a tiny draw on the battery due to the lack of full power delivery from the TS3+. Is it okay to keep the Mac plugged into the CalDigit and also plug the Mac in via the stock USB-C charger to maintain a 100% battery charge without having to move cables around?
Click to expand...

Not a good idea. And I believe the MacBook Pro will only allow one charging port at a time to provide power. Still, if you want to try it, no guarantee you won't damage your system, plug in the higher power unit first.
 
jerryk said:
I believe the MacBook Pro will only allow one charging port at a time to provide power.
Click to expand...
That's what I found it does. I thought connecting two chargers would possibly charge the battery faster like some portable power banks do but the MBP keeps only one charger connected at a time, you can see the second charger get bumped off in. . . about this mac > system report > power.
 
Okay -- this is a bit of a workaround since I send my monitor through the TS3. If I'm not mistaken I could always use the stock USB-C charger and connect the TS3 via the non-power USB-C port?

I'd rather not take chances ... although it sounds like Apple has fail-safes put in place for this. Hmmm...
 
I tried it and it didnt damage the macbook pro, it just switched to different power source.

usb-c negotiates what it needs else you cold easily explode the Mini with the TS3+.
 
Can you clarify your comment on “lack of full power delivery”? If you have a 15 inch MBP, it’s 87W stock Apple charger. CalDigit (and similar) docks deliver 85W natively. I haven’t heard of anyone complaining about battery discharge due to the 2W difference.
 
MadDog31 said:
Hi there -- new to the USB-C MBP world after upgrading from an older MBA.

I have the CalDigit which is fantastic, and charges perfectly fine. However, when I'm in Windows (meh) and running some games, there is a tiny draw on the battery due to the lack of full power delivery from the TS3+. Is it okay to keep the Mac plugged into the CalDigit and also plug the Mac in via the stock USB-C charger to maintain a 100% battery charge without having to move cables around?
Click to expand...

The MBP is not designed to charge from more than the TS3 can push as well as the stock oem charger. Both will cause it to pull from the battery when you load it down a lot. It's not the TS3 fault on this, as it can keep a Dell XPS 15" fully charged fine when loaded.
 
MadDog31 said:
I did a little digging and found this from 2016. Looks like the Mac indeed draws from one supply at a time, choosing the one that offers the most power.

https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...-than-one-charger-in-the-new-macbook-pro-2016
Click to expand...
Either way, plugging the MBP into both power sources still won't prevent the computer from using the battery under heavy load. Just use the TS3. The theoretical 2W difference between the TS3 and the Apple charger won't make any difference.
 
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Is the TS3 capable of delivering a full 85W with several devices connected to it (monitor, Wacom pen tablet, two SSDs, 2-3 HDDs, the Mac under full load)?

99% of the time it’s great. The only time I’ve seen a slight battery draw was when I was in Boot Camp running Black Ops 4 or Burnout Paradise Remastered.

Sorry if this seems basic. Just trying to wrap my mind around what a stand-alone OEM charger can do vs. what a docking device can deliver with a bunch of crap attached to it.

I’ll have to test just the OEM next.
 
MadDog31 said:
Is the TS3 capable of delivering a full 85W with several devices connected to it (monitor, Wacom pen tablet, two SSDs, 2-3 HDDs, the Mac under full load)?

99% of the time it’s great. The only time I’ve seen a slight battery draw was when I was in Boot Camp running Black Ops 4 or Burnout Paradise Remastered.

Sorry if this seems basic. Just trying to wrap my mind around what a stand-alone OEM charger can do vs. what a docking device can deliver with a bunch of crap attached to it.

I’ll have to test just the OEM next.
Click to expand...
TS3 has a 180W PSU
 
MadDog31 said:
Is the TS3 capable of delivering a full 85W with several devices connected to it (monitor, Wacom pen tablet, two SSDs, 2-3 HDDs, the Mac under full load)?

99% of the time it’s great. The only time I’ve seen a slight battery draw was when I was in Boot Camp running Black Ops 4 or Burnout Paradise Remastered.

Sorry if this seems basic. Just trying to wrap my mind around what a stand-alone OEM charger can do vs. what a docking device can deliver with a bunch of crap attached to it.

I’ll have to test just the OEM next.
Click to expand...
You can expect to see that same battery draw when using the Apple charger. It’s normal, and isn't preventable.
 
Sheesh...alright, I mean I'm not doing heavy duty gaming other than Call of Duty and Burnout, and my sessions won't be marathons like they used to be (I'm a parent now -- I need not say more...haha). I'll just run with what I'm given and see if any tweaks can ease the situation.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for their assistance!
 
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