USB Multiport (HDMI) Charging Rate?

[bmustaf]

Using the pass-thru charging on said adapter results in a 6+ hr recharge time. Directly into a port it goes down to 50 mins or so.

Is this dongle not 87W/full power rated? Ugh.

15" Touch Bar MBP.

 

[Brookzy]

It can support up to 60W on the passthrough according to Apple. Those times seem out of whack though. Install CoconutBattery and see what the reported charging rate is on a direct connection vs. passthrough?

 

[Yoshimura]

The USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is good for 60W. But 6+ hr recharge time doesn't make sense.

50 min x 87W / 60W = 72 min.

 

[bmustaf]

Yeah, that's a good idea, I'll do that. Knowing that it's 60W helps, but as Yoshimura said as well, that still doesn't explain the disparity, I wonder if the controller on the dongle has some wonkiness that further limits pass through charge rate in some situations.

I'll load the thing down similarly and check coconutBattery.

It can support up to 60W on the passthrough according to Apple. Those times seem out of whack though. Install CoconutBattery and see what the reported charging rate is on a direct connection vs. passthrough?

 

[Brookzy]

Yeah, that's a good idea, I'll do that. Knowing that it's 60W helps, but as Yoshimura said as well, that still doesn't explain the disparity, I wonder if the controller on the dongle has some wonkiness that further limits pass through charge rate in some situations.

I'll load the thing down similarly and check coconutBattery.

To clarify:

• Are you using the USB-C cable that came with your MacBook Pro?
• Is the firmware on the USB-C Multiport Adapter up to date?

 

[zhenya]

@Brookzy where does the 60W spec for the Apple adapter come from? Thanks!

 

[Brookzy]

@Brookzy where does the 60W spec for the Apple adapter come from? Thanks!

@zhenya - near the bottom of this support article. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207256

[doublepost=1479614173][/doublepost]Also, OP: I have read occasional reports of the Multiport adapter being finicky at charging when it is connected all at once (especially with a USB-A device attached). To be completely sure it might be a good idea to restart your Mac, connect the USB-C Multiport, and then connect the USB-C Charge Cable, and then turn on the power outlet.

 

[AlanShutko]

Is the firmware on the USB-C Multiport Adapter up to date?

Wait, even our dongles need firmware updates now?

 

[xraydoc]

When I've got my power supply (13" nTB) connected through my Apple multiport VGA adapter, Coconut battery reads the charger is putting out 55w. Without the adapter, Coconut battery reports 60w.

 

[Brookzy]

Wait, even our dongles need firmware updates now?

The active dongles like these Multiports do, yup. Gone are the days of dumb wire to wire cables!
[doublepost=1479615136][/doublepost]

When I've got my power supply (13" nTB) connected through my Apple multiport VGA adapter, Coconut battery reads the charger is putting out 55w. Without the adapter, Coconut battery reports 60w.

Thanks for this, proof the Multiports can support high wattages.

 

[xraydoc]

Thanks for this, proof the Multiports can support high wattages.

I'm at work this morning and I'm able to test the Apple HDMI multiport adapter. Coconut Battery is reporting the same 60w without adapter and 55w through adapter as it did with the VGA multiport adapter.

 

[Brookzy]

I'm at work this morning and I'm able to test the Apple HDMI multiport adapter. Coconut Battery is reporting the same 60w without adapter and 55w through adapter as it did with the VGA multiport adapter.

Good stuff. I assume the 5W difference is either some voltage drop in the adapter, or just a reporting bug in coconutBattery. Either way it will be unnoticeable in practice.

 

[zhenya]

Good stuff. I assume the 5W difference is either some voltage drop in the adapter, or just a reporting bug in coconutBattery. Either way it will be unnoticeable in practice.

I'm fairly sure it's power that is used by the adapter itself. Apple's documentation states that this adapter will drain the battery if plugged in even when not in use.

 

[Brookzy]

I'm fairly sure it's power that is used by the adapter itself. Apple's documentation states that this adapter will drain the battery if plugged in even when not in use.

I was thinking that, but 5W is a bit steep to be consumed by the adapter, especially as a percentage of 29W. Maybe it 'reserves' 5W for power output from the USB-A socket since coincidentally the most the USB-A socket can put out is 5W (as confirmed by connecting a high power device and checking System Information). I will be surprised if the adapter consumes 5W because the battery drain I've experienced in using that cable without AC does not appear commensurate with a constant 5W power draw. As you say it consumes some power but surely not 5W?

 

[Wowereit]

The USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter is good for 60W. But 6+ hr recharge time doesn't make sense.

50 min x 87W / 60W = 72 min.

If he is using the device simultaneously this might differ way more.
Example:
You are rendering some stuff drawing a grand total of 50W of power.

Now your battery will only charge with 37W vs. 10W, that's a 3.7 times difference.

 

[Brookzy]

Has anyone got a 15" MacBook Pro 2016 and a Multiport adapter? Will be interesting to see if using an 87W power adapter with the Multiport makes it report a full 60W in coconutBattery (instead of 55W) because of the spare wattage to power the adapter with.

 

[zhenya]

I was thinking that, but 5W is a bit steep to be consumed by the adapter, especially as a percentage of 29W. Maybe it 'reserves' 5W for power output from the USB-A socket since coincidentally the most the USB-A socket can put out is 5W (as confirmed by connecting a high power device and checking System Information). I will be surprised if the adapter consumes 5W because the battery drain I've experienced in using that cable without AC does not appear commensurate with a constant 5W power draw. As you say it consumes some power but surely not 5W?

Yeah, I agree, it's probably reserving 5W for use, but not always using that amount. The value reported by Coconut Battery with it plugged in is consistent regardless of load.