MBP 14" Charger Question

[RWil85]

I'm putting this here as the question for me has only arisen since purchasing my MBP 14" and having a device that draws this much power...

All of this new charger talk had me looking through my chargers and devices and seeing what might be most convenient to pack for work/travel, etc.

So, I already own an Anker 60W 2 USB-C Port w/ GAN and PD. Figured it could be perfect for carrying a USB-C cable for MBP and iPad Pro and then a USB-C to lightning cable for iPhone and AirPods Pro..

Herein lies the problem and I hope someone can school me..
The device is supposed to output 60W when one device is connected (figured perfect as MBP Apple OEM charger is 67W) and 30W/30W split when 2 are connected.

Upon testing today - I noticed that my MBP was only drawing 30W through the MagSafe or the USB-C charging cables even though it was the only device connected - the catch, is that the other cable is plugged into the Anker charger but not connected to anything. Upon removing the second cable, the MBP pulled 60W as it should.

Do all chargers function this way? Am I really expected to unplug that second cable if I want the fully 60W of throughput? That is terribly inconvenient and terrible design imo.

I always keep both cables connected to and wrapped around the charger when I pack it away in my backpack and would assume that many people use their chargers in the same manner and might not take the time to test what their devices are drawing. Additionally, I don’t have tools available on my iPhone/iPad pro/AirPods Pro to be able to report the charging draw at any time to me - and wouldn't have noticed this if not for my new MBP 14” having such capability through System Profiler.

Thank you for any information you can provide me in regard to the above!

 

[jav6454]

I think that is an issue related to the charger. After all, even in your home, items that are off but still connected to the outlet draw some power. Not much, but enough to register.

 

[RWil85]

I think that is an issue related to the charger. After all, even in your home, items that are off but still connected to the outlet draw some power. Not much, but enough to register.

thanks for the reply.

yeah, I've always known that to be the case - that you should always 'unplug things to make sure they don't draw energy' - but, I'm not sure if that's practical or if it'd save enough money to warrant running around and plugging/unplugging everything all the time. I know I don't do it, ha.

that being said...it might register with the charger that the cable is connected; however, we know for sure that the cable itself isn't drawing 30W of juice.

I would really like to know from some other people who have experience with perhaps other Anker chargers or chargers from other brands to see if this behavior is the standard or if there are chargers that have charging profiles that are only affected by what devices are connected to the charger.

 

[jaytv111]

I'm putting this here as the question for me has only arisen since purchasing my MBP 14" and having a device that draws this much power...

All of this new charger talk had me looking through my chargers and devices and seeing what might be most convenient to pack for work/travel, etc.

So, I already own an Anker 60W 2 USB-C Port w/ GAN and PD. Figured it could be perfect for carrying a USB-C cable for MBP and iPad Pro and then a USB-C to lightning cable for iPhone and AirPods Pro..

Herein lies the problem and I hope someone can school me..
The device is supposed to output 60W when one device is connected (figured perfect as MBP Apple OEM charger is 67W) and 30W/30W split when 2 are connected.

Upon testing today - I noticed that my MBP was only drawing 30W through the MagSafe or the USB-C charging cables even though it was the only device connected - the catch, is that the other cable is plugged into the Anker charger but not connected to anything. Upon removing the second cable, the MBP pulled 60W as it should.

Do all chargers function this way? Am I really expected to unplug that second cable if I want the fully 60W of throughput? That is terribly inconvenient and terrible design imo.

I always keep both cables connected to and wrapped around the charger when I pack it away in my backpack and would assume that many people use their chargers in the same manner and might not take the time to test what their devices are drawing. Additionally, I don’t have tools available on my iPhone/iPad pro/AirPods Pro to be able to report the charging draw at any time to me - and wouldn't have noticed this if not for my new MBP 14” having such capability through System Profiler.

Thank you for any information you can provide me in regard to the above!

I have the Satechi 165 watt charger. I just tried it out, 4 cables plugged in, 1 plugged into Magsafe Duo and 1 into MacBook Pro 14 over Magsafe. The MacBook Pro reported it had up to 100 watts available. If it was split 4 ways, it would only have 60 watts available. So no, not all chargers are like this, it appears. But I had to pay $120 for this capability.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
"Upon testing today - I noticed that my MBP was only drawing 30W through the MagSafe or the USB-C charging cables even though it was the only device connected - the catch, is that the other cable is plugged into the Anker charger but not connected to anything. Upon removing the second cable, the MBP pulled 60W as it should."

It could be the [other, unconnected] cable itself.
or...
It could be the way that particular charger is set up to operate.

I'm thinking that you're going to have to ask Anker product support for a definitive answer.

In the meantime, looks to me that if you want 60 watts, that you're going to have to disconnect the other, unused, cable... and be done with it.

 

[RWil85]

OP:
"Upon testing today - I noticed that my MBP was only drawing 30W through the MagSafe or the USB-C charging cables even though it was the only device connected - the catch, is that the other cable is plugged into the Anker charger but not connected to anything. Upon removing the second cable, the MBP pulled 60W as it should."

It could be the [other, unconnected] cable itself.
or...
It could be the way that particular charger is set up to operate.

I'm thinking that you're going to have to ask Anker product support for a definitive answer.

hit it on the head.

For those following along - heard back from Anker support and was told that all USB-C to lighting cables (Apple-branded or otherwise) force dynamic power allocation type chargers to behave this way. They said that USB-C to USB-C and other charging cables and connectors should not trigger this behavior. I asked follow-up questions to see if I could work around this using a USB-C charge cable with a lightning adapter on the end, etc. and am awaiting their response.

I have the Satechi 165 watt charger. I just tried it out, 4 cables plugged in, 1 plugged into Magsafe Duo and 1 into MacBook Pro 14 over Magsafe. The MacBook Pro reported it had up to 100 watts available. If it was split 4 ways, it would only have 60 watts available. So no, not all chargers are like this, it appears. But I had to pay $120 for this capability.

I am curious if any of the 4 cables you have plugged in is a USB-C to lightning cable (see my reply above)?

 

[jaytv111]

hit it on the head.

For those following along - heard back from Anker support and was told that all USB-C to lighting cables (Apple-branded or otherwise) force dynamic power allocation type chargers to behave this way. They said that USB-C to USB-C and other charging cables and connectors should not trigger this behavior. I asked follow-up questions to see if I could work around this using a USB-C charge cable with a lightning adapter on the end, etc. and am awaiting their response.




I am curious if any of the 4 cables you have plugged in is a USB-C to lightning cable (see my reply above)?

There were, in fact 2 of them are. 1 plugged into the Magsafe Duo, the other unconnected. The remaining 2 cables are 1x Magsafe 3 and 1x USB-C.

 

[white7561]

hit it on the head.

For those following along - heard back from Anker support and was told that all USB-C to lighting cables (Apple-branded or otherwise) force dynamic power allocation type chargers to behave this way. They said that USB-C to USB-C and other charging cables and connectors should not trigger this behavior. I asked follow-up questions to see if I could work around this using a USB-C charge cable with a lightning adapter on the end, etc. and am awaiting their response.




I am curious if any of the 4 cables you have plugged in is a USB-C to lightning cable (see my reply above)?

Yeah AFAIK type c to lightning cables act as a device when connected to chargers. So when you plug it in chargers that have dynamic power allocation. It'll act as if a device is connected. That's not the case with Type c cables though (even with emarker chips) . If it was because of this, then using a c to c cable and a lightning adapter won't help if the adapter is still connected to the type c charging end.

Do note that I've heard that there used to be 1 or more Anker chargers that apparently detect devices connected to it and therefore split power between them. Even if you just plug a normal type c to c cable. Idk how that works or it's even true though.

 

[jav6454]

hit it on the head.

For those following along - heard back from Anker support and was told that all USB-C to lighting cables (Apple-branded or otherwise) force dynamic power allocation type chargers to behave this way. They said that USB-C to USB-C and other charging cables and connectors should not trigger this behavior. I asked follow-up questions to see if I could work around this using a USB-C charge cable with a lightning adapter on the end, etc. and am awaiting their response.

Should not is the key word here. But it is, so there is some residual charge going into the cable enough to trigger the power split.