Fast Charge - Pump Express problems and questions

[Dr. Watson]

Hello world!

I've had the sad experience that my cosmo only charges very slowly with an external powerbank.
Tried 4 of my powerbanks. All with my two only cables that seem to support MTK-PE.
Cosmo won't charge at more than 0.5-0.6A @ 5V.  Many times that is not enough to keep up with what the phone uses during Hiking when GPS is enabled and Osmand is running.

Only two of my many usb-c cables will allow fast charging (Pump Express) with 9V at all.
The following combinations of my collection do work:
LeEco Cable+Original Cosmo Communicator cable  and  LeEco wall charger (stating 3.8V-8V/12V) + Original Cosmo Communicator wall charger in all four combinations.

I've purchased a Xiaomi PLM13ZM 18 Watt power bank in despair, which was advertised as supporting Mediatek Pump Expess and QC with 5/9/12V.
No luck either with any cable. Charge current is about 0.5-0.6A at 5V.


Does anyone of my fellows here have any insight in how Mediatek Pump Express works?

One of my most pressing questions:  What would such a MTK-PE capable phone like the cosmo communicator do, if I were to FORCE 9V Output from the powerbank, e.g. via a QC trigger board ??

I had a surprising experience using my coworker's custom 2m MICRO-USB charge cable with a USB-C adapter tip: It charged at about 8.6V
All my cables with my various USB-C adapter tips didn't work.  I'm totally baffled.
So:
Would anyone please post details of their USB-C cable, if their cable supports Pump Express and is not the original cable?
It would be great bonus, if you even knew a source where to purchase that cable ....

Stay safe everyone! Take things serious! I've had more than enough coworkers and family affected.

Regards,
DrW

[abliss]

One of my most pressing questions:  What would such a MTK-PE capable phone like the cosmo communicator do, if I were to FORCE 9V Output from the powerbank, e.g. via a QC trigger board ??

I'm very far from an expert, but I would bet this will harm your device.

I had a surprising experience using my coworker's custom 2m MICRO-USB charge cable with a USB-C adapter tip: It charged at about 8.6V
All my cables with my various USB-C adapter tips didn't work.  I'm totally baffled.

How did you measure this?

Would anyone please post details of their USB-C cable, if their cable supports Pump Express and is not the original cable?
It would be great bonus, if you even knew a source where to purchase that cable ....

I just got my Cosmo, but after years of owning a Gemini, my experience was that every single cable/connector/adaptor seemed to work fine with PumpExpress , but *only* with the Planet Computers charger.

I'll do some experiments with the new Cosmo and post back next week.

[Daniel W]

Do you know which version of Pump Express does the Xiaomi PLM13ZM supports? The Gemini and Cosmo uses (probably for cost reasons) the very oldest version, PumpExpress+ (basically, version 1). It can, at most, to the best of my knowledge, support 15W (9V x 1.67A or 12V x 1.25A, but the Gemini/Cosmo only uses 5V or 9V) which makes me think the PLM13ZM might (only) support a newer version of PumpExpress. Given the fairly large differences between generations, a charger supporting a newer PumpExpress version, isn't automatically backwards compatible (though it could be specifically designed to support multiple versions and/or multiple standards).

Your powerbank / cable combination only charging at ~0.5A seems a bit weird, as I have seen my own Cosmo draw close to 1.7A at 5V from a no-brand 2.4A 5V-only charger. I measured this using a Satechi USB-C power meter. It might be worth mentioning that only the left side USB port (on the same side as the headset jack) supports fast charging. The right side port (on the same side as the silvery button) only support regular charging, and only if the CoDi is enabled (though its screen doesn't have to be on) when connecting the cable. Even then, it might take up to a minute for the Cosmo to begin charging, so, unless you have special reasons (such as wanting to force a slow charge using the stock charger), I'd generally advice against using the right side port for charging.

As for forcing 9V into a a USB port that isn't in fast charging mode, well designed USB equipment should have a bit of overvoltage protection, though, most likely, nothing good would come out of it. All fast charging standards must start at 5V and unless the device sends a certain bit pattern (how this is done and what gets sent varies between fast charging standards and versions) to the charger, it'll stay at 5V. Just trying to force feed a port the wrong voltage, won't help.

As my USB cables seems to be branded by the (Swedish) reseller, I can't suggest any specific products, though any decent quality USB cable that physically fits, should support at least 2A (which is more than the Cosmo can draw anyway) at 5V, provided the charger or battery pack can provide that current. I'd generally advice against adapter tips for fast charging, as USB cables with older connector types might not be suitable for fast charging, unless they are specifically made to be used with (often included) adapter tips.