Rick Dangerous Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 I received 3 free PS3 first party controllers from a freind last night. I don't want to put any additional strain on the power circuits of my lone remaining fat PS3 by trying to charge multiple controllers while gaming. Could I plug my PS3 controllers into any old USB socket and they will stop charging when full? Any reason I couldn't charge them off my Nintendo Switch USB ports, which will charge when the system is off? Thanks, trying to prolong the life of my first original early PS3, which has always worked great and I want to keep it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+chue Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 (edited) They won't charge on "any old" USB port. The joystick itself will not charge unless the port supports some kind of special handshake. I believe the port and controller do some negotiating as to how much power can be delivered (don't quote me on that though). I don't know if it will charge on the Switch. For my controllers I have a PS3 controller charging device. They are cheap on amazon/ ebay, probably $10 - $15. You may need to provide a USB wall wart though. Edited November 8, 2017 by chue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamemoose Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Sony had a controller charger, model # Cechza1. I used that and it worked fine. I know some folk say they burn out but I never had that issue with controllers or an iPhone 3GS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 8, 2017 Author Share Posted November 8, 2017 Thanks I will look into that. I don't want to charge off the system. If anyone has a link from amazon for something that has worked for them that would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+chue Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Unfortunately the one I bought on amazon is no longer being sold. It was a no-name charger though. Hopefully someone else will have a link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 8, 2017 Author Share Posted November 8, 2017 These look pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LL5GCNQ/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I17CLU8F0JCWPO&colid=3C9JYID8UW0H3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Plug them into a PC or Laptop USB port. They will charge just fine that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Video Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Like ps4 it probably doesn't care what device you use, but you need a charge cable, a data cable doesn't work properly. Of course the cable you use on your console should work fine, just plug it into a wall wart, computer, or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 I can confirm that you can't just plug them into any USB port with power, I tried my switch, wall warts, and direct USB sockets and no red lights. You need a specific PS3 friendly charger that will do a handshake with the controllers. Will try charging them one at a time for now while PS3 gaming and then will buy one of the above chargers. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wongojack Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Only slightly related, but I can confirm that the PS4 controller won't charge in just any USB outlet. I recently left my PS4 controller plugged into the same wall wart that charges my phone and it did nothing even after leaving it in there for hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 Only slightly related, but I can confirm that the PS4 controller won't charge in just any USB outlet. I recently left my PS4 controller plugged into the same wall wart that charges my phone and it did nothing even after leaving it in there for hours. Well...here is to proprietary charging systems and the annoyances they cause!! lol 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 I plug my PS3 controllers into regular USB ports all the time. I think the confusion is that some cables don't support charging, only data. As long as you have a cable that supports charging, you should be able to charge them in anything. I charge my PS3 controllers in both my laptop and my TV's USB ports. There was a time when I left them plugged into my TV all the time when I wasn't using them, so they'd always be charged. I don't remember ever plugging them into the PS3 at all, actually. Maybe when I first got my system. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 I plug my PS3 controllers into regular USB ports all the time. I think the confusion is that some cables don't support charging, only data. As long as you have a cable that supports charging, you should be able to charge them in anything. I do the same thing with cables I charge my controllers on my PS3 with, and they won't charge on anything else at all.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiberianSpForces Posted November 14, 2017 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Our Roku3 charges the controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Dangerous Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 Just kidding! While my Switch will not charge PS3 controllers when the system is off (as it will it's own Pro Controller) it WILL charge them when the system is on, which I have been doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiman99 Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I always and only, charge my PS3 controllers using my PC. I have been doing that for ages. Also, my PS4 controllers are only charged using my tablet's usb charger, it charges fine. I'm pretty sure any 500mA source should charge your controllers using proper cables. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punisher5.0 Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Only slightly related, but I can confirm that the PS4 controller won't charge in just any USB outlet. I recently left my PS4 controller plugged into the same wall wart that charges my phone and it did nothing even after leaving it in there for hours. I charge mine (PS4) with my old S4 phone charger. Like others have said I think it comes down to the cable. Having said that though I have found PS3 contollers to be finicky to charge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wood_jl Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 I have a PS3 (last-gen 500gb) that I bought new and barely used. I haven't played in over a year, due to severely-changing life circumstances (who cares?). But the point is, that these friggin' things do not charge on standard ports, as I remember, and as others have attested, above. How brain-dead is Sony to do this? I just don't get it, although the system is still fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFG 9000 Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 I'm a bit late to the party, but I charge my PS3 controllers with my PS4 in standby mode. I've always found it stupid that the PS3 controllers only charge while the PS3 is on, yet they take a few hours to charge fully and I rarely play for more than 45 minutes at a time. So now I put my PS4 on standby mode and plug the PS3 charger into the PS4 USB port. Hint: this only works if you have a PS4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+GoldLeader Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Maybe it varies, ...I've always just plugged into my PC's USB ports and they charge just fine. Never an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slab0meat Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Way back when, I always used my laptop to charge it... with the PS3 wire of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamemoose Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 These look pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LL5GCNQ/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I17CLU8F0JCWPO&colid=3C9JYID8UW0H3 I just got that a few months ago. The ex has the Sony charger I mentioned. It works great, especially since it has two USB ports you can plug more controllers into. This is also how I discovered I have two counterfeit PS3 controllers as they didn'tshut off when charged up. Gah... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaWarrior Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 How long does it take to charge on the PC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amiman99 Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 How long does it take to charge on the PC? Couple hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcos Posted August 17, 2020 Share Posted August 17, 2020 My PS3 controller doesnt flash its red led when connected to the PCs USB, it rather stays on all the time. Is it charging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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