Okay, I seriously wanna give up on this, but knowing myself, I can't let it go. USB-C charging is a confusing mess of options and unratified standards, it feels like you're taking chances whenever you're buying a charger and HOPE that it works with the Switch. Hear me out.



Apple USB-C-to-USB-C cable (model A1739), Xiaomi ZMI QB820 20,000 mAh powerbank, Anker PowerPort+5 wall charger with USB-PD (model number A2053), Tronsmart U5P wall charger with USB-PD.

Let's get the cable out of the way. The USB-C cable? Check! Approved by Benson and Nathan.

Now the rest of the components are a complete "test your luck" kinda deal. Here's what I needed and what I found out.

What I need:

1. A wall charger that fast-charges the Switch via USB-C PD. (not a slow charge, that's universally available via any standard powerbanks or USB-A wall chargers made for cellphones)

2. A wall charger that fast-charges the QB820 powerbank via USB-C PD. (not a slow charge, that's universally available via any standard powerbanks or USB-A wall chargers made for cellphones)

3. A powerbank that fast-charges the Switch via USB-C PD, fast enough to counter battery drain while playing Zelda with maximum screen brightness, maximum volume on headphones and WiFi on. (not a slow charge, that's universally available via any standard powerbanks with USB-A)

What I got:

For #1, it was between the Tronsmart and the Anker. Looking at both of them, the both have the same charging outputs (5V3A, 9V3A, 15V2A) with the Anker having the additional 20V1.5A. The Switch fails to charge on the Tronsmart while works on the Anker. Either the Anker has the additional circuitry that the Switch detects and allows charging while the Tronsmart didn't, or the Anker's 20V1.5A charging output is the only charging power output recognised by the Switch, the other three didn't (5V3A, 9V3A, 15V2A). Am surprised that the 15V2A didn't work on the Tronsmart.

For Point #2, again it's between the Tronsmart and the Anker. This is what's confusing me. The Anker straightaway works. The Tronsmart doesn't initially, but when I swapped the Anker for the Tronsmart right away, it then works charging the QB820. WTF!!? I tested again, by unplugging the Tronsmart wall charger and replugging it into the QB820. Doesn't work again. Plugged the Anker, works straightaway, and swapping it with the Tronsmart, the same as earlier on.

Point #3, the QB820 powerbank. It fast-charges the Switch via USB-C PD fast enough to top up the Switch's battery while playing Zelda at max screen brightness and max volume on headphones with WiFi on. Also works in this case, the Anker 26,800mAH with USB-PD powerbank model, although I'm basing that on anecdotal reports on Reddit and forums I read.

TL;DR version: QB820 powerbank fast-charges the Switch. Anker PowerPort+ 5 fast-charges the Switch. Tronsmart U5P doesn't charge the Switch. Anker PowerPort+ 5 fast-charges the QB820 powerbank. Tronsmart U5P Fast-charges the QB820 powerbank (with a workaround).

Except that it doesn't. It charges the powerbank intermittently, but on the Switch it's not. Maybe I should ask for a replacement.

If the cable works with Anker, it should work with the Tronsmart. What cable you using? As posted earlier, my cable is approved by Benson's checklist.

yep some folks did some experiments to see how much power is drawn by using non compliant usb-c cables.. (cheap cables without chipsets inside to handle voltage regulation or something like that) can draw enough power to potentially lower the life of your gadget or even outright fry it...

Not promoting the seller (you can try finding the same model outside) but if you dont wanna think too much about this cable, PD things, this cable over here ought to do it all.

Pros:
+ Benson-approved
+ USB-IF certified
+ Capable of USB PD charging
+ USB 3.1 speed (Apple C-C is good as a charging cable however transfer speed is limited to USB 2.0 spec which is slow considering its price; not good for transferring stuff)

Cons
- Short @ 1M length

1-2 switch starting to lose its magic here,anybody face the same?

Now we can get technical and scientific!!

Just received this USB-C power meter. It looks like the Satechi model, but if you know where to look, you can get it off that expensive prepackaged American branding and go straight to the "source".

Currently discharging the Switch battery, look at it go!



The Switch acting as a battery for the Nexus 6P. Indicated by the current flow arrow. Can be reversed depending on the order the cables are plugged in. Need to discharge the Switch below the 75-80% to get the true USB-PD Fast-charge rate, as the battery of the Switch approaches full, it will cycle demand down to a slower rate.

How many guys had finished zelda? my progress really slow.....

Kind of depressing to see most people
-> Offline for 10+ days
-> Activity : The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild with many hours and the rest are minutes.