PS3 Controller charging

[GrilledCheese]

I know the PS3 has to be on to charge the controller, and that people use various devices to charge it, such as their Xbox 360 or PC. I find it odd that the PS3 is this way, but there it is. Anyway, I am wondering if people just pop it into their PC overnight once a week or something. I thought I read somewhere that if you leave it plugged in too long it can damage the battery, so just wondering what others do who have owned the console for a year or more.

As a sidenote, I bought the 80gb MGS4 bundle with DualShock. Does this controller retain the SixAxis functionality also?

[jcc]

Originally Posted by GrilledCheese

I know the PS3 has to be on to charge the controller, and that people use various devices to charge it, such as their Xbox 360 or PC. I find it odd that the PS3 is this way, but there it is. Anyway, I am wondering if people just pop it into their PC overnight once a week or something. I thought I read somewhere that if you leave it plugged in too long it can damage the battery, so just wondering what others do who have owned the console for a year or more.

As a sidenote, I bought the 80gb MGS4 bundle with DualShock. Does this controller retain the SixAxis functionality also?

Yes, you can charge it attached to a PC USB port. I think it only takes an hour or two to charge, so maybe you don't want to leave it in overnight.

Or you can get a USB extender cable and play, with it plugged in for a while, or leave it plugged in when you watch a Blu-ray or DVD (or movie download).

The DualShock 3 has the same motion sensing ability as the Sixaxis (works great for High Velocity Bowling).

[AmishFury]

one could probably also use a USB wall wart (looks like a normal AC adapter only instead of a cable it has a USB jack... usually marketed as an mp3 player accessory) i haven't tried it but i'd assume it would work it outputs the same 5V that a normal USB port outputs

[SolsticeZero]

Pretty much any USB port will work. And about the rumor of "overcharging" damaging the battery, that is false. Once the controller gets to full charge, it reroutes power so it doesn't get to the battery and damage it.

[Johnnyma45]

Originally Posted by SolsticeZero

Pretty much any USB port will work. And about the rumor of "overcharging" damaging the battery, that is false. Once the controller gets to full charge, it reroutes power so it doesn't get to the battery and damage it.

Is this confirmed in any literature? Not to doubt you or anything but I've had countless accessories which claim "charge shutoff", but instead the battery drains ultra quick compared to unplugging when done.

[Ohgami]

I have used the "Charge by PC" method for both my PS3 Controllers for a year now. had no problems.

[GrilledCheese]

Originally Posted by Ohgami

I have used the "Charge by PC" method for both my PS3 Controllers for a year now. had no problems.

How long do you leave it in the PC USB port though? That is my question. A couple hours, overnight?

[Ohgami]

Originally Posted by GrilledCheese

How long do you leave it in the PC USB port though? That is my question. A couple hours, overnight?

Over night usually. If I plug it in and hit the sack around 1am and then get up about 7am it's shut off by then. So well under 6hrs. But if I am playing a game I'll hook it up to the PS3 though. I use the same method for my 360 controllers too and I had my 360 for 2 years and the Battery on it is still 100%.

[DaveS1138]

I leave my second controller plugged into the PS3 until the first controller looses charge and then switch over (anything up to 2 weeks since I dont use it that often) and never had any issues with either controller after leving them plugged in for so long.

[GrilledCheese]

Nice. This makes me feel better. I may start the overnight method too.

[GrilledCheese]

Originally Posted by DaveS1138

I leave my second controller plugged into the PS3 until the first controller looses charge and then switch over (anything up to 2 weeks since I dont use it that often) and never had any issues with either controller after leving them plugged in for so long.

I guess having 2 is the best method, isn't it? I am torn between the 360 batteries and this USB recharge. There is something to be said for buying a megapack of batteries from Costco to have on hand. But batteries are probably not the most environmentally friendly or cost effective way when you think about it.

[Dennis M.]

Originally Posted by GrilledCheese

Nice. This makes me feel better. I may start the overnight method too.

That's a bit of an overkill IMO. I usually charge it while watching a movie but if it dies on me while in-game I use a fairly long USB cable I have (the one Sony provides is on the short side) and charge it as I play.

[Pouyan]

I usually charge my controllers when watching a movie

[CRSEARLE]

Originally Posted by GrilledCheese

I guess having 2 is the best method, isn't it? I am torn between the 360 batteries and this USB recharge. There is something to be said for buying a megapack of batteries from Costco to have on hand. But batteries are probably not the most environmentally friendly or cost effective way when you think about it.

For the 360, I stocked up on rechargeable batteries. Its a convenient because you can have some waiting with a charge when the ones currently in use run out and not have to keep buying new ones.