> I've also returned a few USB devices that ship with a USB-A to USB-C cable and ONLY charge in that mode...

By "that mode", do you mean "1.5A @ 5V" permitted by BC, or do you mean "3A @ 20V" permitted by non-type-C PD?

> Like, who in the hell would design a device that has a USB-C port on it where only a fraction of chargers will work on it.

Who in the hell would design a charger that can do Type-C PD but can't do either pre-Type-C PD or BC? Does the charger in question also shit the bed when a USB 1.0 device attempts to draw 100mA @ 5V? I hope not! Were it me, I'd return that crappy thing for a refund.

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duskwuff 3 hours ago | parent [-]

> By "that mode", do you mean "1.5A @ 5V" permitted by BC

Neither - OP means devices with missing CC resistors which will fail to charge with a compliant PD source. (The A-to-C cable works because it provides 5V Vbus unconditionally.)

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exmadscientist 3 hours ago | parent [-]

The A-to-C cable often does not work because the resistors are supposed to be in there.

So if you are having complete charge failures, try a different cable.

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megous 3 hours ago | parent [-]

A-C cable assembly always works, CC signal is connected within the cable to Vbus via 56kOhm resistor, but that's only relevant to the downstream port, not to the upstream USB-A power sourcing port which does not have access to the CC signal. Upstream port provides power unconditionally within some limits depending on port type (CDP/DCP/USB3.0/2.0 data port/...).

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exmadscientist 3 hours ago | parent [-]

That's how it's supposed to work, yeah.

But there is some trash out there in the world. A lot of it, actually.

Some naughty cables work with some naughty chargers work with some naughty devices. Postel's Law in action, I guess?

Usually the best place to fix it is by getting rid of the bad cables. Usually.

	▲	mschuster91 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		> Usually the best place to fix it is by getting rid of the bad cables. Usually. No. There is no USB-C to C cable that will charge a badly implemented device with a standards compliant charger. That is the entire point. An USB A to C cable is completely standards-compliant and safe, even if it always supplies 5V on the C end - any standards compliant USB-C device should not activate the MOSFET on its Vbus line unless it successfully negotiates via CC.