Problem - I can get Q3 to Link connect over USB for data or fast charging but not both. Once Q3 sees the fast charging device, it recognizes it as an "external battery" and will not do data over the cable. If I connect it to a motherboard port that I know doesn't support Power Delivery, it will do data just fine at USB 3 speeds. Quest 2 did not have this problem.
Question - Can Q3 do fast charging while doing PCVR? I know it will fast charge during wireless PCVR from the elite battery or another power source.
Background - I've been working on this for about 6 weeks and invested $150 or so in hardware in the effort. I come from a technical background having been an embedded software engineer in smart power applications.
- Hardware -
Quest 3 firmware v60
Motherboard MSI Z690 with one Gen 2x2 Type C and additional Gen 2
USB Card Inateck "Power Supply USB PCIe Card" KU8212. This is an add in card using an ASMedia ASM3142 host controller supplying 30 watts (5V 9V 12V 15V) on the Type C ports. ASM 3142 drivers version 1.16.60. $80
Injector Cable Kuject Design 18W Fast Charging Link Cable USB 3.0. $30
Injector Cable INIU Link Cable USB 3.0. $30
USB Tester TC66C USB Meter with Bluetooth $16
Power Adapters Many including Q3, Motorola 30W PD, Aukey 18W QC2.0
- Testing-
I want to be clear up front that I can get Link to work at USB 3 speeds (2.3 to 2.6 Gbps) and I can get the headset to fast charge. The problem is I cannot get it to do both like I could with Quest 2 using injector cables.
1) No fast charger. Plugging straight into the motherboard I get immediate success at USB 3 speeds. USB testing shows slow charging. I know the motherboard doesn't support PD.
2) Fast charger. Plugging the headset into a fast charger such as the one shipped with the headset will fast charge. Plugging the elite battery into a fast charger shows it will pull over 15 watts and charge itself and the headset.
3) Injector cable. If you aren't familiar with these, they are cables with an in-line chipset that does a man-in-the-middle technique where they negotiate power and data in separate steps. They take power in from a third USB port allowing you to use a high data rate port and benefit from fast charging from a wall plug power adapter. They work great with Quest 2. In Quest 3 they are a nightmare. I know they are functionally doing the same thing but they aren't able to setup both power and data. Once Q3 sees the power, the headset will chime and you will see a message that an external battery has been installed. It will not do data after that. If you fight with it for 20 minutes or so trying different connection combinations, you can occasionally get data to work. You get very happy until you read the power going into the chipset from the power adapter and it's reading 5V 0A. All the lights are on on the cable and headset but it's slow charging from the motherboard. You can achieve this state by restarting the headset after you've followed all the injector cable instructions. Sometimes the headset will see the data instead of the power on startup and it will function like a non-injector cable.
4) At this point I was almost out of ideas. My motherboard doesn't support PD on the Type C so why not just add one? This is the silly part. Because the headset sees the port supports PD, the light on the headset goes green and the Oculus app doesn't see the device. No data. It's treating my $80 ASM3142 card like a wall charger.
Bonus content - USB hub. I vaguely recall my powered USB hub provided additional power but not enough. I'll go back and look at that. I could get a USB 3 hub that supplies 30W but that's another $50 down the hole.
I really wish the elite battery had pass through data. I don't know what to do at this point. If anyone has their Q3 Link wired with USB 3 speeds and fast charging let me know.
Hey there, @TooOldForThisShot! With our Link cable you wouldn't be able to do fast charging while doing PCVR. We also don't recommend charging while the device is in use. Our link cable prioritizes data transfer. For third party cable capability concerns you may want to reach out to the manufacturers. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions about Meta Quest devices or applications please let us know!
If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
So your confirming Quest 2 was able to charge and play but Quest 3 does not have the capability?
Because the more pressing point is that Quest 3 won't work with my USB 3 port that offers fast charging. It sees the port, dings, recognizes it as an external battery, and refuses to do data over that line. Why wouldn't it just negiotiate default power or no power and still work for data?
Hi again, @TooOldForThisShot. The primary use of the Link cable is PC VR data transfer, more than charging. While the headset can charge based on the output of the PC itself, data transfer is the best-advised use and If your PC cannot keep up with the power demands of the headset and application in use, the headset charge can slowly go down while in use. If you think you are experiencing a bug where the headset refuses to charge at all while using the Link Cable for PC VR, please submit a bug report following the instructions here.
If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
Hello @TooOldForThisShot! We wanted to check in and see if you had a chance to check out the link we shared with you. If you require any additional guidance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help you!
If you're the author of a thread, remember to mark a reply as the Accepted Solution to help others find answers!
Hello, the Quest 3 headset managed to connect USB developer mode one time, with the "allow computer data transfer" pop up. But after rebooting the headset always connect in charging mode with the "headset charging at slower rate" notification. Right, I don't use the USB-C cable delivered with the headset because I do not have an USB-C port on my dev workstation. However I use the exact same cable and port for the Quest 2 and it can connect in developer mode to my workstation without any trouble. The Quest 3 doesn't and it drives me crazy. Last hope is it would work with the headset cable by using a USB-C to USB-A adaptor. Nuff said, that if it does not work it's gonna be my worst developer experience with your product, and please don't tell me my only option is to buy an USB-C PCIe card for my motherboard, or even a new motherboard.
USB C to A adaptor with the headset official cable fixes the issue but frankly this has been very annoying
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