How to Recharge Charge 3 Speaker

Follow these directions that show how to recharge the Charge 3 JBL portable speaker via its DC input micro USB port, discussed below.

How to Recharge Charge 3: Introduction

Picture of the JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth speaker, charging. Showing all connections for recharging this power bank speaker. The AC adapter is plugged Into wall, and connected to the speaker via the USB A to micro USB male charge cable. — JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth speaker, charging. Showing all connections for recharging this power bank speaker. The AC adapter is plugged Into wall, and connected to the speaker via the USB A to micro USB male charge cable.

First Comments

First, we recommend recharging the JBL Charge 3 with the included JBL USB charger. Why? Because this power adapter meets the speaker’s amperage needs, and is provided by JBL besides. Presumably, JBL thinks that this is a well-matched AC charger. So, we won’t buck any systems here, although in a pinch, you could fully recharge this power bank speaker with other non JBL wall adapters. But exploring those options is beyond the scope of this post.

How to Recharge Charge 3, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Does the JBL Charge 3 Red Light Flashing Mean?

When you see the red light blinking on the Charge 3’s battery status gauge, the battery has very little electricity left. So the speaker will shut off within an hour (approximately) if not recharged. Note though that this light never flashes red when a working charger power supply is connected and powered on. As you recharge the Charge 3 from a completely dead state, this lamp switches from flashing red to blinking white.

When is it Time to Recharge the Charge 3 JBL Speaker?

You know that it’s time to charge the JBL Charge 3 when the battery status gauge near the bottom on the front of the speaker shows a single flashing red light, or simply, when the speaker stops playing. 🙂

When you see that flashing red, connect the orange USB jack included with the speaker between the Charge 3 and the power adapter. Then, plug the supply into a working AC outlet, to keep the music going.

Finally after four hours or so, your Charge 3 fully recharges. Then, you can play it again for roughly twenty hours before it runs dead again.

What’s the JBL Charge 3 Charging Time?

This speaker fully recharges in approximately four and a half hours, depending on the state of the power bank battery when charging begins, and the charger used to juice it up. We assume that you recharge this speaker with the charger that accompanies it. Other AC USB chargers may take more time to fully recharge the speaker.

Why Does my JBL Charge 3 Keep Shutting Off?

An older battery often causes unexpected shutdowns, as it can no longer output the minimum current the speaker needs to work properly. Installing a new battery can solve this problem. We suggest though, that you get with a qualified electronics technician to perform this battery installation.

How to Recharge Charge 3

1. For Best Results, Use the Included USB Power Adapter

As we said earlier, we use the JBL USB wall charger AC adapter included with this speaker, as shown next.

Picture of the Picture of the JBL AC power adapter, mains side view, Showing the safety labels. — The JBL AC power adapter, mains side view, Showing the safety labels.

2. Open the Port Door

Pry open the port door flap on the lower back of the Charge 3, and pull it toward you to open all the way. This exposes the USB power out and micro USB charging input ports inside, as shown next.

Picture of the JBL Charge 3 rechargeable Bluetooth speaker. Showing all USB power ports. Port door seal held open. — The JBL Charge 3 rechargeable Bluetooth speaker. Showing all USB power ports. Port door seal held open.

3. Plug in the DC Power Cord to the Charge 3

Then, plug the USB connector end of the charge cord into the matching micro USB input port on the speaker, as shown next.

Picture of the USB charging cord inserted. — The USB charging cord inserted.

4. Plug the AC Power Adapter into a Working Wall Outlet

Now that the Charge 3 and its AC adapter are connected, we plug the wall charger into a functioning AC outlet, as shown next.

At least one of the battery status lamps lights up on the Charge Three when you apply charging power. There are five lamps on the Charge 3 that come on in succession as battery recharging progresses.

5. Allow the Charge 3 to Recharge Until All Battery Power Lights Go Off

Battery charging is almost complete when all but the last of the battery status lights light solid. The last one continues to blink for several minutes more to top off the charge, as shown next.

Picture of the charging in progress but nearly done, with all battery gauge lamps ON. — The charging in progress but nearly done, with all battery gauge lamps ON.

The battery recharge cycle finishes when all battery status gauge lights go out, as shown next.

Picture of the Charge 3 JBL speaker, front view, fully charged with all battery gauge lamps OFF and circled. — Charge 3 JBL speaker, front view, fully charged with all battery gauge lamps OFF and circled.

6. Unplug the USB Charging Cable from the Charge 3

The next picture shows the USB charging port after we removed the charge cord.

Picture of all USB power ports as the port door seal held open. — Showing all USB power ports as the port door seal held open.

7. Fully Push Closed the Water Resistant Port Door

Note that unless this power port opening flap is completely closed, water could enter the input and output connector ports area, and likely damage the Charge 3’s electronic components inside. So, take great care to correctly seat the port door on this speaker This way, you get the full water resistance protection the speaker was designed to offer.

See how this port door looks when fully closed and sealed in the next picture.

Picture of the JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth IPX7 speaker, showing the USB ports bay with the door seal closed. — JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth IPX7 speaker, showing the USB ports bay with the door seal closed.

8. Charging JBL Charge 3 Speaker Power Bank Done!

We have now fully charged our JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth speaker. Note that the battery status gauge just after turning on the Charge 3 following a full recharge. All lamps glow, meaning that the speaker is indeed charged to full, as shown in the next picture.

Picture of the speaker charging in progress but nearly done, with all battery gauge lamps ON. — Charging in progress but nearly done, with all battery gauge lamps ON.

Repeat this recharging exercise every twenty hours of music play to keep the battery power bank in ready-for-use condition. We charge ours when the battery status gauge lights show just one lamp glowing. Keeping this speaker charged is important if you charge your phones / tablets from it.

References

JBL Charge Three Official Product Page, at JBL.com

Revision History

2020-04-06: Added tags.
2019-03-04: First released to public.