hello everyone I am a "seasoned Type 1 diabetic. Going on 50 years now. Until 6 months ago on Medtronic, but not so happy with them this past year.So I switched to the Tandem slim and am using a loaner pump til August when I will get a new Tandem.
Right now I am having issues charging the pump. I have tried various ports-my laptop, wall outlet and a different usb cable. Still not charging and am wondering if anyone has had this problem and if there are any alternative means of charging my pump.
Are you using a Tandem charging adapter and cable? If not, get a hold of one. If you are using a loaner pump, they probably did not include a Tandem cable with it. I am using my second Tandem pump and have never had any trouble charging it connected to my laptop USB nor, with the converter, directly attached to a power socket in my bathroom while I shower.
thank you for responding
Yes I did get a Tandem cable and adapter with the pump
I called tandem yesterday and they are going to send me a new cable. My concern is that I really struggle to insert the cable into the pump. We have an iPhone and iPad but neither cable will work with the pump. I don’t want to be away somewhere and lose charge
Hi @Brian4 just last month someone wrote about how a flakey Tslim USB connector was causing the software update to fail so it isn’t common but the port can go bad. New software update for Tandem T:slim pump - #68 by Patticakes You are on the right track to get the pump replaced by calling Tandem and trying their new USB cable first.
Out of curiosity, why go with the Tslim instead of the Mobi? Are you coming from a 780G? Was it the pump that gave you trouble or their CGM?
That mini USB plug on the pump is a problem for me to insert the cable also. I guess that was the size of the plug that they could fit into such a compact pump. If that is your problem, you have to keep the cable end vertical to the pump with the white square towards you. It is a very tricky maneuver. But it is what it is.
It is trick all right. That might be part of the problem. Because it is not easy to insert it may make it easier to damage to damage the connectors. Maybe that is what happened to my cable
Just a footnote that some micro-USB cables are power-only, but the pump requires one that’s data-capable. When my Tandem-supplied one went out I thought I could just swap in one of the bazillion other ones I have lying around but nope. It needs to “talk” to the pump as well as charge the battery. Any data-capable micro-USB will work, but it has to be data-capable.
Seriously! Micro-usb is always a little finicky but I’ve never had any USB device require so much finagling to get into the connector. Knowing it has to be white-square up helps but it’s not just that, it’s like the jack itself is super-tight and just doesn’t want to accept the thing. Really a problem when I’m trying to insert the darn thing in the middle of the night without turning the light on and waking up my wife. Instead I wake her up with all the cursing and groans of frustration. I understand the new pumps are going over to using an induction charger but that’s not necessarily all that great. It’s fine if you’re just sitting there next to it, but it the plate needs to be plugged in, so you’re still tethered to an ac outlet. I use a power bank so I can move around and do things while charging. Now I’m gonna have to do power bank + induction plate + pump?
Formally communicating these inadequacies to Tandem is necessary. Then they can either resolve the issues or the complainant can go a separate way. I intend to look around more for alternatives when my warranty expires. I still think that the Tandem x2 was the best product on the market at the time I re-selected it. I’ll see in another 3 years, if they are still around… and so am I. 
The Tandem Mobi uses wireless charging and the T3 has been touted to also have wireless charging whenever it’s released
I returned my tslim twice, both for charge port issues.
One wouldn’t charge and the other was super loose and the wire would fall out.
To @Willow4 and others the usb mini aka usbb b has 2 bumps (detects) on the reverse side of the metal end. This is my secret to be able to plug into my Tandem pump in the dark.
I find those bumps with my thumb nail and make sure that side is towards the back of the pump.
I am really pleased that usb C is becoming a standard. The USB b port and plug can be damaged by us fumbling trying to insert.
There are 4 contacts in usb, 2 for data and 2 for charging. It’s likely this pump has 1 or both charging contacts damaged.
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