Do PlayStation 2 controllers support USB connections

I don't want to post any guarantees, but I should imagine the PS2 would be OK.

Here's what my dad had to say:

The transformer is unlikely to be damaged in this scenario, but there is a chance that the circuits powered from it (i.e. the 12V and 5V ones) could be. They would be receiving about 20% more voltage than they should (i.e. 14.4V and 6V respectively) and whilst a good electronics designer would take account of this possibility, I do not know whether or not this applies with Playstation? Mains supply voltages can vary, and electricity providers usually work within agreed tolerance limits. The problem here, of course, is that the manufacturer may have designed the equipment well, and allowed for a reasonable over-voltage which would accept up to 120V, but if the user now operates the equipment on a 'nominally 120V' supply, and this supply reaches its 'upper limit', it does get a bit risky. Here in the UK where we (sensibly) use 230V, we can tolerate quite a severe under- or over-voltage as it is proportionally smaller. But then, we British do like to think we're quite tolerant, eh!

Sorry about the borderline-racist comment at the end, he's a funny old chap.

Hope this helps!

My understanding is that the controller always uses bluetooth and only uses the USB connection for charging and pairing. If you have two PS3s, you'll find that plugging the controller into one with the USB key and pressing PS will pair to the one it is connected to. (Assuming it is on.)

If your controller doesn't charge when connected, there is probably something wrong with the controller's battery.

I have a number of controllers, and two PS3s, and all charge just fine while playing games. I often plug in during a session when I get the low battery warning, turn off the PS3 when done an hour later and have the controller fully charged when I next turn the device on. (It doesn't charge when the PS3 is off, unfortunately.)

Also, when I plug a controller into a connected USB, it immediately does the all lights blinking thing, and pressing PS sets it as a working controller in a second or two.