Yes the PS3 will only charge the controllers when it is on. You can charge the controller while playing a game with the charging cable.
additional information
The PS3 Dual Shock 3 controllers charge will diminish if they are let on and it is advisable to go to the PS3 settings menu for controllers and set it to automatically turn off the controllers when the PS3 is turned off. The controllers do not have to be on to charge and it let on they will need to be connected to the charging cable before they can be used.
The USB cable does not have to be plugged into the PS3 to charge the controller, any USB input will work. I have a live USB input on my HDTV and connect the controllers to it.
leave the PS3 turned on and change the settings to turn off the controller when the PS3 is turned off. You can turn the controller and the PS3 back on by pressing the PS3 emblem on the controller
You use the charging cable to connect the PS3 to Controller and press the Playstation Emblem on the controller
When the PS3 is on use the charging cable to connect the controller to the PS3 and press the Playstation Emblem on the controller
It does not take long for it to get enough of a charge for the red lights to work. Plus when the item is plugged in it has power and will work as a controller while it is charging.
couple hours, but you can use it while charging with the cable attached during that 2 hours.
leave the PS3 turned on and change the settings to turn off the controller when the PS3 is turned off. You can turn the controller and the PS3 back on by pressing the PS3 emblem on the controller
No it turns itself on
Yes it does and the controller must be set to turn off or it will discharge as long as it is left on
You use the charging cable to connect the PS3 to Controller and press the Playstation Emblem on the controller
When the PS3 is on use the charging cable to connect the controller to the PS3 and press the Playstation Emblem on the controller
It does not take long for it to get enough of a charge for the red lights to work. Plus when the item is plugged in it has power and will work as a controller while it is charging.
Yes
couple hours, but you can use it while charging with the cable attached during that 2 hours.
You can use the USB cable that came with the PS3 for charging the Dual Shock controller to also charge the Move controller. However the Dual shock controller could charge while you played and the Move controller is not supposed to be plugged in while using it.
The PS3 will not charge a controller while it is off. The controller will not turn off when you turn off the PS3 unless you change the PS3 settings. This can cause the controller to always have a dead battery each time you go to use it. Go to PS3 settings for the controller and click yes for auto turn off when PS3 is turned off. This may not be your problem and you can tell because the PS3 controller should work with a dead battery if it is plugged into the charging cable and the PS3 is turned on.
no you just plug it into the normal ps3 box
Yes when your controller needs to be charged you can use the charging cable and still use the controller to play the game. Always make sure your system settings automatically turn off your controller when you turn off the PS3. Remember the PS3 will not charge the controller when it is off.