N18Q3 can I charge with a naked USB-C cable?

pstock

my Chromebook model N18Q3 came with a charging cable which appears to terminate (Chromebook plug in  end) in a standard USB-C connector.
but it has an AC adapter in-line showing .... hmmm, a variety of Outputs.
5V-3A/9V-3A/15V-3A/20V-21.25A 45W Max
"bla
my partner's Chromebook (by another maker) just takes a standard USB-C cable with a small "block" like what one would use to charge an smartphone.

I am forever misplacing charging cables and so am sure that I will soon leave behind this OEM charging setup some trip away.

Question: Can I charge my ACER Chromebook with a standard USB-C cable and block. I always have several of those lying around.
If not, why not? where's the mismatch?

many thanks

AnhEZ28

@pstock check the output of that charger block. It should be fine with 5V output but won't be as fast as the original one.

pstock

thank you.
do you mean the 3inch block in the middle of the OEM charging appartus? 
if so Yes, that reads 5V-3A as one of the outputs.
and looking at the labels of my various small cellphone charging blocks they seem to read: 5v-500mA; 5V-1A; 5V-2A....
I am not very savvy re: electricity.
do the various Amperage ratings dictate how fast it will charge?

but it sounds as if, in a pinch, I can use a standard cell phone charging setup. that at least is helpful to know.

many thanks. 

Leostat

Yup, to be able to charge it has to be the right wattage, too low and it wont be able to provide enough juice or may end up either doing a trickle charge where it says charging but it isnt, and if the voltage is wrong it wont be able to charge either. Most cell phone blocks wont be strong enough to charge it, but it can be any third party charger with the right output wattage.

To charge it just needs a power adapter or power source providing 45 W at 12/18~20 V. So at 12v it would need to be 3.75 amps, or at 18 v 2.5 amps. Most third party USB-C "PD" chargers will be able to do it