charging a Standard Horizon hand-held from 12v source

[blackbeard]

Mine came with the usual charging set up using 240v ac and an adaptor giving 5 v dc . But my boat supply is the usual 12v dc. I have a cigar-socket plug-in which charges my mobile phone, tablets etc. In theory this should also charge the VHF. Is the theory sound, or there a possibility of damaging the VHF?

 

[Leslie frank]

Should be fine i think

 

[Leslie frank]

We charge ours direct from a 12v source . I think it's a standard horizon but can't say for sure

 

[PetiteFleur]

I also charge mine from a standard 12v socket.

 

[MoodySabre]

Mine came with a 12v charging cradle.

 

[ylop]

Mine came with the usual charging set up using 240v ac and an adaptor giving 5 v dc .

there isn't a single "usual" set-up, SH have evolved their arrangements over the years and different models will have different fittings etc.

But my boat supply is the usual 12v dc. I have a cigar-socket plug-in which charges my mobile phone, tablets etc. In theory this should also charge the VHF. Is the theory sound, or there a possibility of damaging the VHF?

Recent mobile phones and tablets all use USB-C charging sockets - these are symmetrical, lozenge-shaped, about 6mm (1/4") wide. Is that what your radio has? If its 5V then it should be chargeable from almost any USB-C charger, including cigarette lighter socket options. Not all USB-C devices use 5V (and therefore not all chargers only put out 5V) but any reputable manufacturer with a USB-C socket should not be damaged when connected to any other charger (but some may refuse to charge if they don't like what they "see").

Other formats of USB charger also exist - and if they physically fit, they were all 5V so should be fine. If the power connector is a round barrel connector, that's where you need to be more careful because there are no standards.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Given that we don't know the model of handheld, advice that it "should be OK" etc might not be correct. A call to Standard Horizon would be a good idea.

 

[mjcp]

Given that we don't know the model of handheld, advice that it "should be OK" etc might not be correct. A call to Standard Horizon would be a good idea.

Some replacement "special smoke" from Amazon (or Ali Express) should be ok too

 

[Refueler]

Given that we don't know the model of handheld, advice that it "should be OK" etc might not be correct. A call to Standard Horizon would be a good idea.

Or read the Manual ????

Maybe I'm wrong - but if the item was supplied with a cable stating 5V DC ... then a standard USB adaptor into the 12v socket (reduces 12v to 5v) as many people use in their car etc - would work ?? Just a matter of making sure the cable plug fits the adaptor

 

[Bilgediver]

Mine came with the usual charging set up using 240v ac and an adaptor giving 5 v dc . But my boat supply is the usual 12v dc. I have a cigar-socket plug-in which charges my mobile phone, tablets etc. In theory this should also charge the VHF. Is the theory sound, or there a possibility of damaging the VHF?

I suggest you tell as the model so you safely recharge the radio.. some 5volt radios use a USB at 5v. However some use 1 of a range of power adaptors . Some radios have a USB port which is DATA. ONLY.

 

[chriscallender]

Assuming you mean taking a micro usb or usb c power cable from your phone and plugging it into an identical socket on the radio, that won’t damage the radio. However, many standard horizon radios are only capable of charging the battery from the contacts on the back of it, and the USB connection is for programming/data. So they can only charge the battery in the cradle and SH make a 12v cable that plugs into the barrel connector for that.

Maybe not the most useful from SH when usb power is more or less ubiquitous days, but that’s a separate discussion. As I say, plugging like for like on usb won’t hurt it (sh would have a near 100% warranty claim rate if it did). So if that’s what you mean I would just give it a shot and see if the battery charges. But sadly, my guess is not, and that you’ll need the cradle and cigarette lighter cable for it,

 

[Alicatt]

There are many different forms of USB-C all with different charging and data rates.

My SH HH radio will only charge when in the charging cradle either using the 230V wall adapter or the 12V cigar/cigarette lighter socket, the USB socket on it is for data only.