Charging electronics onboard?

[xeitosaphil]

I have a recently acquired a hudl 2 as a present, and want to use it on trips away.

I wondered if I need any special 12v to 240 Inverter. I have an ordinary 150w inverter I bought from Trago Mills a couple of years ago which is made in Germany ( not sure what type it is, but probably not pure sine wave as it was only £30) and has been ok for general charging, and running small stuff, but I wondered if Hi Tech electronics such as tablets etc need a special 240v supply.
I have read somewhere that sensitive electronics need a pure sine wave generated supply, is that correct?

I know there are lots of forumites that use these type of electronics on board and wondered what they use to charge such devices.

Any recommendations for a cheap suitable 12v – 240v converter would be very helpful, if my current one is deemed not suitable.

Thanks Philip

 

[the_branflake]

Hi,

Can you get a car charger? I charge my phones and iPad when on board with 12v usb car charger, i can then connect whatever cable i want. Isn't the Hudle Micro USB?

Something like this http://www.tesco.com/direct/hudl-charging-kit-for-home-car/647-9791.prd

 

[pvb]

Easiest way is just to get an in-car charger for it, plugs into cigar lighter socket and gives correct output for charging. About 2 quid on eBay.

 

[theoldsalt]

I don't think you need to go the 240v route. The mains adapter provides a standard USD connection and voltage. This can be achieved from a 12v outlet on your boat.

eg : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-C...424784065&sr=8-14&keywords=12v+to+usb+adaptor

 

[FWB]

Easiest way is just to get an in-car charger for it, plugs into cigar lighter socket and gives correct output for charging. About 2 quid on eBay.

+1 yep that's what I do. Car type charger for Hudl,ipad and iPhone.

 

[savageseadog]

Try to avoid inverters if possible. They are inefficient and Amp Hour guzzling especially for lower powers, cheap ones are unreliable.

 

[Mandarin331]

Easiest way is just to get an in-car charger for it, plugs into cigar lighter socket and gives correct output for charging. About 2 quid on eBay.

+1, we have two car charger (cigarette lighter) sockets fitted on board both direct to the battery feed with an in line fuse, one near the saloon table and one near the chart table and use these to charge pretty much all electronic gadgets (tablets, ipods, phones etc). Both have a rubber cover for when not in use.

 

[duncan99210]

As the others have said, just about any 12v USB charger will be fine with the hudl. You can either use the ones that plug into a socket or, if you don't have a socket in the boat, you can find the on eBay and Amazon which can be permanently wired in to the battery.

 

[PatrickB02]

Agree with others about car charger.

Worth noting that it might take more out of your boat batteries than you imagine; useful article here: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/ipad_charge_

 

[Bawdrons]

I have accumulated 4 of these:

http://www.gearbest.com/mobile-power-bank/pp_1045.html

Which I use for charging my tablet, kindle and phone. I just leave them in the cockpit or secure them to the handles of the hatch and let them charge. I also have one of these.

http://www.gearbest.com/car-gadgets/pp_95745.html

This stuff comes from China, but delivery time is reasonable (the site says 7-20 days but mine were delivered within a fortnight) and quality is pretty good.

 

[prv]

Wire up some 12v USB sockets, like these or similar: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Dual-...er-Charger-Power-Adapter-Outlet-/301489979056

Far more useful than the old 12v lighter sockets nowadays. I have several of both scattered around the boat, and it's the USB ones that get most use.

Pete

 

[xeitosaphil]

Thanks for all the comments and pointers. Why didn't I think of the car charger!! Blooming obvious really :redface-new:

Perhaps it was because I thought of the possible spikes from the alternator to the 12v supply might interfere with the charging ?

But it's great to know it works ok for all you guys, so will get one, maybe even a double outlet one.

Thanks again

Philip

 

[lpdsn]

I fitted USB chargers very similar to the ones recommended by prv.

Mistake I made was to fit one at the chart table. I got some more and fitted them in each cabin so the crew wouldn't clutter the chart table with various smart phones etc.

 

[prv]

Mistake I made was to fit one at the chart table. I got some more and fitted them in each cabin so the crew wouldn't clutter the chart table with various smart phones etc.

My original design for the new chart table electrics panel included a lighter socket and a pair of USBs. Then I realised that this would have exactly that effect, and removed them before sending the file to the engravers.

There's a "trash tray" in the saloon where phones, wallets, keys, etc tend to get dumped, and that has the sockets just above it for charging. I also fitted a combined unit (one lighter socket, one USB, intended for Chinese moped handlebars!) next to each regularly-occupied bunk.

Pete

 

[lpdsn]

I also fitted a combined unit (one lighter socket, one USB, intended for Chinese moped handlebars!) next to each regularly-occupied bunk.

That's what I ended up with. I put all the 12V and USB sockets on a separate circuit, so I can turn them off if there's a need to conserve the batteries.

I'm not sure one USB outlet would be sufficient for a Chinese moped. I've seen entire families riding on one bike.