billybiltong
Member
I have just (yesterday) brought a USB Socket 3 AMP through panel from "Furneaux Riddall" www.furneauxriddall.com part number VA/315 cost about £10. I am going to give it a try!!!
Decent USB Charger from 12V?
- Thread starter lampshuk
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lampshuk
Member
Thanks, all. Yes, some interesting suggestions. I hadn't seen a 2x2.1A charger before, so that's worth investigating.
I'm not sure about the "can't charge through a data cable" assertion, though. I do know that some cables are power-only but I've never had the reverse situation.
As usual, things are more complicated than you would expect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB explains something about this, but: yes, apparently if you want more than 0.5A out of a charger, your device and the charger may have to "negotiate" and agree to provide the full 1A or 2.1A. Or the device may just take power promiscuously, depending on whether it has implemented the correct protocol.
Has anyone come across the same kind of 2.1A charging capability but not in a "cigarette lighter" format? Ideally something like a USB 5-port hub, with 12V input and multiple 2.1A charger outputs.
Alternatively, I could just find a ciggie charger that works (your 4.2A one looks favourite, Nigel) , then re-skin it and plumb it in to the cupboard under the chart table.
Or I could just stop faffing about, and go sailing.
I'm not sure about the "can't charge through a data cable" assertion, though. I do know that some cables are power-only but I've never had the reverse situation.
As usual, things are more complicated than you would expect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB explains something about this, but: yes, apparently if you want more than 0.5A out of a charger, your device and the charger may have to "negotiate" and agree to provide the full 1A or 2.1A. Or the device may just take power promiscuously, depending on whether it has implemented the correct protocol.
Has anyone come across the same kind of 2.1A charging capability but not in a "cigarette lighter" format? Ideally something like a USB 5-port hub, with 12V input and multiple 2.1A charger outputs.
Alternatively, I could just find a ciggie charger that works (your 4.2A one looks favourite, Nigel) , then re-skin it and plumb it in to the cupboard under the chart table.
Or I could just stop faffing about, and go sailing.
philip_stevens
Active member
Isn't that what I posted??
They are made for both models of iPad connectors. Mine works with no problem.
nigelmercier
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That's pretty much what I have done, it seems the easiest way.
lampshuk
Member
Aha! This guy? http://www.furneauxriddall.com/acatalog/USB-Socket.html
Would be interested to know how you get on - particularly if you notice a VHF interference problem.
Would be interested to know how you get on - particularly if you notice a VHF interference problem.
Pye_End
Well-known member
I put a couple of these in a few months ago. Seem to charge fine. Have not noticed any interference issues.
prv
Well-known member
Thanks! They must be new as, despite the obvious need, they were not available this time last year. The only directly-installable 12v USB socket at that time was from Blue Sea at about £25, which was too much for me. I have a handful of lighter-socket adaptors (similar to the Griffin one posted above) awaiting modification - I can now cross out that job and buy a couple of these instead. Excellent.
Pete
GHA
Well-known member
Same here.
DipperToo
Active member
Sometimes devices will only charge at 500ma with a data cable. I had that today with a 'cheap' USB car charger (2A rated) and I recognised the slow charge as the phone gave a message about media connection present. When I used the cable I mentioned, fast charge was enabled. Some devices have quirky behaviour and the internet is full of both good and misleading info on the wonders of USB charging.
nigelmercier
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Do bear in mind that the one from FR is only a single 2.1A outlet, so yes I would buy two. I got a plastic box and mounted it under a ledge with the adaptor inside it, then discovered the dual 2.1A outlet one in my post #7, so all change.
lampshuk
Member
Fair enough. I have used the retracting cables - since they do a good job of keeping things neat - but I've just bought a couple of supposedly "high power" micro-USB cables (short ones, again in the hope of eliminating the USB Rats Nest problem), so will see if that improves the charging rate of existing kit.
We'll probably just about get used to all this and then they'll introduce another "standard".
One thing I will say is that the availability of solid-state power devices in the past few years has had a HUGE impact on cost and size of adapters (240V as well as 12V). We never had it so good.
prv
Well-known member
How many iPads do you think I have?
Actually, I plan to eventually have both USB and lighter-socket next to each regularly-used bunk, so I will have several, but it's more about location than total number.
Pete
charles_reed
Active member
many get caught out by that one - data cable, only 0.5amp; charging cable up to 1.8 amp (though the latter level is not covered by the USB universal spec). You see them trailing into mobile phone shops complaining that their charger doesn't work (usually samsung). There are a pair of cunningly twisted wires in the charging cable. USB3 is even more complicated, having two power levels of 150 and 900 milliamp (for simultaneous data) and 1.5 amp for power only. I'd stress it's NOT the charger but the cable.
rob2
Active member
Not really, it is a fully compliant USB port - it's Apple who are perverting the standard and suggesting you can use an inappropriate supply to charge their products. This is simply not true.
Rob.
prv
Well-known member
To be fair, it's not just Apple. It's pretty much all smartphone and tablet manufacturers, and I believe the EU recently enshrined it in law for products sold here.
Apple originally designed the iPod to connect by Firewire, which includes a much beefier power supply as standard. But demand to use it with PCs which didn't routinely have Firewire ports (unlike Macs) meant they switched to USB.
Pete
Tim Good
Well-known member
Griffin yeah. Expensive but they kick out over 2amps and they're well made plus tiny. I bought two to keep on the boat to charge camera, phone, iPad, gopro etc.
lampshuk
Member
To go somewhat off-topic, I visited a really cool company today (www.displaylink.com) and was told that they are working with a bi directional USB interface that can provide even higher current over USB (data and power cable) - to the extent that you will be able to drive a 12 inch LCD panel over USB alone. So, 4 amps+.
Before long I'll be starting my VP2003 with an iPhone app. Hopefully it will remember to open the water inlet first.
Before long I'll be starting my VP2003 with an iPhone app. Hopefully it will remember to open the water inlet first.
lampshuk
Member
Haha! Of course! There's an APP for that!
Downloaded an Android app for my Samsung S2 (search "charging current to get a choice of 2) and it tells me the configuration of the charger.
It is sensitive to the cable, too, apparently my retractable cable only supplied 816mA while my "high power" one delivers 1138mA from the same charger.
Lots of fun to be had testing all the charger/cable combinations now.
Downloaded an Android app for my Samsung S2 (search "charging current to get a choice of 2) and it tells me the configuration of the charger.
It is sensitive to the cable, too, apparently my retractable cable only supplied 816mA while my "high power" one delivers 1138mA from the same charger.
Lots of fun to be had testing all the charger/cable combinations now.
tudorsailor
Well-known member
I bought a new Anker (!). Anker seem to be a serious company that understands chargers. I bought a dual charger that has port for iPod and port for other. Have a look on Amazon Up to 4amp from one port.
As an aside I also bought an Anker portable battery charger which has eliminated the anxiety of the phone going flat as the end of the day
TudorSailor
As an aside I also bought an Anker portable battery charger which has eliminated the anxiety of the phone going flat as the end of the day
TudorSailor