Usb power in cabin, an alternative?

[[3889]]

I have vauge plans to wire USB sockets into a cabin for phone charging.
This is on eBay and seems to provide a more portable facility with the added advantage of providing an emergency engine start.
It will require a disciplined recharging regime but then, that's boats in general.
Any views?

 

[pvb]

I have vauge plans to wire USB sockets into a cabin for phone charging.
This is on eBay and seems to provide a more portable facility with the added advantage of providing an emergency engine start.
It will require a disciplined recharging regime but then, that's boats in general.
Any views?

Amazing how they've managed to pack 90Ah into a box 165 x 78 x 36mm!! Mr Tesla would be impressed. I'm doubtful.

 

[[3889]]

Amazing how they've managed to pack 90Ah into a box 165 x 78 x 36mm!! Mr Tesla would be impressed. I'm doubtful.

Not too far fetched for a 9(I'm assuming not 90)Ah LiFePo, is it? I know people who use a 20Ah LiFePo as their main starter battery.

 

[pvb]

Not too far fetched for a 10Ah LiFePo, is it?

What? A 12v 90Ah battery in that package?

Here's just one example of a 12v 100Ah LiFePo battery, it's 342 x 173 x 242mm and costs £550 - Ultramax LiFePO4 Battery: 12V 100Ah - Replace SLA 12V 100Ah with 4 times cycle life, lighter weight, 30A Max Current, Charger Included - LiFePO4 Batteries - Lithium Phosphate LiFePO4

 

[Deleted member 36384]

The convenience of built in USB ports would be appreciated, compared to say, finding something to plug your USB device into.

 

[[3889]]

What? A 12v 90Ah battery in that package?

Here's just one example of a 12v 100Ah LiFePo battery, it's 342 x 173 x 242mm and costs £550 - Ultramax LiFePO4 Battery: 12V 100Ah - Replace SLA 12V 100Ah with 4 times cycle life, lighter weight, 30A Max Current, Charger Included - LiFePO4 Batteries - Lithium Phosphate LiFePO4

Since edited my erroneous reply.

 

[pvb]

Since edited my erroneous reply.

So you're acknowledging the eBay ad isn't truthful? Why would you consider buying it?

 

[[3889]]

The convenience of built in USB ports would be appreciated, compared to say, finding something to plug your USB device into.

I always find built in ports lead to strangulation/ busted connector risks. Maybe I'm trying to rationalise the easy way.

 

[[3889]]

So you're acknowledging the eBay ad isn't truthful? Why would you consider buying it?

Nah, acknowledging my error in knocking off the wrong number of 0s.
eBay isn't always truthful: neither are Currys, John Lewis, M&S et al IME, though not deliberately so. Just a bit slapdash like many ebay sellers who nevertheless provide reasonable products.

 

[V1701]

It certainly looks like a useful thing to have on board but why not wire in a socket anyway? I've recently wired in a few of these - easy to do & look neat...

 

[pvb]

Nah, acknowledging my error in knocking off the wrong number of 0s.
eBay isn't always truthful: neither are Currys, John Lewis, M&S et al IME, though not deliberately so. Just a bit slapdash like many ebay sellers who nevertheless provide reasonable products.

I don't understand. The eBay ad you linked to says it's a 89800mAh battery pack, which is as near as dammit 90Ah. You simply can't get that in a tiny box that size. It's a lie. I'd be surprised if it was as much as 9Ah in reality. For the money, you could buy a regular 12v battery and a USB socket and get better performance.

 

[[3889]]

It certainly looks like a useful thing to have on board but why not wire in a socket anyway? I've recently wired in a few of these - easy to do & look neat...

I'm a bit lazy.

 

[ratbag]

halfrauds have a more expensive version , if used for starter back up might be more reliable

 

[davidej]

I think the vendor has put in one two many noughts - 8980mAh?? ie 9aH. should still start a reasonable size engine.

 

[gregcope]

I would suggest 12V sockets and buy adaptors as tech moves on.

For example last year twin USB 2.4A seemed to me to be the top of the range.

Now 5A USB C QC3 is cheap and I am swapping my 12V adaptors for those as they can quick charge phones, my laptop and soon to be acquired soldering iron.

 

[Momac]

I changed an original 12volt din socket for twin usb a while back. very cheap and easy.

Phone charging power packs don't seem too expensive, although I don't own one
Goodmans 10,000mAh Qi Wireless Power Bank - Silver

 

[Hoolie]

I always find built in ports lead to strangulation/ busted connector risks. Maybe I'm trying to rationalise the easy way.

Seems a bit of an overkill for charging an iPhone. Easy? Not on our boat. The batteries are not conveniently accessible and the contacts are not conducive to having cheap clip-on connectors attached

 

[SiteSurfer]

We wired in dual usb points to each cabin, the saloon and nav station.
oh my gosh it makes life with a teenager simpler

 

[William_H]

I think OP will be better served with a proper dual battery system for his boat. Then add power outlets and USB voltage converters or USB fixed sockets. The battery in the link may help a low or tired battery start your engine. However the Amp hour rating is obviously fraudulent. This I have seen with Ebay/Chinese lithium 18650 batteries where the experts advise about 3AH is the most you can get in the best Lithium batteries yet they happily claim 10 AH for what is obviously cheap/low end stuff. So do not be impressed by their AH claim. The jump start battery may prove useful but as you said will need to be kept charged. ol'will

 

[KompetentKrew]

I plan to wire more USB sockets myself in future too, but I also have two of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073FJ9X2J

These power banks also do USB-C, the new USB standard which will become more common in the future, and I can run my MacBook off one (I am doing so now, in fact).

I'd guess one of these can charge a mobile phone about a dozen times before it runs out. Recharging them with a USB-C charger like this Belkin one takes 3 or 4 hours.

If you plan to buy one search Amazon UK for "charmast 26800" as the same power bank is available under different part numbers, for some reason, and the prices fluctuate.