USB Charging Ports
- Thread starter flyingwil
- Start date
pwc
Explorer
A quick search gets me this
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/zip-linq_power.html#12vdc
and this
http://www.sailgb.com/p/12v_usb_car_charger/
I know there's also a cool universal travel charger, that has all the plugs in one unit and has a USB tap as well as AC.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/zip-linq_power.html#12vdc
and this
http://www.sailgb.com/p/12v_usb_car_charger/
I know there's also a cool universal travel charger, that has all the plugs in one unit and has a USB tap as well as AC.
paulj
Expedition Leader
Is the kind of thing you have in mind:
http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-Ret...ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1174623482&sr=1-136
It appears to be a 12v plug with a usb socket, and cable with usb plug and device specific plug. There are more like that on Amazon and its resellers.
paulj
http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-Ret...ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1174623482&sr=1-136
It appears to be a 12v plug with a usb socket, and cable with usb plug and device specific plug. There are more like that on Amazon and its resellers.
paulj
flyingwil
Supporting Sponsor - Sierra Expeditions
Close but not quite there...
I want to eliminate the Male Cigarette adaptor and just cut and install 2 or 3 USB ports that charge only, later on down the road they can be converted for the CarPC to transmit data, but for now I only want the ports that charge with out the ugly look of the male cig plug.
Any other suggestions?
I want to eliminate the Male Cigarette adaptor and just cut and install 2 or 3 USB ports that charge only, later on down the road they can be converted for the CarPC to transmit data, but for now I only want the ports that charge with out the ugly look of the male cig plug.
Any other suggestions?
paulj
Expedition Leader
The USB voltage is 5v. So you need a 12v to 5v converter. You might ask at a computer shop that specializes in upgrades and parts. I don't know if there are laptop power supplies that work from 12v, or if most start with 18. Those shops (or Radio Shack) would also have USB sockets, such as you might see on the back of your desktop.
paulj
paulj
paulj
Expedition Leader
I just saw at Sams Club a portable battery pack, about the size of paperback book, with outlets for USB 5v and 120AC. It is rechargeable with AC supply.
Pocket Power Portable Power
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=354688&pCatg=5734
Pocket Power Portable Power
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=354688&pCatg=5734
Robthebrit
Explorer
Given the max current from a usb port is 500mA you could use a LM7805 1A voltage regulator to convert 12v to 5v, each regulator would power 2 ports. The circuit would be tiny and mountable in the dash or in a little box, connect the input power directly to a fuse.
Rob
Rob
telwyn
Adventurer
I'm not smart enough to know how to connect/power this, but the SEALINK USB socket is cool, waterproof and would look great in the dash.
Check out http://www.marinco.com/scpt/ProdPage.php?loadItem=USBA6_Marinco Shore Power
I've used their cigarette lighters also in my Lightweight.
Check out http://www.marinco.com/scpt/ProdPage.php?loadItem=USBA6_Marinco Shore Power
I've used their cigarette lighters also in my Lightweight.
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We just finished a 2000 mile road trip with multiple gadgets that we wanted to plug into the cigarette lighter plugs (MP3, Laptop, DVD player, cell phones…) and it reminded me how much I hate cigarette lighter plugs. I’m always having to fiddle with the plug to keep ‘em working…
I drove for 100 miles or so thinking my mp3 was charging, only to find out it had stopped after only charging a little.
So, I appreciate what you’re trying to do.
I think the easiest approach would be to try and find a powered USB hub that happens to uses a 12V ‘wall wart.’ If you could find one, it would be simply a matter of cutting the cord at the ‘wall wart’ end and wiring it up to a fuse.
Then, of course, find a place to mount the hub.
Make sense?
LATER THAT SAME DAY
What I'm thinking about is something like this IOGEAR hub:
but you would need something that has a 110-to-12V adapter. That info is difficult to divine online, so you would have to go to a large electronics store and search what they have.
I drove for 100 miles or so thinking my mp3 was charging, only to find out it had stopped after only charging a little.
So, I appreciate what you’re trying to do.
I think the easiest approach would be to try and find a powered USB hub that happens to uses a 12V ‘wall wart.’ If you could find one, it would be simply a matter of cutting the cord at the ‘wall wart’ end and wiring it up to a fuse.
Then, of course, find a place to mount the hub.
Make sense?
LATER THAT SAME DAY
What I'm thinking about is something like this IOGEAR hub:
but you would need something that has a 110-to-12V adapter. That info is difficult to divine online, so you would have to go to a large electronics store and search what they have.
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Robthebrit
Explorer
Lynn said:
ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
Setting aside the USB issue for the moment & addressing the common power point complaint, West Marine offers a series of ports & plugs that look & function like normal power points, except they literally have a twist. By twisting the plug 90* they lock or unlock into the port. The plugs also feature a green LED indicator so you know at a glance if they are connected or not. The plug also has a silicone rubber gasket to seal off the port.
12 VDC Ports & Plugs
12 VDC Ports & Plugs
