USB Multi Charger for all your devices?
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 02:45
ThreadID: 149325
Views:256
Replies:7
FollowUps:4
Mark B68
Looking for a few good CIG Lighter or other usb/power multiport chargers for all the flamin Tablets, Batteries, Laptops, cameras that ya carry and use these days.
Links and Price responses get bonus points :-)
Cheers
Reply By: Peter J4 - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 06:35
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 06:35
I have found it's best to avoid anything that uses a cigarette lighter plug.
If I buy anything that is only available with a cigarette plug then I change it to a merit plug if possible.
Cigarette plugs were only designed for a short term use with an actual cigarette lighter not for long term constant use. They always eventually play up and require a wiggle to maintain contact.
If trying to draw a relatively high constant current they get hot and melt.
Then there is usually very light wire connecting them in most modern cars which itself isn't enough to run most otems without voltage loss.
I use a dual USB socket mounted and wired with good quality cable on it's own fused circuit, in fact I have three in the passenger compartment and six in the camper which allows us to charge most things.
Larger items like laprops are best charged off 240v from the mains or an inverter.
AnswerID:
647010
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 09:26
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 09:26
What Peter Says is correct. Cigarette sockets rely on the plug contact to be held in place by a spring and all sorts of problems with that occurr down the track. With the Merit connector, the plug contact slides into a proper socket. This makes a much better connection and tends to be self-cleaning by the action of the male contact sliding into the socket.
A little known fact is that 5V power supplied by the original USB connectors is only specified for use for low powered devices. Phones that can charge quickly and tablets are powered by voltages of up to 48V. This can not be supplied directly from a 12V cigarette socket. It requires some sort of inverter in the line. SCUBADOO has given a link to devices that do that, but I would not rely on these for long time use, as they plug into Cigarette lighter sockets. If you look at this link
Power you will get a bit of a grasp on the subject of USB power.
If you can not find devices that can be connected directly to your battery through reliable connectors, then make up your own panels or boxes and cable them directly to the battery (and don't forget the fuse near the battery to protect the devices wiring.)
FollowupID:
927805
Reply By: Mark B68 - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 07:14
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 07:14
Just as an add on to power usage in front of car (DMAX).
Looking at powering/charging Samsung Tab A9+ and a couple of QIC chargers for phone. I don't think drive a 12V charge would work unless just the one device.
We have Cig chargers in Norweld Canopy that would power the Starlink Mini.
The charge for a Tab would probably require a 100w constant?
AnswerID:
647011
Reply By: SCUBADOO - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 08:29
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 08:29
I run a few tablets in our motorhome for various uses including a Samsung Galaxy A9+.
It only charges at a maximum of 15W. Almost any charger here including a few $5 units work perfectly.
I have a couple of cigarette lighter USB chargers that have been in fulltime travel use for the last 4 or 5 years.
They both originally tended to self eject from the sockets over time but a strip of black insulation tape around the barrels for a snug fit and they have never budged since.
Am I allowed to link to Aliexpress here?
These chargers can run and charge our multitude of devices here including Android TV boxes, tablets, phones, power banks, Eneloop and lithium battery chargers and even the 19V 5A 14" Acer notebook demands via the PD USB-C outlets.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001351292663.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002878566924.html
AnswerID:
647013
Reply By: Mark B68 - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:13
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:13
Wondering if it just as easy to turn on the 2000w inverter in canopy and run a 240V ext cord and powerboard to cab so can charge of the standard 240v power when driving?
DMAX with Norwerld Canopy and RTT Rig.
AnswerID:
647014
Reply By: Garry L - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:29
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:29
Something like this any good ?
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwi_yZXMgbqKAxV6qWYCHTwZEcYYABAMGgJzbQ&ae=2&aspm=1&co=1&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAiA65m7BhAwEiwAAgu4JH3NX0NA0rFhNfpzC7Jwdb9ebNrnBh3DmrdljABm8LTj0odjM3JFURoCIV0QAvD_BwE&sig=AOD64_0_If9aGK2p4dYy-AlNBQa1rcHDJg&ctype=5&q=&nis=4&ved=2ahUKEwiWppHMgbqKAxXNUGwGHVSpPLQQ9aACKAB6BAgEEFE&adurl=
AnswerID:
647016
Follow Up By: Peter J4 - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:50
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:50
Garry L in a word NO as it relies on the cigarette plug and as I said most cigarette plugs supplied on vehicles are not designed for anything more than 20 seconds use to heat a cigarette lighter.
The positive pin on a cigarette lighter plug rarely makes any more than a few square mm of contact and so are prone to heating if higher currents are required for any length of time.
FollowupID:
927807
Follow Up By: Garry L - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:56
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:56
Peter
I don't have or use one but numerous friends do with similar products without issue.
FollowupID:
927808
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 11:54
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 11:54
They get away with it for a while but it is not a long term solution.
FollowupID:
927809
Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:59
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 10:59
Instead of standard USB chargers we use PD chargers - look it up.
What is a PD charger
AnswerID:
647017
Reply By: Kazza055 - Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 11:38
Sunday, Dec 22, 2024 at 11:38
Nothing wrong with a piggyback charger as long as it is a tight fit.
I had a dual USB charger in my old D-Max and for charging my phone, it work fine for the 5 years I had it plug in.
AnswerID:
647019