USB Charging Ports

[flyingwil]

It seems an increasing number of products are using USB ports to charge them. Does anybody make a 12v USB port that I could mount in the vehicle?

[pwc]

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.

[paulj]

Is the kind of thing you have in mind:
http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-Retractable-Sync-Charge-Cable/dp/B000CSDDP4/ref=sr_1_136/103-2350020-2559010?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]

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]

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

[staceyfb]

As for the usb that comes in a computer. These are corded that run to the power supply. Might I suggest a car pc. You can then wire in as many usb ports you want.

[paulj]

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

[shawkins]

Why couldnt you just get one on those cigarrette lighter to USB converters and strip the 12v to 5v converter out of it?

[flyingwil]

Why couldnt you just get one on those cigarrette lighter to USB converters and strip the 12v to 5v converter out of it?

I am afraid to... after my last slice of a cig converter, I started a nice fire in the cab of my truck...

I just might have to resort to this option.

[Robthebrit]

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

[telwyn]

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%20Shore%20Powe r

I've used their cigarette lighters also in my Lightweight.

[Lynn]

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:

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2758099_rshalt1_dt.jpg

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.

[Robthebrit]

[QUOTE=Lynn]

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?

QUOTE]

That is a really good idea but you'll have to pick the hub carefully as some don't enable the full power if a host (PC) is not on the bus.

I did make a rough prototype using a DC voltage regulator and it worked fine but of course its not as nice as an off the shelf unit.

Rob

[ntsqd]

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 (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&keyword=343584&jspStoreDir=wm51&productId=30763&resultCt=1&catalogId=10001&ddkey=SiteSearch)

[Scott Brady]

Found a good solution:
http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/129174i_ts.JPG?cell=320,320&cvt=jpeg

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/herrington-catalog_1975_565311442

Available here: http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/r130.html and only $40!

[telwyn]

thanks, Scott. Great find. Just ordered it this evening.