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Date:         Tue, 6 Sep 2011 17:55:26 -0700
Reply-To:     Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steve Williams <sbw@SBW.ORG>
Subject:      Re: USB power?
In-Reply-To:  <4E669222.2080904@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 02:35 PM 9/6/2011, Rocket J Squirrel wrote: >Does anyone have a suggestion for a two or three outlet USB power >"strip" that can be mounted to a surface, such as behind the >driver's seat, and which operates off 12 VDC?

The plug-in adapters are the best choice. They're inexpensive, and they consume essentially no power when idle.

I installed two extra cigarette lighters in the back so I'd have both USB and 12V available.

http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20110808/P1000387/

For most USB devices, I prefer this Griffin dual adapter that gives a completely flush look:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0042B9U8Q/sbw/

But I also carry this Kensington dual adapter, with one 2-amp socket to keep my visitors with iPads happy:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003PU01M4/sbw/

The trouble with the USB "strips" (hubs) I tried is that they don't reliably charge devices unless the hub is plugged into a computer. That's just stupid, in my opinion. I'm still thinking about fabricating a passive USB hub with several 2-amp outputs, buck converters for efficiency, and proper idle power management.

https://twitter.com/sbw/statuses/2522118294

Originally, I fabricated a 7805 adapter and buried it in the dash, with a cable coming out to hook up USB devices. But it consumed more power when idle than I liked, so I took it out.

>... it's an annoyance to find the stupid 12VDC > 5 VDC USB converter >to plug into the socket.

I leave mine plugged in all the time so they don't get lost. I installed extra cigarette lighters so 12V is still available.

In fact, I have two cigarette lighters buried in the dash, one with a Griffin USB adapter and one with the Garmin power adapter/traffic receiver. I bring those cables out through slots I cut at the edge of the ash tray, to power the dash-mounted devices:

http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20091122/SN852283/

>Everything I do is switchable. I like managing my power. I have an >ammeter mounted in the cabin and I'm not afraid to use it.

The best switch is one you can't forget to turn off.

But I like my ammeter, too:

http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20110809/P1000402/


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