12V USB power socket

[Bob S]

I read a post about faulty 12V power sockets. I have on my bucket list to add a few 12V USB sockets to my electrical panel. It would be convenient for charging cell phone and ipods. Anyone know of a source? I'm not looking for the plug in type but one that can be mounted directly into the panel. I thought of trying to pilfer one from an old computer but I think the power is stepped down?

 

[Tim R.]

Hmm, I beleive the voltage spec on a powered USB is 5v. It would be a bad idea to connect a standard USB female socket to 12v. This will kill most anything you plug in.

You might be able to find a 12v powered USB hub that outputs the proper 5v but it won't be cheap.

 

[tommays]

I have a car USB unit that plugs into a cigarette lighter and has not done any damage to ipods or phones

 

[Tim R.]

I have a car USB unit that plugs into a cigarette lighter and has not done any damage to ipods or phones

That is because the adapter regulates it to 5v.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Hey Bob S. I'd recommend that you get a little more familiar with electricity before you go re-wiring your boat. It is very common knowledge the USB is a 5 volt system. If you didn't know that I'd be very leery advising you on other electrical matters. You do understand that electrical "problems" are the most common source of fires on boats right? There are lots of good books on the subject at west marine.

On the specific subject of USB for powering devices. Well let’s just say that there is more utility in a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug than in a USB one. It is universally recognized that you need to be able to have that adaptor for any device that might be used in a car (or boat) so the adapters are available. The 12 cigarette lighter adaptor will provide the correct voltage and current limiting for the device that it powers while a USB would not have a clue as to what was being asked of it. Also they have much more power available (10-20 amps depending on the plug you buy) for things like search lights and emergency bilge pumps, blenders computers…. a very long list. The USB is not a power plug and was never designed as one. It is a communications plug that can supply limited power to a device but that is not what it is intended for. They do make a handy way to provide your computer with the boat instrument data buss however (proper use as a comms port). I believe they don’t rust as fast as the RS232 ports with all the little brass pins.

Digikey.com has every flavor of USB port you could want to include the water resistant ones with the rubber port covers. I find the catalog (free) is easier to read then the web pages.

 

[Tim R.]

Bob, your best bet is to install a high quality 12v cigarette outlet that is properly fused and use a device like this:

http://www.safehomeproducts.com/shp...itter/12v-socket-splitters/159766/159766.aspx

 

[Timo42]

Just bought one at Best Buy that plugs into a 12v socket and is flush with the socket, $15. Works so far...

 

[Bill Roosa]

See what I mean

A 12 volt cigarette to 5 volt USB adapter.
Now the question is how is this better than the 12 volt adapter that came with the gadget in the first place?

On another note, if I use the above adaptor, can I plug my geek stick with all my music into it and get sounds out of my batteries?

If I rig up a 12 volt cigarette male plug to audio speaker gadget, can I get sounds out of any other female cigarette plug I have?

Can I plug my computer into it and power it or alternately get my gps to connect so my nav software reports my position?

 

[JMM]

A 12 volt cigarette to 5 volt USB adapter.

On another note, if I use the above adaptor, can I plug my geek stick with all my music into it and get sounds out of my batteries?

If I rig up a 12 volt cigarette male plug to audio speaker gadget, can I get sounds out of any other female cigarette plug I have?

Can I plug my computer into it and power it or alternately get my gps to connect so my nav software reports my position?

Yes -- I think the little Best Buy adapter will turn your boats DC electrical system into a fully functioning neural network that can be used to not only turn batteries and other plugs into into speakers, but allow all your devices ( even the dumb ones) to communicate with each other, control each other ..and maybe even the boats around you. :Liar::dance:

All kidding aside -- I actually like that adapter -- the flush mount looks great ..

 

[Maine Sail]

A 12 volt cigarette to 5 volt USB adapter.
Now the question is how is this better than the 12 volt adapter that came with the gadget in the first place?

Most of these devices do not come with 12V adapters just 110v. New phones generally come with USB wall plugs and USB micro to standard USB cable. The utility of a 12V USB car adapter that plugs into the lighter is that you cna use one 12V/USB adapter for multiple USB charged/Powered devices. In my car I use a dual output USB/12v adapter as both my phone and my wife's phone can charge off the same outlet. I also keep an iPod power cable in my car if that battery needs charging. This is a lot less money in the long run than buying a 12V adapter for each USB charged or powered device. I have a tupperware box at home filled with old 12V phone, iPod and other 12V powered device adapters. They are now useless junk. If they had been fed off a 12V/USB power adapter then I'd still be able to use the outlet with just a change in cable. Fortunately the cell phone industry will be moving to Micro USB soon, most new phones already are micro USB, and every phone is supposed to be charged using the same inlet plug I think by next year IIRC.

On another note, if I use the above adaptor, can I plug my geek stick with all my music into it and get sounds out of my batteries? If I rig up a 12 volt cigarette male plug to audio speaker gadget, can I get sounds out of any other female cigarette plug I have?

No worries they only use the charging pins not in/out data pins.

Can I plug my computer into it and power it.

Your computer is charged via the power inlet and will likely be 12-19V DC not 5 volts.

or alternately get my gps to connect so my nav software reports my position?

Again no these 12V adapters are only utilizing the power side of the USB not the data side.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I was joking MS

Course if you can tell me how I can charge my cell phone by pluging it into my ear that would be helpful. do all humans have the same voltage (ear wise)? or would I need a specific adapter from my doctor?

 

[Maine Sail]

Course if you can tell me how I can charge my cell phone by pluging it into my ear that would be helpful. do all humans have the same voltage (ear wise)? or would I need a specific adapter from my doctor?

I too am waiting for that adapter!!! Probably not UL or CSA approved yet..

 

[Bill Roosa]

The millitary will have it first but it will be 10 volts and be a "source" USB port not a "sink" one.

 

[JMM]

Can't wait for the day when we can harvest all that unused energy we create and through away .. .. smart power and smarter electronics .. it is all coming eventually..

 

[Ron20324]

... or would I need a specific adapter from my doctor?

Bill, check with a proctologist. He'd have the proper plug

 

[kenn]

(Yes voltage spec for a USB port is 5V. The most common USB port (USB2) can supply up to 500mA per port)

USB port powering and charging is very common, and most phones seem to use it, as well as various and sundry gadgets like reading lamps, mini fan, dashboard hula dancer...

You might be able to find a 12v powered USB hub that outputs the proper 5v but it won't be cheap.

Actually, single port cigarette-lighter plug type USB power ports are very cheap... and they should be, you can buy the few components required to turn 12v to a well-regulated 5v supply for under a dollar. The hardest thing to get ahold of in the retail parts chain is USB sockets, though that's improving too.

As long as you have at least one 12 vdc lighter installed close to the nav station, you'll be able to use those USB or auto-charger adapters.

Bill, check with a proctologist. He'd have the proper plug

No doubt he can put his finger on the problem.

(Never ever thought I'd get to use that smiley... another thing crossed off the bucket list)

 

[Knotty Gurl]

whats nice with the usb adapter is you can add a 5 or 7 port to the single and power 4, 5, 7 items at once and still not have worries about over current or draw, each unit itself has overcharge software and shuts down charging when required. Thats why they tell you when they are charged via text or pic of battery. very cool indeed
still looking for the hula girl usb adaptor

 

[Steve Dion]

Just what the Dr. ordered.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5226344

 

[Tim R.]

(Yes voltage spec for a USB port is 5V. The most common USB port (USB2) can supply up to 500mA per port)

USB port powering and charging is very common, and most phones seem to use it, as well as various and sundry gadgets like reading lamps, mini fan, dashboard hula dancer...

Actually, single port cigarette-lighter plug type USB power ports are very cheap... and they should be, you can buy the few components required to turn 12v to a well-regulated 5v supply for under a dollar. The hardest thing to get ahold of in the retail parts chain is USB sockets, though that's improving too.

As long as you have at least one 12 vdc lighter installed close to the nav station, you'll be able to use those USB or auto-charger adapters.

No doubt he can put his finger on the problem.

(Never ever thought I'd get to use that smiley... another thing crossed off the bucket list)

My comment about them being expensive was for a hub that had more than 2 ports. Yes, the single or double port units are cheap.

 

[Bob S]

Thanks everyone. I think the easiest way is to just buy the plug type 12V to 5V USB adapter. I like the multi ports Tim and Steve pointed out. I was aware there was a voltage step down and would never just wire it to 12V direct, I just wanted to neaten it up a little and install a few USB ports directly into the panel. Similar to this:

http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-power-plug-in-2010-Prius-III/

With all the other things that need attending this will be at the bottom of the list. I currently have a single port usb to 12v adapter but I listen to music on my ipod through an Altec Lancing docking station that I can recharge with a 12V plug. What i find is my wife, kids and I all fight for the one 12V receptacle! Just a thought.