Charging mobile phones

[rustydiver]

its something that has got me thinking after reading about it somewhere but i can't find it now, is it better to charge phones etc from 12v direct or via the inverter when not connected to the mains.

Does it use more power to convert it to 240v to charge it up.

Ive got a spare 12v cable that feeds the satellite dish which no longer gets used which i could wire some usb sockets too.

[Paul C]

Any inverter will have some kind of background current of its own, so if you can use a 12V --> USB style adapter (or a 12V phone charger) its going to be more efficient.

[rustydiver]

thanks having two teenage sons the phone, watch and iPad seems to be constantly plugged in somewhere charging up.

[ditchcrawler]

thanks having two teenage sons the phone, watch and iPad seems to be constantly plugged in somewhere charging up.

That is why its called wireless :-)

[Alan de Enfield]

For a small investment (about £10-£13 depending on output) get a solar powered 5v (USB) charger

Its about the same size as a mobile phone and comes with adapters to fit all makes of phones and tablets, etc.

Leave it on the roof, on the window or somewhere it will get a bit of Sun and it has enough charge to charge a tablet or several phones.

 

'Free electricity, and doesn't drain your battery at all.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Useful-20000mAh-Solar-Charger-Power-Bank-Dual-USB-LED-Light-Portable-Battery-/302058186401?var=&hash=item46541226a1:m:mOwjCdv9HA5M7hQKQw51xDA

[Dave Payne]

Make sure you get the right 12v socket plug thing, for iStuff it needs to be 5 amp, some of them are only 2/3 amp and will take forever to charge...

[Alan de Enfield]

Make sure you get the right 12v socket plug thing, for iStuff it needs to be 5 amp, some of them are only 2/3 amp and will take forever to charge...

 

The unit I have has a 1a and a 2a output. It will charge an apple phone but it is slow.

[Dave Payne]

I got a cable for my iStuff and it has little leds all the way down it that move towards the device as it charges, on a 5 amp or 240v connection it goes really fast, on the 2 amp plug it goes sooo slow, a good indication of how fast the device is charging.

 

Got it from B&M, about £5 I think

[Phil Ambrose]

I have fitted 3 USB charging sockets around the boat, run straight off 12v, for phones, WiFi units, tablets and kindles.

Phil

ETA they are all double sockets from Vehicle Wiring Products

Edited September 1, 2016 by Phil Ambrose

[mross]

I have six USB charging hub which plugs in to a 12V or 24V cigarette lighter socket. It is rated at 10A. I also have a 18,000mAh power pack that I charge when cruising. Then I can recharge my phone and tablet from it and turn inverter off.

[Naughty Cal]

We fitted several USB sockets around the boat a few years back now. They are only a few quid each and have proven to be invaluable.

 

Why waste power converting 12v power to 240v power via the inverter to then transform it back down again to charge your devices.

[Alan de Enfield]

.

Why waste power converting 12v power to 240v power via the inverter to then transform it back down again to charge your devices.

 

Why waste energy converting diesel to 12v to then reduce it to 5v

Use a 5v solar charger(s).

[Paul C]

 

Why waste energy converting diesel to 12v to then reduce it to 5v

Use a 5v solar charger(s).

 

Because they don't work in the night (when people charge their phones?)

[Alan de Enfield]

 

Because they don't work in the night (when people charge their phones?)

 

Yes they do.

Or are you suggesting that boats with solar panel fitted cannot use electricity during the hours of darkness ?

 

Maybe you are not understanding the product.

[Paul C]

Probably best to post a link to it, then we can all look at the product you mean!

[Alan de Enfield]

Probably best to post a link to it, then we can all look at the product you mean!

 

So you didn't notice the link in post #5 ?

[RLWP]

If you are a practical person, something like this in an enclosure would be good: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-24V-40V-to-5V-5A-USB-Step-Down-Power-Supply-Module-/111473997718?hash=item19f45e3796:g:oOMAAOSw7W5XOUHI

 

Or perhaps this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-DC-12V-to-5V-3A-15W-Dual-Female-Panel-Mount-USB-Step-Down-Module-/262600998204?hash=item3d243d3d3c:g:7zoAAOSw9IpXxaCa

 

Richard

Edited September 1, 2016 by RLWP

[Paul C]

 

So you didn't notice the link in post #5 ?

 

Nope, I didn't scroll back through the thread but now I have, looks a good thing to have. I'd personally not buy the one linked to due to its location, I've had issues with quality (ie basically things that don't work properly) bought/imported direct from China, then being unable to send it back (due to cost) for a refund so I'd look for a UK location and a UK retailer who can accept returns etc. But there's plenty for a similar price available.

[Paul C]

ETA personally I'd not use it - its another tenner, another item to be kicking around on the boat, to find/lose, plug in etc, move around in and out of a window/roof to next to the phone. The "put all the eggs in one basket" solution of having one bunch of solar panels and one battery bank (the main domestic bank on the boat) is preferred for me, and removes the need for another device. 4 USB sockets installed neatly with sensible, well thought out locations for the sockets (1 for the Mifi, 1 at each side of the bed, 1 which can be used while driving). I can't remember how much my sockets and the wiring was now.

I appreciate it might help for those who don't have solar power on the boat and are constantly troubled with battery issues.

[Alan de Enfield]

ETA personally I'd not use it - its another tenner, another item to be kicking around on the boat, to find/lose, plug in etc, move around in and out of a window/roof to next to the phone. The "put all the eggs in one basket" solution of having one bunch of solar panels and one battery bank (the main domestic bank on the boat) is preferred for me, and removes the need for another device. 4 USB sockets installed neatly with sensible, well thought out locations for the sockets (1 for the Mifi, 1 at each side of the bed, 1 which can be used while driving). I can't remember how much my sockets and the wiring was now.

I appreciate it might help for those who don't have solar power on the boat and are constantly troubled with battery issues.

 

I realise that it is a different environment but I have one in the 'grab bag', ready to go into the liferaft.

(Complete with adapters to recharge my GPS watch, my hand Held VHF, and hand held GPS)

[The Lockie]

Errr am I right in thinking the ebay one is only 2A capacity?? IE 20000mA??? That would be pretty rubbish at charging a phone !

[Paul C]

Amps isn't a measure of capacity - I think you mean Ah or mAh (which is what the advert says)

 

20000mAh = 20Ah