[Closed] USB charging plug adaptors

I use my usb chargers for everything, don't know if I should but they all seem to work fine. I just grab whatever cable and whatever adapter is closest, haven't had a problem so far. The right combo normally charges faster, but as long as you're charging something 'proper' the device should regulate the charge it's self.

I use the plug adapter that came with my iPod for most things. Just buy a cheap one.
The expensive ones are for those mugs that think you get a better HDMI lead for £100.

I would buy a Samsung branded one for about £5. I have cheap ones that came with other kit and they have stopped working properly after a while, usually a loose connection.

Yes, use any.

[i]I would buy a Samsung branded one for about £5. I have cheap ones that came with other kit and they have stopped working properly after a while, usually a loose connection.[/i]

Yeah, cos the brand name sticker keeps all the internal solders working 😆

We've loads here. Motorola ones seem to charge stuff faster then Samsung or HTC though. Never tried metering them for current though. These are handy too.

[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-SRGAUSBPW-Surge-Protected-Charger/dp/B007TQNUCS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384956269&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+charger+surge#productDescription ]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-SRGAUSBPW-Surge-Protected-Charger/dp/B007TQNUCS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384956269&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+charger+surge#productDescription[/url]

The only difference between chargers (ignoring quality and the sticker on the side) is the current output - higher rated chargers will charge your lights faster.

More info here: http://www.extremetech.com/computing/115251-how-usb-charging-works-or-how-to-avoid-blowing-up-your-smartphone

mogrim's linky half-killed my pc. The screen stopped and the HD was busy for about two mins. Does anyone else get this?

Add cautiously - could it be to do with the add-on that stops me seeing things I don't want to see?

What Mogrim said.

The microUSB charging standard is great as far as it goes; now instead of having a dozen totally different chargers scattered about the place I have a dozen identical-looking but differently-powered chargers, which all work fine until I come to plug a tablet in and have to start tracing cables back to find which one leads to a more powerful adapter.

What I'd really like is one power brick that has half a dozen 2A USB ports on it, so I can replace a 4-gang full of poxy ones.

OP yes there are different ones, eg iPad vs iPhone as the iPad one is higher power. However, that being said (@mogrim above) if you use a basic one it will work with everything (my experience) but may be a bit slow to charge a larger device (eg iPad). I have a whole stack; UK, US, Europe and Swiss ones - I tend to just get a new plug type rather than deal with old fashioned plug adapters. I am a big fan of these USB chargers, much more flexible. I can charge my indoor chinook helicopter using my iPhone plug 🙂

@Cougar. You mean one of these?

[img] [/img]

Available from here: [url= http://www.portablepowersupplies.co.uk/portapow-quad-usb-mains-charger/ ]Clicky-linky[/url]

Yeah, cos the brand name sticker keeps all the internal solders working

The branded ones are better quality, IME the USB socket on really cheap ones fail quite quickly, while Blackberry and Samsung ones have lasted much much longer

^^^ That looks really handy freddyg, I just ordered one. Was tempted with the high powered 5 socket one but 4 is plenty and will look neater I think.

@Cougar. You mean one of these?

Oddly, I was just looking at that.

I was eyeing up the "PowerStar" as it seems more appropriate to my needs:

[img] [/img]

http://www.portablepowersupplies.co.uk/portapow-powerstar-usb-mains-charger/

But it's got a couple of whiny reviews on Amazon so i wasn't sure.

The only difference between chargers (ignoring quality and the sticker on the side) is the current output - higher rated chargers will charge your lights faster.

Indeed. They're all 5v. USB spec is 500mA (2.5wW). iPhone 1A (5w) and the iPad charger is 2.5A (10w).

A smart device will regulate the current it takes. A less smart one, (a bike light) might not - can anyone confirm? One of my USE lights sparked and smelt after attaching to an iPad charger but seemed fine later.

Really cheap chinese USB chargers from eBay are not a good buy - and potential fire risks. The last one I bought had a nasty high pitched whine as well.

The nicest, of course, are Apples and they're not stupidly expensive either. £10 for an iPhone one on eBay

mogrim's linky half-killed my pc. The screen stopped and the HD was busy for about two mins. Does anyone else get this?

Sorry about that - although I didn't have any problem. I do have certain (unmentionable) Chrome extensions installed though.

Apple chargers use next to no power(according to my energy monitor) when plugged in but not attached to a device.

My generic tesco usb adaptor uses noticable power on the energy monitor ..... Know which id prefer.

mogrim - not blaming you at all. There's something about the site that hung up FireFox, that's all.

best to watch this, some of the cheaper ones also explode or catch fire/smoulder.

Could do with one of those 4 plug ones, currently utilising other people's USB ports to charge my bike lights (x4), Garmin and phone at work. My iPhone one buzzes like mad once the phone is fully charged, it's that irritating noise that you just can't ignore when trying to fall asleep....just swapped it with the girlfriends, she doesn't seem to hear it.

Id suggest Your iphone charger is broken then.

As has been said they're all 5v

Current generally varies from 500ma to about 2.1A. Laptops output 500mA typically, phone chargers around 500mA to 1A, smartphones about 1A and tablets about 2A

If its a clever device it will limit how much current is being sent to it so it doesn't burn out

The lower the current the 'nicer' the charging, but the longer it takes

Thanks for all the replies ~ useful info. I only need a single plug really so think I'll find an Apple charger on fleabay. Cheers. 🙂

DezB - Member
I use the plug adapter that came with my iPod for most things. Just buy a cheap one.
The expensive ones are for those mugs that think you get a better HDMI lead for £100.

erm, no. While I agree a digital cable is pretty much juct a digital cable (although there are crappy ones that the end falls off, leads short out etc etc) so just buy a cheap decent one something like a power supply has a little bit more to it and as it's plugged into your homes 230V supply it's worth avoiding something very cheap and nasty.

A lot of cheap ones are significantly different to decent branded ones. The quality of the components, construction and being able to achieve the rated power and do so with the correct regulation and protection. There is a reason why decent ones carry a legitimate safety logo and a reason why the cheap ones have a faked one.

Reluctant - sorry, that was my point, Apple do iphone and ipad chargers, the former are 1A, the latter are more like 2.1A

Apple charger is just a brand, like a Samsung charger

eBay chargers are often just white copies, not really Apple ones. I've been happy with just fairly standard cheapish chargers off ebay, never had a problem [touch wood]