USB wall sockets / panels for new build

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Ultimate Geek

#1506418 5-Mar-2016 11:33

ArcticSilver:

timtait:

Our new build has just kicked off and I want to add wall sockets with built in USB ports around the house.

Any recommendations on which ones to get and where from?

Cheers

I would highly recommend not doing this. One of the main reasons is USB-C (which is a different connector) is just around the corner, you might find a lot of your sockets obsolete in the not too distant future.

Just get modular units like the Excel Life ones. Pop out the old and replace with new standard charging unit. Easy

http://www.legrand.co.nz/usb/

nickb800

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#1506430 5-Mar-2016 11:54

Sockitz have bought out power points with USB C so that might give you 5 years till obscelecence which could be acceptable. I had some of their older ones, they're okay, but as you need to a USB cable plugged in or nearby it has minimal effect on clutter compared to a plug in charger and USB cable

sbiddle

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#1506436 5-Mar-2016 12:22

andrewcnz:

ArcticSilver:

timtait:

Our new build has just kicked off and I want to add wall sockets with built in USB ports around the house.

Any recommendations on which ones to get and where from?

Cheers

I would highly recommend not doing this. One of the main reasons is USB-C (which is a different connector) is just around the corner, you might find a lot of your sockets obsolete in the not too distant future.

Just get modular units like the Excel Life ones. Pop out the old and replace with new standard charging unit. Easy

http://www.legrand.co.nz/usb/

The problem is that as I posted above unless these units have been fundamentally redesigned in the last 6 months since I last played with one, they're a total waste of money because they won't charge most devices at any more than 500mA. It doesn't matter that they claim 2.1A output - they don't have the smarts in them that a modern charger like an OEM or Anker has to actually charge a new Android or Apple device at full speed.

billgates

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#1506454 5-Mar-2016 13:50

Sockitz currently have a pre-order running for their new power points with USB Type-C support incl Z-Wave or WiFi modules for remotely controlling the power points. I have 10 units on pre-order for my new house build with delivery in May.

http://sockitz.com.au/m/index.php/all-new-glass-connected-touch-sockitz.html

Do whatever you want to do man.

richms

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#1506581 5-Mar-2016 19:37

sbiddle:

The problem is that as I posted above unless these units have been fundamentally redesigned in the last 6 months since I last played with one, they're a total waste of money because they won't charge most devices at any more than 500mA. It doesn't matter that they claim 2.1A output - they don't have the smarts in them that a modern charger like an OEM or Anker has to actually charge a new Android or Apple device at full speed.

Even those "smart" ones are a bit useless. My anker charger is useless at the note 3 and note 4, also the Mi Note 3 will takes ages on it compared to my stock samsung wall adapter (not QC2.0) one

Richard rich.ms

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#1506651 5-Mar-2016 23:00

corksta:

I looked at doing this when we built our house just over a year ago and I was advised by the electrician the ones on the market at that time barely supplied enough power to charge an iPad, as in it would take hours to fully charge it and wasn't worth the convenience or aesthetics of installing them, so maybe just keep that in mind and check the output of any brands you come across.

But being a sparkie he would understand that standard USB ports are 1A and not intended to charge ipads that normally require 2A USB ports. Still allows you to charge your phone anywhere (eg kitchen etc) but for the cost I would say sensible to only have USB ports where you are not likely to want multiboards floating around, and buy a bunch of multiboards with built-in USB ports.

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jimbob79

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Ultimate Geek

#1610086 11-Aug-2016 13:21

I know to post is a few months old now but I wanted to chuck in my 2 cents.

I have just purchased a new 4 port USB wall plate from PBTech $27.54 with free delivery to the Wellington Store.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=SURJAC1030

It's claims to be Total 3.1 Amps but I'm not sure it that's at each port or it's divided across each port (775mA). The are no indication markers on the wall plate it self which one is rapid charge.

Jaycar also sells a similar product (if not identical) under a different name, but it's $46.90.

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/240v-gpo-wall-socket-with-4-x-usb-3-15a-output/p/PS4071

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richms

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#1610093 11-Aug-2016 13:38

I tried that one from jaycar and it was not able to charge 4 phones at once, so no idea how it would cope with heavy demand devices.

It suffers the problem of all cheap multiport chargers, it hits the limit, browns out, devices stop charging because of low voltage, so the voltage then comes back up, they all start charging again and repeat forever. All the time showing their little charge icon but actually going backwards. Unplug a couple, and the remainder charge (slowly) and then you can plug the other phones in when the first ones are full and just maintaining themselves.

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jimbob79

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#1610099 11-Aug-2016 13:48

richms:

I tried that one from jaycar and it was not able to charge 4 phones at once, so no idea how it would cope with heavy demand devices.

It suffers the problem of all cheap multiport chargers, it hits the limit, browns out, devices stop charging because of low voltage, so the voltage then comes back up, they all start charging again and repeat forever. All the time showing their little charge icon but actually going backwards. Unplug a couple, and the remainder charge (slowly) and then you can plug the other phones in when the first ones are full and just maintaining themselves.

I'll still test it out before I cut a hole in the wall. Luckily that's what to consumer guarantees act is about. If it fails to do what is clams to do then I can just return it.

More info from the manufacture:

http://www.ji.com.au/products/PT9804/

richms

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#1610100 11-Aug-2016 13:51

I have a deta 4 port one from bunnings that I am meaning to test out with a decent load on it, It seems to be 2 dual port ones in a single case so chances are better that one power hog wont take the whole lot down.

I would just stick another double outlet in at build time, you can swap it later easy enough yourself, whereas if you want to extend the wiring to a new outlet that in theory is something a sparky should do, and there is the hassle with cutting holes in a finished wall etc.

Richard rich.ms

jimbob79

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Ultimate Geek

#1610107 11-Aug-2016 14:04

richms:

I have a deta 4 port one from bunnings that I am meaning to test out with a decent load on it, It seems to be 2 dual port ones in a single case so chances are better that one power hog wont take the whole lot down.

I would just stick another double outlet in at build time, you can swap it later easy enough yourself, whereas if you want to extend the wiring to a new outlet that in theory is something a sparky should do, and there is the hassle with cutting holes in a finished wall etc.

Was it this one you got?

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/deta-single-power-point-with-dual-usb-charger_p00281388

richms

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#1610109 11-Aug-2016 14:09

No, it just has 4 USB sockets on a plate, no 230v outlet at all.

Richard rich.ms

jimbob79

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#1610333 11-Aug-2016 21:17

Okay did some testing on the Jackson PT9804 and my initial testing showed that it did struggle to charge two iPhones and one iPad. It would keep dropping out and the devices would stop charging a bouncing effect of on-and-off charging.

However I had a strange solution to this issue. I have a multipurpose USB charging cable with one lightning and an old school 30 pin connector. With this I was able to charge both the iPhone 4 & iPhone 6s, including the iPad.

The external temperature with full load got to about 26 degrees. Voltage showed the to be on average 5.12volts. The iPad used between 800mA and 2100mA when charging and the iPhone used about 800mA. So my conclusion is that you can only really charge one iPhone and one iPad simultaneously even thought that there are two remaining ports or just three iPhones with out the thing browning out.

I guess you could use the remaining ports to charge something low powered like a fitbit or a cheap mp3/4 player.

Also it size was able to fit into and existing power wall socket.

lissie

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Ultimate Geek

#1610375 11-Aug-2016 22:48

We installed an HPM one in the kitchen a double plug with a double USB socket - it charges at exactly the same rate as my charging options for the phone ipad and kindles. It's handy if you have a good spot which will have abench or similar in the right place to park the gear

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sbiddle

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#1610413 12-Aug-2016 07:21

jimbob79:

I'll still test it out before I cut a hole in the wall. Luckily that's what to consumer guarantees act is about. If it fails to do what is clams to do then I can just return it.

More info from the manufacture:

http://www.ji.com.au/products/PT9804/

I don't see that product really making any claims. Yes it will charge your devices, but I'd be surprised if it charges them at any more than 500mA. It doesn't claim to fast charge devices or anything along those lines that a good charger like an Anker will do.

I've spent quite a bit of time playing with all the units the local electrical wholesaler has and all the mainstream ones like these, HPM etc are all a waste of time as they simply can't charge devices quickly. Yes there is a convenience factor in not needing an external charger, but until somebody can build one that actually works IMHO they're not worth wasting your money on.

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