Looking for a large multibox with good plug spacing with USB outputs

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timmmay

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Topic # 201425 18-Aug-2016 08:43

I'm looking for a big multibox for my lounge. Ideally I want something that will have at least eight mains outlets with 4 USB outputs. Powering:

LCD TV
Onkyo receiver
PS3 (rarely used)
Router/switch
PS3 / IR adapter
Smart remote charger
Homemade cooling system (large plug for variable voltage power supply)
UK device (large plug)
R.Pi (USB)
Phone chargers (2 outlets)
Probably other things I've forgotten

Anyone seen one around?

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Reply # 1613539 18-Aug-2016 08:58

I think I found what I was after.

This Jackson 8 outlet with 2 USB looks pretty good for $42. Half the outlets are large plugs. This Huntkey looks ok, but no spaced outlets. Or one of the smaller units with a standard wide spaced adapter.

Also found a square power adapter which might work well for any extras.

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kharris

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Reply # 1613545 18-Aug-2016 09:08

The HPM brand usually has good spacing... have a look at bunnings or mitre10 sites

edit: after looking bunnings range is better... surprisingly.

Kirk

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Reply # 1613582 18-Aug-2016 09:16

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I have a Jackson 6-way with a couple of USB ports. No issues, and there are wider spaced sockets for the big wall-warts.

timmmay

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Reply # 1613584 18-Aug-2016 09:20

Yeah the Jackson 8 output at PBTech looks pretty good, should have just enough outlets. I'll just have to add another USB adapter, if there's a spare spot.

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richms

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Reply # 1613604 18-Aug-2016 09:33

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I usually get HPM ones since I dont trust the cheap brands to not be complete trash. I have heaps of the 5 outlet wide spaced ones. Never seen the point in getting USB in the powerstrip since they charge so much for it and you never know if they are any good or just a piece of crap 1 amp adapter shared among everything.

Richard rich.ms

kharris

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Reply # 1613607 18-Aug-2016 09:36

richms:

I usually get HPM ones since I dont trust the cheap brands to not be complete trash. I have heaps of the 5 outlet wide spaced ones. Never seen the point in getting USB in the powerstrip since they charge so much for it and you never know if they are any good or just a piece of crap 1 amp adapter shared among everything.

What he said... that's why I posted above.

There is nothing worse in a power board than trying to force the plugs in because they are cheap crap and then the plugs pop out.

Never had that problem with HPM, quality is good.

Kirk

timmmay

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Reply # 1613621 18-Aug-2016 09:40

Good point about that. The Jackson ones are Australian designed, probably China made, and are widely sold, so they're probably ok. Just trying to reduce the chained multiboxes really, looks like a rats nest behind the TV cabinet.

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Stu

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Reply # 1613630 18-Aug-2016 09:51

Have a number of different brands/models. HPM are always good. The cubed units mentioned above are handy also. The model with built in USB not so much, as I've noticed the USB circuit is noisy (high pitched whine you get on some cheap chargers) at times.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

richms

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Reply # 1613659 18-Aug-2016 10:46

There is a 12 way HPM at bunnings. I didnt get one since the plug orientation is 2 rows oppositly oriented which would cause it to be too large.

When I redo the bedroom become gaming room I will stick a double or 4 way outlet behind each cubby in the entertainment cabinets to minimize the amount of wires going between the cubbys.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 1613663 18-Aug-2016 10:56

richms:

There is a 12 way HPM at bunnings. I didnt get one since the plug orientation is 2 rows oppositly oriented which would cause it to be too large.

We have one of those. Yes, it does take up a fair bit of room. For powering a fair few low current devices it's quite handy though.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

greenbone

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Reply # 1613718 18-Aug-2016 12:53

i got a couple of these click boards from bunnings, $24

4 usb, power metering, it also has a master / slave function, ie you turn off your PC and the monitor and speaker are powered off also (not left in standby), and does the opposite when turning PC back on

timmmay

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Reply # 1613729 18-Aug-2016 13:03

Looks interesting. Not on their website as far as I can see.

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ubergeeknz

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Reply # 1613730 18-Aug-2016 13:06

timmmay:

The Jackson ones are Australian designed, probably China made, and are widely sold, so they're probably ok. Just trying to reduce the chained multiboxes really, looks like a rats nest behind the TV cabinet.

They are not very good, I have thrown out a few here at work due to being able to hear them arcing. HPM no such problems, and they are not that expensive.

richms

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Reply # 1613731 18-Aug-2016 13:10

Large enough to land a plane on!

Seems cheap for what it offers. How do the plugs actually fit? If they take any force I find that leaves the socket unable to hold a plug from then on, only takes a tiny amount of misallignment when plugging in to ruin the $3 el-crap-to brand ones.

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

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Reply # 1613733 18-Aug-2016 13:11

ubergeeknz:

They are not very good, I have thrown out a few here at work due to being able to hear them arcing. HPM no such problems, and they are not that expensive.

That's really useful, thank you. HPM range doesn't seem so good if you want combined multibox and USB, but I guess I just get a separate USB charger. Anyone able to recommend a decent quality 4 outlet USB locally? I can find on Amazon, but not sure it's worth the bother of shipping.

Might get a few of the little Dynamix dual adapters, all kinds of little things use USB these days and having extra ones that are decent enough quality would be handy.

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