USB Wall Sockets - Have they Improved?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › USB Wall Sockets - Have they Improved?

JoJo2

43 posts

Geek

#214015 24-Apr-2017 10:47

I am looking at putting in power points with USB sockets or just a four point USB wall socket but the thread from last year seems to indicate they are all a bit average. Does anyone know if they are any better a year on from the last thread?

I also see someone noted the Anker brand as a great brand to use for a multi-charge wall socket (instead of a face plate installed), and I wondered if anyone knows about them, and whether they do NZ plugs on their products, or if it is just as simple as getting a travel adapter for their US plugs?

I'm a total newbee, so feel free to give me any advice, hints for comments you have. I'm all ears.

Our family charging is usually a couple of tablets and a couple of phones at the same time.

Cheers!

1 | 2

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1769582 24-Apr-2017 10:51

No. Nothing out there yet doing USB C power delivery or even the older qualcomm quick charge.

Richard rich.ms

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1769586 24-Apr-2017 10:54

My blog post from last week on the front page sums up the Anker situation. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/8939

In regards to the USB wall sockets. They're all terrible.

JoJo2

43 posts

Geek

#1769591 24-Apr-2017 10:59

sbiddle:

My blog post from last week on the front page sums up the Anker situation. http://www.geekzone.co.nz/sbiddle/8939

In regards to the USB wall sockets. They're all terrible.

Awesome, thanks! I am an very keen US internet shopper, so great to read that info. Any other brands you especially recommend for IT gear you can't get in NZ?

JoJo2

43 posts

Geek

#1769592 24-Apr-2017 10:59

richms:

No. Nothing out there yet doing USB C power delivery or even the older qualcomm quick charge.

Awesome, thanks. Great info.

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1769599 24-Apr-2017 11:07

i use these throughout my house

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SURJAC9822/JACKSON-White-PT9822-2-Outlet-Powerpoint-with-2x-U

Theyre pretty good, 2.1 Amps/5v. The PDL ones werent as good, all 1 amp (well when I looked at them).

The jackson ones have a large box on the back, and are a PITA to install though, not too bad, but not a 2 minute change like most power points.

robfish

683 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1769613 24-Apr-2017 11:20

We have a couple of HPM units (2 x USB sockets with 2 x switched sockets)

https://hpm.com.au/products/excel-usb-powerpoint

In the flush box is the USB power supply....

https://hpm.com.au/products/excel-dual-usb-charging-module

which could be installed into a plate without the switched sockets.

Rob

Dynamic

3867 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1769622 24-Apr-2017 11:35

We thought about wall sockets, but I think they have to be changed by a registered electrician?

In the end we set up a dedicated 'charging drawer' for all phones and tablets. I have one of these http://dynamix.co.nz/home/promate/prmcrg/TURBOHUB (similar to the Anker products) stuck to the inside of the drawer with a number of short cables, and as small a hole as possible in the back of the drawer for the figure-8 power cable to exit. The Mrs is happy with the solution as there are no cables hanging around the house.

I did have a 5 port Anker USB2 charger in the same spot, but 4 of the 5 ports stopped working after a bit over 2 years.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1769623 24-Apr-2017 11:37

Dynamic:

We thought about wall sockets, but I think they have to be changed by a registered electrician?

In the end we set up a dedicated 'charging drawer' for all phones and tablets. I have one of these http://dynamix.co.nz/home/promate/prmcrg/TURBOHUB (similar to the Anker products) stuck to the inside of the drawer with a number of short cables, and as small a hole as possible in the back of the drawer for the figure-8 power cable to exit. The Mrs is happy with the solution as there are no cables hanging around the house.

I did have a 5 port Anker USB2 charger in the same spot, but 4 of the 5 ports stopped working after a bit over 2 years.

legally the owner of the house can change a power point. theres a few things an owner can do.

richms

28172 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1769626 24-Apr-2017 11:42

Ones that jam USB ports on the same plate as normal outlets inevitably have one of them jamming access to the other at some stage.

I got some cheap deta 4 port outlets from bunnings to put by the games consoles for charging the controllers etc and that works fine for that, but pretty useless on a phone or android tablet. Apparantly the socket labeled tablet has the right resistors for an ipad to charge at a higher current, but I dont have any of those to try it with.

Putting both on the same plate is really only a good idea for people who are too scared to operate a drill and a saw.

Richard rich.ms

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1769638 24-Apr-2017 12:08

robfish:

We have a couple of HPM units (2 x USB sockets with 2 x switched sockets)

https://hpm.com.au/products/excel-usb-powerpoint

In the flush box is the USB power supply....

https://hpm.com.au/products/excel-dual-usb-charging-module

which could be installed into a plate without the switched sockets.

There are plenty of such devices around. The problem is they're all pretty much useless for their intended purpose as they're nothing but 2.1A power sources rather than being a true smart charger.

I haven't tried one of the new dual port HPM charging modules but must try and get one from the wholesaler to play with. The other HPM with combined power is a waste of money as most modern devices will just charge at 400ish mAh due to a lack of smarts.

JoJo2

43 posts

Geek

#1770039 24-Apr-2017 23:06

Dynamic:
We thought about wall sockets, but I think they have to be changed by a registered electrician?

In the end we set up a dedicated 'charging drawer' for all phones and tablets. I have one of these http://dynamix.co.nz/home/promate/prmcrg/TURBOHUB (similar to the Anker products) stuck to the inside of the drawer with a number of short cables, and as small a hole as possible in the back of the drawer for the figure-8 power cable to exit. The Mrs is happy with the solution as there are no cables hanging around the house.

I did have a 5 port Anker USB2 charger in the same spot, but 4 of the 5 ports stopped working after a bit over 2 years.

Ideal! Your wife and I would get on well ... lol!

coffeebaron

6232 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1770062 25-Apr-2017 07:41

Wall USB sockets may not be great for a quick charge, but certainly fine if you are leaving devices to charge overnight.

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1770080 25-Apr-2017 09:29

wall outlets are also good for many other devices that can be powered by USB. harmony remotes/hubs, network switches, console controller charging docks, headsets, raspberry pis, amazon fire sticks etc.

USB has become a defacto universal power supply, so many things that come with a DC adapter actually take 5v and 0.5-2amps that you can swap out the dc adapter for a usb cable.

RickW

298 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1770112 25-Apr-2017 10:30

Has anyone had any experience with the pdl iconic range?
http://iconic.pdl.co.nz

540trickzter

160 posts

Master Geek

#1770218 25-Apr-2017 15:01

I'm building a new house soon and I'm looking at getting a few of these to get installed in a few key areas (Living, Study, Master Bedroom).

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

The rest of the house I'm going to go with Vynco Fusion or PDL Iconic.

1 | 2