Car battery / Alarm battery to USB port

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timmay556

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#232234 5-Apr-2018 22:58

Hi all, I'm looking for a setup that I can connect to a car battery or one of those small (about the size of a block of cheese) battery's that will give me a single USB port I can use to charge a phone or tablet when I'm out in the bush.
I can seem to find what I'm looking for? I'm probably useinf the wrong words.
Thanks

Ge0rge

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#1989139 5-Apr-2018 23:28

Try the following

https://www.jaycar.co.nz/wire-in-adaptor-12v-to-5v-usb-micro-mini/p/MP3675

Buy some crocodile clips to attach to the ends for easy connection to any batteries.

tchart

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#1989167 6-Apr-2018 06:48

Check ebay/aliexpress, I bought a USB "charger" that has crocodile clips on the ends and two USB ports. I use it in my shed where I have a car battery (topped up via solar panel).

Jase2985

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#1989168 6-Apr-2018 06:56

have a look for a kis-3r33s. really cheap and you would just need to put the crocodile clips on the end of it. its about the size of a cigarette lighter.

timmmay

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#1989175 6-Apr-2018 07:20

I got one from ebay as well. It was a couple years ago so no point trying to find that seller.

sbiddle

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#1989179 6-Apr-2018 07:34

While there are plenty of 12V to USB adapters available (with a few options listed above) I would have to question whether it's the best solution.

If you have a battery with you then clearly it saves taking another, but a modern powerbank is far more efficient as it's a lithium battery and will give you the benefits of QC2.0 / QC3.0 to significantly improve charging time, and not to mention dual USB ports on many if you have two devices you want to charge at once.

PANiCnz

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#1989183 6-Apr-2018 07:50

Another option could be getting a battery from a cordless power tool range such as Ozito or Ryobi as most do a USB charging adapter. Could even use the batteries for other attachments that might be useful in the bush.

https://ozito.com.au/products/usb-charger-for-cordless-power-tools/

Bung

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#1989218 6-Apr-2018 08:48

sbiddle: While there are plenty of 12V to USB adapters available (with a few options listed above) I would have to question whether it's the best solution.

As well it wasn't clear whether the OP wanted something to leave in the car or take away. While we were touring the UK it was very handy that the Ford Focus kept power on the 12v socket formerly used to ignite the slow death even with ignition off. Leaving stuff at track end car parks here is risky. I wouldn't leave anything charging and expect it to still be there. In the US many of the rail stations have been moved to the outskirts of the cities. The cars left in those carparks are also routinely broken into.

Sharesies

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

timmay556

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#1989220 6-Apr-2018 08:54

Thanks all for your helpful posts. I love the idea to connect the USB charger to my Cordless drill - I looked online and the cheapest place is like $100 just for the plastic attachment not even including a battery

Reason I was staying away from a power bank is I already have a 750CCA battery in my wagon with probably a million, million MAh so its one less thing to have to remember to pack and charge.

I know in the boot there is already a cigarette plug I could probably investigate how to have that hooked up to the battery permanently.

timmmay

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#1989267 6-Apr-2018 10:08

I have a SLA battery about the size of a car battery that's 30AH / 30,000 MAH.

jaymz

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#1989408 6-Apr-2018 11:50

I did the same thing with some old UPS batteries a while ago. I ended up using these two things to achieve the result i wanted:

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Product/BATTERY-CLIPS-WITH-LEAD-SOCKET-NARVA/373414?menuFrom=1021628

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Product/SCA-12v-Accessories-USB-Plug-2-4A/416602?menuFrom=1021628

Could work well for your setup if you have a battery that you use for the car as well.

Aredwood

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#1989778 6-Apr-2018 22:08

jaymz:
I did the same thing with some old UPS batteries a while ago. I ended up using these two things to achieve the result i wanted:

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Product/BATTERY-CLIPS-WITH-LEAD-SOCKET-NARVA/373414?menuFrom=1021628

http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/Product/SCA-12v-Accessories-USB-Plug-2-4A/416602?menuFrom=1021628

Could work well for your setup if you have a battery that you use for the car as well.

This^^^

And Jaycar also sell a USB lighter socket charger that is dual outlet. in the form of 1 Quick charge V3, and 1x 2.5A 5V charge. Jaycar cat number MP-3682

Also using external batteries makes it easier to get higher watt hour capacities. You could always take an external Lithium ion battery bank with you if size and weight of a lead acid battery is a problem.