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hacker · 04-01-2006, 08:41 AM

I've got an enormous collection of gadgets. Too many. With this, comes lots of wires, cables, adapters, plugs, and other pieces to confuse with the hundreds of others.

"Was this cable for the external enclosure? Or my multi-port adapter? Arg!"

"Does this power plug go with this device, or this one over here? If I choose the wrong one, I could blow it up with too much current!"

So I'm looking for another gadget... well, maybe two gadgets.

I need to find a power adapter that can accept multiple tips and polarities. I have an ageing one from Radio Shack that I bought about 9 years ago, which still works, but has its problems with the tips now. It has a voltage switch that allows me to change it from 1.5v to 12v, and comes with 6 tips.
A multi-device charging station/battery, so I can continue or extend the power on the devices by either charging them again while away from AC outlets, or by powering them without charging them by using this extendable battery. APCC makes one but its only 80mW, which might not last too long on the road, or with the devices I bring with me when I travel. I found another one on eBay that claims 142mW, but I'm skeptical.

Has anyone come across something that works well in these two situations?

Basically I'm trying to eliminate the number of wires and power adapters I have to label and carry with me when I travel. Just getting through the security checkpoints at airports takes forever, as they unpack about 20 wires, cables, adapters and other devices from my bag to figure out if it could all be put together to build something other than computing peripherals.

I have a few small requirements for each of these:

The "Universal AC Adapter" should have a decently small wall plug, so it doesn't block up the second plug on any outlet.

Bonus points if it includes passthrough AC ports of its own (if it must block the second port on an outlet, then it should at least provide a passthrough).

Bonus points if the adapter prongs go the other direction, so it stands away from the wall adapter (90-degrees) instead of covering the second outlet. I have a few devices which were well-thought-out like this, and because their adapter is "sideways", it doesn't cover any other outlets in a power strip or wall outlet.

The "Universal Battery" should be able to at least charge AND power a laptop for a few extra hours, as well as power/charge other devices at the same time (like an iPod, my Treo, other devices).

Bonus points if it includes switchable voltage selectors, over-current protection and other safety measures.

04-01-2006, 08:41 AM	#1
hacker Technology Mercenary Posts: 617 Karma: 2561 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Lyme, CT Device: Direct Neural Implant	Looking for a gadget I've got an enormous collection of gadgets. Too many. With this, comes lots of wires, cables, adapters, plugs, and other pieces to confuse with the hundreds of others. "Was this cable for the external enclosure? Or my multi-port adapter? Arg!" "Does this power plug go with this device, or this one over here? If I choose the wrong one, I could blow it up with too much current!" So I'm looking for another gadget... well, maybe two gadgets. I need to find a power adapter that can accept multiple tips and polarities. I have an ageing one from Radio Shack that I bought about 9 years ago, which still works, but has its problems with the tips now. It has a voltage switch that allows me to change it from 1.5v to 12v, and comes with 6 tips. A multi-device charging station/battery, so I can continue or extend the power on the devices by either charging them again while away from AC outlets, or by powering them without charging them by using this extendable battery. APCC makes one but its only 80mW, which might not last too long on the road, or with the devices I bring with me when I travel. I found another one on eBay that claims 142mW, but I'm skeptical. Has anyone come across something that works well in these two situations? Basically I'm trying to eliminate the number of wires and power adapters I have to label and carry with me when I travel. Just getting through the security checkpoints at airports takes forever, as they unpack about 20 wires, cables, adapters and other devices from my bag to figure out if it could all be put together to build something other than computing peripherals. I have a few small requirements for each of these: The "Universal AC Adapter" should have a decently small wall plug, so it doesn't block up the second plug on any outlet. Bonus points if it includes passthrough AC ports of its own (if it must block the second port on an outlet, then it should at least provide a passthrough). Bonus points if the adapter prongs go the other direction, so it stands away from the wall adapter (90-degrees) instead of covering the second outlet. I have a few devices which were well-thought-out like this, and because their adapter is "sideways", it doesn't cover any other outlets in a power strip or wall outlet. The "Universal Battery" should be able to at least charge AND power a laptop for a few extra hours, as well as power/charge other devices at the same time (like an iPod, my Treo, other devices). Bonus points if it includes switchable voltage selectors, over-current protection and other safety measures.