USB wall outlet

elizilla · 02-09-2011, 08:22 PM

In December of 2009 I ordered one of these: http://store.fastmac.com/product_inf...roducts_id=458

It's an outlet you can install in your house, that has USB power ports in addition to the usual AC power outlets we all know and love. I am hoping that this will allow me to charge my reader, my phone, my GPS, or whatever other gadgets I happen to have that charge via USB, by simply plugging the USB plug into the wall. And I won't ever need to plug in a wall wart again, at least at home. This should save a little electricity since those wall warts tend to eat power anytime they're plugged into the wall, even if the device isn't attached. You can tell because they're warm. This outlet is supposed to not have that kind of vampire draw.

Back in 2009 they said they would ship in early 2010, but they never have. Until yesterday, when they charged my credit card. And today I got a ship notification. Hopefully this means I'll be receiving it soon.

Stay tuned...

Keroberos · 02-09-2011, 08:39 PM

Well, that device looks like it will actually use more electricity then a wall-wart. Since it has to have all the AC/DC voltage conversion circuitry integrated into the wall outlet it has the disadvantage of not being able to be unplugged.

elizilla · 02-09-2011, 08:58 PM

It's supposed to detect whether there's anything plugged in, and shut off when there's nothing there. But I'll have to come up with a way to test it. Assuming I really do get one.

sircastor · 02-09-2011, 10:41 PM

I'd be surprised if it doesn't suffer from the same basic issues that most wallwarts do. There's a cost at bringing down 120v AC to 5v DC, and that cost comes in as inefficient use of power, thus the heat. It might be able to save a little electricity, but I wouldn't expect to see any difference in your power bill. The amount of wattage that we're talking about isn't that significant (as noted above though, unplugging all your power supplies can make a bit of a dent in your bill)

That said, I think these are a great idea. USB is ubiquitous enough that virtually any modern mobile device will charge off of it. It looks like it'll even provide a little more juice than a spec USB port, so that could be useful (to people like me who want to use USB for nefarious purposes)

wodin · 02-10-2011, 12:28 PM

This thread gives me an idea; any entrepreneurs out there who would be willing to take this one on?

A power strip/surge suppressor (or UPS) that has a built in powered USB hub. Obviously the USB hub could be used as a charger/power supply only, or if plugged into a PC or other device with USB host capability, it could function as a hub.

I’d buy a couple of those!

GeoffC · 02-10-2011, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

This thread gives me an idea; any entrepreneurs out there who would be willing to take this one on?

A power strip (or UPS) that has a built in powered USB hub. Obviously the USB hub could be used as a charger/power supply only, or if plugged into a PC or other device with USB host capability, it could function as a hub.

I’d buy a couple of those!

Google and ye shall find - Amazon.com has some .... made by Belkin

Maggie Leung · 02-10-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

This thread gives me an idea; any entrepreneurs out there who would be willing to take this one on?

A power strip/surge suppressor (or UPS) that has a built in powered USB hub. Obviously the USB hub could be used as a charger/power supply only, or if plugged into a PC or other device with USB host capability, it could function as a hub.

I’d buy a couple of those!

Monster makes em, too.

wodin · 02-10-2011, 12:38 PM

Thanks Geoff, karma to you.

coinín · 02-10-2011, 12:45 PM

I love instructables.com for things like this.

This page shows how to make one yourself in roughly half an hour, for the low cost of roughly 10 bucks.

If I weren't in a rental unit, I'd do one of these in each room.

elizilla · 02-10-2011, 01:28 PM

I think that every vehicle should have panel mount USB power outlets, so why not have some in my house as well?

I have been installing things like this on my motorcycles for years, so it seems like a very obvious thing to do. I love the elegance of hiding all that stuff behind the wall, or behind a body panel, where I'll never need to mess with it again.

Rumpelteazer · 02-10-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

This thread gives me an idea; any entrepreneurs out there who would be willing to take this one on?
A power strip/surge suppressor (or UPS) that has a built in powered USB hub. Obviously the USB hub could be used as a charger/power supply only, or if plugged into a PC or other device with USB host capability, it could function as a hub.
I’d buy a couple of those!

I saw several variations in the Brennenstuhl catalogue we got a while back. They also had one with 2 standard power outlets and a USB hub that could be connected to the computer. If I recall they have all/most of their products on their website.

queentess · 02-10-2011, 03:44 PM

The Kindle power cord comes with a USB wall adapter - I've been using that to charge all my electronic devices.

Dulin's Books · 02-10-2011, 04:23 PM

there are also various table lamps available that have a usb port or two in the base of the lamp. comes in very handy because the usb power port is just right there at table level. no bending down to the socket to plug in

dmspen · 02-10-2011, 04:46 PM

My Panamax powerconditioner has a USB port on the front of the unit that works just fine. The unit is part of my home theater in the living room and is very convenient.

FF2 · 02-10-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

there are also various table lamps available that have a usb port or two in the base of the lamp. comes in very handy because the usb power port is just right there at table level. no bending down to the socket to plug in

At my age, that becomes more and more important!

02-09-2011, 08:22 PM	#1
elizilla Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 610286 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Sage, others	USB wall outlet In December of 2009 I ordered one of these: http://store.fastmac.com/product_inf...roducts_id=458 It's an outlet you can install in your house, that has USB power ports in addition to the usual AC power outlets we all know and love. I am hoping that this will allow me to charge my reader, my phone, my GPS, or whatever other gadgets I happen to have that charge via USB, by simply plugging the USB plug into the wall. And I won't ever need to plug in a wall wart again, at least at home. This should save a little electricity since those wall warts tend to eat power anytime they're plugged into the wall, even if the device isn't attached. You can tell because they're warm. This outlet is supposed to not have that kind of vampire draw. Back in 2009 they said they would ship in early 2010, but they never have. Until yesterday, when they charged my credit card. And today I got a ship notification. Hopefully this means I'll be receiving it soon. Stay tuned... Last edited by elizilla; 02-09-2011 at 08:25 PM.

02-10-2011, 12:28 PM	#5
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	This thread gives me an idea; any entrepreneurs out there who would be willing to take this one on? A power strip/surge suppressor (or UPS) that has a built in powered USB hub. Obviously the USB hub could be used as a charger/power supply only, or if plugged into a PC or other device with USB host capability, it could function as a hub. I’d buy a couple of those! Last edited by wodin; 02-10-2011 at 12:30 PM.

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02-09-2011, 08:39 PM	#2
Keroberos Zealot Posts: 128 Karma: 238654 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kobo Mini (4GB), Nook Classic wi-fi, iPod Touch (Bluefire Reader)	Well, that device looks like it will actually use more electricity then a wall-wart. Since it has to have all the AC/DC voltage conversion circuitry integrated into the wall outlet it has the disadvantage of not being able to be unplugged.

02-09-2011, 08:58 PM	#3
elizilla Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 610286 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Sage, others	It's supposed to detect whether there's anything plugged in, and shut off when there's nothing there. But I'll have to come up with a way to test it. Assuming I really do get one.

02-09-2011, 10:41 PM	#4
sircastor Reader Posts: 85 Karma: 6124 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: PRS-505	I'd be surprised if it doesn't suffer from the same basic issues that most wallwarts do. There's a cost at bringing down 120v AC to 5v DC, and that cost comes in as inefficient use of power, thus the heat. It might be able to save a little electricity, but I wouldn't expect to see any difference in your power bill. The amount of wattage that we're talking about isn't that significant (as noted above though, unplugging all your power supplies can make a bit of a dent in your bill) That said, I think these are a great idea. USB is ubiquitous enough that virtually any modern mobile device will charge off of it. It looks like it'll even provide a little more juice than a spec USB port, so that could be useful (to people like me who want to use USB for nefarious purposes)

02-10-2011, 12:38 PM	#8
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Thanks Geoff, karma to you.

02-10-2011, 12:45 PM	#9
coinín dust bunny Posts: 158 Karma: 512427 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo WiFi, Sony PRS-650, BlackBerry PlayBook	I love instructables.com for things like this. This page shows how to make one yourself in roughly half an hour, for the low cost of roughly 10 bucks. If I weren't in a rental unit, I'd do one of these in each room.

02-10-2011, 01:28 PM	#10
elizilla Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 610286 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Sage, others	I think that every vehicle should have panel mount USB power outlets, so why not have some in my house as well? I have been installing things like this on my motorcycles for years, so it seems like a very obvious thing to do. I love the elegance of hiding all that stuff behind the wall, or behind a body panel, where I'll never need to mess with it again.

02-10-2011, 03:44 PM	#12
queentess Reading is sexy Posts: 1,303 Karma: 544517 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	The Kindle power cord comes with a USB wall adapter - I've been using that to charge all my electronic devices.

02-10-2011, 04:23 PM	#13
Dulin's Books Wizard Posts: 2,806 Karma: 13500000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Portland, OR Device: Boox PB360 etc etc etc	there are also various table lamps available that have a usb port or two in the base of the lamp. comes in very handy because the usb power port is just right there at table level. no bending down to the socket to plug in

02-10-2011, 04:46 PM	#14
dmspen Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 776 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle 3	My Panamax powerconditioner has a USB port on the front of the unit that works just fine. The unit is part of my home theater in the living room and is very convenient.

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