13A Outlets with USB outlets

[MikeL1]

Hi all
looking for some feedback regarding the 13A socket outlets which also have USB outlets on the faceplate, i have seen them advertised but have not physically handled one.

1. Has anyone installed these and what are your thoughts, positive & negative required.
2. Are they good quality? if so which manufacturers are the best, i am from the MK era when their products were top quality.
3. Has anyone experienced pitfalls, if so what did you find.
4. Is there the potential for the Tx to fail and subsequently damage the Iphone, Ipad etc...

Any feedback much appreciated

MikeL

 

[Guest77]

I cannot see why there would be an issue myself, if they have the BS Kite mark and are fit for purpose then great. I have seen them advertised in several wholesalers so they should be fit for purpose. Regarding a make, I like Crabtree myself in accessories and also like Hager, so if one of those manufacturers make one I would look at their outlets first myself, HTHs.

 

[Rockingit]

I think fundamentally they're a good idea, and I've heard mixed reviews on quality for different brands. I've never been quite sure though if you'll need to link them out for IR testing?

 

[Guest77]

Look here

http://www.electrium.co.uk/march14/Crabtree USB Charger Solutions.pdf

 

[ImpededLoop]

The only downside that I can see it that they are permanently energised and can't be isolated. However, this is no different to a shaver socket where the isolating transformer is always live.

 

[baldsparkies]

If your charging something like an i phone there fine.
Anything larger like an i pad or sat nav and they wont recognise a charge status because there not man enough.

If you look at the link MDJ has put up, you will see that the dedicated units have physically larger transformers.
The combined socket usb outlets only have room for a very small tranny, hence the limiting charge capability.

 

[Simlec]

Fitted loads and I have some at home. Cuts down on all the leads and frees up your sockets.

The CEF M2 are the ones we use, only had one not work from new, customers love them.

 

[Guest77]

If your charging something like an i phone there fine.
Anything larger like an i pad or sat nav and they wont recognise a charge status because there not man enough.

I cannot understand that to be honest, surely they are designed to give an output which can handle a load bigger than a phone, I just don't get your comment here, evidence please.

 

[Plonker 3]

Cant really see any advantages to them myself. As soon as you go away on holiday etc you need to buy a socket adaptor anyway.

 

[Andy78]

There was an esc report slating them not so long back if you search the web.
There are no standards covering this type of product as yet so its a bit of a lucky bag. The ones I have handled all look a bit crap but I have never installed any.

All the ones available are from brands I wouldn't use anyway.

 

[trev]

The cheapest I've seen these things is around the £13 mark +vat. There's some joker round our way installing them for £20 a pop.

 

[shanky887614]

I cannot understand that to be honest, surely they are designed to give an output which can handle a load bigger than a phone, I just don't get your comment here, evidence please.

the problem is more that certain devices will only trickle charge unless they are plugged into the offical charger.

otherwise it will charge at 500/900mah.

one that will charge apple devices at full rate probably wont do the same for Android devices and vice versa as they use different values to differentiate between offical/usb and unofficial chargers

 

[Guest77]

the problem is more that certain devices will only trickle charge unless they are plugged into the offical charger.

otherwise it will charge at 500/900mah.

one that will charge apple devices at full rate probably wont do the same for Android devices and vice versa as they use different values to differentiate between offical/usb and unofficial chargers

Ah I see, thankyou buddy, that explains it, I couldn't work that out at all, I see what you are saying and yes that makes sence cheers.

 

[shanky887614]

Ah I see, thankyou buddy, that explains it, I couldn't work that out at all, I see what you are saying and yes that makes sence cheers.

that is the reason why ill be messing about with resistors this week to trick the phone into thinking its charging from offical so i can charge at the full 2amps

 

[baldsparkies]

I cannot understand that to be honest, surely they are designed to give an output which can handle a load bigger than a phone, I just don't get your comment here, evidence please.

Shanky has it covered in his reply MDJ, I have fitted quite a few of these things since on the market.
As Shanky says unless the charge supply is recognised as adequate they simply wont charge properly.
The problems I have experienced is with i pads and sat nav systems. i phones and the like seem fine but didn't want anyone thinking its a simple plug and play with any usb device you choose to connect.
Its deffo not the case, just be aware.

This from the apple sight helps clear the point up,

http://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202032

 

[shanky887614]

Shanky has it covered in his reply MDJ, I have fitted quite a few of these things since on the market.
As Shanky says unless the charge supply is recognised as adequate they simply wont charge properly.
The problems I have experienced is with i pads and sat nav systems. i phones and the like seem fine but didn't want anyone thinking its a simple plug and play with any usb device you choose to connect.
Its deffo not the case, just be aware.

the problem is i would never give anyone a cable with a few resistors added (like im making for myself)

because if the charger cant output that high then there is nothing to stop a devices trying to pull too much current through it.

the reason a lot of these wont work is they are the same as a cheap car charger

 

[Guest77]

Shanky has it covered in his reply MDJ, I have fitted quite a few of these things since on the market.
As Shanky says unless the charge supply is recognised as adequate they simply wont charge properly.
The problems I have experienced is with i pads and sat nav systems. i phones and the like seem fine but didn't want anyone thinking its a simple plug and play with any usb device you choose to connect.
Its deffo not the case, just be aware.

This from the apple sight helps clear the point up,

Charge the battery in your iPad - Apple Support

Yes I can see it now, I was genuinely wondering what it was all about but as you say Shanks has clarified it so It makes sence.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Interesting can't see what's up with the original charger though

 

[ImpededLoop]

the problem is i would never give anyone a cable with a few resistors added (like im making for myself)

because if the charger cant output that high then there is nothing to stop a devices trying to pull too much current through it.

the reason a lot of these wont work is they are the same as a cheap car charger

I think that it all evolved from the limitations of USB ports on computers in terms of the current they can deliver. As Shanky says, the mobile manufacturers limit the current that their devices can draw from an unknown USB port.

 

[R G]

I just had a read about them and it seems some are classed as unsafe , due to the segregation of the different voltages. I don't think I would fit them , the Crabtree looks like they have thought of that and its on its own , not C/W a 13A socket outlet , and I suppose you could install a point of isolation nearby , I have not installed any as yet though..