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I have found the ultimate charger solution!

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Old Nov 10, 2013, 7:18 pm
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Mod note: this thread is closed. The wiki is kept here as a static article.

This thread is about USB chargers, at least four ports, at least 4A.

Currently, the following chargers are in the contest of being the best:
  1. Monoprice 21W 3.5" x 2.1" x 1", 100V-240V, the plug rotates, several of us have this, seems a good choice.
  2. Anker 25W / 5 port this one requires an IEC C7 ("figure 8") AC cord, same as many laptops, 3.8" x 2.4" x 1".
  3. iXCC 30W quite high amperage, "figure 8" cable. Noone has tried it yet. Note that figure 8 cords can be replaced by a plug adapter (L-shaped and straight and even a foldable plug is available), however it's an unknown whether the adapter and the outlet can hold the weight of the adapter + cables. However, the laptop power adapter Chargesource originally sells the foldable plug for is also 5 oz -- the Anker 5 port is 0.5 oz heavier, the IXCC is 0.5 ligher, so roughly the same, so it's reasonable to believe that the Chargesource plug should work. Alternatively, a very short cable is available.
  4. Anker 36W USB Quad-Port Very high amperage and 3.3" x 2.5" x 1" size would make it great but the fixed plugs raises concerns.
  5. USB SuperCharger 42W this is a beast with 8.2A, but it's a giant of 4.7" x 2.4" x 1.4" size and has a fixed cord and can only work from 100-120V.
  6. Portapow 4 port is quite nice with interchangeable molded plugs that clip on for international use. (Amazon USA link)
  7. Anker 40W 5V / 8A 5-Port charger is a new Anker product, slightly smaller than the Anker 25W that also requires an IEC C7 AC cord, has 5 USB ports, and uses smart port technology, so you don't need to worry about whether you're plugging an Apple or Android device into a particular port. Maximum 2.4A per port. If there's a criticism, it's spotty availability, but that may be easing.
  8. Bolse 7 port, 60 watt, 12 A. The current highest capacity charger with smart ports that automatically provide as much juice as the device wants
  9. sabrent 10 port, 12 amp (60 watt) charger: lots of ports but too bulky for the amperage you get.
  10. new Anker 4 port, 40 watt/8amp looks like it does it all: high power, small size, and foldable plug



Instead of a simple figure 8 cable you can also pick up this cord: it gives you two NEMA 1-15R (ungrounded USA / Japan power outlets) as well.
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I have found the ultimate charger solution!

Old Dec 2, 2014, 8:14 am
  #421  
 
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Originally Posted by whosaidjazz
I've tried to read through all of this but got a little confused with all of the different versions over time. Can anyone tell me the best of all these that have a UK plug as standard? Or doesn't that matter too much, connecting leads can be replaced etc?
If you're in the UK, they will come with a UK plug. I travel with an EU two pin plug + a small UK adapter.
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Old Dec 2, 2014, 9:05 am
  #422  
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Most have a power lead which plugs into the unit with a two pin figure 8 pattern. You just get what every lead your destination require.

I have North America 2pin, Euro 2 pronge, and UK/HK/SG 3 pronge leads which are interchangeable for the chargers as well as a few other devices and computer powerbrick.
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Old Dec 5, 2014, 8:24 pm
  #423  
 
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nice international travel charger

recently got this off amazon and i thought i'd share it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=AWZ3LXPHZK09
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Old Dec 18, 2014, 12:12 am
  #424  
 
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http://www.xda-developers.com/androi...roundup-xdatv/
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Old Dec 19, 2014, 10:07 pm
  #425  
 
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Originally Posted by Cargojon
I just picked up one of these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which I am now using as both my domestic USB charger (2 ports) and my international adapter. Works in both Germany and Switzerland which is here the bulk of my trips are. Can plug my phone and tablet into the USB and the laptop into the outlet. Lightweight. Guess we'll see how durable it is during my 2 week trip to DE and CH next month.
Just wanted to update with my feedback on this piece. Because of the weight of the adapter, it tends to want to fall out of the outlets in Europe. Had to either put it in upside down or prop it up with a book or something in order to keep it in the wall. Will probably try something different for next time.

Originally Posted by Qasimja
recently got this off amazon and i thought i'd share it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=AWZ3LXPHZK09
Thanks, I may try this as I wasn't happy with the one I purchased for my last trip.
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Old Dec 19, 2014, 10:50 pm
  #426  
 
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Originally Posted by Qasimja
recently got this off amazon and i thought i'd share it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=AWZ3LXPHZK09
And where the hell are you getting the ground from?? That's an extremely dangerous contraption!! Two prongs go into the wall and you presented with several grounded outlets?? That's a really, really, really dangerous idea.
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Old Dec 22, 2014, 12:24 pm
  #427  
 
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Originally Posted by chx1975
And where the hell are you getting the ground from?? That's an extremely dangerous contraption!! Two prongs go into the wall and you presented with several grounded outlets?? That's a really, really, really dangerous idea.
I would hope they wired it correctly for C5/C6 "Mickey Mouse" and a properly grounded replacement cord would be sufficient
http://www.ebay.com/itm/short-Europe...item3a854ae473

I'm looking for a compact 2-3 port Smart IC (Apple, Android devices) high quality charger with interchangeable plug. I've been carrying a US HTC oem charger which is great for slim spaces and an oem 10W iPad charger which accepts any of the Apple duckbill plugs or C7/C8. The Bolse 7 port is great but larger than I want to put in a one bag setup.
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Old Dec 23, 2014, 1:59 pm
  #428  
 
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Originally Posted by freecia
I would hope they wired it correctly
Um you saw the two prong to three cable on the Amazon photo, right? And you still hope for anything? Not even considering the USB ports, there's a high voltage (I mean 110/220V) step down transformer in there. Are sure a company packing a two-to-three prong cable will produce such a transformer in a proper, safe way? Are hotel sprinklers very good with electric fires? I doubt.

Last edited by chx1975; Dec 27, 2014 at 9:17 am
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Old Dec 23, 2014, 3:58 pm
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Originally Posted by chx1975
Um you saw the two prong to three cable on the Amazon photo, right? And you still hope for anything? Not even considering the USB ports, there's a high voltage (I mean 110/220V) step down transformer in there. Are sure a company packing a two-to-three prong cable will produce such a transformer in a proper, safe way?
Does this first photo of an almost identical looking non-step down with a non IEC 60320 grounded cord make it worse? Because the last photo with the mis-aligned USB ports doesn't inspire my confidence.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BESTEK-Power...item20dd67d530

Honestly, I usually buy travel electronics which support a wide voltage range so I don't have to deal with step down transformers. I also have a 220V Euro plug immersion coil for hot water and Apple international plug kit which fits iPad chargers. For adapters, I use WonPro grounded adapters for two outlets which usually stay put in travel abused outlets
https://www.europlugs.com/Wonpro_catalog/WADB_Ivory.htm
as well as the handy Kikkerland http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00210MRGC which is similar to the Road Warrior sold in Japan
http://www.warrior.co.jp/E/product/rw75/
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Old Dec 23, 2014, 6:32 pm
  #430  
 
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Originally Posted by chx1975
And where the hell are you getting the ground from?? That's an extremely dangerous contraption!! Two prongs go into the wall and you presented with several grounded outlets?? That's a really, really, really dangerous idea.
Not for nothing, but don't most of these adapters have a two prong but accept a three prong?
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Old Feb 6, 2015, 10:06 am
  #431  
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Today Amazon has the Anker 5 port 40W charger with 5 micro USB cables of varying lengths for $26.

http://slickdeals.net/f/7644814-anke...ables-25-99-ac
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Old Feb 6, 2015, 1:32 pm
  #432  
 
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Originally Posted by gfunkdave
Today Amazon has the Anker 5 port 40W charger with 5 micro USB cables of varying lengths for $26.

http://slickdeals.net/f/7644814-anke...ables-25-99-ac
Thanks Dave! Ordered 2.
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Old Feb 9, 2015, 10:24 am
  #433  
 
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I've take a slightly different direction. Understanding that most of the electronics we use on the road (computer) are either multi-voltage or USB (even my toothbrush charges via USB), what I really need is a short US (for me) power strip that I can plug my stuff into and then a single plug converter for the power strip.

I use a Monster Power Outlets To Go that even has a 110/220 USB port. Into that, I plug:

Anker 40w 5 port USB charger (see post above)
Lenovo Computer charger

I've labeled the power strip as "local voltage only" so I won't accidentally plug a 110 volt appliance into the strip whilst I am in a 220/240 volt country.

That keeps me from carrying around more than one plug converter and all of it (including all the USB cords) neatly fit into my Tom Bihn Snake Charmer.
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Old Feb 9, 2015, 10:38 am
  #434  
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Originally Posted by cb1111
I've take a slightly different direction. Understanding that most of the electronics we use on the road (computer) are either multi-voltage or USB (even my toothbrush charges via USB), what I really need is a short US (for me) power strip that I can plug my stuff into and then a single plug converter for the power strip.

I use a Monster Power Outlets To Go that even has a 110/220 USB port. Into that, I plug:

Anker 40w 5 port USB charger (see post above)
Lenovo Computer charger

I've labeled the power strip as "local voltage only" so I won't accidentally plug a 110 volt appliance into the strip whilst I am in a 220/240 volt country.

That keeps me from carrying around more than one plug converter and all of it (including all the USB cords) neatly fit into my Tom Bihn Snake Charmer.
Yep, that's an approach several 'round these parts have taken:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...wer-strip.html

I still don't quite understand if a US surge suppressor would trip when plugged into 230 volts.
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Old Feb 16, 2015, 9:49 am
  #435  
 
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Charger for 8 devices simultaneously

Hey, my fellow tech-nerds...

THIS IS NOT MY KICKSTARTER, and I have no affiliation whatsoever with the company. But - I know this will be of interest to some of us.

The OctoFire 8 Port USB 3.0 Hub with Rapid Charging (96 Watts - 2.4Amps per port simultaneoously.)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...id-charging-96

Enjoy.
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