global adapter question...
 

So I went to Brookstone today and purchased their "Global adapter with usb ports" product since most of the stuff I need to charge is USB based (ipad, camera, cell phone, etc)

While all I'd say nearly all of my stuff, using the supplied AC adapter, can convert the voltage, what I am wondering is what about when I am plugged directly into the USB ports with this thing- so no voltage convertor, just the plug adpater.

I'm assuming the stuff should be fine since I thought all USB cables used the same power levels...but I don't want to chance it without first seeking advice.

So...do I also need a power converter, or can I just use this the plug adapter?

Is it this one?

You just need the plug adapter but be advised that it probably won't work with an iPad because of the iPad's high current requirement. I couldn't find any technical info on that Brookstone one.

There was a thread here about a USB charger that had multiple ports and could charge an iPad.

The iPad will charge from any powered USB port, it will just be slow on regular .5 amp ports, and normal on 1 amp ports. It may even say that it is not charging, but it is. Connect it when you go to bed and it should be fully charged in the morning.

Most of the smartphones we have in the extended household will charge, at varied rates, from .4 amp to .7 amp in a few hours and certainly overnight. My HTC's OEM charger are at a higher 1 amp so it can be fully charged in 3 or 4 hours unless it's really low - off 110 volts or 220 volts without an adapter, and has Euro & Asia plugs - and I've been using it to charge the iPad2's on the road, it's not as fast as the oem iPad cube charger at 2 amps - just good enough.

The Belkin power plug with 3 outlets and 2 usb port is great, except that it's lower amp - most likely .5 amp - good for most phones and digital camera (our Samsung digital camera only needed .4 amp for charging) - as higher amp. could damage the delicate electronic boards, etc. inside the devices.

Look around for a HTC oem charger or shop on eBay, plenty of them around & inexpensive, and the dual blades fold neatly for compact storage & travel - no ground plugs to deal with.

IF I understand the OP's question correctly...
Does a USB charger output different voltage based on input voltage?
Short answer is NO, USB Standards world wide is 5 volt DC @ 500–900 mA (roughly). So the real question is, can the charger take 90-250 volts AC and convert it to 5 volts DC with out frying it self?
In other words, you should be fine plugging in your USB devices!

Devices will only draw as much current as they require. If a device only needs 500mA to charge and is plugged into a 1 A charger, it will still just get 500mA. The "1A" charger refers to the charger's capacity, not how much current it might force onto unsuspecting electronic devices.


Yes.

BUT: Be aware that the wiring that allows the device to request the higher power differs on the iWhatever vs. Android world. So in order to get the higher rate charge you need both an adapter that can deliver more than the 500mH AND a cable properly wired for your device... most of the cheap cables aren't.