12v charging

[JimG]

Forgive what may be a daft question?!!!

If on a 12v boat, is there some kind of device I can buy for charging phones, games consoles etc. I'm thinking something generic rather than having to bring lots of different adaptors?

[Baitrunner]

If they can be charged from a USB port (as most phones can) you just need a 12v cigarette style lighter socket, adapter (get one from Maplin or Amazon) and the right cable.

 

I am not a games expert, but the i things all get charged this way or from the radio/cd player which has a USB port on it.

[donnygeoff]

I always take my 150W inverter, I also use it when on holiday in Cornwall (in the car)....

 

Just pop it into the cig lighter socket, and you have a normal 3 pin socket on the inverter to plug the standard phone charger into....

 

I loose all other small cables....

 

[deebee29]

Hi Jim

We have an adaptor from Aldi that has 3 car type cigarette lighter sockets plus 2 usb sockets... Plugs into a single 12v socket.....Cost about a fiver ..... Very handy on a boat without 240v

David

[JimG]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll get myself a cigarette lighter usb adapter. Who needs 240v anyway?

[BroadScot]

Wimen and hairdriers Jim!

 

Iain.

[JimG]

Yes Iain that's true. My wife and mother will be there but I'm paying so its tough!

[Maxwellian]

Iain get it on full throttle, and suggest they stick their head out of the window. Not quite as quick as the hair drier. Mind you this is not something that I would suggest to my other half. Life limiting.

[Baitrunner]

No one told me you could go full throttle on the Broads as long it was to dry the wife's hair!! I hope that has come from the Broads Authority or you will get me into trouble (with them and the wife)  

[BroadScot]

Have made a mental note to ask at Richardsons, where the hair drier booster throttle is on Broadway

 

Iain.

[Oddfellow]

Be aware of overloading the power systems on boats. 

 

We had a customer of five or six people on a 12v boat this year, each with their own electronic gadgets. When the power gave out, we found that they were using the plug-in inverter almost permanently to power and charge a portable DAB radio along with a multi ciggy lighter adapter (as mentioned here) to charge another two or three items. 

 

They complained that the fridge, pumps, lights and so on only worked when the engine was running and that they couldn't even charge their phones...... 

 

Please remember, peeps, electricity will always take the easiest route. A flat battery has a big resistance so placing less resistive demands on the system such as a phone charger, pump and so on will not aid any battery charging.

[Boaters]

We have 12 vot plug in USB adaptor and a lead with changeable ends to suit most tabs and phones ,use with mains USB charger when on dry land .Roy