Keep killing 12V USB chargers

[colouredFunk]

I'm on my 3rd or 4th USB Charger this year!! I'm sure there is something more too it than dodgy usb chargers. I haven't bought particularly cheep ones either and kept to 'reputable' brands. So I'm starting to think it's probably some crappy DIY wiring behind the dash... The fuse is not blowing.

So I'm at a bit of a loss what it could be. Anyone got any ideas or had the same problem...?

Thanks

[CovKid]

Unless you wire socket back to front (ie negative instead of positive) or charger isn't man enough for load, or battery voltage is ridiculous, I can't see how you can kill them.

Its usually because charger isn't man enough. iphones for instance like something more akin to 1amp where many chargers are barely 500mah

[California Dreamin]

Indeed.....look for a USB charger with a bit more umph!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aukey-Charger-4 ... sb+charger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



http://www.amazon.co.uk/PowerGen-Charge ... sb+charger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[kevtherev]

A hot usb charger is usually a sign of imminent death

[CovKid]

Personally, for a USB supply, I use: http://www.wilko.com/car-accessories/wi ... %20adapter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then I plug whatever lead into that. Its only £4 and should handle most stuff you plug into it.

At 1 amp and 2 amp, you won't get much better either.

[yetihair]

Cheap ones of eBay tend to lie about their current rating too, I had some fake belkin ones that lasted about 2 days charging iPhones direct from leisure battery. Got a real but cheap belkin one in tkmax for a quid more and you can tell it throws out the 1 amp by the speed of charging.

[CovKid]

This is not to say that thats where these usb chargers were purchased but almost everything can be faked and memory cards tend to be the worst. There are still fake chargers (complete with brand names) sold on markets and other places and its difficult to tell them apart at a cursory glance. We had a 18650 battery charger in the office recently that went bang within 30 seconds of being plugged in. Hardly child-safe. Trading Standards see loads of these.

This is why I advocate using ordinary 12v cig sockets with good quality (not pound shop) USB splitters that at least supply 1amp, and the relevant lead. That way everything fits and it'll keep up with demand. Its also cheaper!

[colouredFunk]

I purchased this over the weeked - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E1UWA4O/r ... 71_TE_item" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hopefully it will have enough ummff to last!

[CovKid]

They're only £4 in Wilco/Wilkinsons and you can at least take it back if its faulty.

I get my memory cards from there now too as they usually beat even ebay prices and again, you can reject if not happy.

[Jim San]

A chap on vwt4forum ended up with a burnt out T5 due to using a cheapy charger. for the sake of a few quid more, by a quality one
regardless of the fact they prob come out of the same factory in china, not all are the same.

[sezicoolcat]

Last time I camped (beginning of Sept) I am sure my daughter used an iphone charger in the cigarette socket.
This weekend I camped with hubby, and we couldn't charge our phones on the journey (non-iphone).
Have I read right, that charging an iphone could potentially blow the cigarette lighter socket? (fuse looks fine)

Sarah

[CovKid]

If it was a proper iphone charger (ie not a cheap chinese copy) with a ciggy plug, no. The socket is more than capable of keeping up with it. However, if it was a USB lead plugged into one of those aftermarket ciggy/usb boxes, yep it could overheat and die if it doesn't state it can deliver at least 1amp via the USB output. Avoid £1 shop ones for sure - none of theirs are well made, often fail soon after, and none provide 1amp.

The USB splitters that plug into ciggy sockets supplied by Wilko/Wilkinson are excellent though and very well priced at that. Their latest ones cope with 2amp.

[v-lux]

Got high quality, dual 2.1A output USB charging sockets here: http://campervanculture.com/shop/blue-s ... er-socket/

As far as i'm aware they're the highest quality USB sockets available. Don't think i've seen any others that are dual 2.1A output either?
I have one in my van for charging ,mostly a couple of iphones but anything USB to be honest. (including my beard trimmers!)

[eiret25]

The item from CVC seem really expensive for what it is. Try a product from Durite, I have a number of them installed in my van and they are of top quality. German made. Albeit, it is a 12v socket not USB.

http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=134316" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[keytouch]

Same item as CVC only ten quid cheaper at £16.50

http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/dual-usb-socket.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;