USB powered hub as charger?

[Philgo]

Hi all

Does anyone see any harm in charging devices that have usb style charger sockets like Sat Navs and MP3 players, with a USB powered hub not connected to a computer. Only saying not connected to a computer as it then can become a mobile charging device. Sure it will be fine myself but I'd appreciate others views.

[SpywareDr]

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum...ead.php?t=2346

?

[Philgo]

Thanks for that Doc.

[SpywareDr]

You're welcome.

[prouton]

The downside to this approach is that some devices will take significantly longer to charge via USB rather than a dedicated A/C adapter. But if you're not in a hurry, such as leaving the device(s) to charge overnight, then no problem. And if you're using it strictly as a charging station, then an otherwise obsolete USB 1.1 self-powered hub can do the job.

[Philgo]

The downside to this approach is that some devices will take significantly longer to charge via USB rather than a dedicated A/C adapter. But if you're not in a hurry, such as leaving the device(s) to charge overnight, then no problem. And if you're using it strictly as a charging station, then an otherwise obsolete USB 1.1 self-powered hub can do the job.

Yes, that is a drawback, my TomTom takes twice as long this way.

[puterfixer]

I bought a compact travel charger for mp3 players, it has a USB socket which delivers 5V at 500mA. There are models which give you a full 1A, and also car chargers. It's the only charger I carry around now for PDA, mobile phone, Bluetooth headset - they all can be powered and charged from a standard USB, and this wall adapter delivers the same power.

I picked the 500mA model because the wall prongs fold down and takes minimal space in the luggage. The 1A version would have been better for charging speed, but what I found was too bulky.

Now I'm on a quest to find a USB powered battery charger, and get rid of the battery charger for the flashes and other digital camera gear. I can also use this wall adapter to supplement power to a portable 2.5" hard drive, some laptops don't deliver enough juice through USB ports to get it to spin up. (My laptop doesn't give enough current to charge the Bluetooth headset!)