sockITz USB charger in a Power Point

[EEVblog]

Neat!
http://sockitz.com.au/home-products/classic-sockitz-with-dust-covers.html

Dave.

[vk6hdx]

Neat!  This needs a tear down.  I wonder if these have the right voltage resistors / voltage dividers on the D+/- pins to enable the iPhone / iPad to do a higher current charge.

[Psi]

doubt it,  not all phones use the same resistors.

It's better to do it in the cable

[EEVblog]

doubt it,  not all phones use the same resistors.
It's better to do it in the cable

Why do the MintyBoost and other designs use the resistors then?
I added them to my uSupply project because I wasunder the impression that was the best way. Is this wrong?

Dave.

[mobbarley]

doubt it,  not all phones use the same resistors.
It's better to do it in the cable

Why do the MintyBoost and other designs use the resistors then?
I added them to my uSupply project because I wasunder the impression that was the best way. Is this wrong?

Dave.

It will work for all recent apple devices but I believe the standard is now to short the data pins together for a DCP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Charging_ports_and_Assessory_charging_adaptors

Apple would have engineered the resistor current combinations before this was standardised.

[vk6hdx]

It will work for all recent apple devices but I believe the standard is now to short the data pins together for a DCP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Charging_ports_and_Assessory_charging_adaptors

Apple would have engineered the resistor current combinations before this was standardised.

Interesting, so I wonder what happens when charging a non apple product on an "Apple Charger" that has the D+/D- lines at 2.0V & 2.8V when they expect a short. I wonder if they will draw a greater than 500ma current.

And vice versa what happens when trying to charge an apple product with shorted D+/- lines?  I expect that you would only get a 500ma or less charge?

Nice to have 1 standard connector for charging all our gadgets but this throws a spin on things.. 

[IanB]

Interesting, so I wonder what happens when charging a non apple product on an "Apple Charger" that has the D+/D- lines at 2.0V & 2.8V when they expect a short. I wonder if they will draw a greater than 500ma current.

I haven't  tried. Every device comes with its own dedicated charger.

And vice versa what happens when trying to charge an apple product with shorted D+/- lines?  I expect that you would only get a 500ma or less charge?

I have never come across a USB charging port with shorted D+/- lines. It's a new thing, and news to me. However Apple devices generally don't work if you plug them into a non-Apple charging port. I've tried it and they just refuse to charge. But if you plug them into a standard computer USB port they limit the draw 500 mA as expected.

[mobbarley]

But if you plug them into a standard computer USB port they limit the draw 500 mA as expected.

This is because a PC can enumerate a device and provide a power level up to 500mA.



The charging specs are here:
http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs/batt_charging_1_1.zip

RDCHG_DAT is the resistance between D+/D- and is to be <= 200R.



I guess by leaving the footprint for the resistors there people can easily choose whether to short the pins or go for the apple method - perhaps even getting both methods to work with a resistor between pins in addition to the pull ups?

[Uncle Vernon]

I haven't  tried. Every device comes with its own dedicated charger.

This was supposed to change there was a consortium thing supposed to take effect about now where manufacturers agreed to a standard spec and where the could better meet price points,  by leaving out dedicated chargers.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13970_7-10165603-78.html
Of course Apple will have their own standard to ensure boresome people have something to bang on about at social and other gatherings.

I have never come across a USB charging port with shorted D+/- lines. It's a new thing, and news to me.

No it's far from a new thing, however it is far from universally adapted, takes time to filter down to all the OneHung Lo accessory providers. I sure would be a boon id Android asked what USB mode you want on a few less budget chargers.

However Apple devices generally don't work if you plug them into a non-Apple charging port.

Oh you didn't, did you? You can expect a knock on your door from evangelists in skivies,you heretic, you.

I've tried it and they just refuse to charge. But if you plug them into a standard computer USB port they limit the draw 500 mA as expected.

Nothing like locking in the accessory sales of the massed gullible, those Apple hippies sure know how to make a buck. Peace, Love and Lawsuits.

[Psi]

doubt it,  not all phones use the same resistors.
It's better to do it in the cable

Why do the MintyBoost and other designs use the resistors then?
I added them to my uSupply project because I wasunder the impression that was the best way. Is this wrong?

Dave.

It will work for all recent apple devices but I believe the standard is now to short the data pins together for a DCP. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Charging_ports_and_Assessory_charging_adaptors

Apple would have engineered the resistor current combinations before this was standardised.

nice, i wasnt aware of that.
It's definitly better to have an offical standard for it.

Sadly i expect Apple will ignore it, just to be different.

[baljemmett]

Why do the MintyBoost and other designs use the resistors then?
I added them to my uSupply project because I wasunder the impression that was the best way. Is this wrong?

I seem to recall from building a MintyBoost clone last year that there was a caveat regarding the resistors -- the instructions suggested to try shorting D+/D- if it wouldn't charge your intended device.  When I tested with a couple of my devices I found I needed the short, but since I had no idea what the devices my brother was intending to charge would expect, I put a bodge wire across the pins and told him to snip it if it wasn't charging something important.

(Of course, after a bit of a rush job to get it to him before his week-long bike ride he wanted it for, it turned out he didn't need to use it once.  Oh well, it was fun to build!)

[The_Penguin]

Neat!
http://sockitz.com.au/home-products/classic-sockitz-with-dust-covers.html

Dave.

Saw something similar at Lowes (North American big hardware chain) with RCA branding.  Forget what the price was....

[metalphreak]

Neat!
http://sockitz.com.au/home-products/classic-sockitz-with-dust-covers.html

Dave.

Saw something similar at Lowes (North American big hardware chain) with RCA branding.  Forget what the price was....

SockITz guys have spent the last 9 months or so getting all the required Australian approvals to sell the things Apparently not a quick process. Government is pretty strict here about wiring standards, approved devices, who can install stuff etc.


I hope the power supply in these is reliable. The $35 rrp cost is nothing when you have to legally have a licensed electrician replace it each time...

[nukie]

What's the quiescent current of these sockets? I assume power to the 5V smps is cut off as soon as the dust covers are closed as indicated in the product description. Most people would leave the doors open for convenience which means the charging circuit will always be on. Redesign the scoket, include a spring loaded door, now that's a good reason for patent.

So how long would the charging circuit last? 3 years? There's at least two electrolytic input caps and one output cap to dry out and pop. These main sockets are meant to last, installing these USB sockets makes a lot of sparkies happy.

And wassup with the fancy illuminated charging cables when your product is suppose to be energy efficient what a load of bullshit that contradicts the product website. Did you notice the USB sockets are also ricerboy illuminated blue?!?! The light leakage is going to drive some people crazy when they try to sleep while devices are normally charging. 

Despite all these many years of universal micro-usb / usb to proprietary charging socket adaptation manufacturers still  include USB chargers in any purchase of new device. To me, this is another usb-charger which is NOT portable.

[metalphreak]

I've seen ones for american sockets, where the device plugs in and basically covers the entire original socket, and fits flush against the wall. Then passes through the power points while offering up some USB charging ports. Makes a hell of a lot more sense, requires less regulation approval as it's not hard wired (its just a powerboard for all intents and purposes), and *anybody* can install one

applying for an aussie patent now