USB Chargers. One lead to rule them all?

[Wayland]

As a photographer I have a variety of cameras, hard drives, batteries and other devices that may need charging on a long trip.

I can occasionally do this with a mains supply, sometimes I have access to a vehicle supply but if not I carry a couple of 8Ah Lithium Poly power packs which are the the most powerful I can carry on most airlines.

These deliver 12V DC which I use with adapters to convert down to voltages that can run the cameras directly or provide a USB socket supply that I can charge most of the other hardware from.

So far so good. Two chargers for the power packs (One mains, one vehicle) Three chargers for different camera batteries and a block adaptor that provides 4 USB type A charging sockets.

Then we get to the leads!

I have already trimmed the mains cables down to save bulk and I try to use the right plugs for the region I'm travelling in to reduce the need for bulky converters but you still end up needing a bunch of leads to conect from the USB type A sockets to either USB Mini B, USB Micro B ( Types 2 and 3 ) or the widely used UC-E6 8 pin connector.

UC-E6 type 8 pin connector.

USB 3

Added to these I also need propriatory connectors for my iPad and Sony Walkman which I cannot do much about.



I'm looking for clever ideas to reduce some of this spagetti. Some sort of multi cable or adaptors perhaps.

My GoogleFu isn't comming up with much so I thought I would ask if anyone here has tackled such a problem with success?

 

[Mesquite]

Try doing a search for multi head usb cables on ebay Gary and you ought to find what you're after

 

[Alreetmiowdmuka]

Sorry too drift off subject but could I ask for a link too the power packs your using Weyland


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wayland]

No problem, these are the fellows.

http://www.tracerpower.com/12v-8ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

 

[Wayland]

Thanks Steve.

This one might do the job.

Just trying to work out if its power only or data as well?

 

[Mesquite]

Just trying to work out if its power only or data as well?

Most of the multi head cables are power only I believe

 

[bopdude]

Whay about a powermoney, you would then get all the heads needed, wouldn't you ?

 

[Wayland]

That makes sense, it would be great if they could do both though.

Since charging is my main issue it might be good enough.

 

[Wayland]

I've looked at a lot of interchangeable tip leads like the PowerMonkey one, I've even bought a couple over the years and most don't seem to have the connectors I'm after or they just don't work very well.

I'm driving 2.4 amps through the cable for rapid charging and a lot of them are too thin for the job.

 

[bopdude]

Could you use the 12v power packs to charge the powermonkey, it would cut down on a few leads I think.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Jared]

USB Adapter Mini Cable Kit

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Adapter-Cable-Micro-Apple/dp/B003T5KXJQ

And maybe a USB extension cord if need the more length?

Still leaves the UC-E6 though.

 

[Wayland]

I had been thinking of short adapter cables with one long male - female USB cord.

It has the advantage of being data capable as well.

the UC-E6 seems to be the most problematic for some reason.

 

[Jared]

Short lead with the same 3 (apple,micro,mini) connects... but bet cant find it at that price over here.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008UR04QA/ref=twister_B0091CWRLI?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.aviiq.com/products/quick-change-universal-dock-adapter

 

[Wayland]

That is the kind of neat engineering that I'm looking for.

I don't need the long Apple plug though.

At the moment I need USB mini B, micro B, EC-E6, Lightning and whatever the long Sony Walkman plug is called.

Any combination of the above would be good although I'd be very surprised to get all of them.

 

[Jared]

Scosche seem to make a few combinations...

Including this http://www.scosche.com/sleeksync-re...-digital-cameras#product_tabs_features_tabbed

Mini B 8-Pin Flat ? Is that generic name for the UC-E6?

 

[Wayland]

It does seem to bring up the right item in searches. Good work Jared.

I like the adaptor part of that thing but those retractable cables tend to be very thin and fail quickly.

I'm leaning towards the male/female USB cable with a set of short converters or cables to give me the connections I need. I suspect that might be the most robust solution.

I can find short Micro and Mini USB cables quite easily but still cannot find a short UC-E6 type ( or mini b 8 pin flat ) cable anywhere.

 

[Jared]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/277288-REG/Nikon_25604_UC_E6_USB_Cable.html

4.5' long

 

[Mesquite]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/277288-REG/Nikon_25604_UC_E6_USB_Cable.html

4.5' long

That's 4 and a half feet long Jared... I think Gary's looking for one a bit shorter

 

[Wayland]

That seems to be a standard length, I have a couple of those.

If I could get a 6" cord like the others that would be a lot less bulky.

 

[bopdude]

How about one of the retractable ones ?

LINK