USB chargers versus USB power supplies

Howard · 11 Jan 2017 at 11:33

Hope it's OK for this to be posted here, wasn't sure where else to put it and thought I'd pick the OCUK collective's brains.

At the moment I have a number of devices in my AV system, all powered via USB from their own mains power supply:

Amazon Echo Dot
Chromecast Audio
Amazon Fire TV Stick

They all require a 5V 1A power supply, so nothing unusual.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't just power them all from something like this, for the sake of neatness and needing fewer mains sockets:

It claims to be able to deliver over 2A to each port, so power-wise it should be more than sufficient for my three devices. However, I'm wondering if there anything which distinguishes a USB "charger" from a USB "power supply" that might cause problems?

Thanks!

neil_g · 11 Jan 2017 at 11:53

it has a max total output of [email protected] so probably wont handle 2A to each port at the same time.

Howard · 11 Jan 2017 at 11:59

neil_g said:
it has a max total output of [email protected] so probably wont handle 2A to each port at the same time.

Noted. But considering the Echo needs 1.8a max and the Fire TV and Chromecast only 1a, I would presume this won't be an issue?

the_r_sole · 11 Jan 2017 at 12:00

i'm in the same boat - just started looking, I was just going to buy one and try it, cheap enough to add to the box of plugs/cables if it won't power everything!

neil_g · 11 Jan 2017 at 12:04

in theory it should be okay then

MacRS4 · 11 Jan 2017 at 12:07

I use one of the Anker multi-port chargers for my stuff - it's been working fine for an age.

kae2 · 11 Jan 2017 at 12:11

Same, no problem at all, and it made me happy that I could velcro-tie the leads together to make them much neater too!

Howard · 11 Jan 2017 at 12:28

Thanks guys, I thought as much.

Abyss · 11 Jan 2017 at 13:25

I'd go for one with 4-5 ports and 8amps max, it will future proof what you plug into it it. Easily available for just over a tenner.

BananaDunka · 11 Jan 2017 at 14:44

What brand is it? Personally I'd go for known brands like Anker, Aukey, Tronsmart etc. No name brands could cheap out on internal components, so long term life could be poor, or short term issues if something breaks under load.

But technically yes, something like that would work just fine.

Amos91 · 11 Jan 2017 at 15:02

A slightly different option perhaps?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-13a-2g-sp-socket-4-2a-4g-usb-charger-white/2678p

Howard · 11 Jan 2017 at 15:18

mrk said:
What brand is it? Personally I'd go for known brands like Anker, Aukey, Tronsmart etc. No name brands could cheap out on internal components, so long term life could be poor, or short term issues if something breaks under load.

But technically yes, something like that would work just fine.

I agree, I usually go for Anker stuff. This one is branded by Tecknet and I've bought a few of their items from Amazon over the years and they've all been decent. I like the fact that this one has 4 outputs and plugs directly into the socket, thus not needing another trailing cable.

Megahackerd · 11 Jan 2017 at 16:12

just received an email with the powerport 4 lite from anker at £10
has all the features that you said (4ports and plugs directly into the socket) and also has interchangeable socket (eu and uk)
Link for the email

product link
code: LUTMSTTL

ps: the product doesnt seem to have any reviews but i think they are doing the dicount to get sales