Hey there, Steve,

That there Griffin dual adapter looks good. I like that it is
flush-mount, so it basically turns a cigar lighter into two USB power
outlets w/o any protrudosity. It provides 1A/outlet.

Mrs Squirrel has a swell new iPad that she likes to tinker with, so the
beefier 2.1A Kensington is also attractive.

Like you, I will probably pack one of each.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
Bend, Ore.

On 09/06/2011 05:55 PM, Steve Williams wrote:
> At 02:35 PM 9/6/2011, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>> Does anyone have a suggestion for a two or three outlet USB power
>> "strip" that can be mounted to a surface, such as behind the
>> driver's seat, and which operates off 12 VDC?
>
> The plug-in adapters are the best choice. They're inexpensive, and
> they consume essentially no power when idle.
>
> I installed two extra cigarette lighters in the back so I'd have both
> USB and 12V available.
>
> http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20110808/P1000387/
>
> For most USB devices, I prefer this Griffin dual adapter that gives a
> completely flush look:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0042B9U8Q/sbw/
>
> But I also carry this Kensington dual adapter, with one 2-amp socket
> to keep my visitors with iPads happy:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003PU01M4/sbw/
>
> The trouble with the USB "strips" (hubs) I tried is that they don't
> reliably charge devices unless the hub is plugged into a
> computer. That's just stupid, in my opinion. I'm still thinking
> about fabricating a passive USB hub with several 2-amp outputs, buck
> converters for efficiency, and proper idle power management.
>
> https://twitter.com/sbw/statuses/2522118294
>
> Originally, I fabricated a 7805 adapter and buried it in the dash,
> with a cable coming out to hook up USB devices. But it consumed more
> power when idle than I liked, so I took it out.
>
>> ... it's an annoyance to find the stupid 12VDC > 5 VDC USB converter
>> to plug into the socket.
>
> I leave mine plugged in all the time so they don't get lost. I
> installed extra cigarette lighters so 12V is still available.
>
> In fact, I have two cigarette lighters buried in the dash, one with a
> Griffin USB adapter and one with the Garmin power adapter/traffic
> receiver. I bring those cables out through slots I cut at the edge
> of the ash tray, to power the dash-mounted devices:
>
> http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20091122/SN852283/
>
>> Everything I do is switchable. I like managing my power. I have an
>> ammeter mounted in the cabin and I'm not afraid to use it.
>
> The best switch is one you can't forget to turn off.
>
> But I like my ammeter, too:
>
> http://mira.sbw.org/photos/20110809/P1000402/