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The mayhem of cables and plugs that is 5 of the OAB family's recharging shelf needs dealing with.
We have a policy of all digital devices stored there overnight - none allowed in bedrooms. This means that there are usually 7 phones (all have our own, plus my work one and a spare/junk one for outdoor adventure days), plus iPad, two DS's and often a couple of bike lights through the season.
I think I am going to go for a quick charge (Aukey 60w), with mega short leads. But how to sort the DS's and lights recharging...?
I use one of these with it's own proper power supply (also use is as a hub for my Pi)
Would something like a toast rack for putting the devices in save some space and dissipate heat better?
Get a couple of those Aukey things that you have posted a pic of & then swap a double socket with USB sockets built in - that will get you two more. Screwfix do one with 4, but the main plug sockets aren't switched, which personally I wouldn't want.
As mikewsmith has said above, it might be worth getting some kind of rack to put them all on, so they don't overheat sitting on top of each other.
We have a policy of all digital devices stored there overnight – none allowed in bedrooms.
Though I admire your "digital cleanliness", I personally think having a mobile by the bed has some benefit - e.g. being able to make a 999 call or receive an emergency incoming call.
Definitely agree with the advice to space them out a bit to let the air flow. Devices can get surprisingly hot will charging.
I personally think having a mobile by the bed has some benefit – e.g. being able to make a 999 call or receive an emergency incoming call.
Isn't that what the landline is for? (#callmeoldfashioned)
Isn’t that what the landline is for?
That or legs, unless you live somewhere that you are going to be burgled that much, in which case a panic button is probably better
Would something like a toast rack for putting the devices in save some space and dissipate heat better?
This I like as an idea.
And this thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUKEY-Quick-Charge-3-0-Charger-Black/dp/B01EFU8KR0
I also saw lego figures being used as cable carriers which I keep meaning to do!! So maybe a lego creation could be your solution
Do they all need to be charged every night? Even the spare one? surely you charge it once in a while then turn it off?.
DS's can be charged while kids are at school, same with iPad, and bike lights can be charged at work. A couple of the wee power banks are handy too, I have one in my hillwalking bag and one and one in the car.
If they all need to be charged, I'd be tempted to get it all in the garage, on something a bit more fireproof.
Do they all need to be charged every night? Even the spare one? surely you charge it once in a while then turn it off?.
Seems that is the case - certainly the 6 daily use phones. The riding phone gets taken any time we ride - so a couple of night rides a week and at a weekend it needs topping up. Only two of the phones are new 'fast charge', to help 2x are on USB C, 3x micro usb and 2x apple... swapping wires is a faff for teens it seems, so I would like a 'slot' and cable that their device uses - and it is their responsibility...
So you personally have 3 phones, yours, work, and a 'riding' phone? Why not just rationalise a bit, and use one phone?.
Nobeerinthefridge, yesterday
So you personally have 3 phones, yours, work, and a ‘riding’ phone? Why not just rationalise a bit, and use one phone?.
The beauty of a separate work phone is that it can be switched off. Something I found useful when people from work started calling me on Sunday mornings because their home computer wasn't working.
So you personally have 3 phones, yours, work, and a ‘riding’ phone? Why not just rationalise a bit, and use one phone?.
Work won't supply me a dual sim.
I am not allowed to use work phone for personal calls.
I like to switch off from work.
The 'riding phone' is a family phone, shared by us all on various jaunts. This is the one I might consider dumping, but it is useful...
Isn’t that what the landline is for?
What's a "landline" grandad? Do people still have those? 🙂
I guess the advantage of a mobile is it still works if an electrical fire has tripped the power or burnt out your incoming landline. (Plus a mobile also makes an effective torch if the power is out).
Also if you have a burglar/intruder in your house then you may not feel like padding about in your boxers to the landline in the hall.
And if you are having a heart attack/stroke you might be glad of a phone within easy reach.
Obviously none of these things are hugely likely, but still.
*applauds the whataboutery*
I'd be just using one phone tbh, even if it had to be the personal one, and sticking it on silent out of hours. Folk at work wouldnt be long in realising that theres no point calling you my after the working day is over. Tbh my phone is on silent anyway, pretty much all the time.
No need for a separate riding phone either, is there, really?.
Whataboutery aside, personally I'd be looking to split the charge as well, charging that amount is bad from both a fire safety and energy efficiency POV.
. Phones, okay fine, charge them overnight.
The rest though? A DS can go days on a charge and just get done when it needs to (neither of mine are USB anyway, they are the first 2 generations though). Lights can get done during the day or when in from a ride. Ride phone is an as and when as well, I have an old Nokia brick that lasts a good week between charges when used, otherwise just top it up occasionally.
charging that amount is bad from both a fire safety and energy efficiency POV.
Really?
The larger multi-USB chargers are like 60W output. My kettle is 2000W and hasn't caught fire yet.
Sure, I wouldn't trust some knock-off thing from ebay, but staying with known good brands should be fine I'd have thought?
Going to need a charging station, as both the 'fast' Samsung Chargers have gone missing, just the same way I've just found my Garmin 705 cable (older USB connector) in my 17 year old's bedroom (fits his Canon camera, and there are two Canon cables in his room 'somewhere'. The same 17 year old that borrows stuff and loses it, including his old Canon camera and his insulin pump handset (essential).
Both fast chargers have vanished. Hmmm
Didn't the 'what was the last thing you made' thread have a gadget barging shelf someone had made for work?
I apologise as I genuinely can't remember how long ago!
Work phones are brilliant. I forget to charge it and then no one can contact me. 😀
With all the app crap too, I prefer to have work accounts for Skype, Slack and stuff, not be using my personal accounts and it's easier to just have a work phone for that stuff and again not being bothered by work related things on my personal phone.
Charge safety? Only real issue is multi charging in close proximity, if one of those lithiums goes up, there's several more to boost the fire. Or use a lipo bag if really paranoid.
Going to need a charging station, as both the ‘fast’ Samsung Chargers have gone missing, just the same way I’ve just found my Garmin 705 cable (older USB connector) in my 17 year old’s bedroom (fits his Canon camera, and there are two Canon cables in his room ‘somewhere’. The same 17 year old that borrows stuff and loses it, including his old Canon camera and his insulin pump handset (essential).
Both fast chargers have vanished. Hmmm
I blame the parents.
We have a Tronsmart 5xUSB charger bought from Amazon and it’s been one of the best buys ever. It apparently knows what’s plugged into it and charge accordingly. We use it for phones, tablets, lights, camera, batteries etc. A godsend. Useful to take on holidays too because you effectively get 5x USB port charging from one plug (using only 1 plug adapter if abroad). Fab bit of kit. Been using for 2+yrs and flawless. Recommended.
Yep, this time around my mobile doesn't go on my work email or business cards. If they want that they get me the phone that turns off.
It's good to have some separation these days. I'm now planning my lego charging station