Looking for Solution to Charge Multiple USB Devices Simultaneously
#1
Thread Starter
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Looking for Solution to Charge Multiple USB Devices Simultaneously
Are there any solutions for charging multiple USB devices simultaneously?
I would prefer something that plugs into a wall outlet for power source rather than the PC's USB port.
I already have a four port USB hub. Some devices use proprietary connectors and it is a bit cumbersome to have to swap cables around in the USB hub. There are recommendations not to use a USB hub attached to a PC for some devices anyway.
It would be extremely rare to have to charge that many devices at once but the ability to plug in eight cables and not have to swap them would be most welcome.
-Tim-
I would prefer something that plugs into a wall outlet for power source rather than the PC's USB port.
I already have a four port USB hub. Some devices use proprietary connectors and it is a bit cumbersome to have to swap cables around in the USB hub. There are recommendations not to use a USB hub attached to a PC for some devices anyway.
It would be extremely rare to have to charge that many devices at once but the ability to plug in eight cables and not have to swap them would be most welcome.
-Tim-
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
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From: Minneapolis, MN
If they're fairly standard connectors of a usb-compatible variety, what I do is buy an adapter. Like this is a Lightning (apple) adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0183SA0R8/
It also comes with an attachment to the hook it to the cable.
I don't have a charger for 8 devices, but this is what I use with 1 micro usb cable and charger at home and when travelling to handle the annoyance of several slightly different charger ports.
It also comes with an attachment to the hook it to the cable.
I don't have a charger for 8 devices, but this is what I use with 1 micro usb cable and charger at home and when travelling to handle the annoyance of several slightly different charger ports.
#3
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
How hard is it to do a search?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P936188?keywords=anker%20charger&qid=1458225257&ref_=sr_1_8&sr=8-8
It's only 6.
https://www.amazon.com/Volmate-Family...=usb+charger+8
Here's one with 8.
Note that these have power limits.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P936188?keywords=anker%20charger&qid=1458225257&ref_=sr_1_8&sr=8-8
It's only 6.
https://www.amazon.com/Volmate-Family...=usb+charger+8
Here's one with 8.
Note that these have power limits.
#4
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Perth Australia
Bikes: Surly Ogre, Extrawheel Trailer
I've read of lots of positive reviews of the Anker products like:
https://www.anker.com/products/A2061111
A couple of my local (Aussie) bike forum members swear by them.
https://www.anker.com/products/A2061111
A couple of my local (Aussie) bike forum members swear by them.
#5
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
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From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
I have a couple of leviton usb charger outlets. They are really convenient, but it requires an electrician and/or the willingness to do it yourself.
#6
I've read of lots of positive reviews of the Anker products like:
https://www.anker.com/products/A2061111
A couple of my local (Aussie) bike forum members swear by them.
https://www.anker.com/products/A2061111
A couple of my local (Aussie) bike forum members swear by them.
I have one of their 4-port units, and it charges iPad/iPhone/Garmin/cameras fast!
Anker sells on eBay with username "ankerdirect": ankerdirect on eBay
Last edited by Shimagnolo; 03-17-16 at 11:48 AM.
#7
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Anker charger. It's awesome.
In general, if I'm looking for something and one of the choices is made by Anker, that's what I buy.
I have two of their 5 port chargers (bought before they made the 6 port), one of their 2 port ones at work, and a 2 port 12 volt one in my car.
They all are well built and charge faster than any other that I've used.
Be super careful when buying chargers - cheap chargers can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. An Australian woman was killed a couple of years ago by a cheap knock-off phone charger.
When chargers used to cost $30+ for a one port charger, I bought no-name cheapies. Now that I can buy an Anker 2 port for < $10, there's simply no excuse for using junk chargers anymore. Once I got a couple of Ankers, I took all my old junk $5 chargers, whacked them with a hammer to make sure nobody would try to use them again and junked them.
In general, if I'm looking for something and one of the choices is made by Anker, that's what I buy.
I have two of their 5 port chargers (bought before they made the 6 port), one of their 2 port ones at work, and a 2 port 12 volt one in my car.
They all are well built and charge faster than any other that I've used.
Be super careful when buying chargers - cheap chargers can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. An Australian woman was killed a couple of years ago by a cheap knock-off phone charger.
When chargers used to cost $30+ for a one port charger, I bought no-name cheapies. Now that I can buy an Anker 2 port for < $10, there's simply no excuse for using junk chargers anymore. Once I got a couple of Ankers, I took all my old junk $5 chargers, whacked them with a hammer to make sure nobody would try to use them again and junked them.
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#8
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Also check Mobstub.com. They have several multiport USB chargers that are all less expensive than the ones from Amazon. I have one that I ordered from them about a year ago, that I paid around $18.00 for, and it's still charging all of my devices on a daily basis.
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HCFR Cycling Team
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Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
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2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#10
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Also check Mobstub.com.
#11
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From: SoCal, USA!
Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu
I remember not so long ago when Anker was basically a knock-off of other name-brand devices, now they think they're a name brand and are charging accordingly. Save the money, buy genuinely unbranded from Monoprice, my preferred source for anything USB, as well as every other kind of cable. Three foot USB A to micro for charging a Garmin? How's 79Ē sound. 4-port USB chargers as low as $5, or a 5-port 8A (2.4A per port) charger for $18.
#12
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
I remember not so long ago when Anker was basically a knock-off of other name-brand devices, now they think they're a name brand and are charging accordingly. Save the money, buy genuinely unbranded from Monoprice, my preferred source for anything USB, as well as every other kind of cable. Three foot USB A to micro for charging a Garmin? How's 79Ē sound. 4-port USB chargers as low as $5, or a 5-port 8A (2.4A per port) charger for $18.
The equivalent 5-port 40 watt Anker is $20.39.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VH8ZW02/..._t1_B00P936188
Here are the equivalent Monoprice and Anker 6 plug charger. Both have one Qualcom Quickcharge port.
Monoprice
Obsidian Series 6-Port 8A USB Smart Charger with QualcommŪ Quick Charge? 2.0 Technology - Monoprice.com
$25.00 8 amps/40 watts.
Anker
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
$30.59 12 amps/60 watts.
Amazon Basics
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...d_i=B00P936188
$25 12 amps/60 watts. No Quickcharge.
The Anker and Amazon ones can support more higher-power devices.
Like nearly every Japanese brand in the '60's!
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-17-16 at 03:32 PM.
#13
Everyone needs to be aware that not all USB chargers are the same. There are an assortment of specs, and a single charger likely won't support all of them. Check out the Anker chargers and you will find the different models depending on if you want to charge an Apple iPad versus an Android with Qualcomms "Quick Charge". Any charger will support the standard 100/500mA mode. BTW 500mA is not enough to charge an iPad unless it is sleeping.
USB Standard downstream port (SDP):
- "Low power" - 100mA
- "High power" - 500mA
USB "Charging downstream port" (CDP) - Up to 1.5A
USB "Dedicated charging port" (DCP) - Up to 1.5A
Apple proprietary (found in iPads) - 2A
Qualcomm proprietary (found in some Android devices):
- Quick Charge
- Quick Charge 2.0
- Quick Charge 3.0
Tech info on the USB charging standards (but not the proprietary): https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/a...ex.mvp/id/4803
USB Standard downstream port (SDP):
- "Low power" - 100mA
- "High power" - 500mA
USB "Charging downstream port" (CDP) - Up to 1.5A
USB "Dedicated charging port" (DCP) - Up to 1.5A
Apple proprietary (found in iPads) - 2A
Qualcomm proprietary (found in some Android devices):
- Quick Charge
- Quick Charge 2.0
- Quick Charge 3.0
Tech info on the USB charging standards (but not the proprietary): https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/a...ex.mvp/id/4803
#14
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,284
Likes: 1,766
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Everyone needs to be aware that not all USB chargers are the same. There are an assortment of specs, and a single charger likely won't support all of them. Check out the Anker chargers and you will find the different models depending on if you want to charge an Apple iPad versus an Android with Qualcomms "Quick Charge". Any charger will support the standard 100/500mA mode. BTW 500mA is not enough to charge an iPad unless it is sleeping.
USB Standard downstream port (SDP):
- "Low power" - 100mA
- "High power" - 500mA
USB "Charging downstream port" (CDP) - Up to 1.5A
USB "Dedicated charging port" (DCP) - Up to 1.5A
Apple proprietary (found in iPads) - 2A
Qualcomm proprietary (found in some Android devices):
- Quick Charge
- Quick Charge 2.0
- Quick Charge 3.0
Tech info on the USB charging standards (but not the proprietary): https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/a...ex.mvp/id/4803
USB Standard downstream port (SDP):
- "Low power" - 100mA
- "High power" - 500mA
USB "Charging downstream port" (CDP) - Up to 1.5A
USB "Dedicated charging port" (DCP) - Up to 1.5A
Apple proprietary (found in iPads) - 2A
Qualcomm proprietary (found in some Android devices):
- Quick Charge
- Quick Charge 2.0
- Quick Charge 3.0
Tech info on the USB charging standards (but not the proprietary): https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/a...ex.mvp/id/4803
Many chargers support standard USB and higher charging rates and Apple devices (iPhones and iPads) transparently.
The Anker and other models I linked to should have no issues with higher amperage devices (including iPads).
Your concern is likely more appropriate for the "bargain" items.
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-17-16 at 04:07 PM.
#15
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
This is great. Two high amp ports suitable for iDevices. Two low amp ports.
RCA 4-Device Tabletop USB Charger with Mounting Bracket - Black - TUSB4R - London Drugs
RCA 4-Device Tabletop USB Charger with Mounting Bracket - Black - TUSB4R - London Drugs
#16
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,284
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
This is great. Two high amp ports suitable for iDevices. Two low amp ports.
RCA 4-Device Tabletop USB Charger with Mounting Bracket - Black - TUSB4R - London Drugs
RCA 4-Device Tabletop USB Charger with Mounting Bracket - Black - TUSB4R - London Drugs
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
#18
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Here's a more reasonable comparison.
Same thing but without the Qualcom quickcharge stuff.
https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Family-S...=usb+charger+6
CDN$ 39.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...iglink20253-20
US $ 32 which would be CDN$ 42 with an exchange rate of 0.77).
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-17-16 at 05:29 PM.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
That's a bad/weird example. It's being shipped from NY.
Here's a more reasonable comparison.
Same thing but without the Qualcom quickcharge stuff.
https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Family-S...=usb+charger+6
CDN$ 39.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...iglink20253-20
US $ 32 which would be CDN$ 42 with an exchange rate of 0.77).
Here's a more reasonable comparison.
Same thing but without the Qualcom quickcharge stuff.
https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Family-S...=usb+charger+6
CDN$ 39.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...iglink20253-20
US $ 32 which would be CDN$ 42 with an exchange rate of 0.77).
#20
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,284
Likes: 1,766
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
The RCA charger might be OK but it's expensive for what it is. It also doesn't meet the OP's requirement (he already has a 4 plug charger). The 6 plug units don't either but they are fairly common (I linked to one with 8).
The other thing is that these things keep changing.
The RCA charger might have been reasonable some years ago but, compared to current examples, it's under-featured for the price. It's pretty-much obsolete. And it's not like RCA is a premium brand. There isn't anything that makes it preferable over better options.
If there are better options, it's not really helpful to discuss options that are worse.
The Anker unit you linked to isn't representative of prices in Canada either.
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-17-16 at 08:02 PM.
#21
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Everyone needs to be aware that not all USB chargers are the same. There are an assortment of specs, and a single charger likely won't support all of them. Check out the Anker chargers and you will find the different models depending on if you want to charge an Apple iPad versus an Android with Qualcomms "Quick Charge".
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#22
Really? Which ones? I own 4 Anker chargers. They're all IQ chargers and auto-switch to whatever kind of device is plugged into them. I've plugged in Android phones and tablets, iPads, MP3 players, cameras, bluetooth headsets and all kinds of other stuff. I've had iPads plugged in at the same time as Android phones. The iPads and Android stuff all rapid charge very well at 1.5 to 2.1 amps depending on the device. All the Anker chargers that I have are universal. Not sure about Qualcomm though, I don't think I've tried one of those.
"Compatible with the new 12" MacBook (5 hour recharge time), Apple and Android smartphones, tablets (including the Nexus 7) and other USB-charged devices except for the iPod nano, iPod Classic, iPod Shuffle, HP TouchPad and Asus tablets."
Source: https://www.anker.com/products/A2124111
#23
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Here is an example:
"Compatible with the new 12" MacBook (5 hour recharge time), Apple and Android smartphones, tablets (including the Nexus 7) and other USB-charged devices except for the iPod nano, iPod Classic, iPod Shuffle, HP TouchPad and Asus tablets."
Source: https://www.anker.com/products/A2124111
"Compatible with the new 12" MacBook (5 hour recharge time), Apple and Android smartphones, tablets (including the Nexus 7) and other USB-charged devices except for the iPod nano, iPod Classic, iPod Shuffle, HP TouchPad and Asus tablets."
Source: https://www.anker.com/products/A2124111
My Asus Nexus 2013 7 charges just fine.
#24
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,585
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From: Tampa, Florida
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Yes, their website leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to trying to find something. Even when filtering it by category, nothing is shown in any particular order. But the prices are good and products do work as advertised. While some may not be name brand items, the quality of the items I have purchased are as good if not better than the name brand products. Often, sites like Mobstub have products made for the name brand companies and sell them without the brand at a cheaper price. And sometimes they're just junk.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#25
Senior Member


Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15,284
Likes: 1,766
From: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Yes, their website leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to trying to find something. Even when filtering it by category, nothing is shown in any particular order. But the prices are good and products do work as advertised. While some may not be name brand items, the quality of the items I have purchased are as good if not better than the name brand products. Often, sites like Mobstub have products made for the name brand companies and sell them without the brand at a cheaper price. And sometimes they're just junk.
Most of what I see on that site appears to me just to be mysterious knock-off stuff. There are a few brand-name things.
https://stickystatic.com/tech/is-mobstub-a-scam
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-18-16 at 12:42 PM.





