Car charger that will rapid charge both Android and iPhone

[GeekDrew]

I'm working on a project whereby a cell charger (that exposes one or more USB ports) is "permanently" integrated into a vehicle (that is to say, is hard-wired in, rather than using a cigarette adaptor). It's necessary because the two most frequent drivers of the vehicle have window-mount docking stations for their phones (a Galaxy S4 and an iPhone), and we need the charger to be connected inside the overhead console rather than in cigarette adaptors in the lower center console.

My problem is that I can't find any cigarette adaptor (which exposes USB ports) to use for this -- I need one that supports rapid charging for _both_ Android and iPhone devices. I can only find chargers that will provide rapid charge to one or the other, and trickle to the opposite. I can't find one that rapid charges both. Anyone have any idea/suggestions?

 

[corkyg]

Rather than a aux adapter (formerly cigarette) I would use an inverter that had several outlets and use the normal A/C rapid chargers. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AP95H2

 

[zerogear]

I use this:

http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/product...-cables/high-speed-multi-charger-9UUC.001.04/

It only has one port charging that is 2.1amp. You might need to get an inverter.

 

[Apex]

I'm working on a project whereby a cell charger (that exposes one or more USB ports) is "permanently" integrated into a vehicle (that is to say, is hard-wired in, rather than using a cigarette adaptor). It's necessary because the two most frequent drivers of the vehicle have window-mount docking stations for their phones (a Galaxy S4 and an iPhone), and we need the charger to be connected inside the overhead console rather than in cigarette adaptors in the lower center console.

My problem is that I can't find any cigarette adaptor (which exposes USB ports) to use for this -- I need one that supports rapid charging for _both_ Android and iPhone devices. I can only find chargers that will provide rapid charge to one or the other, and trickle to the opposite. I can't find one that rapid charges both. Anyone have any idea/suggestions?

I use this one:

http://www.ianker.com/product/71AN1852C-02WA

Charges my Galaxy S4 (either outlet) and iPad 2 (USB outlet) at full speed. Charges the HTC One and Galaxy S3 at full speed too (either outlet). Sounds like in your situation, may want the dual USB version instead of one USB one coiled microUSB cord:

http://www.ianker.com/product/71AN1852C-WA

 

[GeekDrew]

Rather than a aux adapter (formerly cigarette) I would use an inverter that had several outlets and use the normal A/C rapid chargers. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AP95H2

O_O

Seriously? You'd convert DC to AC... just to convert it back to DC? *shudder*

I use this:

http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/product...-cables/high-speed-multi-charger-9UUC.001.04/

It only has one port charging that is 2.1amp. You might need to get an inverter.

I have one of those... but need something much smaller. heh. It rapid charges Android devices just fine, but I haven't thought to try it with an iPhone - form factor of that device is large enough that I didn't even consider it til now.

And apologies for the lack of clarity -- I only need it to charge one or the other at any given time - it just has to be able to work with both. For I've bought several 2.1 amp "rapid chargers" for Android - they all trickle charge iPhone. And I've bought several "rapid chargers" for iPhone - they all trickle charge Android devices. Sigh.

Charges my Galaxy S4 (either outlet) and iPad 2 (USB outlet) at full speed. Charges the HTC One and Galaxy S3 at full speed too (either outlet). Sounds like in your situation, may want the dual USB version instead of one USB one coiled microUSB cord:

http://www.ianker.com/product/71AN1852C-WA

Thanks, that looks like it's exactly what I'm looking for. Their website says that ordering is currently unavailable due to a problem wtih Amazon - but I'll keep an eye on it. Thanks again!

 

[corkyg]

O_O Seriously? You'd convert DC to AC... just to convert it back to DC? *shudder*

Absolutely! It is quite common. You are thinkling of conversion rather than direct use of your AC chasrger. In fact, several upper class SUVs have these built in. It simply allows us to use our regular chargers, etc. in the vehicle without special adapters. No shuddering involved.

 

[corkyg]

O_O Seriously? You'd convert DC to AC... just to convert it back to DC? *shudder*

Absolutely! It is quite common. In fact, several upper class SUVs have these built in. It simply allows us to use our regular chargers, etc. in the vehicle without special adapters. No shuddering involved.

BTW, I have three Android devices that each have a rapid charger with different outputs. The inverter lets me use any or all.

 

[lopri]

Isn't current controlled by phone, as long as plenty of it is supplied? That's what I have thought. I could be wrong.

 

[zerogear]

On Android current is controlled by the phone (kernel). I think iPhones have their own regulating circuit.

 

[ImDonly1]

Isn't current controlled by phone, as long as plenty of it is supplied? That's what I have thought. I could be wrong.

Yes. From what I have read many of the cheap Chinese $1 chargers can barely do 0.5A (even if the label says it supports more) and thus charge super slow. Sometimes they won't even charge when using battery intensive apps like google maps and pandora.

You can buy a 2-3A charger and the phone will only pull what it is designed to. Using a charger with a super high amperage does not mean the device will use all of it, but it is there if you need it.

Also thanks for the link for the Anker car charger. I think I will get the 2 USB port version once it becomes available on amazon again.

 

[Apex]

Isn't current controlled by phone, as long as plenty of it is supplied? That's what I have thought. I could be wrong.

Sorta, but that's only 1/2 the story.

The USB specifications (USB Battery Charging Specifications of 2007, updated in 2010) call for the data pins to be shorted (D+ and D-) to signal a charging only source and allow for greater than 500mA of current.

Android devices follow the USB standard.

Apple devices, on the other hand, deviate from the industry standard. When D+ and D- are up to 2V, the device will pull up to 500mA. When D+ and D- are 2.8V, the device may pull up to the max allowed by the device (2100mA for iPads, 1000mA for iPhones).

The numbers given above are assuming, of course, the cabling is up to the task of supplying the amount of current. Most longer cables (and thinner gauge cabling) do show some losses.

 

[GeekDrew]

Apex is correct. Hence this thread.

I haven't gotten around to ordering the Anker charger (suggested), or one other I found. I'll update this thread once I do.

 

[ImDonly1]

I use this one:

http://www.ianker.com/product/71AN1852C-02WA

I bought this charger and had a chance to test it out with a Galaxy S4.
The stock Samsung wall AC charger charges at 1,900 mA
The Anker car charger charges at 1,220 mA.

I have an older Sprint branded Palm Pre charger that charges at 780 mA.
Also for FYI, I tried using a cheap monoprice 3 ft thin wire USB cable with the Samsung block wall AC charger and it only charges at 300 mA.

So take away...
The Anker charges faster than cheap/other chargers but not as fast as AC wall charger.
USB cables make a big difference.

I used galaxy charging current lite from the play store to get the charging rates
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abmantis.galaxychargingcurrent.free&hl=en

According to this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2274321
Galaxy S4 will only charge at about 1.3 A via car charger, so the Anker is charging it as fast as allowed?
They tested the stock Samsung car charger and it charged at 1.3 A.

Further in the thread they talk about kernel adjustments Samsung has made to make the phone charge at 1.2-1.3 max when the screen is on. It might be charging faster when the screen is off, but app doesn't allow logging so I can't test that.

 

[LikeLinus]

I use the Anker charger in my car to charge my iPad and Galaxy phone. It works great and I highly recommend it.