how do you charge all your gadgets?

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
just looking for ideas :thumbsup:

I'm trying to think of a way I can charge 2 phones, an e-reader, and a tablet all on one nightstand in the bedroom.

this Belkin valet would actually meet my needs nicely, but the power saving "features" seem like they could cause more annoyance than benefits.

any suggestions/inspirations before I just mount a power strip on the wall above my nightstand and fill it with 5 USB chargers? lol
 

88keys

Golden Member
Aug 24, 2012
1,854
12
81
Every Belkin product that I have ever owned has been a piece of crap. I'm not a fan of Belkin at all.

I don't suppose that they would all support wireless charging.


I know logitech makes some USB hubs that will charge multiple devices when just plugged into the wall.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
I have one of these, only four ports, but you can probably find something similar with 5

that's actually what I'm using right now :D wrote a semi-bad review on it on amazon based on how blindingly bright the LED is (seriously, it lights up my entire bedroom clear as day... had to strap electrical tape over it)

I was hoping for some kind of hub that wouldn't require running 5 long USB cords over to my nightstand, but I'm probably looking for something that doesn't exist. a USB hub would be perfect, actually, but my understanding was that nearly all of them require being physically connected to a PC to charge devices, even if they have external power.
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
pivot-power-flexible-power-strip-3.jpg


Got my mom one of those wall units that has 6 AC plugs and 6 USB plugs. She loves it.
 

sgrinavi

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2007
4,537
0
76
that's actually what I'm using right now :D wrote a semi-bad review on it on amazon based on how blindingly bright the LED is (seriously, it lights up my entire bedroom clear as day... had to strap electrical tape over it)

I was hoping for some kind of hub that wouldn't require running 5 long USB cords over to my nightstand, but I'm probably looking for something that doesn't exist. a USB hub would be perfect, actually, but my understanding was that nearly all of them require being physically connected to a PC to charge devices, even if they have external power.


I ran a single extension cord and put it behind my night stand, the LED is fairly well muted back there. But I know what you're saying, having all those cords is a PITA.
 
Last edited:
Feb 19, 2001
20,155
23
81
Typically 1 USB charger in addition to my Nexus 4 wireless charger. I use the barrel charger from my Touchpad to charge either my:

a) Nexus 10
b) 7500 mAh battery pack
c) iPhone 5

The N10 gets charged probably once a week and the battery pack might go 2 week sor so. The iPhone 5 gets charged roughly once every 1.5-2 days, so sometimes I charge at work instead.

The N4 sits on the wireless charger every night.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
14,670
18
81
Nothing elaborate. I charge my S4 on the charger on my nightstand at night. I charge my iPad on the charger at my desk.
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
91RzNzc1BCL._SL1500_.jpg


Why does every charging device have to light up like a Christmas Tree?

MotionMan

blue LED's are seriously the bane of my existence... idk why manufacturers use them in any appliance that's expected to find its way into a dark room (eg: bedroom, home theater)
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
blue LED's are seriously the bane of my existence... idk why manufacturers use them in any appliance that's expected to find its way into a dark room (eg: bedroom, home theater)

Blue LEDs are why i own black nail polish
works great to cover them up
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
blue LED's are seriously the bane of my existence... idk why manufacturers use them in any appliance that's expected to find its way into a dark room (eg: bedroom, home theater)


I have an Airport Extreme in my bedroom. The green light on that is pretty bright in an otherwise dark room. I put a piece of white electrical tape over it (not black because I still want to see that it is green). Even then, the green comes through pretty strong.

One of those blue lights would require multiple layers of white tape to make it just livable.

MotionMan
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
I can't remember where I saw it but someone makes USB breakout cables, kinda like SAS -> SATA breakout cables, but its multiple USB connectors at both ends. Or you could just make your own with velcro or zip ties or tape, just leaving the last 6-12" or whatever loose to plug into your stuff, other end going into the wall hub hidden behind somewhere
 

lothar

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2000
6,674
7
76
My TouchPad charger charges everything(both Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 2012 edition).
All other chargers are in their original boxes.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
<LOL> This set up grew like Topsy over the past 10 years. Here are the keys:

1-Powered USB hub 2-Kindle Fire HD 8.9 3-Smartphone 4-External 3.5 HDD
5-Kindle Pagewhite 6-Lenovo A/C adapter 7-HP Laserjet 4000 8-HP Inkjet
9-Speakers w/subwoofer

chargers.jpg


Kind of a kluge - but it works! :) Actually, only 3 are chargers.