Charge All of Your Stuff on the Go with the Proporta Car Power Supply with Dual USB Sockets

[Doug Raeburn]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1214738710.usr11811.jpg" border="1" alt="" /></p><p>If you're a gadget freak like me, you carry lots of electronics with you most of the time.&nbsp; My new car has only two power outlets.&nbsp; So what do you do if you're on a long trip, your GPS unit's power supply is taking up one of your power outlets, and both your cell phone and your companion's cell phone need charging?</p><p>Proporta comes to the rescue with their <a href="http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=3862&amp;t_mode=des">Car Power Supply with Dual USB Sockets</a> ($14.95 USD).&nbsp; Many new devices use a USB cable for charging, so Proporta's supply is just the ticket in this situation.&nbsp; It features 2 USB sockets flanked by the ubiquitous blue LEDs on either side.&nbsp; I've grown to rely on quality materials and construction from Proporta's products, and the power supply lives up to those expectations. <MORE /></p><p>And how well does it work?&nbsp; Very well indeed.&nbsp; My Garmin GPS unit, Sansa View music player and Plantronics Bluetooth headset were all accommodated nicely by the Proporta charger.&nbsp; However, be aware of the fact that some devices don't support charging in this manner, even if they will charge when the USB cable is connected to a computer.&nbsp; My Motorola Q smartphone is one example... it will charge when connected via USB to my laptop, but not when the USB cable is connected to a power adaptor.&nbsp; So while my Q doesn't work with the Proporta charger, it's the phone's fault, not the charger's.</p><p>The Car Power Supply is ideal for long trips and emergency use, and $14.95 is a small price to pay for so much convenience.&nbsp; Highly recommended.&nbsp;You can order one online <a href="http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=3862&amp;t_mode=des" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><span class="os_container_wrapper"><em><span class="highlight">Doug</span> <span class="highlight">Raeburn</span> is a data architect specializing in data warehouses. He lives in Pewaukee, WI.</em></span></p>

[Jason Dunn]

Slick! Nice and simple - I'll have to track one of these down.

[cgavula]

Since it's a USB charger I assume it runs at 5V, but what amperage does it run at? I couldn't find that info on Proporta's website. I reviewed a similar unit recently and the 2 different USB ports charged at 2 different amperages. Some devices require the higher amperage so it would be helpful to know. Thanks!

--Chris

[burtcom]

Since it's a USB charger I assume it runs at 5V, but what amperage does it run at? I couldn't find that info on Proporta's website. I reviewed a similar unit recently and the 2 different USB ports charged at 2 different amperages. Some devices require the higher amperage so it would be helpful to know. Thanks!

--Chris

Indeed -- I have one similar to this but with only one USB port. It must be a low amp -- it can charge my phone decently only when GPS, phone, Bluetooth are off. If I have GPS and the phone on, it uses power faster than the charger can keep up.

I dunno what amperage my current charger has -- I don't have it on me right now, but for serious use you need more amps :)

[bernds]

Hi,
I`ve a similar USB Car Power Supply which works fine with mobile devices (smartphones, bluetooth headsets). But when I want to charge my Zune it looks like there is not enough power on it?
Best regards,
Bernd

[Doug Raeburn]

I don't know the answer to the amperage question... I'll see if I can find out through my Proporta contact.

[Jason Dunn]

I`ve a similar USB Car Power Supply which works fine with mobile devices (smartphones, bluetooth headsets). But when I want to charge my Zune it looks like there is not enough power on it?

Yeah, the Zune is pretty power hungry: it needs a full 1 amp, and many USB chargers only kick out 500 mAh or 800 mAh.

[cgavula]

If you still have the unit it should say somewhere on that silver label I see in the photo. Unfortunately the photo isn't big enough (high enough res) for me to make out that kind of detail!

It does make a big difference when charging a Zune or iPod classic or iPhone or even some of the more power-hungry AIO GPS devices or a PDA.

A lot of these charging devices only offer 500mAh or maybe 750mAh when you really need even higher values to get some devices to charge reliably.

[Doug Raeburn]

Yeah, I still have the unit... I'll check it tonite when I get home from work.

[Doug Raeburn]

OK... the label on the unit says "max: 1000mA".

[Zman]

They sell this exact same thing at Walmart for $4.99

[Jason Dunn]

OK... the label on the unit says "max: 1000mA".

I wonder if that's for one port, or if both USB ports kick out 1 amp? Doug, do you have two Zunes to try charging? :D

[Doug Raeburn]

I wonder if that's for one port, or if both USB ports kick out 1 amp? Doug, do you have two Zunes to try charging? :D

Ummmm.... I don't have any Zunes.... ;)

[kzemach]

I got one (two, actually) that has FOUR USB ports from www.dealextreme.com. They also have an audio input jack and broadcast the audio on a non-adjustable FM station. However, this only worked, and poorly, with one of them. But what do you want for $10 with shipping?