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The next generation of wall chargers

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Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#81

Post by technofiend »

lorenzhs wrote: post #65
technofiend wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Schuko/Europlug is a very good system. Perhaps it isn't common, but my experience with the sockets in Belgium was scary to me because there were two outlets embedded in a recess quite close to each other. Close enough I was afraid I'd shock myself trying to get a good grip on my plug and pull it out.

The exposed metal part of a Schuko socket is ground. You can touch it. The live contacts aren’t exposed at any stage of plugging/unplugging/... ever.

Electrically I don't see how that works since there's no interruption of the metal pin inserted into the socket like you see on a tip/ring headphone plug. Unless there's a mechanical process that energizes the live side of the inserted plug after a certain depth?

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#82

Post by notacoward »

nwienert wrote: post #11

And then there’s this thing which is smaller than either and 60W https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBYVF4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Fu...

That is not smaller than an Atom PD1. The Atom is 1.61 x 1.37 x 1.50 in. This is 1.18 (x 1.18) x 2.36. The shorter dimensions don't matter because both approximate the outlet dimensions, but the Innergie will stick out nearly 50% further. Also, 88g vs. 59g. Not smaller by any reasonable definition.

As it happens, I have the Atom. Yes, it's true that it can barely keep up with my MBP while in use, but that's not how I use it. It's fantastic as a more convenient option overnight, or as a second charger for my phone, my Switch, etc. I already have a bigger four-port, and any single-port can only be an adjunct to that, so a single-port that can do 60W adds no value. I suspect people in situations similar to mine far outnumber those for whom a single 60W port would suffice.

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#83

Post by JimDabell »

agurk wrote: post #53

When I got a new laptop this summer I researched what chargers were out there, as I was fed up with carrying the normal assortment of cables and chargers. I settled for another GaN charger - the Innergie Powergear 60c[0] which is a very decent size for 60w and not having a mains lead built into it (still very common on non-mac chargers) makes it a lot more compact. I travel a lot, often with more than one laptop, so…

If you don't need 60W, I find that the CA4-Pro [0] is great – it has the travel adapter built in (so you don't have to carry attachments), it can act as a travel adapter for plugs for other appliances, and it's got three USB-A ports as well.

[0] https://www.card-tec.com/ca4-pro.php

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#84

Post by _Microft »

technofiend wrote: post #78
_Microft wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's odd. Could you describe it better since there is basically no way one would be under risk of getting a shock on a Schuko or Europlug without inserting a needle or something similar into the holes of the outlet.

We're just talking about two copper-lined holes next to each other for each power connection. There were two of those spaced closely together in a recess in the wall. They were close enough I could have touched the metal of one outlet while grabbing onto the power plug inserted into the other outlet. Since my power plug adapter is two copper-plated pins that mated with the holes and had no electrical break like you s…

This almost sounds like an outlet without the cover installed?

Outlets next to each other, still without cover: https://www.entscheider.com/elektriker-und-elektroniker/wp-c...

Maybe even like this (seems to be older): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schuko#/media/Datei:Doppelstec...

Definitely not normal what you describe there. I'm glad you were cautious.

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#85

Post by kbaker »

jedberg wrote: post #67

Way back in the 90s aerospace was replacing silicon with gallium arsenide to make more efficient and faster chips. I’m glad to see it’s finally reaching a useful commercial application.

Note that this is Gallium Nitride (GaN,) not Gallium Arsenide (GaAs).

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#86

Post by martingordon »

I'm still waiting for a USB-C charger with more than two ports. Until then, I'm sticking with USB-A cables for everything except my MacBook Pro. For travel (where outlets are often at a premium), I use a four port USB-A charger on a nightstand to charge 2 iPhones and an Apple Watch (this one: https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Foldable-PowerPort-Sams...).

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#87

Post by IndrekR »

mrpurple_ wrote: post #43
jonplackett wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apparently (with iPhones at least) you shouldn’t have to worry about that anymore. https://www.zdnet.com/article/can-ios-13s-optimized-battery-...

Charging slower is always better for lion based batteries. Period

For battery lifetime -- also charging to lower voltage and stopping discharging at higher voltage. Cathode will stay intact longer this way and metallic lithium has less chance on plating the anode.

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#88

Post by agurk »

p1mrx wrote: post #74
agurk wrote: post #53

When I got a new laptop this summer I researched what chargers were out there, as I was fed up with carrying the normal assortment of cables and chargers. I settled for another GaN charger - the Innergie Powergear 60c[0] which is a very decent size for 60w and not having a mains lead built into it (still very common on non-mac chargers) makes it a lot more compact. I travel a lot, often with more than one laptop, so…

Their photos all seem to be hiding the connector between the unit and the power tip. Is that standard or proprietary?

I assume it's proprietary (are there even standards for this kind of connector?).

The charger body has two fixed pins inside a circular collar with two tabs on it that the tip is placed over then rotated 45 degrees to lock.

Re: The next generation of wall chargers

#90

Post by beatgammit »

adrianmonk wrote: post #76
driverdan wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a roll of cheap 5% window tint and put it over all device LEDs. It makes it dim enough to not impact sleep but still visible. If you don't want to see the LED you can cover it with electrical tape.

My preferred alternative to electrical tape is a piece of aluminum foil stuck on with painter's masking tape. Aluminum foil (or any metal) is really excellent at blocking all the light, and painter's tape doesn't leave residue.

If you're not worried about residue, you can get aluminum foil tape, which is quite handy for other household repairs as well.
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