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paulz
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2023 13:21
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Half my cabin runs off USB terminals seems like. Lights, phone chargers, fans, speakers.., much of it a decade old, and I’ve been noticing flickering lights, charger cutouts etc. lately that can usually be rectified by wiggling. I guess like any connection the can corrode or wear. Maybe some electrical spray?
I haven’t followed USB tech, but now we have these Apple phones that have a different plug than the other stuff. I think they will plug in either way. Also there is ‘USB C’ now, does something different.
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travellerw
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2023 18:46
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Micro USB has been surpassed by USB-C connectors. It supplies more power and it MUCH more robust, plus is omnidirectional. It actually supplies enough power that most laptops use it for charging these days.
Apple is also moving to it as they were forced in the EU. In the next 4 years all phones should have the same plug (USB-C). Laptops are a different story as laptops with graphics cards require more power than a USB-C can supply. So most will move to it, but not all.
Now as to the micro-USB that I suspect are having issues with. Many times the actual connectors are worn out, they just don't make contact in 1 or 2 spots (thus wiggling fixes it). However, sometimes it is corrosion (especially in high humidity environments). For that I have found that Deoxit D5 is the gold standard. Its expensive, but damn it works and leaves a coating that protects the contacts after removing the oxidation.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2023 20:09
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I have to charge my phone every day while useing it at work and I can tell you that with normal use cords go bad or fail to charge at the highest rate they can. Some times pinching the connector with your fingers helps some times not
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2023 10:55
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Thank you for the info on future of USB. More cables to add to the collection! Oh well, at least A/C plugs aren’t changing.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2023 12:38
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Around here the grounded plug receptacles used to be with the ground port down. Lately Ive been seeing with it up. I asked somebody and they said with it down, and the plug partly pulled back, a potential short exists on the two prongs upside.
So far I havent heard that I have to change all mine.
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2023 13:16 - Edited by: travellerw
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Quoting: gcrank1 Lately Ive been seeing with it up. I asked somebody and they said with it down, and the plug partly pulled back, a potential short exists on the two prongs upside.
There are tons of videos on youtube about that exact issue with opinions from both camps. The reality is, the national electric code has no requirement for ground pin to be at the top or the bottom. Until that happens, I'm leaving my plugs the way they are (ground pin down).
P.S. the potential for a short still exists with the ground plug up, but is basically reduced by %50. i.e. if something fell in there, its going to fall either right or left, so if it falls one way it bridges ground to neutral (not short) if it falls the other way if bridges ground to hot (zappy zappy, sparky sparky).
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2023 14:19 - Edited by: ICC
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People have been arguing this for more than a decade and the NEC doesn't care as travellerW pointed out.
One thing I noticed years ago was that I have several devices that seem to have been designed for use with the ground lug at the bottom. My KillAWatt meters would have the display upside down if the ground lug was at the top. Same thing for a plug in thermostat control I use for a shop heater.
And even if the NEC came out with a new rule for the orientation there would be no legal requirement to change existing outlets. It would apply to new work.
-izzy
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spencerin
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2023 19:22
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USB-C has been around for a while now. But, I agree it's annoying (?) to have to update cords for it. When I started seeing more and more Cs around, I was like "Oh, this is a little racket they got going on to make us all buy new cords. What was wrong with the original configuration?"
I didn't know Apple was moving to USB-C.....
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2023 22:41
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Quoting: spencerin What was wrong with the original configuration
USB-C transfers data faster and can charge faster with newer devices. The USB-C plugs and ports are non-keyed or reversible making connecting much easier. That is how the previous micro-usb should have been made. USB-C is also a more robust connector.
Apple is being pushed to go USB-C by the EU. I think that is beneficial in the long term.
-izzy
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 00:20
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Izzy hit everything on the head. Faster transfer, higher charging speed, more robust, easier to use (any direction), supports multiple types of data (ehternet, video, audio, anything with that connector can plug into anything else (laptop charger can be used for a phone). That is why the EU is forcing it as the new standard for ALL phones. It really is better and what micro-usb should have been. We have switched fully at work to all devices with USB-C. Its amazing, a single cord for EVERYTHING.
I'm super excited about 2027 when the EU will enforce "user replaceable" batteries in all consumer devices. Its going to be HUGE as everything from laptops to some EVs will be affected going forward (verbiage is still be ratified, but EVs are not exempt).
Sigh.. Why is it always the EU.. Why can't we get our poop in a group here in NA and do stuff like that.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 08:48
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Quoting: travellerw Why is it always the EU.. Why can't we get our poop in a group here in NA and do stuff like that.
Because things like a universal cord or being able to change a battery in your own device is aimed at benefitting individuals and we do a lot of things because corporations benefit and corps throw bags of money at politicians???
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 09:31
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Did a quick read on usbc on Wiki. Wow, 24 pins! Just wait until the dollar store starts selling those cables!
I cut some of the old usb cables up to get to the 2 power wires to use on fans, lights etc.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 11:31
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Didja use a magnifier, Paul? 
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 11:54
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For the usb or the Wiki? These days it’s both.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 12:08
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I am finding working on TINY wires is mighty iffy 
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 13:45
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Magnifying glasses and a headlight works for me. I have a couple pair of cheapy reading glasses, a +3 and a +5. Sometimes one is better than the other. And for me, getting lots of light on the work makes it easier.
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2023 19:36
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"Why is it always the EU.. Why can't we get our poop in a group here in NA and do stuff like that."
The Euros often come up with good ideas before we do. I believe innovations like permeable pavement and PEX were originated and adopted in Europe long before they made their way to NA.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 14 Dec 2023 18:45
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The wife has an Apple iPad. We both have USB charger hubs on both sides of the bed, the regular old style, running off the 12v bank. The iPad lights up and says ‘not charging’ when plugged in, even though it lights up on its own. Apple iPhone charges fine, same cord.
If I take that same cord and plug her iPad into the inverters usb port, that works. Why is it so finicky?
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razmichael
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2023 08:43
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Quoting: paulz If I take that same cord and plug her iPad into the inverters usb port, that works. Why is it so finicky?
What has been skipped in this discussion is that USB-C is a connector type while the actual capability (power/data) is dependant on the the source and the receiving port - the latter is where the designations USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (and at least 2 others) come to play, each has a different combination of data rates and power. Fair to say it gets complex as some of these will work with USB-A type connectors. The back of my desktop has a number of both USB=A and C connections but all are labelled with different "Gen" types, "SuperSpeed designations" and more.
Anyway, as for the iPad, likely just that it needs more watts for charging than the charging hub provides. Check the specs on the hub and note that many provide the total number of watts (shared), not per port. It's also possible that the IPAD can maintain it charge (not increase) while using it and/or, if turned off, may still slowly charge the battery.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2023 17:53
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I also plan on running 12v to each bed area in our cabin build. A pair of USB outlets with a 12V cigerrete outlet. We are also doing 12v lighting in each room. Very minimal 120v lighting.
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2023 19:12
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Quoting: Brettny A pair of USB outlets with a 12V cigerrete outlet.
I have used these before. Double USB, lighter plug and volt meter. Good price, fused and works well.
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2023 07:37
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I bought 12v cigarette usb. Took them apart and wired then into my 12v bed side lights. Cut the usb slot in the side of the light base and epoxied the usb into it.
Works perfectly and you don’t know it’s there unless the charging cord is plugged in
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2023 09:03
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Quoting: darz5150 have used these before. Double USB, lighter plug and volt meter. Good price, fused and works well. 12 volt port
Have the link for them? The switch on the outlet could be handy to turn the setup off. I'm sure it has some type of draw even not charging anything.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2023 09:32 - Edited by: paulz
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I bought these just before Darz posted his. Probably wrong anyway..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185133264454
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darz5150
Member
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# Posted: 17 Dec 2023 09:43
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Brett. Amazon. There's quite a few different configurations.
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