Battery Chargers and Power Supply Cords
Jun 25, 2012 16:06:34 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
Call me a bitchy old man if you will, but I have an ongoing complaint about these battery chargers and power supplies that take up space because they directly plug into a receptacle.
Sometimes you have to unplug other devices to make room for these elephants. Sometimes they're too heavy to dangle on a vertical receptacle. To make matters worse some makers also furnish these with a polarized plug, where one pin is larger, forcing you to orient these devices only one way. If these things are enclosed in molded plastic why do we need a polarized plug?
I carry an 18" extension cord in my camera bag for this reason, but I'm wondering why we can't have battery chargers and power supplies with a cord already installed, or with a detachable one when you buy the device?
Sometimes you have to unplug other devices to make room for these elephants. Sometimes they're too heavy to dangle on a vertical receptacle. To make matters worse some makers also furnish these with a polarized plug, where one pin is larger, forcing you to orient these devices only one way. If these things are enclosed in molded plastic why do we need a polarized plug?
I carry an 18" extension cord in my camera bag for this reason, but I'm wondering why we can't have battery chargers and power supplies with a cord already installed, or with a detachable one when you buy the device?
Jun 25, 2012 18:07:48 #
Hi Ray
Sorry but I kind of like them. I have a Power cord that has 8 spots to plug into next to my chair. I like not having all the cords in my bag getting in the way. The only thing I have found bad is they are easy to forget and leave in the hotels when I check out. :hunf:
Erv
Sorry but I kind of like them. I have a Power cord that has 8 spots to plug into next to my chair. I like not having all the cords in my bag getting in the way. The only thing I have found bad is they are easy to forget and leave in the hotels when I check out. :hunf:
Erv
Jun 25, 2012 18:17:41 #
Aren't the big ends on them supposed to be like power surge protectors? Anyway complain all you want to but I agree with you. I hate it because it takes up a ton of space. I have a 6 spot one that I keep plugged in with several things attached to all the time and half the time I can only get 4 things in it because some of them are so big. I prefer to have the regular plug with a small cord that leads to the big box that has another cord that plugs into the camera, computer, etc. They make life much easier.
Jun 25, 2012 18:31:55 #
I really like the chargers without cords. In fact, I use the "dongle" from an Apple computer charger to eliminat the cord on my chargers that were corded. It plugs right into the cord socket.
Jun 25, 2012 23:46:42 #
rayford2 wrote:
Call me a bitchy old man if you will, but I have a... (show quote)
Because if they had cords someone would complain about them too.
Jun 26, 2012 00:04:30 #
rayford2 wrote:
Call me a bitchy old man if you will, but I have a... (show quote)
I sympathize with you. Arranging some of my chargers on a surge protector power strip is like solving a jigsaw puzzle. But I have found an answer. There are devices called "dongles" which are (in this case) short (6"-12" ) extension cords allowing you to plug in your charger and then take only one space each on a standard power strip (which you should be using anyway). Some of these extensions even have elastic or Velcro attached so the charger does not come loose from the dongle. If you don't want to pay $3-5 for each one, you can make them very easily at home. You can even (VERY CAREFULLY) hot glue each charger to its own extension. If you don't want to go to this much trouble, you can carry 2-4 power strips and "daisy-chain them.
Jun 26, 2012 08:50:11 #
I usually carry a power strip that has three outlets on it as well as two USB ports for charging or powering USB connected devices. The unit swivels so it can be oriented to whatever position is good for you. It works great. I do not hae it with now but if you would like to know PM me and I will get it for you!
Jun 26, 2012 10:56:02 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
St3v3M wrote:
quote=rayford2 Call me a bitchy old man if you wi... (show quote)
"TOUCHE!" You're right. I never thought about that.
Jun 26, 2012 11:03:08 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
Thanks a lot guys. Never heard of a "dongle" before so I'll check that out.
I've heard of a "dingle" though.
I've heard of a "dingle" though.
Jun 26, 2012 23:06:08 #
I prefer the chargers/power supplies without the cords. When I pack my travel bags, the chargers take up less room.
Jun 27, 2012 05:15:56 #
I have one power "strip" that actually has 6" cords coming out of a hub. I can plug the biggest adaptors I have into each one without bothering any of the others!! I think it is a Phillips brand. Might have been called a "squid" style or "octopus" cuz it does kinda look like one.
Jun 27, 2012 05:23:19 #
glojo
Loc: South Devon, England
rayford2 wrote:
Call me a bitchy old man if you will,
:evil: :evil:
Your wish is my command..
You're a bitchy old man!
Is that what we call an oxymoron? :shock: :shock:
can you be a bitch and yet also be an old man? :mrgreen:
I know if it is raining my wife will moan because of too much rain, yet if the sun shines....
Then sure enough 'We could do with some rain!'
I guess we can please some of us some of the time,
but we are NEVER
Going to please us,
All of the time!
:thumbup:
Best wishes
John
Jun 27, 2012 06:26:31 #
I bought some 12" extension cords just because of that. They plug into the outlet strip and take up no more space that anyother plug, then I plug the bulky charger or whatever into the extension, no problems with space or needing to remove other plugs.
Jun 27, 2012 08:15:12 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
glojo wrote:
quote=rayford2 Call me a bitchy old man if you wi... (show quote)
You made my day. Thank you.
Jun 27, 2012 08:21:19 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
Wahawk wrote:
I have one power "strip" that actually has 6" cords coming out of a hub. I can plug the biggest adaptors I have into each one without bothering any of the others!! I think it is a Phillips brand. Might have been called a "squid" style or "octopus" cuz it does kinda look like one.
That's a very real possibiity. Power strip receptacles are usually too close together, and the ones that have spaced out receptacles don't solve the orientation problem with polarized plugs.
Thank you.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.