No USB charge bricks needed while on shore power...

mlts22 wrote:
Call me crazy, but what I would like to see would be a device similar to a USB hub with 4+ ports on it. It would have about 10Ah of lithium-ion batteries in it, and would get power either from the 120VAC section or charge from the 12 volt side. If on the 12 volt side, the electronics would be smart enough to switch everything off if the battery voltage goes under 12.2 volts so it won't cause damage. With the inbuilt battery, there can be a circuit that can watch the 12 volt side without having a parasitic drain once it gets disconnected.

When charging, when it reaches less than 5-10% charge, the device will stop charging anything on the USB ports.

The benefit of this would be that an iPad would have 4-5 hours of charging (smaller devices pulling 500 milliamps could charge most of the day) even if there are quiet times for generators. This also will allow for more time charging if one is running off of solar and such. Plus, it also adds a buffer, should the 120VAC side is having extremely dirty power with extended sags.

Have the battery in a compartment, then its output outlet for charging on a wall. That way, it can be placed in a useful spot.

That would not be a difficult request.

The 18650 battery that I have for some rechargeable flashlights is available in 5 amp hour capacity, and is 3.7 volts. So two of those will equal the voltage of a USB port. 4 would allow the system to have 10 AH instead of 5Ah. A simple DC power supply can regulate the 7.4 volts from the battery to the correct output voltage for the USB port charger. Rating it at over 3 amps output per hour would also not be a difficult request.

Charging from both 12 VDC and 120 VAC would add some unnecessary complications. Why have a 120 - 12 VDC converter, of the RV already has one. A charger that recharges the battery while the input is above 12.5 VDC will recharge the battery, and disconnect at lower battery input voltage.

Fred.