USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB devices

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Taiyaki
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USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB devices

Post by Taiyaki »

We fans of classic game consoles have a whole slew of devices from switchers to adapters to upscalers to encoders etc that now charge of Micro USB chargers.

So when it comes to managing the power cables multiple port chargers should make sense for saving space and slots on our surge protectors.

I use an Amazon basics 2 port one but am thinking of putting more of these up.


What's your view on these? Do you use them too? Anyone encounter any issues when putting too many up on one charger?

Do you favor USB chargers or USB-C chargers? I've tried both but I've had a few cheap USB chargers that buzzed so that wasn't optimal, but I haven't experienced many types of them.
Taiyaki
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Taiyaki »

No one? Won't bump again, but was hoping to hear some opinions.
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lalilulelo
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by lalilulelo »

I typically use only one charger per device at a time. I have a couple Gamestop brand (Atrix) chargers that have both USB-A and USB-C ports - they seem pretty good, from my experience. I use them mainly for things like charging controllers, and more recently, headphones. You can technically connect 2 devices at once to them, but I usually only use one at a time. What I like about the Atrix chargers is that they’re very cheap, but they seem pretty well built. I don’t really have an opinion on whether or not using multiple port chargers is a good idea, but I don’t see why not. If you’re considering something like that, then you should probably just read some reviews first.
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Kez
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Kez »

I have thought about this too, it is annoying having like 4 sockets taken up by devices running on 5V and using a tiny amount of current.

I bought one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-PowerPor ... B00PK1IIJY

And use it to run a few things in one of my setups. I have recently been looking into USB-PD as well, as they can deliver a variety of voltages. I have some 9V and 12V devices that would also be nice to power from a single socket. I've seen USB-PD 9V cables on aliexpress (like this) but I am not sure how trustworthy they are! Although theoretically seems like it should be fine? Also most USB-PD devices are pretty expensive and only have on or two PD ports, but they deliver a lot of power - like enough to power PCs etc., so should be fine for even powering consoles, assuming it's clean power.
Taiyaki
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Taiyaki »

Thank you for the replies.

I was hesitant to rely on multiple port USB chargers too but I finally gave it a go.

I recently bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Two ... r=8-2&th=1

Tried it with two devices and it works great. Doesn't heat up in any significant way, doesn't have any buzzing sounds, and handles two devices very nicely. Also worth noting the LED light on this one is not very bright and does not become a distraction in the setup (some of these light up like a night light). I can safely recommend this one for 2 slot use.

That being said that Anker one Kez bought looks nice. Any downsides with it?
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Kez
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Kez »

I have essentially completely forgotten about it since I put it in place which can only be a good thing!

I use it to power a GBS control and in the past have noticed noise in the picture with unclean power sources and looks great with this, so it seems to perform pretty well.

I got mine on eBay for much cheaper than the full price, though. Very happy with it overall.
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bobrocks95
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by bobrocks95 »

I would recommend not getting ANYTHING with "Fast Charging" or any other non-5V offerings. Especially powering hobbyist-adjacent devices with micro-USB or USB-C inputs, they will ALWAYS potentially negotiate the voltage wrong and get something they aren't supposed to. Or the charger itself will screw it up. I just fried the CP2102 chip on an FPGA dev board that had a USB-C power input because I used an old phone charger that had a 9V mode I didn't notice. Can never manually flash its firmware again without hooking up an external chip because the charger was happy to pump it full of 9V.
PS1 Disc-Based Game ID BIOS patch for MemCard Pro and SD2PSX automatic VMC switching.
Taiyaki
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Taiyaki »

bobrocks95 wrote:I would recommend not getting ANYTHING with "Fast Charging" or any other non-5V offerings. Especially powering hobbyist-adjacent devices with micro-USB or USB-C inputs, they will ALWAYS potentially negotiate the voltage wrong and get something they aren't supposed to. Or the charger itself will screw it up. I just fried the CP2102 chip on an FPGA dev board that had a USB-C power input because I used an old phone charger that had a 9V mode I didn't notice. Can never manually flash its firmware again without hooking up an external chip because the charger was happy to pump it full of 9V.
Then would this not be recommended?

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Two ... r=8-2&th=1
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bobrocks95
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by bobrocks95 »

It's going to depend on what all you want to power with it. Do the devices have a properly fused power input in case they get too much voltage, or some other power hardware that can handle multiple voltages? Best case scenario it works fine of course, worst case scenario is it fries itself. I think the most dangerous would be hobbyist stuff that happens to use a USB input for power- you can maybe ask the creators of them what they'd recommend if you want to play it safe.

Personally, if you're only powering simple 5V low amp devices, I'd rather have a cheaper, stupider charger that only ever outputs standard USB 5V just in case: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging ... PJV2/?th=1

I like Anker but they like to hide the output specifications on their Amazon listings. Here's one that's 5V only (though 8 Amps is almost certainly overkill): https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Fo ... 00VH8G1SY/
(note on the product comparison at the bottom of the product details that neither Samsung nor iPhone fast charging are supported- then customer images of the manual confirm it's 5V 8A only)
PS1 Disc-Based Game ID BIOS patch for MemCard Pro and SD2PSX automatic VMC switching.
Taiyaki
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Taiyaki »

bobrocks95 wrote:It's going to depend on what all you want to power with it. Do the devices have a properly fused power input in case they get too much voltage, or some other power hardware that can handle multiple voltages? Best case scenario it works fine of course, worst case scenario is it fries itself. I think the most dangerous would be hobbyist stuff that happens to use a USB input for power- you can maybe ask the creators of them what they'd recommend if you want to play it safe.

Personally, if you're only powering simple 5V low amp devices, I'd rather have a cheaper, stupider charger that only ever outputs standard USB 5V just in case: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging ... PJV2/?th=1

I like Anker but they like to hide the output specifications on their Amazon listings. Here's one that's 5V only (though 8 Amps is almost certainly overkill): https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Fo ... 00VH8G1SY/
(note on the product comparison at the bottom of the product details that neither Samsung nor iPhone fast charging are supported- then customer images of the manual confirm it's 5V 8A only)
Thanks.

At the moment I power 2x Gscartsw on that Amazon basics one, and I was thinking of getting another multiple port one for the RGB2COMP and the Terraonion SHDS3 add on for the Core Grafx. If the ones you linked to (maybe the Anker?) would be safer for the gscartsw I'll change it to something like that. Wonder if a single one can really handle all four devices though. I don't mind sticking to dual port chargers if that's safer.
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bobrocks95
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by bobrocks95 »

Taiyaki wrote:
bobrocks95 wrote:It's going to depend on what all you want to power with it. Do the devices have a properly fused power input in case they get too much voltage, or some other power hardware that can handle multiple voltages? Best case scenario it works fine of course, worst case scenario is it fries itself. I think the most dangerous would be hobbyist stuff that happens to use a USB input for power- you can maybe ask the creators of them what they'd recommend if you want to play it safe.

Personally, if you're only powering simple 5V low amp devices, I'd rather have a cheaper, stupider charger that only ever outputs standard USB 5V just in case: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging ... PJV2/?th=1

I like Anker but they like to hide the output specifications on their Amazon listings. Here's one that's 5V only (though 8 Amps is almost certainly overkill): https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Fo ... 00VH8G1SY/
(note on the product comparison at the bottom of the product details that neither Samsung nor iPhone fast charging are supported- then customer images of the manual confirm it's 5V 8A only)
Thanks.

At the moment I power 2x Gscartsw on that Amazon basics one, and I was thinking of getting another multiple port one for the RGB2COMP and the Terraonion SHDS3 add on for the Core Grafx. If the ones you linked to (maybe the Anker?) would be safer for the gscartsw I'll change it to something like that. Wonder if a single one can really handle all four devices though. I don't mind sticking to dual port chargers if that's safer.
2 gscartsw should be under 200mA- https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.p ... 4#p1261704
RGB2COMP is <200mA- https://videogameperfection.com/support ... Manual.pdf
I'm pretty sure the micro USB on the SHDS3 is only for data, not power.

Either way if you get the Anker you have 7.6 amps left to play with lol
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Taiyaki
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Taiyaki »

bobrocks95 wrote:
Taiyaki wrote:
bobrocks95 wrote:It's going to depend on what all you want to power with it. Do the devices have a properly fused power input in case they get too much voltage, or some other power hardware that can handle multiple voltages? Best case scenario it works fine of course, worst case scenario is it fries itself. I think the most dangerous would be hobbyist stuff that happens to use a USB input for power- you can maybe ask the creators of them what they'd recommend if you want to play it safe.

Personally, if you're only powering simple 5V low amp devices, I'd rather have a cheaper, stupider charger that only ever outputs standard USB 5V just in case: https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging ... PJV2/?th=1

I like Anker but they like to hide the output specifications on their Amazon listings. Here's one that's 5V only (though 8 Amps is almost certainly overkill): https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Fo ... 00VH8G1SY/
(note on the product comparison at the bottom of the product details that neither Samsung nor iPhone fast charging are supported- then customer images of the manual confirm it's 5V 8A only)
Thanks.

At the moment I power 2x Gscartsw on that Amazon basics one, and I was thinking of getting another multiple port one for the RGB2COMP and the Terraonion SHDS3 add on for the Core Grafx. If the ones you linked to (maybe the Anker?) would be safer for the gscartsw I'll change it to something like that. Wonder if a single one can really handle all four devices though. I don't mind sticking to dual port chargers if that's safer.
2 gscartsw should be under 200mA- https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.p ... 4#p1261704
RGB2COMP is <200mA- https://videogameperfection.com/support ... Manual.pdf
I'm pretty sure the micro USB on the SHDS3 is only for data, not power.

Either way if you get the Anker you have 7.6 amps left to play with lol
Thank you for sharing that information! Very much appreciated.

I wasn't aware the SHDS3 draws all power from the PCE and that the connector was only for data. I bought one but haven't received it. That's great to know.

I think I'll go for the 4 slot Anker then.
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bobrocks95
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by bobrocks95 »

Please report back if you have any noise issues! That's one thing I have no clue on, but Anker is hopefully a solid brand.
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Taiyaki
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Re: USB/USB-C Chargers with multiple ports for Micro USB dev

Post by Taiyaki »

bobrocks95 wrote:Please report back if you have any noise issues! That's one thing I have no clue on, but Anker is hopefully a solid brand.
Will do!
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