USB hub/splitter for a car.

grumbler

My car has a USB port supporting MP3 and occupied by a memory stick.

However, sometimes I want to use it to power my phone as well, and the 12V power outlet is located in a less convenient place.

So, I am looking for some compact splitter with full functionality at least for one port. Obviously, a simple electrical (i.e. without any electronics) splitter will obviously do the job, but I don't think such splitters exist unless it's for charging only and with 2 wires instead of 4.

The question is - will any splitter work in a car as some say 'plug-and-play', 'hot plug-and-play' etc? Is it possible that it woks with a PC only as contains some driver downloadable to PC?

I am looking currently at this, but not the only one:


Also, will USB 2.0 make any difference compared to USB 3.0?

Any advice and suggestions are welcome.

mgfvvc

The most likely issue is that the USB port will be low powered, maybe 0.5A max, in which case the splitter will be splitting a low power supply into 2 even lowered powered supplies.

Big_Graeme

If the stereo recognises the phone and an iPhone then it will have enough juice to charge said phone, if it is just a bog standard USB port it will only be 1 amp max.

The trouble you'll have is will two devices confuse your stereo and not recognise either. For a couple of quid though you'll not lose too much trying.

indesisiv

You would be better off powering it from the 12v supply with an extension to that to get it somewhere useful.
Something like this

grumbler

Thank you for replies

mgfvvc wrote: »

The most likely issue is that the USB port will be low powered, maybe 0.5A max, in which case the splitter will be splitting a low power supply into 2 even lowered powered supplies.

Yes, but one device is

How much power can it take if it has no means of dissipating the heat? Even for 0.1A it would be 0.5W. That said, I've heard that a similar Sandisk one gets pretty hot.

Big_Graeme wrote: »

The trouble you'll have is will two devices confuse your stereo and not recognise either. For a couple of quid though you'll not lose too much trying.

The phone is in a charging mode i.e., I think, doesn't communicate with the stereo.

For the time being I decided to DIY the splitter from DIY solderable USB plug and sockets. One socket will have full 4 wires, another will have only two power wires.

almillar

If your phone is Android, install an app called Ampere - it's free. With your phone not fully charged, run it whilst plugged into the car. Let it settle after a while and you'll see how many mA (milli Amps) you're getting. If it's below, say, 500mA average, you'll be charging slowly, AT BEST.
Or, if your phone tries to establish a data connection when it connects, adding a memory stick is bound to cause confusion, your car defo won't have hub functionality for 1 port.
Something like your photo, but with a switch, would be great.

Big_Graeme

grumbler wrote: »

Thank you for repliesYes, but one device is

How much power can it take if it has no means of dissipating the heat? Even for 0.1A it would be 0.5W. That said, I've heard that a similar Sandisk one gets pretty hot.

I found with the last stereo I had that when the USB port was putting out 0.5A anything else using the power from it stopped my phone charging. And yes some of the Sandisk sticks get a bit warm in use.

grumbler wrote: »

The phone is in a charging mode i.e., I think, doesn't communicate with the stereo.

Cool, I know that pluging two devices into mine confused the hell out of it.

grumbler wrote: »

For the time being I decided to DIY the splitter from DIY solderable USB plug and sockets. One socket will have full 4 wires, another will have only two power wires.

Fingers crossed.

psychic_teabag

If it's android, then enabling usb storage might make it appear like a memory stick to the stereo. In which case you could just put some music onto the phone and play that on the car while the phone is charging.

grumbler

I know, but it's far more convenient simply to keep the USB stick permanently connected and occasionally connect the phone for charging only without making any changes.

Luckily, the USB port is in the glove/instruments compartment, so my DIY splitter, if it works, won't be an eyesore.

grumbler

Big_Graeme wrote: »

Originally Posted by grumbler
For the time being I decided to DIY the splitter from DIY solderable USB plug and sockets. One socket will have full 4 wires, another will have only two power wires.

Fingers crossed.

For the record: it works fine, when both devices are connected charging current is ~1000mA - the same as with basic mains charges I have.

Spent ~£3 in total on
and