Going USB powered
One thing I have wanted to do for a while is switch my gadgets over from taking up a whole plug socket to being able to power them entirely from a single USB hub taking up a single plug socket. Today I got another intensive to make the switch over to USB, which came in a kit that I then put together and jammed the whole thing into an Altoids tin. Despite me getting the battery wires the wrong way round (see here) I finally ended up with a 4000mAh dry cell (using 2 x 2000mAh AA Eneloop batteries) with a 5V USB connector; A Mintyboost, which is capable of charging my DS four times, my iPod classic almost seven times and my phone close to five times and doing this all without needing to be stuck in a plug socket. I can also carry extra batteries if I’m going to be away for a while.
I’ll be relying on a retractable USB to DC socket converter with interchangeable charging heads to do the go-between work. Having got one for my DS and another for my Nokia 6630, I plan to keep one of the cables with my Mintyboost and the other with my USB hub while taking the heads with me as needed.
Being able to do most of my charging on my desk is going to be a reall help and knowing I am now pretty much never going to run out of power on the go is probably going to save my ass on many occasions in the future.
