USB Charging Port Questions

[Danny G]

The one you found with the USBC +PD and the volt meter is the only one I have been able to find.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Aaand, by implementing type C, and 'integrating it better than that' you've just precluded any plug 'n play upgrades as the standard changes.

How many years has type C been around now?
Do you really think the electronics industry is sitting still?

[Danny G]

Its been around about 5 years I think but not fully adopted until after that. USB-PD though I think is less, like 2 years old.

USB-C also has the ability to be adapted for not just power and high speed transmission but also high definition video or two of the latter at the same time. Unlike mini usb, micro, usb, and Ieee 1394, I think USB-A and now USB-C will still continue to be the go to standards long term, especially as micro usb fades into the sunset as more phones, tablets, and even laptops switch to usb-c to keep up with power demands

The good thing is the power plug he is looking at has both USB-A and C.

[Gary Lewis]

Installing a C/A power port would require dropping it in the cigar lighter hole, running the nut up, and connecting two 1/4" female connectors.  So if they come up with a better one I think I could probably reverse the above procedure and install the newer one.  

Seriously though, it looks to me like the whole ash tray assembly drops out pretty easily.  So if I can make a sheetmetal piece to replace the little on that the lighter goes in the whole thing could be built on the bench and then installed in the truck.  So upgrades would be easy.

[ArdWrknTrk]

https://gizmodo.com/the-dream-of-a-common-charger-is-alive-despite-apples-c-1840977834/amp

[Gary Lewis]

Interesting read.  Thanks.

[Gary Lewis]

I went back and re-read the Belkin page on USB-C™ RESOURCE CENTER.  In it they say:

USB 3.1 SUPERSPEED+ : THE NEXT EVOLUTION
The new USB-C connector is being widely adopted by manufacturers such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Along with the new connector and port combination, there is a new standard called USB 3.1 SuperSpeed+. The USB-C cables comply with the European regulations calling for a universal connector for charging mobile phones. This means that soon, almost everything, everywhere, will be powered, charged and connected by USB-C cables.

And:

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The new USB 3.1 SuperSpeed+ standard transfers data up to 10 Gbps, which means transfers up to 20x faster than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) and 12x faster than FireWire. Fast enough to transfer a year's worth of music in 10 minutes or an entire HD movie in 30 seconds.

USB 3.1 technology also allows you to power some devices up to 100 watts, or quickly charge your laptop, tablet or phone. Our USB-C 3.1 cables contain an internal power management chip to ensure proper power delivery and a safe charge.

They also have a white paper entitled USB-C - The Next Cable Revolution.  But it was published in 2015.  So I'm not sure that the "revolution" is really happening, or at least not as quickly as they imply.

[ArdWrknTrk]

USB-C has definitely happened (by mandate, if not by consensus)
Much the same as wireless charging has finally settled on iterations of Qi standard.

Five years ago it was revolutionary to have a universal cable that was non-polarized and could handle those charging and data speeds.

I like sticking with known quality manufacturers like Anker or Belkin.
While your port may be good, it may not. Time will tell..

Apple enjoys the drama of being a thorn in everybody's side.
That's how they were born, and that's how they'll die.

3.1-SS is intriguing, but the idea of pumping 100W into today's cell battery chemistries is going to cause too many heat management issues.
Phones are tightly packed and sealed.
Imagine that you had a 100W incandescent bulb in your pocket.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I used to use MHL cables with my old Samsung Notes.
USB could definitely transmit video.

Maybe not today's 4k, but im still not using 4k anyway.

[Gary Lewis]

I, too, like Belkin - cables.  Not Belkin electronics.  Once had a wifi dongle from them and it and the software that came with it was junk.  But their cables are good.

As for 100w into a phone, don't forget that the device negotiates the charge rate.  So the USB-C port might be capable of 100 watts, but the device will know how fast to charge the battery and negotiate that rate.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm using Anker and Aukey for chargers.

I understand negotiation.
I'm saying that with today's battery tech there's no way to use 100W anyhow

[swampedout]

With the pace of technology, youd probably get 5 years out of USB C and who knows how long out of the next iteration of USB. For what comes next, Id put my money on firewire for fast data connection that is already being incorporated into consumer electronics.
I was reading some big car report on 2019 trucks and all of them included whether or not the vehicle had "apple sound" or whatever it is: this was 1 of the top 5 pros or cons. Who cares about things like motors when you have apple sound?

Personally, I like to have quick access to 12v DC for versality. Inverters, tire pumps, whatever else comes up.
But it sounds like youve got that covered so whatever else you do is for convenience and if you have to redo it 5 years from now, you wont be mad about it.

[ArdWrknTrk]

USB-C HAS been out for five years now.
It's time to move on.

****It already far surpasses FireWire for data transfer.***
(I stand corrected! FireWire is indeed faster than C. )
Maybe you're thinking Thunderbolt?
Lightning?
Something else?

[swampedout]

I think firewire or something like it is going to be next. To my knowledge, firewire is the fastest consumer connection for data. At least when I did video, thats all we used. And video files are huge.
But come to think of it, that was five years ago so what do I know?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Thunderbolt 3 is probably the fastest consumer cable, at 40Gps
PCI-E is right up there.

FireWire died off when Apple stopped pushing it and went to Thunderbolt.

[swampedout]

Apple strikes again!
I didnt realize thunderbolt is that fast. Good to know. My last job had a lot of clients using thunderbolt but always thunderbolt to USB because we used old laptops.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Realize that Thunderbolt 2 is 20GPS, and 3 is 2x #2.
So two bus, at 20Gps.

Still, that's fast, even with new 4k video standards.

Thinking back to when DVD was hi-def, that's only 480, or SD.
I can't imagine...

[ArdWrknTrk]

swampedout wrote

I didnt realize thunderbolt is that fast. Good to know. My last job had a lot of clients using thunderbolt but always thunderbolt to USB because we used old laptops.

Then you need a new MacBook pro.
I think they have the new T3 ports.

Apple has always been ahead in graphic arts.
It's no wonder they need the fastest transfer speeds to do it efficiently.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Maybe you're thinking of Carplay v/s Android Auto?

It is a big deal if you're in the walled garden and have all your music and audio books on iTunes

[swampedout]

Yes, Im sorry, like I said Im an android user but I understand that apple has become the standard platform at this point.
I dont mean to sidetrack this thread. I know charging and data transfer are very different topics once you start diving in.
I appreciate you catching me up on this stuff, though!