Electric Power Conversion Options?

[jmeckel]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

hmm that metal phone end of the charging cord should be isolated from everything...otherwise it would be no different than having the cord plugged into your modern car with neg ground...

That is not correct, most shields (the metal part of a mini or micro USB connector) is at "ground" or in the case of a modern car electrical system it is at the same potential as the negative (-) post of the battery. So if the shield is at ground (-) because you have reversed the polarity by using a plastic isolated cigarette plug. You have now reversed the polarity on the outlet, you have in effect placed the "hot" (-) side of the positive ground system on the shield of the charger, it will create a dead short if it touch's any metal grounded part of the car. I hope you have installed a proper sized fuse in the circuit, if not, you are about to create a lot of smoke as the wire burns.

[denis4x4]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

My son called AAA when his car would not start. The guy gets out of the truck, raises the hood, pulls a small box from his pocket, hooks it to the battery and jumps the car. The guy told my son that the box has about 15 attachments and ports for usb. Look it up. If it can jump start a car how long can it run your electronics?

My brother bought one of those off the tool truck....about $200. Used it to charge my iPad on a recent trip. I have one on order.

[Tim Armstrong]

I just turn off the phone and enjoy the ride. No charger hook up needed.

[Smog Tech]

Tim, best answer yet!!