Car USB port

[hc4361]

My car has a USB port. When I plug a flash drive in to it the mp3s and WMAs automatically play through the radio, which is great.

My question is, would it be safe to use this USB port to charge my mp3 player, camera and other digital devices? I have the manual from cover to cover but cannot find this information, and it could be an expensive trial.

[Milvus]

It depends on two things. First, is your car USB socket, USB 1 or 2?
USB 1 does not provide a charging circuit. The USB 2 standard should provide a charging output of 2.5W as a minimum. The great majority of USB 2 sockets on PC's stick to this minimum. So you need to find out what your device wants to draw when charging. It could charge OK, slowly or not at all, depending on how much it wants to draw. Check the supplied wall socket charger you got with the device to get a clue of the draw needed. Modern devices with long term batteries need a lot of power to charge. For instance the new Apple iPad needs 10W, the HP iSlate needs 25W. In both cases the standard 2.5W USB 2 socket will just not keep up.

[hc4361]

That is very useful information.
Crucially, would I harm my devices by connecting them to this usb port in the hope of charging them? As far as I know it is USB 2 but I cannot be sure. There is an ipod connector alongside, if that helps.

[Milvus]

You shouldn't cause any damage. They will either charge or not. They probably will if it's a USB 2 unless they draw a lot of power as above. Your ipod connection will charge an iPod. Another option is to get a dc to ac converter for the car. This will give you normal home type ac power from your cigarette lighter socket. Then you can use your normal power chargers or other higher power items.

[hc4361]

Thanks muchly. :)