I'll warn you in advance, that if you want more from a USB charger than a measly 500mA then this one isn't for you. It might have uses for powering low current devices though.
This came from a generic pound shop as opposed to one of the higher profile ones like Poundland. Now I want to get a recent Poundland car-USB charger and compare them.
The one good thing about this charger is that it shows how minimalist the circuitry can be in a mass produced device when they can justify using a dedicated buck converter chip.
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16 thoughts on “Inside a pound shop car-usb charger with schematic”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bikkiikun says:

    At the risk of exposing my lack of knowledge, why not just use a linear voltage regulator (i.e. the good old 7805)??

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Martin Matias says:

    Hello nice video… can you recommend any USB chargers that are not interference with radio signal ?
    i want to charg phone and listen to music via AUX but the charger is so noisy

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Arduino Atölyem says:

    Those tiny caps aren't going to be happy at all in a housing with a burning hot chip inside.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob S. says:

    I have one of these that I used in my Jeep and when a full load was pulled it sprayed interference that inhibited/ jammed my wireless key fob.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ManWithBeard1990 says:

    I wonder if the separate VCC input for the transistor is there to allow you to use an external PNP transistor of P-channel MOSFET if you wanted to. Do you reckon they aren't connected internally?

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shane Johns says:

    Rechargeable batteries always have a finite number of recharges in them before they start to degrade and self-discharge inside the battery cells themselves. However, you can usually get more charge cycles out of them if you take care not to recharge the battery at too high of a rate during any of the recharging sessions. So fast-charging tends to be convenient for time, but not so convenient when it comes to needing to replace the power banks. So even though this device can't pull much power, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It may be better to have two power banks, so that one of them can always be on slow-charge. Rather than the rate at which it charges, I would be FAR more interested in the amount of efficiency losses it has while it charges.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Falconer says:

    Smart ( camoflage ? ) scissors ! … ideal for losing in the heather ( ? ) Ha – Ha … DAVE™ 🛑

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars keith winterburn says:

    Adding a metal tab to transfer heat to the metalwork would be a good idea

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Taric Alani says:

    I'd like to see you do one that can do USB-C power delivery 20 V at 5 A. Cheap electronics like this piss me off. There is absolutely no reason for them to exist. They're just a waste of space and resources.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Big Don Big Don says:

    Can that be increased to 1 or 2 amp by charging any of the parts in it. Thanks

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars GetCarterCarPark says:

    Does anyone know what that fuse type is called and where in the UK one can get 250ma, 500ma, 1amp, 2amp, and 4 amp fuses from, please?
    I have a radio that uses all 5 values of fuse in various stages of the radio, but for the life of me, I've not been able to find where to get them from.
    They are smaller and diameter and shorter than a standard 20 mm fuse, and changing the fuse holders in the radio is not an option.

    TIA,
    K.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars NineEyeRon says:

    Ashens’ favourite brand

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jules Anderson says:

    Dreadful chargers
    Try using your car radio you'll find the RF interference totally blanks out the signal.

    Best charger I use is by ANKER.
    They are all metal and cost 10 quid but are total quality and radio works perfectly

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ossie Weinert says:

    Well explained Clive! Our county gave out free boxes with energy efficient lightbulbs and a "smart" power strip. The power strip is sold by by Megalight in Hudson, Ohio (made in China) and they call it "Megalight Advanced Power Strip w/7 receptacles and surge protection" (model APS-7-600). It has two "always on" receptacles, a "master", and four "energy saver" receptacles. We plugged our router into the always on receptacle and a light into the master. We turned the light on and switched the power strip to on but the four energy saver receptacles do not work no matter what we do. Very disappointing, but these were bought by the government so I really did not expect much. Wish I had your knowledge to take it to bits!

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jonathan Game HD says:

    I also did a video on the same exact one

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DefOJ says:

    I got one of these cheap car chargers at a gas station on a road trip once, I plugged my iPad into it, and when we got to our destination, the charger was melted out of shape, and had fused itself to the ipad cable I plugged into it.

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