phone charger for use in a bathroom. Is there such a thing?

[littlespark]

Just thinking. I use a fitbit, and I got into the habit of charging it every few days when I had a shower. (charging it every few days, not having a shower every few days!)

Is there something i can use inside the bathroom to give me a standard 5v USB socket?

Of course you can get a single socket with a usb in it, but cant use that in the bathroom.
Could I take a supply from the shaver socket, but would it have to come from the output side of the transformer?
Could I use a regular plug in usb charger with European pins and plug it into the shaver socket?


Any thoughts?

 

[buzzlightyear]

could you not charge it in the bedroom or hall way .

 

[littlespark]

That’s what I have been doing, Buzz... but I forget sometimes and the Fitbit dies and doesn’t record anything.

It was really just a question out of interest.

 

[Strima]

Just use one of these: USB Adaptor

 

[MJPD29]

You could use a blank 1 gang plate and put a usb module in. I believe mk sell such a thing.

 

[westward10]

You can get them I saw some the other day with just one point on them but didn't take much notice, provided it is out of the zones I presume they are okay.

ML ACCESSORIES Screwless 1G Quad Usb Charger Outlet 5V Dc 5.1A - Matt White With White Insert (SFQUADMW) UK

 

[Taylortwocities]

You can get them I saw some the other day with just one point on them but didn't take much notice, provided it is out of the zones I presume they are okay.

ML ACCESSORIES Screwless 1G Quad Usb Charger Outlet 5V Dc 5.1A - Matt White With White Insert (SFQUADMW) UK

That is not OK unless it is SELV, which it does not appear to be....

 

[westward10]

Here's an MK one.

https://www.electrika.com/catalogues/MK-Electric/Logic-Plus-White-Wiring-Devices/Euro-Power-Modules/K5837WHI/USB-CHARGING-MODULE/part/500274

[automerge]1571936232[/automerge]

That is not OK unless it is SELV, which it does not appear to be....

The MK one is SELV.

 

[James]

Accountant dies after phone falls into bath while on charge

Evgenia Shulyatyeva, 26, was found dead by her mother who rushed over when she didn't reply to her messages.

metro.co.uk

I don’t know if they are non isolating transformers they use but it’s not good for Russians by the looks of things.

 

[littlespark]

That's what I was thinking of, @westward10 , 50 quid is a bit steep though.

I found similar on amazon but with 4 outlets and a lot of Chinese writing on the back, but I didn't think it would be decent quality.

I didn't like the thought of something being plugged into the shaver socket for too long.
(I would unplug after using it, but I dont think anyone else in the house would)

 

[westward10]

You need to be careful I know the British Safety Council did tests on a lot of these usb points and loads failed, at least with MK you know they are SELV.

 

[static zap]

I didn't like the thought of something being plugged into the shaver socket for too long.

This explains the 2 pin on my electric toothbrush.
(Soon converted for an electricity free bathroom)

 

[littlespark]

Did I read on the forum somewhere that shaver sockets are designed for shavers only and not toothbrushes??
Seems pointless having toothbrush chargers with 2 pins then?

 

[westward10]

Did I read on the forum somewhere that shaver sockets are designed for shavers only and not toothbrushes??
Seems pointless having toothbrush chargers with 2 pins then?

The MK ones show a toothbrush and a shaver. You are correct as some do not have continuous rated transformers and can overheat.
Seems the MK part I showed is just a module which fits to a euro plate.

MK USB Charging Module White - Euro Module Coms Module - White | MK (K5837WHI)

 

[pirate]

Depends on your phone. Inductive chargers are fine for bathroom.
Tin hat on, as I know some will be unhappy with this...

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

when in Germany last year when in a upmarket air bnb there was a wireless charging pad on both the coffee table and another in the kitchen work top.
Took a look and were both selv you can buy little attachments like a power bank that plugs into a phone or similar device so it can charge wirelessly.
In theory you could have one on the tiles on a bathroom and put a little attachemt onthe fitbit and it will charge. Dont see an issue if its selv and well made.

 

[westward10]

It is a Fitbit which requires a hard and not wireless connection.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

It is a Fitbit which requires a hard and not wireless connection.

You could get a little device to plug onto it to use the wireless charge pad though

 

[JBW175]

Can you not just plug it into one of them USB power banks that you can buy?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Can you not just plug it into one of them USB power banks that you can buy?

He could, and he does. But he wants it IN the bathroom, and there are some challenges to doing that!

 

[static zap]

Can you not just plug it into one of them USB power banks that you can buy?

Shove whole combination in a polythene bag .
( Bad 12V habits before the days of LCD-TFT TV )

 

[mattg4321]

Shaver light

The above has a built in USB socket

 

[littlespark]

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions.
I’m going with a 2 port euro module similar to the mk one mentioned earlier.

Just need a nice long lightning cable so I can charge my phone and play games on it while sitting on the throne.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Do look back at the thread. The MK module is one of the few SELV USB products.
Cheaper ones may not have this essential safety feature and are not permitted in bathrooms.

 

[the pict]

Just thinking. I use a fitbit, and I got into the habit of charging it every few days when I had a shower. (charging it every few days, not having a shower every few days!)

Is there something i can use inside the bathroom to give me a standard 5v USB socket?

Of course you can get a single socket with a usb in it, but cant use that in the bathroom.
Could I take a supply from the shaver socket, but would it have to come from the output side of the transformer?
Could I use a regular plug in usb charger with European pins and plug it into the shaver socket?


Any thoughts?

Or bin the fitbit get trainers run till your knackered, walk back , you know like we did in the old days

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Be careful using shaver sockets. They have very poor regulation and can go up to around 280v on very low load such as a phone charger. If your charger is rated 100 to 240v use the 110v socket which on low load is around 130v.

 

[ipf]

Nothing like a fit bit in your bathroom, eh!

 

[ipf]

It is a Fitbit which requires a hard and not wireless connection.

…..but no comment to that!

 

[Bullterrier]

Just for the sake of the thread. The MK module mentioned has ‘don’t install in a bathroom’ in the MI despite the SELV rating.

Found while my electrician was working through my new refurb spec!

 

[James]

Just for the sake of the thread. The MK module mentioned has ‘don’t install in a bathroom’ in the MI despite the SELV rating.

Found while my electrician was working through my new refurb spec!

interesting, probably due to high moisture levels corroding the internals.
more a warrenty issue than a safety issue I expect.
but if the MI says no then,
it is unsuitable for that use.

 

[Bullterrier]

interesting, probably due to high moisture levels corroding the internals.
more a warrenty issue than a safety issue I expect.
but if the MI says no then,
it is unsuitable for that use.

Exactly that. Missed opportunity with most new small rechargeable everythings being USB now. I noticed that the new model toothbrushes are usb with a ‘British bit’ added In the box to allow for our old fashioned 2 pin use.

I have changed the spec to a shaving light with USB (Ansell).
[automerge]1574697697[/automerge]
Even this has MI that state not to place any item being charged on top! It’s IP20 re zones too.

 

[Chryptic]

So my solution to this issue of USB was easy and compliant. All compliant shaver sockets support UK Shaver (not same pin spacing as euro socket) and US socket (. Which is the same as standard US).

So, buy a USA mains to USB adapter, as I have, and it works just great, and is isolated by the shaver socket transformer. You do have to plug into the 110v socket. I also found that plugging into this locks out using the 240v at the same time just in case you were thinking USB and Shaver/Toothbrush !!

 

[Mike Johnson]

I think my bathroom shaver socket has had an electric tooth brush plugged in it for about twenty years. ?

 

[westward10]

Is it charged yet.

 

[pc1966]

Ended up reading through this resurrected thread and the MK module seems perfect in most respects, even having isolation on the AC side when nothing is plugged in so no IR test issues and no wasted power.

Minor problem is the instructions say "Suitable for fixed installation in dry interior locations only" so I guess a toilet is fine, but not with bath/shower present?

 

[littlespark]

Is it too late to say I installed it outside the bathroom next to light switch. Handy table to leave the devices on.

 

[Gavona]

What a great idea it is to charge the Fitbit while in the shower. However the Fitbit uses so little power - why not just use a power bank?

 

[Lister1987]

Surely wearing it on the shower is better? I mean it's an ideal chance to check yourself over and as we know one thing leads to another, it'll improve your step count drastically...

 

[pc1966]

Surely wearing it on the shower is better? I mean it's an ideal chance to check yourself over and as we know one thing leads to another, it'll improve your step count drastically...

I find better results from checking someone else over...