On 04/06/2011 22:43, V G wrote: > On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 5:26 PM, Michael Watterson wro= te: > >> no point. The pad needs a cable. >> > That's fine. The pad can stay plugged in. > > >> Why not just have a USB socket *and* a 2.5mm power jack for charging. >> Then anything can charge it. >> Use 2 x AA cells, so if flat a pair of Alkalines can be temporarily be >> substituted. >> >> I find it very handy that my camera and radios can take Alkaline >> batteries in an emergency. > > So I'd then use two AAA batteries, the same switching supply, but I'm > assuming that for a device like this, the end user is too lazy to keep > charged or properly maintained. So I'm trying to find the most selft > maintaing solution possible. Solar would be best if it provided enough > energy under room light conditions. Inductive is the next best thing. > Anything that requires it to be plugged in isn't so great because I doubt= my > /clients/ would care enough to plug it in. The pad cable will get tripped over, get in the way, unplugged etc. It=20 seems like a nice idea. But it's just a way to market extra useless=20 accessories. Actually a dock (used for YEARS for mobile handheld radios)=20 works FAR better as it takes less desk or shelf space, is more efficient=20 and reliable than inductive pad and can be wall mounted. Also a charging=20 dock can have a microswitch lever and automatically physically=20 disconnect mains when item lifted. Then zero power and 100% fire safety. Much simpler and cheaper than inductive mat. The dock can be a recessed=20 2.5 mm jack or a USB plug so that when away a phone charger, usb cable=20 etc will work instead. Or if dock gets broken or lost. Inductive mats are yuppie gimmick. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .