Seiko's EM-49 in-car socket extender with USB

Check it road warriors, the Seiko EM-49 car power socket extender is ready to turn your vehicle into a mobile power strip. Not only does it triple the single, 12V power socket on most (older) cars, it also features a USB jack for quick charging your USB capable device (yes, even that one) while rollin' four on the floor. Yours for ?18,100 in S.Korea or just $19 bucks if you can track one down on the domestic front.

[Via AVING]

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2007 12:48PM]

I would like to know that too, because otherwise, this thing looks awesome.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2007 1:02PM]

funny, I just did something similar to my car, though I installed it internally. I had some extra card slot USB ports with extension wires on the back, so I removed them and cut holes in a small panel on my dashboard. I currently charge my phone and ipod from them, and it works great!

[wirelessdeo Posted May 21st 2007 12:59PM]

You would blow a fuse LONG before you would have any ill affects to your alternator.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2007 1:03PM]

wouldnt it make more sense just to get a power inverter (or is it a CONverter?) and not buy all the extra car chargers for your stuff?

[F orrest Posted May 21st 2007 1:05PM]

Yeah, this reminds me of that Futurama episode with Fry and Amy in her car on Mercury...blasting AC *and* Heat, blending drinks, etc. Try plugging in a couple AC/DC converters into that thing to run laptops and watch in horror as you blow a fuse - stranding you in the middle of nowhere! :)

Either that, or watch your gas mileage plummet!

[CharlieX Posted May 21st 2007 1:08PM]

My Tacoma has a big sticker on the power point saying "DO NOT exceed 120watts combined on all power points - or you'll drain the battery." (or something to that effect)

So that should give you plenty of watts for gadgets.

[stridermt2k Posted May 21st 2007 1:10PM]

Meh.
Hooray for voltage regulators, woo hoo!
Way to knock 12 down to 5 and stick a USB socket on it, well done.

Strain on the alternator, LOL!

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2007 1:28PM]

it take more to heat up the cigarette lighter in the socket that to run 10 charging phones or ipods lol

[epobirs Posted May 21st 2007 1:38PM]

This needs a version with two USB ports. Plenty of devices can be charged over USB but far more slowly than their normal AC adapters. For instance, the PSP AC adapter delivers 2 amps but you only get .5 amp from a single powered USB port. There are USB charger cable with host plugs to deliver a full amp but I've yet to see any car port adapters with the necessary two plugs.

You COULD plug a car port to USB adapter in one of those three ports and get two USB host ports that way but that would be kind of ugly or at least uglier.

[(Unverified) Posted May 21st 2007 1:54PM]

actually your alternator does not handle starting your car- your battery does. the alternator has no output until the engine is turning.

at any rate, one post says 120 watts is ok....well that same power port is probably fused at no more than 20 amps!

most cars have around 70 amp alternators in them- that would be its maximum output for all electrical accessories in a vehicle- fuel injection, ignition, headlights, heater blower motor, elertic engine fans, radio, electic windows....

all of that said, most electronics chargers are measured in miliamps...no worries with this at all if you plan to charge your ipod, cell phone, gps and bluetooth headset at the same time.

[gorkon Posted May 21st 2007 3:48PM]

No engadget....ALL cars including the newsest ones out there HAVE standard 12v power sockets. The 12v socket is a old design, but it's one still in very wide use today.

[fourblades Posted May 21st 2007 7:18PM]

I for one actually have this unit. Though I really only use one of its slot, that usb is not really my friend other than charging my bluetooth headset for now. it wasn't charging my zune nor was it charging my sony ericsson phone. I haven't tested it with an ipod which is suppose to be its reason for having one but I don't have that unit. I love the design since no one knew it wasn't a part of my car where I placed it, they just thought t was some cool stuff built in to my car.

[fourblades Posted May 21st 2007 7:20PM]

I forgot to mention this but I had this unit for almost a year now. if anyone wants a pic, let me know.

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2007 2:24PM]

What I'd like to know is where you got this unit. It's actually exactly what I've been looking for. GPS, phone charger, XM satellite radio, and iPod. And I like that the unit isn't dangling right from the socket. The current unit I have is always coming loose for that reason.

[fourblades Posted May 23rd 2007 4:32PM]

Japan town in SF has it. Look for a very asian automotive store. They have so many things that makes any car into a rice rocket.

[lizardboy Posted May 22nd 2007 6:04PM]

I still think it is much easier use a 75 watt inverter and the standard 120v chargers.