I can see another thread on this from 3 years ago, but don't think anyone's still there, and things have moved on tech wise so...

I've realised that the USB point in the central console on my 14 Freelander is not so much a "charger" but more a trickle power unit, keeping the battery on my phone the same level. If I use Google maps the battery still lowers, just more slowly by being plugged in.

My question is what do I need to buy to rapidly charge my phone when in the car? I read that charging should come from an adaptor fitted in the lighter socket and not the USB point anyway, is that right?

Any suggestions? I have an old iPhone 7 and will be upgrading in a few months to another iPhone (only because it syncs with all my other tech), so something with both USB and a USB-C slots would be good. If It could charge my Macbook Air too all the better (think that needs 30 to do that?).

The factory USB is rated at 500mA, which won't be enough to maintain an I phone running Google maps.
You can buy a USB adapter to charge the phone faster, which is how I charge mine.
My 2009 MY doesn't have USB at all, so I use a little adapter which fits perfectly into the power socket on the centre console. My adapter offers fast charging too, but you need a fast charging compatible phone for that to work.

Nodge68 said:

The factory USB is rated at 500mA, which won't be enough to maintain an I phone running Google maps.
You can buy a USB adapter to charge the phone faster, which is how I charge mine.
My 2009 MY doesn't have USB at all, so I use a little adapter which fits perfectly into the power socket on the centre console. My adapter offers fast charging too, but you need a fast charging compatible phone for that to work.

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Yes, a fast charger is what I'm looking for. And although you don't have USB points in your vehicle, I am hearing that the adaptor should be for the cigarette/power charger point, not for the USB points anyway and I was wondering if anyone here would confirm that? Also any recommendations for fast charger dual USB + USB-C adaptors would be great. Amazon has a few, I'd like some recommendations though - I tend to usually go for Anker.

Meerkat1234 said:

Also any recommendations for fast charger dual USB + USB-C adaptors would be great.

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I've a couple of these for car use. They fit perfectly inside a standard car power socket.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16565744...bwIbE9OSGK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Ignore the 60W claims, they don't output anything like that, 15 Watts is a more accurate output to expect, which is more than enough to charge a phone battery quickly.

Nodge68 said:

I've a couple of these for car use. They fit perfectly inside a standard car power socket.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16565744...bwIbE9OSGK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Ignore the 60W claims, they don't output anything like that, 15 Watts is a more accurate output to expect, which is more than enough to charge a phone battery quickly.

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Gosh, that one on ebay's a lot cheaper than those on Amazon! You've found it safe/reliable? Forgive me for being hesitant, but it's ebay (I don't have an account), v cheap, just want to check!

Meerkat1234 said:

Gosh, that one on ebay's a lot cheaper than those on Amazon! You've found it safe/reliable? Forgive me for being hesitant, but it's ebay (I don't have an account), v cheap, just want to check!

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Yes 100% reliable and not had a safety issue yet.
I've got 4 in total, in 3 different vehicles.
The circuit inside is a standard buck converter.
They're all made in China, regardless of the seller or selling platform.
A cheap one will be the same as an expensive one, at least as far as I can tell.

Meerkat1234 said:

Gosh, that one on ebay's a lot cheaper than those on Amazon! You've found it safe/reliable? Forgive me for being hesitant, but it's ebay (I don't have an account), v cheap, just want to check!

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Super. Found very similar to yours for about £6 each on Amazon, having a delivery anyway so they'll be with me shortly. Thanks very much for the tips.