October 1, 2007 12:36 PM PDT

Transform a USB hub into the ultimate DIY gadget charger

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A powered USB hub can replace bulky AC adapters for many of your portable devices.

(Credit: Sarah Tew, CNET Networks)

Recently, I highlighted the Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter as a great option for anyone with two USB-powered devices. But what if you have three, four, or more--say, an iPod, a Blackberry, and a Bluetooth headset? With its ability to charge six devices, the CallPod ChargePod caught my eye--but the need to buy a host of proprietary adapters turned me off. If all my devices already have charging cables with standard USB plugs, wouldn't it make a lot more sense for a charger to use corresponding standard USB ports instead? Of course it would. So, I was looking for a charger with as many standard USB ports on it as possible.

And then I realized it was already sitting on my desk. And it's probably sitting on yours, too.

I'm talking about a standard USB hub--those little accessories that multiply one of your PC's USB ports by a factor of four, five, six, or even seven. I took a spare seven-porter--the Belkin F5U701 ($20)--plugged its included AC adapter into a nearby wall outlet, and started loading it up with devices. A few minutes later, I was charging six devices via USB with no apparent problems--and I still had a free port available for yet another device.

The photo above is certainly an unlikely scenario for the average person--in truth, most of those devices were scrounged from coworkers. But it's a perfect illustration of the potential of such a setup: pretty much anything that accepts USB charging (iPods, Blackberries, cellphones, headsets, Xbox 360 controllers, and the like) should be compatible. Even products that don't support USB charging per se may work--if they're rated at the same voltage standard as USB (5v). For instance, I had no problem charging the Nintendo DS Lite (which is technically 5.2v, still seemed to work fine) and old Sony PSP.

If you're looking to duplicate this setup, there are some caveats, of course. I was using some proprietary adapter cables (to charge the aforementioned PSP and DS Lite handhelds), which would have to be purchased at extra expense. Other cables that should work--such as some retractable USB cables--didn't. And some devices may default to "trickle charge" mode when using their USB input, which makes for a slower recharge. (That didn't bother me--this setup is primarily for overnight juice-ups, so a couple of extra hours didn't matter.) Another annoyance: using third-party chargers may possibly violate the warranty of certain devices, so you might want to check the manual before plugging in. But, basically, if you've already docked a given device with your PC, using a standalone charger is almost certainly a safe bet. Likewise, always use caution when handling any chargers that are plugged in to a wall outlet--it is live electricity, after all. Bottom line: the "hub as charger" workaround should work, but your mileage may vary--you'll want to double-check your devices and cables accordingly, or limit yourself to charging just three or four units simultaneously.

To be fair, this workaround may not be news to many of you; in fact, a little creative Googling after the fact shows that I'm hardly the first person to have this same idea. But until a commercial solution becomes available--say, a second-gen Belkin Dual USB Power Adapter (or a competing product from a rival manufacturer) with double or triple the capacity--I think I've found my new home and travel charging station. Even with all the cables involved, using a single AC adapter and a slimline hub for up to seven other devices is a winning solution to the bulky alternatives, both at home (no more powerstrip) and especially on the road (travel with one AC adapter, versus up to seven). For me, at least, it's a much better alternative to the CallPod ChargePod.

John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002.