A Question About Power Cables

bhepler

I use a travel charger. It has an AC outlet for the monitor and a hefty USB socket for the Pi. Plus, you can plug other things into the USB sockets (such as LED lights).

cowboysdude

@bhepler said in A Question About Power Cables:

I use a travel charger. It has an AC outlet for the monitor and a hefty USB socket for the Pi. Plus, you can plug other things into the USB sockets (such as LED lights).

Wish I had found this a while ago!!! BUT I will order one anyway!! :)

Mykle1

I like this idea, too. Question: Does it have a power switch of some kind? I ask because when I shut down my mirror there is still power to the Pi. In my case, that means the fan is still running. The power switch allows me to shut power to the mirror without pulling the plug and allows me to power on the mirror without having to plug it in.

bhepler

@Mykle1 No, it does not. You essentially pull the plug to turn it off. What I did at home was to plug it into a WeMo home automation outlet. I then used my phone to set up a schedule to turn the mirror off & on. And it ties into the Amazon Echo, so I can tell Alexa to turn the mirror off and on if I need it outside of the schedule.

The other downside is that the plug is only like 4 feet long. You may have to use an extension cord or (as I did) solder in an extension from a spare computer cord.

Mykle1

@bhepler

I’m not quite as automated as you are. Your setup sounds fantastic. I still like the idea of the travel charger. I could always put an on/off switch inline when I’m extending the length of the cord. Then I’ll have the best of both worlds. :-)

bhepler

Just FYI - I added a string of LEDs that are powered by a USB socket last night. Installed 'em under the edge of the frame, pointing towards the wall. My wife picked them up on sale for some reason. They plugged right in to the USB slot on the travel charger. Now they switch on along with the mirror.