Setting up a man cave and was using a bunch of 4 outlet powerboards. Thought I would look on Bunnings and get an 8 outlet to tidy it all up and saw this. Seem very cheap for 2 of them, with some USB ports as well. Not sure on the quality. Can't imagine it's fantastic.
So what you just have 8x power outlets and 2x USB ports on your wall?
And you got an electrician in to install that for under $7.50?
Not sure on the quality.
Both USB ports on mine failed within a year…
Both?
Sounds like user error…
Both?
Yep, first one stopped working and a few weeks later, the second one died.
It's always a sad day when something dies, but the first one just sounds like an unemployed bum…
The second one obviously died of a broken heart 💔
Does anyone know if the led is powered all the time or only when USB ports are used?
Trying to get the children to turn the TV off at the switch but when in standby there is no indication it is powered. This would be Ideal if LED lights when just powered up.
Does anyone know if the led is powered all the time or only when USB ports are used?
Mine was, until the USBs died. Now it's always off.
Yeah they would have powered the LED from the lower 5VDC USB circuitry. And unless there's an LED on every socket/switch, the single LED will be on when the board is plugged into power so you know it's live.
Standy LEDs use practically nothing in terms of energy. The cost to replace the switch on the wall after many mechanical uses, is going to cost a lot more than the LEDs.
My TV's use about 1 watt in standby.
I only turn off one of them at the wall, since it's rarely used.
Mine is an Android TV so is using more on standby. Also I have always turned TVs off at the wall and had amazing results. The last TV was still working perfectly after 12 years when replaced and the kids still use it now for Xbox. It is 16 years old now. Previous one lasted a very long time as well. Never replaced a wall switch.
how much is it using on standby? Being an android TV shouldn't have any effect on energy consumption, as it's just the software which is pre-installed.
@Oofy Doofy: Just done a test. The Sony TV (kd55x8500E) only used 65 watts when watching TV (power save level low, level high the screen is too dim). In standby it uses 19Watts.
We also have the active sub and soundbar plugged in that brings the total standby power to 33watts.
We probably watch 1 to 2 hours a day of TV so 22 hours a day using 33 watts when it doesn't need to is not ideal. In a week that is 5kW of energy
Good deal
Not sure on the quality. Can't imagine it's fantastic.
Fantastic how consistently awful their products are. Don't waste money on mains power stuff that isn't Clipsal or HPM. The risk just isn't worth it. Thin plastic that breaks, bits that come off inside rattling around, cables whose outer insulation pulls out of the board revealing the inner insulated wires now stressing them, switches that carbon up and get hot creating a potential fire hazard…
I bought a HPM from Bunnings with individual switches so I can turn off/on only the items I want. $7 more but will probably last 40 years. https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-10-amp-4-outlet-switched-pow…. No need for an LED because with 4x items plugged in one is going to have an LED of it's own to know the power is on, and if you want a USB port, plug in a separate adapter so you can switch it off instead of the port being on 24/7 (until it fails).
Thanks for the sausage photo. About to get lunch.
I bought 2 of the exact same HPM's you memtion, absolute rubbish. Items either are arc'ing or not powered even though it's in as far as it goes. Gave up trying to use them.
I find that very difficult to believe, but ok.
Arlec has caused more regret than HPM or Clipsal, which are what tradesman have used for decades for a reason.
$14.25 with powerpass
Electrical engineer here.
The asymmetry is due to the spacing of the PCB inside. Could it have been better engineered so it's more aesthetically pleasing? Yes but that would have cost more time.
Alessandro Volta Would be rolling in his grave…
Anyone else have lots of issues with USB ports on power boards generally? Every one I have owned has consistently had problems on the USB ports stopping working after a small amount of time. I even had one that popped and starting burning/smoking it’s lucky I was around. It’s at the point where I don’t trust them anymore, I just plug in my own adapter with a USB port instead.
Same, never bothered with devices that add a USB port as an afterthought.
I guess you've got to go with a better quality brand. I've got a Belkin USB powerboard and the USB ports have never failed me after all this time. At least the Belkin powerboard is not land fill.
Nope.
I haven't bought a powerboard without USB ports for more than a decade and haven't had an issue. Mainly Belkin, Xiaomi and those big old black eight outlet ones which came with surge protection for LAN, co-axial and an alleged $250,000 insurance policy if any device was ever damaged whilst connected to them.
That's why I did not replace my power outlets on the wall. Have not figured out why, might be easily fixable if someone looked into it.
No issues so far. Have belkin, Xiaomi and a bunch of nu-tec bunnings had for clearance a few years ago. So far so good!
Not sure you should trust the fire safety of your man cave to these cheap powerboards?
Link now goes to:
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Sorry, we hit a snag!
The link in the description is 404 on the Bunnings site.
When I click on the link above, I get a error page. Then when I search for it, I get question marks in all categories (delivery, instore or click and collect) and I am logged into my account.
These still seem to be available in store as I just grabbed a few 15 mins ago
Page Not Found
Sorry, we hit a snag!
Not here. Page loads no problem.
Working now, thank you
What I actually want is a powerboard with universal sockets, so that I don't need to use plug adapters for overseas appliances (why that isn't the standard is beyond me, tbh).
Some thing such as this you say?. It's however only got 4 outlets. Just be careful if you're plugging in a 110V only device into the powerboard you'll likely blow the device up.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Power-Board-Universal-Charging-Pro…
Yep. $34.44 for 4 is a bit steep though (and I don't even have Prime!); I'm seeing $26.06 for 5 and $36.63 for 8 + 6 USB-A (albeit not with an Aussie mains plug).
Prime only costs $6.99 to get for a month and you can unsubscribe.
@hollykryten: … adding up to $41.43, over $10 per socket!!
Yeah… nah; no deal. I pulled the trigger on that 8-socket + 6-port for $34 delivered from AliEx instead. We'll see…
Xiaomi
100%. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/xiaomi-xmcxb05qm
Not as cheap as they used to be, but the newer models have USB-C alongside the existing USB-A ports and more wattage for faster charging. Invaluable when travelling, potentially in conjunction with an overseas universal adapter so it can power up to six devices from any international or domestic GPO.
I'm a big fan of Xiaomi, but… $27 for meager 3 sockets and 3 USB ports?? How about $34.50 for 8 sockets + 6 USB ports (all USB-A, ok, but… 3000W!).
@wisdomtooth: Yeah, price has doubled from what you could them for a few years back, but it's just a one of purchase and have proven the test of time from many trips and many other purchasers on OzBargain over the year.
Arguably the biggest benefit is that they comprise such a small, compact but well made unit, so are ideal for packing on international trips. Something larger and less transportable may be better for home usage, but a 3 + 3 ports is ample for my travels…
I got the last 2 at Bayswater. Even then it took ages for them to find them.
Grabbed this on clearance for $8 a few weeks back
arlec is rubbish. ive had a couple thrown to the junk bin due to breaking for no apparent reason.
Alexandria had singles on shelf for $25 :(
Got 2 from Balcatta, might have had one left after. Was really hidden needed to use the app to find them and even then they werent even unpacked and just brown cardboard boxes. They are USB A only.
Not the best quality, from my experience with a few Arlecs. The USB ports stopped working after a few months, and after 12-24 months each of the individual sockets failed. I replaced all my Arlecs with Jackson boards on sale from Woolies, and they have lasted 3years+.
Yeah i guess these people are buying landfill.
Never get this brand again, bought a few things from Bunnings and went for a number of Arlec brands stuff because its cheap, switches stop working and one of the plug not working. Other stuff like battery testers, tools and splitters etc, they aint accurate as advertise and built quality is bad, I mean worse than what you can get from China aliexpress.
Unfortunately there wasn't enough room to plug power adaptors in on opposite sides. Does anyone have a recommendation for an 8-10port single sided power strip?
No PD?
I just picked mine up from Click 'n' Collect. Wasn't per the photo (which I assume is the replacement model). No surge protection label and 2x USB-A ports. Still not complaining for the price.
Do you have a photo, I think my one was the same as the website
Does it come with Surge Protection?
No
I picked up mine and returned it right away.
It felt too cheap.
Picked up a pack on the way through… Aisle 41 at Cockburn, boxes on the floor (was lots there), not in 42 where the power boards are.
Pics of the internals if anyone is interested At least they got the active and neutral wired correctly.
Thanks for that - I have no idea if that's good or bad. Is it OK?
Don't recommend charging anything via it's usb outlet, over a day and a logitech mouse was still charging
no white plenty in black but $18 cashier, was like sure it's only $4……
Why not set up your man cave in a way that requires no ugly-ass power boards?
I did, but then I’m not the man I used to be.