The IKEA Charging Box - No More Cable Mess! Very Easy to Do
Intro: The IKEA Charging Box - No More Cable Mess! Very Easy to Do
Based on what I read on the web about cable clutter and mess ( mobile phone, PDA, iPod, etc. -chargers), I figured out how to make a simple and very easy to do charger box.
I made this especially regarding its simplicity and, why not, discrete and cool looks. Ah, and light weight plus reduced volume. You can place such a box anywhere.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/714116/how_to_make_a_charger_box_very_easy_no_more_cable_mess/
Now I use in my home 2 boxes like that and they really saved me a lot of effort and stress, because all those cables (besides of being simply ugly lying on the floor) gather a lot of dust bunnies, like a fishermans net, when they lie around on the ground one on top of another.
Plus my cell phones, PDA, camera, electric razor all share now the same spot when they charge; and even when they are not. It helped not to place my phones/camera/other devices in the entire house any more, without any logic. Can you believe me, I almost lost one of my phones in the house because of that? Not a nice feeling when you're in a hurry not to be late at work..
I made this especially regarding its simplicity and, why not, discrete and cool looks. Ah, and light weight plus reduced volume. You can place such a box anywhere.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/714116/how_to_make_a_charger_box_very_easy_no_more_cable_mess/
Now I use in my home 2 boxes like that and they really saved me a lot of effort and stress, because all those cables (besides of being simply ugly lying on the floor) gather a lot of dust bunnies, like a fishermans net, when they lie around on the ground one on top of another.
Plus my cell phones, PDA, camera, electric razor all share now the same spot when they charge; and even when they are not. It helped not to place my phones/camera/other devices in the entire house any more, without any logic. Can you believe me, I almost lost one of my phones in the house because of that? Not a nice feeling when you're in a hurry not to be late at work..
STEP 1: Ikea Box
Buy a box like that from IKEA.
Or just buy any similar box you can get at any store. Make sure it is not too small.
Or just buy any similar box you can get at any store. Make sure it is not too small.
STEP 2: Drill the Box!
Drill the box by using a larger drill bit, like the one shown in the video
STEP 3: The Cables
Put the power cable inside, the chargers, and connect them.
You've done it, no more cable clutter! ;)
No more dust collectors.
Very easy to do and simply great. And cheap too!
You've done it, no more cable clutter! ;)
No more dust collectors.
Very easy to do and simply great. And cheap too!
26 Comments
agis68 15 years ago
InstructMeA 15 years ago
rfkraemer 15 years ago
wiedo 15 years ago
Williz 16 years ago
LDW 16 years ago
whatsisface 16 years ago
LDW 16 years ago
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/aboutest/news/pressreleasesarchive/index.cfm?mode=view&press_id=535
(item 2)
Even without a load, the charger is using electricity. If you touch it, you'll feel it is warm: that heat is generated in the process of converting 240 volts to 20 (or whatever). Or attach an energy monitor and see how much energy is being used. On its own it may not seem significant, but according to the UK energy company Calor:
"Most people do not know which domestic activities generate the most carbon emissions... 93 per cent of people failed to correctly place everyday appliances such as mobile phone chargers and plasma televisions in order of their carbon output... Numerous misconceptions were identified, such as the widespread belief that patio heaters generate more carbon emissions than televisions.
In fact, televisions in the UK were found to generate 210 times the amount of carbon dioxide than patio heaters, while mobile phone chargers were found to be twice as harmful.
Andrew Ford, corporate affairs manager at Calor, said that the survey was organised to find out how much consumers know about carbon emissions.
He added: "Nearly a third said they would never use patio heaters due to their effects on the environment, yet most consumers still don't turn their TVs off standby, which is responsible for 37 times more CO2 emissions in the UK than patio heaters.""
whatsisface 16 years ago
technodude92 15 years ago
LDW 16 years ago
alexsim2004 15 years ago
The IKEA box as shown in the video is called 'SLUGIS'
Link for:
Box
Lid
Just a note for UK viewers - if you use the IKEA box as shown above - you can only fit a 4 socket extension inside the box.
bluesman 15 years ago
Cap_n_Scarlet 16 years ago
PROD 16 years ago
I've "extended" it by adding an individual switch to each power supply.
You can have a look at IKEA-Power-Charging-Box-with-individual-switches
Thanks!
strods 16 years ago
camiller 16 years ago
glitteringsky 16 years ago
jwater7 16 years ago
bluesman 16 years ago