Charging Options Explained

Makes by Mike mounts, slim charging cables, and power converters provide the pieces necessary to mount and continuously charge a tablet. Our charging options address the most common issues faced when providing power to a tablet.

Click on the image below to the charging option matrix in full size.

Charging Options Explained


USB Direct

Scenario: You’ve installed a recessed outlet with integrated USB charge ports at your tablet mounting location

Included: a slim charging cable with a USB-A male connector on the far end

Note: Please be sure your recessed USB outlet has enough clearance for the USB-A male connector (approximately 50 mm).


5v DC Direct

Scenario: You have an existing 5v DC power supply, such as a wall charger, that you’ll be hard wiring to charge your tablet

Included: a slim charging cable with the far end of the wires stripped

Note: Please be aware that DC voltage drops proportionally with wire length. Depending on how far your 5v DC power source is, and the gauge of your wire, your tablet may not receive the full 5 volts needed to charge properly. Alternatively you can use a 12v DC power supply and our 12v DC converter.


12v DC Converter

Scenario: You have an existing 12v DC power supply or Konnected board that you’ll be drawing power from to charge your tablet

Included: a slim charging cable with the far end stripped along with a 12v DC to 5v DC converter


120/240v AC Converter

Scenario: You have a nearby electrical outlet or switch that you’ll be tapping to charge your tablet

Included: a slim charging cable with the far end stripped along with a 120/240v AC to 5v DC converter

Note: Please be sure to install your converter in an appropriate electrical gang box, and consult your electrician regarding applicable local electrical codes.


24/48v DC Converter

Scenario: You’ll be using a network switch or power injector that supports passive POE devices and the cable running to your tablet is not terminated with an RJ45 connector

Included: slim charging cable with the far end stripped along with a 24/48v DC to 5v DC converter

Note: If your existing power supply is a POE device (switch or injector), please be sure it either supports passive POE devices, or you purchase separately a passive POE injector or splitter.


Passive POE Converter

Scenario: You’ll be using a network switch or power injector that supports passive POE devices and the cable running to your tablet is terminated with an RJ45 connector

Included: slim charging cable with the far end stripped and a 24/48v DC to 5v DC converter with RJ45 jack attached

Note: Please be sure your POE switch or injector supports "passive" mode B devices, or you purchase separately a passive POE injector or splitter.


Alarm Panel Converter

Scenario: You’re replacing your existing alarm panel and it has a 16.5v AC transformer that is no longer used and that you’ll power your tablet from

Included: slim charging cable with the far end stripped and a 16.5v AC to 5v DC converter

Note: Alarm transformers come in various power ratings usually denoted as volt-amps or VA which is usually embossed on the back of the transformer. Your alarm transformers power rating will dictate how many tablets you can charge with it. The total amperage able to be used by your tablet(s) is equal to the VA rating / 16.5 volts AC. For example, a transformer rated at 40 VA is theoretically able to provide 40 / 16.5 or 2.4 amps.

This may seem like a small number of amps, however most tablets are able to charge in both fast mode and trickle/slow mode with the latter requiring much less amperage. In the example above, the 40 VA transformer is able to power a couple of tablets that draw 800 milliamps (.8 amps) when slow charging.


No Charging Option

Scenario: You don’t plan to charge your tablet while it’s in the mount, but instead will remove it from the mount to charge using the tablet’s included charging cable

Included: when selecting the “No Charging Option” no slim charging cable or converter is included