Need something to control the power going into USB heating element

[Why Not Indeed]

Well 5v USB power supplies do not usually offer much in the way of current so I would be surprised if they use much current at all (I might be wrong but if you have the means to check the current draw, at the 5v end not the mains end) then you might decide that a simple current limiting circuit would suffice).

It's going to be a "dumb" USB device which will get no more than 0.5A.
I say this because it would need active electronics in it, in order to command more than that from a USB socket. If it had that, it would probably already be doing what the OP wanted.

 

[JohnD]

it would probably already be doing what the OP wanted.

Do you think the OP will ever tell us?

 

[Jurassicspark]

If its really 5V then a diode in series could reduce the heat going to the gloves.

 

[JohnW2]

Do you think the OP will ever tell us?

Even when they have 'a brand', I've never come across any of these USB-powered heated gloves/jackets/ whatever with documentation which gives any clue about the technicalities - they merely tell one to "plug them into a USB socket"

These things seem to use surprisingly little current, perhaps facilitated by a fair bit of thermal insulation. One of my daughters has a heated jacket/waistcoat, which she just plugs in to a small bog-standard 'power bank'. It gets surprisingly (I might say 'uncomfortably'!) hot, and seems to run for ages from a very modest power bank.

But to answer the question, I imagine that a series resistor or serial diodes(s) would achieve what the OP wants, regardless of most other things, wouldn't it?

 

[SithLordHood]

just plug the dam things in for a few minutes before use then stick your fingers in them and be happy.

You are looking for a solution to a problem that does not exist!

 

[OM2]

Guys, sorry for my late reply. Thanks for all the excellent replies.

Power source: any USB. Including a USB hub. The gloves get super warm - too much.

See below for a pic

As far as I can tell, these are just USB heat pads you can buy separately inserted into gloves.
See below for the heat pads:

The heat pads cost more to buy than the gloves. I'm sure the price would be different if buying wholesale.

I looked at the links in above replies, I don't think any will fit the bill.
I'm looking off the shelf and not looking to make.

If I'm working in front of the laptop and stationary, then they're brilliant. But if I have to get up and move every 5 min - they're a pain, as I have to plug and unplug. My next project after solving the temp control would be a magnetic connecter so I can connect and disconnect easily.

Thanks.

 

[FrodoOne]

I'm looking off the shelf and not looking to make.

That is too bad!

You could connect them in series, instead of in parallel.
That would reduce the "Heating" of each glove to 25% of of its present value.

Although one could easily make an adaptor for this purpose
I doubt that there is an "off the shelf" adaptor to do this.