Can anyone recommend a car lighter socket to USB thingy that actually
works with the iPhone 3G[1]? This kind of thing:

http://www.fonejuice.co.uk/products/...S5&fjc=Froogle

The one I have doesn't charge my 3G, and I can't just use a lighter
socket to iPhone plug one as I want to use the charger cable that comes
with the iPhone bluetooth headset [2] - ie I need a USB socket.

Thanks,

-zoara-



[1] I'm getting really narked off with having to find accessories that
specifically work with the iPhone, rather than just 'any iPod'. Spoke to
someone from Clarion about this yesterday and they're narked too; I've
resorted to simply emailing all the car stereo manufacturers with that
specific request, but I want a charger just to tide me over.

[2] I refuse to wear this thing outside the car.

zoara <me18> wrote:

> Can anyone recommend a car lighter socket to USB thingy that actually
> works with the iPhone 3G[1]? This kind of thing:
>
> [..]
>
> The one I have doesn't charge my 3G, and I can't just use a lighter
> socket to iPhone plug one as I want to use the charger cable that comes
> with the iPhone bluetooth headset [2] - ie I need a USB socket.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -zoara-

I may be misunderstanding, but I've purchased a 12v socket doubler from
Maplins that also has two USB sockets in, which provide USB power from
the 12v input. This lets you use any old USB-powered device with a
regular USB lead.

It's not shown as stocked, but does something like

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223212

look useful, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

Cheers,

On Nov 21, 12:12 pm, james.d...@new.ox.ac.uk (James Dore) wrote:
[..]
>
> [..]
>
> look useful, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
>
> Cheers,
> --
> james dore
> IT Officer,
> New College, Oxfordhttp://www.new.ox.ac.uk/it-support@new....
if I could copy and paste a link from my iphone I would, but engadget
have a preview of a neat little inline adapter that converts old
iPhone charging devices using FireWire power to charge iphone 3g
models that need USB. About 30 dollars.

James Dore <james.dore> wrote:

> zoara <me18> wrote:
>> I may be misunderstanding, but I've purchased a 12v socket doubler from
> Maplins that also has two USB sockets in, which provide USB power from
> the 12v input. This lets you use any old USB-powered device with a
> regular USB lead.
>
> It's not shown as stocked, but does something like
>
> [..]
>
> look useful, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

That's the kind of thing (though I'd prefer something with just a single
USB). The problem I have is with the "lets you use any old USB-powered
device" statement; that no longer seems to be true with the iPhone 3G,
which is exceptionally fussy about its power source. The one I have
should, in theory, charge any USB device, and it does charge my iPod and
Treo etc; but the iPhone simply refuses to see it. Another device with a
USB output that I bought recently works, but only about 5-10% of the
time. I haven't tried the el cheapo mains-to-USB charger yetbut I bet
that has similar problems.

It's not the cable or the iPhone, as they both work with various other
USB ports - a battery pack, a port on a computer, an Apple-branded
mains-to-USB plug...

I can find plenty on google that are advertised as working with the 3G,
but then the device that only works 10% of the time was also advertised
ths way.

-zoara-

Ric <infobubble> wrote:

> if I could copy and paste a link from my iphone I would, but engadget
> have a preview of a neat little inline adapter that converts old
> iPhone charging devices using FireWire power to charge iphone 3g
> models that need USB. About 30 dollars.

I spotted that. Unfortunately it wouldn't help in this case as
(presumably!) the headset's travel cable has connected the correct pins
to power. The cable (and phone) both charge when connected to other USB
power sources.

I have my suspicions that the phone is detecting any power fluctuations
(or something) in the source and just refusing to accept power from
devices it considers unreliable. Probably some kind of safety measure?
So the 'emergency' battery pack that I have that works is giving a clean
5V signal, but the battery pack that doesn't is fluctuating in a way
that iPods and other devices find acceptable but the iPhone turns its
nose up at.

I just need to find a cig/USB charger that someone else has used to
charge the iPhone, or take a(nother) risk buying something that claims
to charge iPhones...

-z-

On 21 Nov, 16:25, m...@privacy.net (zoara) wrote:
[..]
>
> I just need to find a cig/USB charger that someone else has used to
> charge the iPhone, or take a(nother) risk buying something that claims
> to charge iPhones...
>
>         -z-
>
> --
> am forget my password of mac,did you give me
> password on new email marko.[redacted]@yahoo.com

It may not just be the iPhone. My last WinMo device (but not previous
ones) was fussy about USB fag lighter adaptors, too. One worked and
charged it, one didn't. Both would charge "dumb" devices though so
the adaptors weren't broken as such.
I did some digging and I believe part of the USB specs cover a
"handshake" when a device would like to draw more current than the
base standard (500mW?). There's provision for some sort of
intelligence so the device can say "I'd like more power - can you
deliver it?" and the host says yes/no.
I suspected this is what was causing the problems. From memory,
hardwiring a couple of USB contacts inside the USB female connector
jammed this to "yes you can" and fixed the problem.

This may be what's happening in iPhone land?

On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:25:23 +0000, zoara wrote
(in article <1iqrjvm.1s9ysnv1hm66q2N%me18>):

> I just need to find a cig/USB charger that someone else has used to
> charge the iPhone, or take a(nother) risk buying something that claims
> to charge iPhones...

The Belkin FM transmitter I've just returned because I didn't like the audio
quality charged the iPhone 3G via the car cig power outlet no worries. It was
£50 though. Had an iPhone 3G compatibility sticker on the box.

<http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404646>

Ian

Ian Robinson <junk> wrote:

> On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:25:23 +0000, zoara wrote
> (in article <1iqrjvm.1s9ysnv1hm66q2N%me18>):
>
> > I just need to find a cig/USB charger that someone else has used to
> > charge the iPhone, or take a(nother) risk buying something that claims
> > to charge iPhones...
>
> The Belkin FM transmitter I've just returned because I didn't like the audio
> quality charged the iPhone 3G via the car cig power outlet no worries. It was
> £50 though. Had an iPhone 3G compatibility sticker on the box.
>
> <http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404646>

I have the Belkin car charger thing but without the FM transmitter, it
was something like 20 squid from John Lewis, it works ok. It seems to me
that that is not what Zoara was after, though.

Ric <infobubble> wrote:

> On 21 Nov, 16:25, m...@privacy.net (zoara) wrote:
[...]
> > I have my suspicions that the phone is detecting any power fluctuations
> > (or something) in the source and just refusing to accept power from
> > devices it considers unreliable. Probably some kind of safety measure?
> > So the 'emergency' battery pack that I have that works is giving a clean
> > 5V signal, but the battery pack that doesn't is fluctuating in a way
> > that iPods and other devices find acceptable but the iPhone turns its
> > nose up at.
>
> It may not just be the iPhone. My last WinMo device (but not previous
> ones) was fussy about USB fag lighter adaptors, too. One worked and
> charged it, one didn't. Both would charge "dumb" devices though so
> the adaptors weren't broken as such.

Sounds familiar...


> I did some digging and I believe part of the USB specs cover a
> "handshake" when a device would like to draw more current than the
> base standard (500mW?). There's provision for some sort of
> intelligence so the device can say "I'd like more power - can you
> deliver it?" and the host says yes/no.
> I suspected this is what was causing the problems. From memory,
> hardwiring a couple of USB contacts inside the USB female connector
> jammed this to "yes you can" and fixed the problem.
>
> This may be what's happening in iPhone land?

I think that is what is happening. In further searches I found this:

http://carljonard.com/2008/07/how-to...3g-in-the-car/

which says "The Iphone is also sensing voltage on USB Data positive
(approx 1.8v) and USB Data negative (approx 2.5V)."

Anyway, turns out that with better search terms I found what I consider
to be something reputable; it also mentions charging at 1 Amp instead of
the usual 500mA:

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Elec...t/Product.html

It's from Play.com but I've just noticed they appear to be doing an
Amazon and acting as middleman for other sellers. Hm. More reputable of
course is the place I should have looked first - Apple's UK store:

<http://store.apple.com/uk/product/TS...0Mw&mco=MjI1Nj
A4Ng>

Or there's always, uh, the 99p one

http://www.inoot.co.uk/iPhone-3G-USB-Car-Charger-Black

I don't think I'll bother risking that one.

Anyway, I seem to be sorted now, and seem to be a lot wiser regarding
Apple's overcomplex charging requirements. Thanks for the hints!

-zoara-

Ian Robinson <junk> wrote:

> On Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:25:23 +0000, zoara wrote
> (in article <1iqrjvm.1s9ysnv1hm66q2N%me18>):
>
> > I just need to find a cig/USB charger that someone else has used to
> > charge the iPhone, or take a(nother) risk buying something that claims
> > to charge iPhones...
>
> The Belkin FM transmitter I've just returned because I didn't like the audio
> quality charged the iPhone 3G via the car cig power outlet no worries. It was
> £50 though. Had an iPhone 3G compatibility sticker on the box.
>
> <http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=404646>

Thanks for the pointer, but (see acrossthread) I think I'm sorted now.

-z-

zoara <me18> wrote:

> Anyway, I seem to be sorted now, and seem to be a lot wiser regarding
> Apple's overcomplex charging requirements. Thanks for the hints!

And then, after all that, I went and bought a generic-brand one in Tesco
for less than a tenner (checking I could take it back if it ddn't work)
and... it charges no problem at all.

I'm quite puzzled.

-zoara-