Griffin Roadtrip apparently drains my iPhone battery

Question

Griffin Roadtrip apparently drains my iPhone battery

I own the aforementioned Roadtrip for use with my 5g iPod, and have since attempted to make use of it with my shiny new phone. Unfortunately, even Griffin admits that the accessory will not transmit music over RF, but does say that it might charge the iPhone. When I tried this, the roadtrip displays the red LED indicating that it is charging the device plugged into it, and the phone itself displays either a green battery (when locked) or a lightning bolt icon in the upper right. Strangely, the iPhone seems to lose battery power very quickly when plugged in to the Roadtrip.

Can anyone corroborate this experience?

iPhone 8gb, Windows XP Pro, Griffin Roadtrip

Posted on Jul 20, 2007 9:14 PM

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Answer 1

TomK2434

Level 1

5 points

Jul 23, 2007 2:17 PM in response to Jeremy Zander

I sure can. I used a griffin roadtrip to try and charge my iphone and the same thing happened. However, it seems that when I unplug the iphone and unlock it, the battery is working.

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Answer 2

Jason L

Community Specialist

Jul 23, 2007 2:44 PM in response to Jeremy Zander

Hey Jeremy,

iPhone compatible acessories will say "Works with iPhone"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305766

Jason

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Answer 3

Jul 23, 2007 8:24 PM in response to Jason L

Thank you for you corroboration TomK.

I'm aware that the roadtrip wasn't designed for the iPhone, as I purchased the roadtrip as an accessory to my iPod 30gb video over a year ago. I'm very certain it was not labeled as compatible with iPhones. Nevertheless, as the original post said, Griffin stated on their webpage that the iPhone may charge with the roadtrip. MIGHT, they said. Apparently not in my case...

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Answer 4

Jul 24, 2007 4:34 PM in response to Jeremy Zander

Today I charged my iPhone with a Belkin car charger, and the battery meter seemed to go down rapidly too. I even got the 20% battery remaining warning. However, when I got home I plugged the iPhone into the dock and it displayed nearly 60% charge remained! (the indicator immediately changed from red to green) Maybe its just a software bug with the battery indicator?

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Answer 5

Jul 26, 2007 6:13 PM in response to Nick Adair

I thought of that too. I suppose it's possible, but in the meantime, I've just stopped using the roadtrip and have found my battery life lengthened...

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Answer 6

Bontemps

Level 2

310 points

Jul 26, 2007 6:17 PM in response to Jeremy Zander

I use the Griffin "Power Jolt" car charger kit, it works really well and is labeled for the iPhone. No problems and used it since day 1.

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Answer 7

Jul 26, 2007 10:05 PM in response to Bontemps

Yep. I saw that product and considered purchasing it, but it looks like Griffin will be coming out with a RoadTrip-like device for iPhone, so I'll just wait for that.

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