question about types of chargers

Question

Level 1

15 points

question about types of chargers

Since ipods no longer come with a wall charger, I need to get one for my ipod touch. I know Apple sells one specifically for the ipod touch, but I also have an old one made by Griffin that my friend was using with his ipod nano. I plugged it in for a second and it appeared to work, but I'm wondering if there are any issues with different levels of voltage or anything that might be a problem. (I was using it with the USB 2.0 cable that came with the ipod touch, since the one that came with the wall adaptor had a slightly different dock thingie for the ipod nano)

On the back of the Griffin charger, it says:

Griffin
AC Power Supply
Model: 17B061001
Input: 100-240V~ 50-60Hz 0.2A
Output: 5.0V 500mA
File NO: E213987
Date Code:1005
I.T.E Power Supply
For I.T.E Use Only
Made in China

(What does I.T.E mean?)

I also have my old power adaptor for my old white ipod (I think it was 2nd or 3rd generation), but it has firewire, not USB, so I don't think it'll work. Can you get a firewire cable for the ipod touch?

Also, I"m going to go to Europe-- any advice on what sort of adapters to get for that?

Thanks!

macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on May 13, 2008 10:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

May 13, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Terabithia

They really are all compatible. (Note: I said any dock adapter can be used with the Touch but I didn't state the reverse 😉 - not all iPods have dock connectors, but it is true that any cable with a dock connector can be used to charge any iPod with a dock connector port).

I have something like 8-10 iPods floating around my house (the IPT, a 3rd gen, a mini, and a couple of nanos; some Shuffles, too - and I'll add the iPhone to that list once the 3G version comes along). So, I have a lot of dock connector cables (plus a couple of docks, a Griffin iTrip, and a Bose SoundDock). Some have the release 'buttons' on the sides, some don't. I use them all interchangeably. The dock connectors with the release buttons definitely work fine with the IPT, as do the ones that just pull out.

RE your old white iPod power adapter cable, it depends on if it's 2nd or 3rd gen. 3rd gen introduced the dock connector; if you have a "scroll wheel" or a "touch wheel" iPod, those don't have the dock connector. You can check your model here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353

Reply

Answer 2

May 13, 2008 12:36 PM in response to Terabithia

Any iPod dock adapter can be used to charge the iPod Touch. The Griffin one will work fine, as will FireWire. I have charged my IPT from Apple's AC-to-USB adapter, from a Griffin PowerJolt in my car, from the FireWire dock that came with an old (3rd gen) iPod.

Note that with the IPT (and all recent iPods) FireWire cannot be used to sync, but it can be used to charge the iPod.

Most of these adapters (Apple's, the Griffin one you list) operate on 100-240 V and 50-60 Hz, so they can be used almost anywhere in the world (except those very rare countries that run on DC power, but that's not the case anywhere in Europe). So, all you need is an adapter to convert the 2-prong North American plug into the appropriate plug for where you are going. Those are available at Radio Shack or any travel store.

I.T.E. = information technology equipment. Basically refers to a set of safety and other standards for a class of devices.

Hope this helps...

Reply

Answer 3

Terabithia Author

Level 1

15 points

May 13, 2008 12:34 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thanks, that's helpful. You said that any charger will work with any ipod (except of course the shuffle) -- but there do seem to be a few differences. What is the fat end that plugs into the ipod called, the dock? My old ipod has a bigger one with little buttons on the sides that you push when you want to pull it out of the ipod. My new ipod touch does not have that. Otherwise they look similar, but becuase they do seem to be a little different I"m afraid to plug the old one into the IPT. Are they really all compatible?

Reply

Answer 4

May 13, 2008 12:39 PM in response to Terabithia

I bought a Belkin set that included the AC adapter, USB adapter, and Car adapter. It works fine with my iPod Touch.

I know what you are referring too though regarding the bigger end on the old USB cables. My Nano had a larger end that went into the bottom of my iPod and it had buttons on the side you had to push in to pull it out. I was nervious with the new cable that came with my iPod touch since it didn't have these buttons. I'm assuming they just want you to pull it out. Either way I still use the one from my old iPod Nano. 🙂

Reply

Answer 5

louie

Level 4

2,950 points

May 13, 2008 12:57 PM in response to neuroanatomist

FYI, I had a Sonnet iPod USB charger for my iPod 5G, and it failed to work on the iPod Touch. Confirmed by Sonnet, they claimed they had to change the design, and suggested I buy another one. I went with the Apple unit this time.

I think if the large connector fits in the bottom, and it was advertised as being for iPod, there should be no harm. Some of my cables have the side release buttons, and some don't.

Reply

Answer 6

May 13, 2008 1:26 PM in response to louie

Interesting! It's compatible now, so it seems they did change their design. It seems this new one won't work with my 3rd gen iPod, either. So, I stand (or sit, technically) corrected. Not all chargers with dock connectors will work with all iPods with dock connector ports. But, it seems that most of them do.

Reply

Answer 7

Marcape

Level 1

5 points

May 15, 2008 10:13 AM in response to Terabithia

I had misplaced the USB cord for my new touch, but I had the one from my very old iPod. It had the buttons on the side, and worked fine. I think apple just made the thing smaller, but it still fits in fine.

Reply

Answer 8

Marcape

Level 1

5 points

May 15, 2008 10:23 AM in response to neuroanatomist

I have a charger from an old iPod with a dock connector. Will it charge my iTouch? I won't end up with my brand new Touch fried like an egg will I?

Reply