5th Gen won't charge on Bose SoundDock

I plugged my brand new 5th gen Nano intou my Bose SoundDock. The Ipod screen said "Charging is not supported with this accessory". WTH!!! It will play the i-pod, but my $300 SoundDock can't charge it?

My 4th gen worked fine and had no issues. Anyone else heard of this? Looks like I might be packing it back up and sending it back.

Posted on Oct 30, 2009 6:45 AM

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5 replies

Oct 30, 2009 7:04 AM in response to MIKE2FF

Just got off the phone with Bose support. Turns out Apple changed the way the charging is done. Bose offers 2 options.
You can take it in for a repair for $99.00
You can upgrade to the newest portable SoundDock for a discounted price of $179.00

It will play, but just not charge. Pair this with the reports of the pedometer not working correctly and I have come up with my own solution. Take the thing back and pull my old i-pod out of the desk drawer.

Nov 1, 2009 7:24 AM in response to MIKE2FF

I had the same problem with my Bose SoundDock. I was told by Bose it could be fixed for £69:00, also meant shipping to Belgium for the repair. I also have the same problem with my Armon-Kardon AV Amp which has a sounddock built in. How much they would charge to rectify the problem? (who knows!!!). Does this mean that if I purchase another i-pod further up the line that this problem will not arise again. I think Apple should foot the bill or arrange to convert the new i-pods to the old charging method. It cannot be that diffficult for the manufactures to remedy the problem.!!

Nov 1, 2009 7:38 AM in response to najjer

The charging "problem" is that Apple dropped Firewire charging from newer models of iPods after having dual charging capabilities for a few generations. They stopped FW syncing 3 years prior to this so you would think that accessory manufacturers, who were also notified by Apple 2 years in advance of this move, would have got a clue and used the 5v USB charging pin/circuit rather than FW.

You can use the adapter that I posted. Apple specs for the iPods in question make it clear they can only be charged via USB , they do not have FW charging circuitry or a pin devoted to FW charging. Are you suggesting that you should be able to send your iPod to Apple and have them rebuild it and add FW charging? When they have been inexorably making moves to remove it? Not going to happen.

Jan 18, 2010 10:38 AM in response to MIKE2FF

Apple removed the Firewire compatibility - 12V charging support. The new ipods - 5th generation nano, ipod Touch, etc. no longer will charge in older accessories. So far, I have located two adapters which should allow the newer ipods to charge in the older devices - like the Bose Sounddock.
Scosche PassPORT USB Home Charging Adapter ($25.47), Griffin Charge Converter Adapter for All iPods and iPhones ($18.32). I don't think the Griffin device will fit in the Bose Sounddock - it's more for the car accessories. These are both available through Amazon.com. (There appear to be some other options as well.)

Gotta say though - Apple support was awful! I went into the Apple store to ask about this "problem" since I got a nano 5g for Christmas. Do you think they even gave me the explanation of why it wouldn't work? No, their answer was that they didn't make the devices I was talking about (Bose Sounddock, car connection, iHome clock radio) and I would have to contact the manufacturer of each one! I had to search the internet to find out why the nano wouldn't work with the accesories. And why can't Apple make an adapter? They changed the technology. Bottom line - biggest market share, $ matter, not customer support.

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5th Gen won't charge on Bose SoundDock

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