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Ipod 4 won't charge in the car!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Fore, May 5, 2012.

  1. Fore

    Fore Don't look back!

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    Does anyone have a solution to charging their Ipod 4g in the car through the aux / 12 volt power plug? I do not have a usb connection in my base 2010 Prius. I've tried the usb convertor in the 12 volt power supply and it does'nt work. I also bought the Scosche passPORT and it didn't work either. Anyone have any cheap suggestions to get this old Ipod 4g to charge.
     
  2. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

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    12 volt to USB adapters are quite common. You can pick one up at TJ Maxx for $5. Then run a USB to 30pin cable to the iPod. You said you tried it though......

    Better yet, there are 30pin to USB + 3.5 stereo jack cables available on eBay for $5. That way you only run one cord from the iPod to the car that carries audio and power.
     
  3. massparanoia

    massparanoia Active Member

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    Steve Jobs must not like Prii, or Flash.
     
  4. skilbovia

    skilbovia Member

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    I have a cigarette lighter to iPod charger that I bought at 5 Below for 5 bucks. I connect via Bluetooth. Works great. I was worried that it might discharge faster when the car is off than it charges when the car is on but that appears to not be the case. I did have one instance when the iPod was totally discharged when I started the car but it charged in about 5 minutes and started playing music by itself.
     
  5. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    You might want to double check that the is working - it would be terrible to try all sorts of chargers only to find out that a fuse was blown.

    I have found that Apple products can be picky about chargers- if the voltage is not within a tight range it will not charge. My Android phone will charge on just about anything, but I need to make a point of plugging in my iPad to the charger it came with.

    I'd recommend going to a place like Target where returns are easy that way you can try it before being stuck with it.
     
  6. tach18k

    tach18k Member

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    On major thing is the amp rating on the car device, make sure it is at least 1 amp, some are under rated for iPods, are you using the cord from the device, some cords do dont fit right and thus wont charge
     
  7. NiHaoMike

    NiHaoMike Member

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    Some Apple devices need the data pins to be connected to resistor networks in order to charge, unlike other devices that only need the data lines jumpered or just charging whenever a valid power source is connected.
     
  8. pacohaas

    pacohaas Junior Member

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    I have heard some people have issues with non-apple cables. Are you using the cable that came with your device?
     
  9. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    You aren't going to get the right answer because there have been at least three completely different 4g iPod models:
    iPod Classic 4g
    iPod Touch 4g
    iPod Nano 4g
    iPhone 4g

    So until we know what you're talking about, you aren't going to get the right answer. But, if I had a guess, it's this: iPods used to support FireWire and USB. These two used different charging voltages -- 12v and 5v. Today, they only support 5v. Your iPod might not work with the 12v to 5v power adapter in your car. But unless we know exactly which iPod you have, it's all guessing.
     
  10. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    ^^^
    Yep. See Identifying iPod models.

    Yep, I had a black and white 20 gig iPod 4th gen aka click wheel iPod. It supported 12 volt Firewire charging and came w/a Firewire AC adapter and Firewire cable. And, yes, Apple's moved to 5 volt USB charging only over time, and in all the current models.
     
  11. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I have a couple 12v-to-USB adapters in my car, and find only one works with my iPhone 4.