Cig Lighter and MP3 problem

deides · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:31 am Post subject: Cig Lighter and MP3 problem

here's a question for the electrical minded out there - I cannot recharge my mp3 player from my cig lighter in my van (using USB adapter). When I take the same mp3 player and cord, and plug it in a USB port on my computer, it charges fine. But when i plug it in the USB adapter in my van, the battery indicator on the mp3 player goes red and it simply doesnt charge. I've left it on all night and the battery was still where it was when i had plugged it in.

now, i've done my due diligence here and tried a few things. The cig lighter has the correct charge (the inside terminal is the + and the side wall of the lighter is - ). I am told a USB port should give off 5volt. I have measured my computer usb voltage at 5.25 volts. I have also measured the voltage coming from the USB adapter at 5.05 volts. They are both around 5v as it should be.

So I am wondering what else could be the issue here. it would be easy to blame the adapter, but it is giving off the right voltage so could it really be the adapter? I'd like to know for sure before dishing out 15$ for one (yes I am in canada and everything here is 5 times the price as in the US).

Anyone have any ideas with regards to my mp3 player? What could the issue be?

Mr. Electric Wizard · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:32 am Post subject:

I've heard of repeated problems trying to charge electronics through the Vanagon cigarette lighter.
There's somebody on here that's fried several IPods already.
I'd stop now!
_________________
"Saying what we think gives us a wider conversational range than saying what we know."
~ Cullen Hightower

(T)exas (C)oalition (B)uses
(H)eidenhammer (B)ully (B)oyz

--1966 De Luxe Camper

deides · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:01 pm Post subject:

I read that thread too (did search, you see!) I actually tried it in the original dash lighter plug (with the adapter) and in a new cig lighter plug attached to my aux battery.

so unless its impossible to recharge an mp3 player (in my case a sansa e260) with a USB adapter in a cig 12v plug, i think there would be something more specific that is wrong in my case. What is the point of having 12v plugs if i'm scared of using them? This has to be fixed

deides · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

is there such a thing as "bad volts" I have the 12v plug fused at 10amp... i really don't know what could be the cause. I mean, one is slightly higher than the other, could that be it?

McVanagon · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:07 pm Post subject:

Odd, there was someone else in here who has lost a few devices (iPods, phones, I can't remember). I can't remember how it turned out, but someone asked if the polarity (+/-) was correct in the cigar lighter.
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'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop

deides · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:13 pm Post subject:

back of the cig lighter is (+), sides of the cig lighter (-)

i think that is correct, yes?

PDXWesty · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject:

I would check the USB adapter in another car first before I blamed the vanagon wiring. Make sure it's good. I have several adapters and they don't all work on all devices. The one for my ipod doesn't work on my iphone for instance. If the USB adapter doesnt work, you can buy an actual car charger that will.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

deides · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

i thought because the voltage from the USB adapter was 5 volt it oculdnt be it, but youre saying it may be culprit??

I will post haste go and buy another to see.

laterPeter · Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:07 pm Post subject:

I bought a converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. I found my iPod will not charge in the USB port provided but will charge using the ac charger. hmmm.
that's, currently, good enough for me. I've lost one iPod due to a nasty charger using the cigarette lighter socket (different vehicle, though).
later,
Peter
_________________
"anyone have a screen for the window in the sliding door for an '85 Westfalia?"
1985 Westfalia 1.9 Automatic


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