AC Charger for Zune...out of principle - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

ptaaty · 12-01-2007, 07:30 PM

Some of you may find this of interest.

I needed an AC charger for my Zune 80GB due to some coast to coast trips and not wanting to take a laptop.

But out of principle I won't spend $30 for something that should be in the box with a player.

So I ordered a cheap AC to USB wall outlet of ebay $3.99 shipping included. Didn't work. Thought maybe it was due to the 350mA limit on the charger.

I found a Kodak AC to USB charger rated all the way to 1A ($9.99), though it would have to work. Again, no dice, charge indicator never appeared...

Both units appeared extend battery life but not start the charge sequence.

Finally I found this Music Power Duet USB AC Charger for iPod and MP3 Players - Wal-Mart

$9.99 online, $14.99 in store...very thin and supports charging two things at once. Worked perfectly!!

So the real reason for this thread isn't to point out that you can get a dual port USB charger that actually works for a Zune for less that half price (cool though)...but why the hell don't the others work?

To me it looks like the player is cueing in on something other than just the 5V presence on the outside pins...there must be something on the internal pins that makes it legit. Anyone know?

afphreak · 12-01-2007, 07:50 PM

theres also this link from "gotzune?" that Chris posted yesterday

ptaaty · 12-01-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afphreak

theres also this link from "gotzune?" that Chris posted yesterday

That is a killer deal. I needed one before Tuesday though...

Still I did want to point out that not "any old" USB charging will work with the Zune.

mojolo · 12-02-2007, 05:34 AM

based on this thread and reviews on Amazon, it seems that a USB AC charger made for the iPod will work on the Zune, and vice versa.

a USB AC charger not advertised as supporting an iPod or a Zune will not work on either.

will an iPod/Zune USB AC charger automatically work on any other mp3 player?

Ricardo Dawkins · 12-03-2007, 01:43 PM

Some cheap USB charger dont work with the Zune. These AC chargers are mostly used for cellphones or no-name mp3 players.

Use something compatible with iPod.

afphreak · 12-03-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojolo

based on this thread and reviews on Amazon, it seems that a USB AC charger made for the iPod will work on the Zune, and vice versa.

a USB AC charger not advertised as supporting an iPod or a Zune will not work on either.

will an iPod/Zune USB AC charger automatically work on any other mp3 player?

honestly, i'd be a little uneasy about trying an iPod charger on my zune(or ZVM for that matter) because they all have different pin outs i believe, the charging dock could send current to a part of the device that cant handle the direct current and could fry the device... though, if the zune does have the same pin outs for charging as the ipod, then ignore what i just typed...

Trippytiger · 12-03-2007, 02:31 PM

Why would there be different pin-outs? I'm sure that the pins that handle power are standardized in the USB specifications, and all USB cables and USB chargers should conform to those. Otherwise, plugging your DAP into a computer USB port that wasn't 'designed' for it would fry it as well.

Now, why some devices are so picky about what adapters they can use is still a mystery to me. Most of mine don't have any problems, but for some reason my cell phone only works with some chargers. It's picky about what USB cables I used to connect it to my computer, too.

Alleyman · 12-03-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afphreak

honestly, i'd be a little uneasy about trying an iPod charger on my zune(or ZVM for that matter) because they all have different pin outs i believe, the charging dock could send current to a part of the device that cant handle the direct current and could fry the device... though, if the zune does have the same pin outs for charging as the ipod, then ignore what i just typed...

You still use the cable supplied in the Zune box (data cable) to connect the charger to the Zune, so pinouts are a non issue.

Andrew_WOT · 12-03-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleyman

You still use the cable supplied in the Zune box (data cable) to connect the charger to the Zune, so pinouts are a non issue.

Plus Duet box says 'Designed for iPod and Zune". I got one from local wall mart, works like a charm.

Milner · 12-03-2007, 06:21 PM

I ordered two of the cheapies from Amazon....we will see how they work....