# iPod people...generic chargers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089 "2006-03-12T22:11:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089/1 "2006-03-12T22:11:12Z")
Does anyone here use the generic wall and/or car chargers, like the ones sold on ebay? I would like to buy both, but Apple wants 30 bucks for their wall chargers, and eBay has auctions for both the wall and car chargers for a lot less. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![MC\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@MC\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_E)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089/2 "2006-03-12T23:36:14Z")
Well, the USb voltage spec is 5 V DC and the Firewire spec is 5-30 volts DC. The ipod will charge from either, so I think it is pretty tolerant. A look at the specs for the offical apple home charger indicates an output voltage of 12v at 1 amp. As long as the generic charger can put out enough current it should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089/3 "2006-03-13T01:10:56Z")
I’ve used one of thse [Monster Cables](http://www.monstercable.com/mp3/productPageMP3.asp?pin=2660&LastPage=Monster%20iPod%20-http://www.monstercable.com/mp3/productPageMP3.asp?pin=2660&LastPage=Monster%20iPod%20-%20For%20the%20Road) for the car since I got my iPod Mini a year or so ago. The Mini didn’t come with a wall charger just a USB cable. This cable charges the iPod as well as transmits it over an FM channel of my choice (you can program 3 different channels.) Haven’t had any problems. But I wouldn’t consider Monster “generic” so much as “third party.” This cable/transmitter is $80 but works like a charm for me. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089/4 "2006-03-13T01:14:05Z")
I use a Belkin when I charge it in my car (not that often.) Works well enough. After all, I’ve charged it straight from a USB2 port, from a FireWire port, and from that weird AC adapter Apple made that uses FireWire. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089/5 "2006-03-13T08:07:11Z")
I’m also wondering this. I got a Smoke Nano kit. The adapters are really, really light and I worry about using them. I’ve read stories about car chargers frying Ipods. I really hate that goddamned dock connector. Couldn’t they have put a USB port next to a 1/8" line out, and made docks with males for these side-by-side? You can’t use the Ipod with anything unless you buy special accessories or adapters. The car adapter in the kit only has a USB output, so I either have to take the Ipod cable with me or buy another adapter. The SendStation pocketdock looks good but it would be easy to lose. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipod-people-generic-chargers/348089/6 "2006-03-13T11:55:01Z")
I have one. One of those wall ones the USB plugs into. Can be used to power other USB devices. Works fantastically. Been using it for about 5 months with a nano.