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How to (Actually) Charge It

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Community-Contributed Guide

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How to (Actually) Charge It

Introduction

Go to step 1 ↓

This guide is to answer the questions about 3rd generation iPods refusing to charge.

Battery or charging circuit issues aside, the answer is: this iPod does NOT normally charge over USB. That 30-pin to USB iPod cable is either a sync cable or the charger for a newer iPod.

Assuming your iPod is able to charge (ie charging circuit is functioning), you need to supply 12 volts.

Depending on what charger you already have (or don't have), read the relevant step below:

What you need

Tools

      • Get a Firewire to 30-pin iPod cable. Example: the original charger or a matching one.

      • Plug it into a Firewire 400 port on your computer.

      • Firewire 400 and Firewire 800 are different. Results may vary if you use a Firewire 800 to 400 adapter.

      • Some desktop PCIe expansion cards, old Macbooks and so on have Firewire 400 ports.

      • This way, you can sync the iPod while it charges.

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    3. How to (Actually) Charge It, If you have a Firewire wall charger: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to (Actually) Charge It, If you have a Firewire wall charger: step 2, image 2 of 2

      • Get a 30-pin split or "Y" cable (or a Firewire iPod cable and a USB iPod cable).

      • Plug the Firewire cable (or plug) into the wall charger.

      • The USB plug is for syncing the iPod to your computer. With the "Y" cable you can do this while charging it from the wall charger.

      • If using a "Y" cable, do not plug the USB and Firewire plugs into the same computer. The USB and Firewire grounds must be separate.

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      • Get a 12V USB-C (USB QC, PD, etc) wall charger, or find a 12V USB-C port on your computer.

      • Make sure it is actually capable of delivering 12V. A 5V or 9V port won't magically charge the iPod.

      • Get a 12V rated USB-C to 30-pin adapter, such as the iPod mini adpater from Plab and the Supercharger from Wymod. These are wired to activate the 12V line in the USB-C charger and allow charging at 12V.

      • If these are manufactured by anyone else, add some links in the comments!

      • Plug a good USB-C cable into the 12V input on the adpater (if it has multiple inputs), or set it to 12V mode (if it has a switch).

      • For best results make sure the cable is rated for at least 15-30 watts.

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Conclusion

Charging mods (modifying the internal charging circuit of the iPod to accommodate USB chargers, etc.) are elsewhere.

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