I purchased an AC adapter with a USB connector at Wal-Mart thinking any adapter would work to charge my Sansa Clip as long as it had the USB connector. The adapter was “generic” for cell phones and electronic devices, and was the only one they carried with a USB connector. While the adapter did work satisfactorily to energize and run the player without depleting the existing battery charge, it did NOT work to charge the player. I returned the AC adapter for a refund and was reluctant to purchase and try a car adapter thinking it would probably work in the same manner. The only way I have found to charge my Clip is with my computer – definitely not very efficicient!
The Sansa Clip User Manual infers that I should be able to charge and listen to my player at the same time with an AC adapter. However, it also states “Some low-power USB ports may not be able to provide enough charge power.” Can anyone tell me:
1. What specifications I should look for in purchasing an AC adapter and/or what kind to purchase that will work?
2. Is this a charging voltage / milliamperage issue or is it perhaps a firmware issue?
I sure would like to be able to charge my Clip (and my wife’s Clip) without having to start and run my computer for six hours. Will greatly appreciate any suggestions…Thanks!
Thanks for the reply. Believe it or not, I actually did read the other info before I posted my message. I don’t really want to spend $30 for a Zen adapter. The link provided in the other message shows a neat little AC adapter, but the responder doesn’t state if he/she has actually successfully used it for charging a Clip. I’d like someone to be able to tell me a specific, reasonably priced adapter that they actually use for charging or what voltage / amperage I need to use so I don’t buy something off ebay and inadvertently fry my player.
After doing a little more investigation, it looks like a power adapter (home or auto) for a Sansa Clip should have an output range of 5 to 6 VDC and 400 to 500 mA. I saw some acceptable ones on eBay for $.99 each plus $3 to $5 shipping. That’s not too bad. Seems like I was the only one to have a problem with the one from Wal-Mart. Maybe I should have researched first - then purchased.
Message Edited by bgunner01 on 12-04-2007 10:38 AM
OK - A few of us have tossed this one around on another board for a while. Your thoughts on the following?
I have a wall to USB charger that has INPUT: 100-240V - 0.50 - 60Hz, 0.2A OUTPUT: DC 5V === 1A For I.T.E. use only.
After reading the rest of this thread (and several others which are closely related), my charger seems to differ only in the amperage, with it being 50mA higher than the others. Does this matter? Would I damage my player if I use it? Also, is it OK to leave it plugged in to charge, say, overnight or should one be diligent and unplug it as soon as it is fully charged?
I would really appreciate any insight! Also, this same adapter came with a car end, which (of course) has no specs on it at all. Do you think that it would be safe to use? Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t come to sue any of you if I do fry my player. Just wondering if you all had any ideas.
The clip regulates the charging current, and will shut it off when its done charging. So no harm to leave it connected, and no issue as long as the Amperage is at least 200 ma, should be fine. Voltage needs to be 5 V.
For anyone with a RAZR cell phone or one of several Motorola bluetooth earsets, the charger for those items produces 550mA at 5VDC, and does a great job of charging the Clip.
Question Regarding charging with AC adapter or Motorola razor charger vs using USB cable and PC -
On my PC when it is connected, the battery indicator shows it is charging by flashing bars across the indicator but when connected. When it is connected to an AC USB charger or my razor car charger the clip battery inidicator just shows a solid inidicator (partially charged) it doesn’t flash bars across the indicator and doesn’t seem to charge.
I have updated the clip to the .18 latest firmware but the non PC chargers don’t seem to be working. Can anyone else confirm how the battery indicator acts when connected to an AC or DC charger?
I concur with sansafix - no animation means it’s not charging. However, I have tested and observed that battery icon animation occurs when I use either my AC or car RAZR charger. With your car charger, did you have your ignition key in accessory or on position? Does the car outlet work for other functions? If there is no power to the outlet, the Clip won’t charge; but, it will display a non-animated, filled battery icon under certain conditions, even if the ignition switch is off (for example, if you turn the ignition switch on long enough to start the charging process, and then turn the ignition switch off).
