Car Charger for PMC-120

pslax15 · #1 (**permalink**) May 3rd, 2006, 05:23 PM

I've check the iRiver store, Googled, searched here and came up empty handed. I know the PMC-120 has been discontinued, so they won't be releasing any more accessories either.

I've tried various "universal" DC Car Adapters, but none of the tips fit the PMC-120's AC power port. I saw one thread where someone asked if the PMP-120 Car Charger would work for the PMC-120, but there weren't any responses other than "not sure."

So I'm asking again, does anyone know if one of the PMP chargers will work for the PMC-120?

Here are the specs on the AC input for the PMC:
- 5V DC
- Negative over Positive
- Port is about the size of a 3.5" mini-headphone jack, but it is your typical AC power adapter (hollow plug)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

UaDogga · #2 (**permalink**) May 4th, 2006, 02:20 AM

how many ma?

pslax15 · #3 (**permalink**) May 4th, 2006, 05:39 AM

I didn't check before I left, but everywhere I look online says 2A (2000 mA). Does that sound right?

**shadesbass** · #4 (**permalink**) May 4th, 2006, 05:49 AM

2A sounds believable, but you should check to make sure.

Can you measure the plug on your mains charger and post the diameter of the hole in the middle and the outside diameter in mm?
Doesn't have to be exact as they should all be standard sizes.

pslax15 · #5 (**permalink**) May 4th, 2006, 08:10 AM

Yeah, I'll take the measurements when I get home and post back.

UaDogga · #6 (**permalink**) May 4th, 2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

I didn't check before I left, but everywhere I look online says 2A (2000 mA). Does that sound right?

yep that should be about right

pslax15 · #7 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2006, 06:30 AM

It is definitely 2A output. Unfortunately I didn't have anything to measure the plug in metric units with (who doesn't have a ruler???), but just by eye-balling it it appears to be 3/3.5 mm in diameter, and the opening is about 1 mm. I'll borrow a ruler from work and verify.

FYI - When I went to RadShack they had a keychain of all the different power plugs they offered and none fit...there were about 20-25. I would imagine they had all of the standard sizes covered, but I could be wrong.

UaDogga · #8 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2006, 02:54 PM

i bought a car charger with about 10 standard plugs and one of them worked and fit perfectly fine.

**shadesbass** · #9 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Once you find out the size, compare it to the lists in this Wikipedia article and choose the nearest one.
Armed with this information you can now go to Radioshack/wherever and purchase the correct charger.

pslax15 · #10 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2006, 04:31 PM

Ok guys, I've measured the plug and it comes out to 3.0mm (outer) x ~1.5mm or so (hard to tell).

That doesn't look like it falls into any of the standard sizes that shadesbass' wikipedia link shows. Also, I found the following page (which only further confuses things):

http://www.pdainternalbattery.com/pd...rchargers.html

The first (AC) charger (Part # SW10-S050-10) listed shows PMP-120 compatibility with the plug measurements of 4.0mm x 1.5mm x 11.0mm.

The second (AC) charger (Part # M2-10US05-A) is for the PMC-120 and shows plug measurements of 3.0mm x 1.5mm x 11.0mm.

Which would backup iRiver's claim that the PMP-120 charger wouldn't work for the PMC-120.

NOW, here's where the confusion is...

The first Car Charger listed (Part # ICJ-300) shows the same measurements as the PMP-120 AC Adapter (SW10-S050-10). BUT...the second Car Charger (ICJ-100) shows the same measurements as the AC adapter for the PMC-120 (M2-10US05-A) and lists compatibility for the PMP-120...

Would someone who owns the Car Charger for the PMP-120 measure the outer dimension of their charger plug for me and confirm this?

Lowy · #11 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2006, 12:06 AM

there are some usb charges on ebay but they dont come with a lead to connect it to your pmp/pmc

there were some genuine pmp charges on there too if they would fit a pmc?

pslax15 · #12 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2006, 06:09 AM

I'm pretty sure the PMC won't charge via USB. And as for the genuine PMP charger, that was my original question - would it work with the PMC as well?

iRiver says no.

I found some conflicting info, which I put in my last post. That's why I was asking if someone could give me the measurements off of their genuine PMP car charger - so I could verify that it would/wouldn't work w/ my PMC.

Lowy · #13 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2006, 08:07 PM

where do i get a pmp car charger. i just realised the only ones on ebay are fm transmitters or usb cable

Lowy · #14 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2006, 05:11 AM

nm found one on there!

pslax15 · #15 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2006, 11:53 AM

Well if you buy one, take some measurements for me please!

zaid · #16 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2006, 06:15 PM

so, i figured something out, i have a LG phone charger and it fits right on the bottom slot my pmc-120.

now the only difference that the chargers has is one number.
Here are the numbers the wall plug-charger has
:

Input: 100-240V~, 0.5A, 50-60Hz
Output: +5V—2A (that — symbol has dotted lines under)

On the LG phone charger these are the numbers:

Input: 100-240v~, 0.2A, 50-60Hz
Output: +5V—1A (that — symbol has dotted lines under)

Notice the red numbers. Would those make a big diff? cause if not i can then charge my phone in my caR!!! w00t.

BUT if charging it from that bottom port would hurt it lmk.

thnx

sh1bby · #17 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2006, 02:06 PM

Hi hope it's not too late for you but i bought an H100 series car charger on the advice of advancedmp3player.co .uk i think it was them i bought it from it was over a year ago but anyway it works fine on my pmp140 and has done since the day i plugged it in hope this helps.
Cheers
sh1bby

EdrickVelLorin · #18 (**permalink**) October 2nd, 2006, 08:11 PM

FYI, a possible alternative to all this would be to get a small power inverter with a regular outlet on it and use the regular AC adapter. (Or if you're a hardware type you could buy an AC adapter from iRiver and cut the plug off. You'd need to know what you're doing though to make sure you get the polarity right.)

Not sure if this next idea would work with the PMC, since I don't know if it'll charge through USB. It may not work as well as an inverter solution, but there are USB cigarette lighter adapters. I got one along with a USB charge/sync cable for a PDA I have, but they're available seperately. The inverter would be a better solution for a PMP/PMC in my opinion though.

Black-Magic · #19 (**permalink**) October 10th, 2006, 05:52 PM

If you are willing to take a chance try ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Car-Charger-f...QQcmdZViewItem

I got one for my PMC - 120 and never had any problems with it.

You can also get "multi packs" with different bits and bobs in it like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/8-item-PKG-fo...QQcmdZViewItem

GenerationXXX · #20 (**permalink**) October 25th, 2006, 02:31 AM

The PMC won't charge through USB. Those USB 12v chargers were released for the iPod crowd, which does specifically charge through USB. Best bet would be through using the plug from an AC charger wired onto a 12v plug. There's a lot of resources on the net on how to do this sort of operation quickly. Personally, I use an inverter (but it also runs my laptop/fridge

)

pishta68 · #21 (**permalink**) February 22nd, 2008, 09:12 PM

Well. I have found the proper tip at Radio Shack. It is labeled G on their big bundle of power cords. Trouble is that the tip "G" has been discontinued and is not even in their catalog anymore. I asked the manager if I could buy it and he said no, "there is no way to charge you for it" I explained that you are advertising it and you are not even able to sell it. He understood my plight and sold me the tip and the cord off the bundle for 2 bucks. First I hooked it to a USB cable's red and black leads. That is 5V at 500ma max, and it worked the PMC-120 with NO battery installed. As soon as I put the Battery in, the unit shut down. I dont know if this is normal as I have found out my battery is bad. I then attached the G cable to the red and black lead of the floppy drive cable off the PC power supply.remember to phase the plug tip to the + and - feeds. This has 5V at about 30A(!) and it is safe as long as the PMC-120 does not try and draw more than 2A which is how it is designed. It would be REALLY safe to put a 2A fuse inline with the red lead in case the PMC-120 gets a wild hair and draws more than that and lets the smoke out. I just remembered that my old motorola I30 phone charger was 5v@2A. I could have cut that one up and used it but I tossed it.

pishta68 · #22 (**permalink**) February 22nd, 2008, 10:37 PM

Check this out, looks about right. 5V 2A AC Power Adapter - eBay (item 190143932044 end time Mar-18-08 16:02:02 PDT)

Nope, doesnt fit, you need a 3mm I found out the hard way...

rokenford13 · #23 (**permalink**) February 24th, 2008, 11:50 AM

the charger for the iriver H10 is the same as the charger for the PMP. i have a PMP-120 and a friend just got an H10. the chargers are interchangable.

pishta68 · #24 (**permalink**) February 27th, 2008, 08:31 PM

Can you possibly measure the tip with a micrometer and tell me if it is a 3mm or a 3/5mm(1/8 (.125))I have both. The 3mm is a little loose but the 3.5-1/8 is very tight. I think I even enlarged the power socket by forcing the "correct" (per an Ebay charger) 1/8 into the charger socket. Thanks.