US iPod Minis + UK power supply = BANG!...?

F-ZeroOne · Post by **F-ZeroOne** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:48 pm 0

Dumb question... a relative is in the US at the moment and has hinted that a US i-Pod Mini might be available. Is it safe to use one with the UK 240v power supply for charging, or will I need a step-down transformer?

Any information appreiciated...!

Sir_LANs-a-lot · Post by **Sir_LANs-a-lot** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:51 pm 0

I think you would need a step-down transformer.

Firefox · Post by **Firefox** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 2:52 pm 0

Won't there be a little plaque on the charger that says what input voltages it'll take?

Stone · Post by **Stone** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:11 pm 0

What Firefox said - I'd be amazed if there was a difference between US and UK units, they'll just package them with different chargers. Just get a 240V->110V stepdown convertor (not a simple adaptor to change one plug shape into another, that'll most likely let the magic smoke out...) and use that.

Alternatively the charger unit might accept 110-240V input (look for the plaque) and have a standard power connector on one side of the box so you just have to have a power cable for the right region to plug it in. Like this:

wall socket -> cable (changes with region to fit wall plug) -> PSU -> cable (hardwired to charger) -> iPod.

That's what I'd expect anyway

Stone

Firefox · Post by **Firefox** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:36 pm 0

Stone wrote:Alternatively the charger unit might accept 110-240V input (look for the plaque) and have a standard power connector on one side of the box so you just have to have a power cable for the right region to plug it in.

Actually, now I come to think about it Apple make a big thing about their power adaptors working with any mains voltage you're likely to come across anywhere in the world. That's certainly true for the mains adaptor for my iBook.

I haven't heard either way for iPods though, so best read what it says just in case.

F-ZeroOne · Post by **F-ZeroOne** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 4:26 pm 0

Thanks for the comments - as usual, I didn't think of trying the obvious thing and trying Apples site first. It would appear that Apple chargers can use worldwide voltages, but I'll be sure to check first. *If* I get one...!

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 4:45 pm 0

I believe the apple power adapters are universal (mine certainly is), but then newer ones charge over USB / firewire anyway

Cheers

Bubba

teamonkey · Post by **teamonkey** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 6:20 pm 0

The iPod power adapters are universal. There's a little plug bit that you attach to the transformer to give it the standard UK 3 pins.

Heh. There's always this.

F-ZeroOne · Post by **F-ZeroOne** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:26 pm 0

Bubba wrote:I believe the apple power adapters are universal (mine certainly is), but then newer ones charge over USB / firewire anyway

Cheers

Bubba

I don't have a laptop, my main PC is a bit too big to haul around airports...

Zathras · Post by **Zathras** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:55 pm 0

Don't know if the mini has the same kind of power supply, but I have a US 40gb iPod and you can take the US plug off the charger and it reveals a figure 8 style power connector which then works fine off 240v.

HGFB · Post by **HGFB** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 7:59 pm 0

I have a UK 20gig IPod and the charger will work in the US and Europe no problems. I'd just need an adaptor to change the plug type.

LinkoVitch · Post by **LinkoVitch** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 1:28 am 0

Firefox wrote:Actually, now I come to think about it Apple make a big thing about their power adaptors working with any mains voltage you're likely to come across anywhere in the world. That's certainly true for the mains adaptor for my iBook.

I have access to 3 phase if anyone cares to put this to the test

DarkElf · Post by **DarkElf** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:32 am 0

All the Apple AC Adaptor works both at 50/60 hz and 110/240 volt.

You can put these power adaptor in almost every plug on the planet.

BTW is the name "iPod mini" not "i-Pod Mini"

nik · Post by **nik** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 10:48 am 0

DarkElf wrote:All the Apple AC Adaptor works both at 50/60 hz and 110/240 volt.

You can put these power adaptor in almost every plug on the planet.

BTW is the name "iPod mini" not "i-Pod Mini"

This is no longer true.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/12/03/ ... end04.html

Firefox · Post by **Firefox** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 1:43 pm 0

LinkoVitch wrote:
Firefox wrote:Actually, now I come to think about it Apple make a big thing about their power adaptors working with any mains voltage you're likely to come across anywhere in the world. That's certainly true for the mains adaptor for my iBook.
I have access to 3 phase if anyone cares to put this to the test

Pah, when I'm working for one of my clients I have access to the national grid! Nyah-nyah!