How to Make a USB iPod Wall Charger

How to Make a USB iPod Wall Charger

Learn how to build your own DIY USB iPod wall charger using an AC/DC adapter and a USB adapter with these step-by-step instructions.

One of the necessities brought by technological advances today is the iPod. Most people cannot leave their homes without an iPod in their pockets, playing it continuously, and you might be one of them. What if your iPod runs out of battery and you are not at home? The conventional way to charge an iPod is to plug it into a personal computer through a USB port. Would you wait until you reach home to charge it, or would you have the nerve to ask someone nearby with a computer to let you charge your iPod? You do not need to do either if you have a wall charger for your iPod. However, buying a commercial wall charger will cost you a few dollars. Below are the steps on how you can make your own USB iPod wall charger.

• Prepare an AC/DC adapter. The primary item you will need is an AC/DC adapter, which will serve as the iPod charger. Take the DC end of the adapter and cut off the connector. From the cut end, measure about an inch to an inch and a half of the wire. Separate the two individual wires at that length using a wire cutter.
• Twist the ends of the two wires. Once you have separated the two wires, strip the insulation from both ends. Make sure the exposed wire is at least a quarter of an inch long. Twist the bare wires so they remain firm and organized. You must ensure that the two ends of the wires do not touch each other.
• Determine which wire is positive and which is negative. At this stage, you will need to use a multimeter to identify the positive and negative wires. Perform the test by plugging in the AC/DC adapter and testing each wire. Be sure to record the results for each wire, as you will need them later. It is important to note that when conducting the test, you must avoid touching the tips of the wires. Remember that when the adapter is plugged in, electricity flows through those wires.
• Prepare the USB adapter. After working on the AC/DC adapter, prepare your USB adapter by stripping off about half an inch of its plastic covering from the end. Once it is open, extract the internal wires from the USB adapter and have your epoxy glue ready. Ensure that the soldering lugs remain intact on the back. Now, locate the data lugs from the opened end; these are the two lugs positioned in the middle portion.
• Connect the AC/DC adapter to the USB adapter. When both adapters are ready, connect them by soldering the positive wire of the AC/DC adapter to the appropriate lug on the USB adapter. Make sure you connect the positive wire to the +5V lug. Next, connect the ground lug to the negative wire. Secure the connections using epoxy glue. Once it dries, your custom charger is ready to power your iPod.

Modern MP3 players like the iPod come equipped with powerful battery packs to keep them playing for hours, but this does not mean your device will not run out of battery at the wrong place and time. It is always wise to have a USB wall charger on hand to keep you on the go.