On my MCCs I have the USB port which I just use memory sticks to listen to music. I have several that I interchange and its a pain trying to plug them in, and almost impossible when driving not to mention could be dangerous. Is there some sort of adaptor that you could plug in with a long cable?
As you can probably guess I know next to nothing about this stuff. I did try searching other threads but couldn't find or probably just didn't understand.

 

Yes I'm pretty sure you can use any USB cable extention USB Female to USB Male (you can find these in most any computer store), here is an example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812117019

Though if you want a docking station to make things easier to plug in, you could always get one of these:
1 Gen iPod Shuffle Dock
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9757G/A
Since it's for a discontinued item, you might be able to find it somewhere on the web for cheap/closeout prices.
Amazon has it for like $7:
http://www.amazon.com/Hotsysnc-Charg...2528685&sr=8-3

Dave

 

A USB extention cable as above will work well, as long as you do not mind the wire hanging around at the center console area around your shifter and hand break. It could always be hinde behind the panels easily and snaked up to the glove box or secret compartment.

The ipod Nano doc will not work with a standard USB Stick device. Only with the iPod.

 

I just wonder if I can charge my cell phone by plugging in the USB port? (just like plugging my PC). Thanks in advance.

 

It may or may not work. The USB port in the Mini is a "Low Power" USB port. Most phones require a Standard (high power) USB port to charge. The only way to know is to try it. IT amy take a lot longer to charge or may not charge at all.

 

I noticed that when I plugged mine into the usb and ipod port from the cable that came with Littlebean, it seemed to show charging but actually my phone was doa. I used the regular usb that came with the Iphone and that charged but cannot play the ipod.

 

What makes you think that? The USB port supplies the standard amount of power, or you'd never be able to charge an iPod plugged in it.

 

You should be aware, that USB extension cables are specifically illegal under the USB spec. They can't be guaranteed to work.

Having said that they probably will work in simple cases, like using just one relatively short cable, but I'd never be surprised if an extension cable caused problems and it'd be the first thing I'd take out at any sign of trouble. An extension cable worked for me to get the iPod adapter into the glove box. (But then I chopped it up and hardwired it into the adapter instead.)

 

The USB specification provides a 5V supply on a single wire from which connected USB devices may draw power. The specification provides for no more than 5.25V and no less than 4.75V (5 V±5%) between the positive and negative bus power lines. There are two types of devices: low-power and high-power. Low-power devices draw 1 unit load, which is defined to be 100 mA. High-power devices draw 5 unit loads or 500 mA. All devices default as low-power but the devices' software may request high-power as long as the power is available on the providing bus.

iPods only require low power mode to charge. There are other items such as USB Hard Drives that require the High Power mode and the Mini is not designed to handle it nor can int actually handle it. Current from the Mini USB port is limited to just over 100mA so that it can charge iPods and other USB devices (phones, Zune etc) requireing charging.

I have also tested this and if you try to draw more than 100mA current off of the USB port the voltage will drop below the requried 4.75VDC.

 

iPod users manuals have always stated that high power USB is required (even for the Shuffle):Maybe a low power port will work in some cases and Apple just wants to make a blanket statement about what is guaranteed to work.

 

The only iPod which will run off a low power port is the shuffle. They have both high and low power configs. All the other iPods only declare high power configs, the full size ones will draw the full 500mA (or more if they're allowed to), the little ones only need about 350mA, but still more than the 100mA from a low power port.

Interestingly, the MINI USB iPod adapter only declares itself as a low power device (100mA).I never have, but an iPod will be quite happy with a voltage down to 4.4V. I should try that.

 

I think your last statement is correct as my Gen 5 iPod only draws 91ma to charge. Measured it last night. Also many of the aftermarket units that people plug their iPod into to charge and play music only allow up to 250ma current.

I have been doing a bunch of other reading that now seems to show that the newer iPods (3G iPhone, Gen 6 iPods, Gen 4 Nano's) require some voltage on the data lines (D+, D-) of the USB cable to make them charge. about 2.4 vols seems to be enough to make them charge. These reports also were mentioning that the lates iPods/iPhone/iTouch did actually require higher currents to get them to charge.

One reporter stated that by putting a 18K resistor between the 5VDC+ and the D+ made the iTouch charge when used with an older Wall Charger that did not put voltage on the data pins.

I also read one report form a year ago where Apple has sent in for a patent on a DRM Charging Cable. This means that if your iPod is stollen that it can not be recharged if it is not connnected to the properly serial numbered charger. This would make them not usable or much more of a hassel to use if stolen but then again one would possibly not be able to have chargers at work, home and car simultaniusly. I can alos see where this would not deter thives as everyone would be carring their charging cable with them and the thief would just take that as well.