Nice-looking USB AC adapter, with foldaway plug--$3.49 shipped

[Mikerman]

Saw this and it seems nice; meets (and exceeds) the Clip player specs.

http://www.meritline.com/new-usb-pow...--p-49826.aspx

Meritline is a dependable company; note: often ships from Hong Kong or Singapore, with shipments taking 1 - 2-1/2 weeks.

[Timar]

Nice looking!?? It looks like an Apple product......

Btw. if you search for "solar charger" on ebay, you'll find a 1500mAh USB battery pack with solar cells (gives five full charges to your Clip). Of course it can be charged via USB too, and an USB AC adapter is included. It's around $10 incl. shipping from Hongkong!

[Mikerman]

LOL.

Did you have a link to the particular solar charger you were referring to, of the many listed at eBay?

Interestingly, most of them seem to be listed with an output voltage of 5.5V. A bit much for a 5V device like the Clips, or just inaccurate listing? It seems pretty universal in the chargers.

[Timar]

http://cgi.ebay.de/1500mAh-Panel-Sol...DA_Accessories

I guess it's 5.5V because most mobile phones have 5.5V. It shouldn't be any problem for most USB devices though, +-0.5 is within tolerance. I have an old USB AC adaper which puts out 5.4V and it worked for all my devices so far.

I'm going to write a review as soon as I have recieved that solar thingy

[Mikerman]

Thanks--and that explains the mystery why I always see so many 5.5V chargers around.

Look forward to your review. Just wish the output was 5V or closer to that.

[rickysio]

There are much smaller AC adaptors, though...

[Mikerman]

Great; thanks.

Also good for travel with the foldaway plug; at a good price.
Meritline also has an adapter that looks like a large plug, for a couple bucks more.

[NextThursday]

For a good deal on a wall charger for a Clip, you might want to check out the nearest Goodwill. Lots of people these days are throwing out their older cellphones, and the mini USB chargers that come with them. A while ago I picked up a couple in good shape for about $.30 a piece.

[brycej]

If you plug an AC wall charger or car charger and not into the computer, will the Clip (or mine is a Clip plus) work while it is being charged?

Of course when it is plugged into the computer, it will charge and allow files to be moved onto it. But I don't think it will play.
Am I right on that?

[dfkt]

Yes, the Clip works/plays while plugged into any AC USB charger.

[Timar]

Forget about the AC charger that comes with the solar battery linked above - it puts out about 200mAh, which seems too low even for the Clip. Charging with the solar battery works fine however. Due to the bad weather I wasn't yet able to test the solar panel, but the high capacity battery comes handy when you're travelling and need some spare power for your DAP/phone.

I ordered another model, this time it's supposed to have 2700mAh for a price of 8€!.. When I have both here I'll test them more thoroughly (I have to find some way to measure the battery's real capacity, any ideas?).