 When using my iPod shuffle right next to a computer, it’s hard not to want to play and charge the device at the same time. I did some research and came up with this:
Here’s what you need to build your own:
- Computer with an open molex connector (the yellow, black, black, and red wires that supply power to your optical drive, hard drive, etc.)
- Any kind of molex adapter that you don’t mind cutting up (mine is an SATA power adapter)
- USB extension cord that you’ll be cutting up (mine looks weird, but essentially, it does the same thing)
- iPod Shuffle
- Wire cutters
- Electrical tape & Heatshrink tubing
Step 1: Cut off the male head of the USB extension cord and separate the four individual wires
Step 2: We’re only concerned with the red and black wires, so you can cut back the green and white
Step 3: Take the molex adapter and cut the red and black wires
Step 4: Solder together the four wires (red to red, black to black). (Don't forget to slide on your heatshrink tubing before soldering!)
Step 5: Use electrical tape to isolate the new connections, then finish them off with your heatshrink.
Step 6: Plug in the molex connector to the power source, turn on your computer, and plug your iPod into the spliced USB cord.
Now you should be able to enjoy music from your iPod Shuffle and charge it at the same time!
How this Works:
When the Shuffle is plugged into a regular USB port, all four wires are transferring something. The green and white wires (the ones we didn’t use) transfer data, leaving the red and black to charge it. A regular USB port outputs 5 volts of electricity, and lucky for us, so do the red and black wires of a molex connector.
Tips:
Put the computer back together and have the USB cord come out through an empty PCI opening, which will give your w About the Author David Lin is a young aspiring “hacker” who enjoys reading other’s findings and creating his own.
About the Author
David Lin is a young aspiring “hacker” who enjoys reading other’s findings and creating his own. |
