Knowledgebase: AA Battery Extenders
my Apple device (iphone, touch, ipod) will not charge with the Gomadic AA battery extender, what can I do to get it to charge?
Posted by Gomadic Engineering on 12 March 2009 10:03 AM
Perhaps we can explain an alternative method to try. The same AA battery extender works with our tipexchange technology and therefore can be used with over 3,500 different devices. That being said, we have found that the iPhone is a bit more finicky than the others. With the iPhone, a fresh set of Alkaline batteries, brings it slightly over it's upper level tolerance causing it to not accept the charge. As the batteries begin to drain, however, this voltage starts to drop until it falls within an acceptable level and then the entire system starts to work.

Fortunately, the workaround is simple. Start with a fresh set of Alkaline batteries for 3 out of the 4 batteries. With the fourth battery put a largely used one in. This will drop the voltage to an acceptable output that the iphone likes and the system will function appropriately. Then when it's time to change batteries again, rather than changing all four batteries, simply change 3/4 with fresh ones (rotating out the previous old one each time). This will allow the AA battery charger to work more reliably.

Please give this workaround a shot and let us know if it resolves the issue. I've personally been using an iPhone since the release, and I find this workaround to be very convenient!




Phone : 703.437.9319 / [Click here to Email us]