Building a portable battery backup for my iPhone - GSM-Forum

papamiller13 · 07-31-2008, 06:17

I've built my own 5 volt battery backup iPhone charger but when I plug the iPhone usb connector into it the iPhone does not even see it. It's as if it's not there. I suspect that the other 2 USB connector contacts provide some other information to the iPhone so that it will acknowledge a charging source. I'm using a simple 7805 voltage regulator supplied by a 9 volt battery. I'm getting the 5 volts and ground at the correct pins on the USB connector. Any idea what the iphone is looking for on the other 2 USB pins (or why my backup isn't working)?

CH@IN · 07-31-2008, 10:33

Hello,

if you need a project to build your own Battery device like on the picture below, you might want to click here: http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/index.html

If you don't want to build your own Battery Pack, you could buy a ready product that includes a Lithium Ion Battery, is approved to work with iPhones and comes with its own wall/USB charger.
The price is less than 50 US$ (with free shipping in the USA).

Description and Demonstration of the Battery Pack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zApPIe8ZLE

Best regards,

Ch@in

CH@IN · 07-31-2008, 10:54

Forget about the DO IT YOURSELF Battery solution...it won't work on an iPhone. I googled around and found out you would need an iPhone adaptor to make it work with a dumb Power supply (not Apple made).

No idea what this adaptor changes on the signal to make it work with an iPhone, but if someone will find out, please post a reply.

Best Regards,

Ch@in

**Willmaster** · 07-31-2008, 19:41

iPhone seems to use more then 1 GND Connection,Normal Chargers have + and Ground,iPhone Cable has 2 GND Lines (and +,of course)

papamiller13 · 08-03-2008, 11:24

Thanks to all for the input. I like DIY projects but it seems the iPhone is a bit of a challenge. I do like the DIY project mentioned (Minty Boost). It seems a little bit iffy for the iPhone as well based on the device compatibility list. Has anyone personally used this with an iPhone 3G?

CH@IN · 08-03-2008, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by papamiller13

Thanks to all for the input. I like DIY projects but it seems the iPhone is a bit of a challenge. I do like the DIY project mentioned (Minty Boost). It seems a little bit iffy for the iPhone as well based on the device compatibility list. Has anyone personally used this with an iPhone 3G?

i have not built a batterypack for the iPhone, but read the forum of the DIY project. It seems like many people had difficulties to make it work on the iPhone and even the firmware of the phone was also affecting the results.

I checked into eBay today and saw nice ready LIon 800 mAh packs for iPhones 2G/3G from Hong Kong for around 20 US $ (including shipping). I might order one. It's always good to have a spare Battery when you are away from home and I think it will come even cheaper than the DIY.
Good luck,

Ch@in

07-31-2008, 06:17	#1
papamiller13 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Member: 826439 Status: Offline Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Building a portable battery backup for my iPhone I've built my own 5 volt battery backup iPhone charger but when I plug the iPhone usb connector into it the iPhone does not even see it. It's as if it's not there. I suspect that the other 2 USB connector contacts provide some other information to the iPhone so that it will acknowledge a charging source. I'm using a simple 7805 voltage regulator supplied by a 9 volt battery. I'm getting the 5 volts and ground at the correct pins on the USB connector. Any idea what the iphone is looking for on the other 2 USB pins (or why my backup isn't working)?

08-03-2008, 11:24	#5
papamiller13 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Member: 826439 Status: Offline Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Thanks to all for the input. I like DIY projects but it seems the iPhone is a bit of a challenge. I do like the DIY project mentioned (Minty Boost). It seems a little bit iffy for the iPhone as well based on the device compatibility list. Has anyone personally used this with an iPhone 3G?

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07-31-2008, 10:33	#2
CH@IN Freak Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Getting it to work is easy... making it do the things you want is another thing. Age: 7 Posts: 407 Member: 9824 Status: Offline Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 46 Posts	Hello, if you need a project to build your own Battery device like on the picture below, you might want to click here: http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/index.html If you don't want to build your own Battery Pack, you could buy a ready product that includes a Lithium Ion Battery, is approved to work with iPhones and comes with its own wall/USB charger. The price is less than 50 US$ (with free shipping in the USA). Description and Demonstration of the Battery Pack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zApPIe8ZLE Best regards, Ch@in

07-31-2008, 10:54	#3
CH@IN Freak Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Getting it to work is easy... making it do the things you want is another thing. Age: 7 Posts: 407 Member: 9824 Status: Offline Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 46 Posts	Forget about the DO IT YOURSELF Battery solution...it won't work on an iPhone. I googled around and found out you would need an iPhone adaptor to make it work with a dumb Power supply (not Apple made). No idea what this adaptor changes on the signal to make it work with an iPhone, but if someone will find out, please post a reply. Best Regards, Ch@in

07-31-2008, 19:41	#4
Willmaster Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austria-Vienna Posts: 255 Member: 715227 Status: Offline Sonork: 100.1577103 Thanks: 3 Thanked 156 Times in 45 Posts	iPhone seems to use more then 1 GND Connection,Normal Chargers have + and Ground,iPhone Cable has 2 GND Lines (and +,of course)