Car charger for use with Sansa Clip+?

[gomezz]

Before Christmas I got myself one of these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0084Z40WW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

for use on long journeys.  Trouble is that when connected I get a lot of interference (player plugged in to radio AUX In) on the car radio so it is not really possible to listen to the player while it is charging.

Am I just unlucky with this particular charger and is there a car charger that people have used without getting this problem?  Or am I stuck with always taking my mains charger with me when I go away so I can recharge overnight?

[Mihail Zenkov]

You need charger based on  linear regulator, like this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-get-your-iPod-to-charge-with-your-homemade-/
For clip you can omit R1-R3.

[cela]

I get a lot of interference (player plugged in to radio AUX In) on the car radio

I had the same problem using the clip+ with a car charger. The interference was caused by an earth loop (you have a ground at 2 points.

1st) via the charger 2nd) via the radio Aux in.

My solution was to break the earth shield on the audio Aux in cable, In fact what I did was connect 2x 3.5mm cables left over from broken earphones whilst keeping the shield separate.

Hope this helps.

[gomezz]

Bingo!  Did the test I should have tried earlier and seeing if the interference was there with earphones and it wasn't so I reckon you are right.  Not sure how to go about butchering the audio lead but I could always use my portable Bluetooth RX/TX gadget to feed the radio. Powering the Bluetooth gadget from the same power out should mean no earth loop, right?

Edit:  Does breaking the earth means the outer shielding?  Might try that on a cheap extension lead I have laying around.

Edit2:  Another test I should try is with a portable radio or speaker ...

[gomezz]

Just had another thought which is I could charge from the portable jump starter I have with me on long journeys or when going camping (to keep the mobile charged over a weekend).