Charging an iPod Touch

[syee]

Wondering if anyone uses a wall outlet adapter for USB to charge their iPod Touch or iPhone. Is anyone aware of the specs of the charger.

From what I understand, it's just 500mA USB wall chargers that should work. However, I'm not having much luck so far.

I've used the adapter that came with my Blackberry (supposed to be 5V 500mA according to the specs on the BB USB adapter) and I've also used a cheapo "slim" USB charger I bought off Deal Extreme (says it's rated for 5V 1A, but apparently according to the comments, it doesn't quite spit out that much).

Neither of these will charge the Touch at all using the USB adapter and cable. Each on their own (the USB cable plugged into my computer, or the BB charger with my BB Pearl) will charge, but I can't use any of the USB wall adapters with the Touch.

Has anyone experienced this and can comment on what adapters work? I'd hate to have to lug my laptop around purely just to charge my Touch, but I don't' want to have to worry about the batteries dying on me either.

I've even contemplated allowing myself to get ripped off and buying one from the Apple store, but even now, there's a recall on the power adapters so I can't buy one even if I wanted. Does anyone know what the specifications are of the power adapters that do work?

 

[DivideBYZero]

I think there is more to them. For example, if you do a 'Restore' from iTunes you need to attach the device to a wall charger to complete it. The charger must either: 1) provide more voltage than 5v standard or 2) there is a signal line used or similar.

Compatible chargers are pretty cheap so get one of those?

 

[syee]

Technically, (especially with the newer iPods), you can't attach the device to a wall charger AND sync (or restore) at the same time as the cable only has one connector on the other end (which is the USB connector). USB specifications call for 5.25V max, and 500mA max (or a minimum of 4.75V). The adapters I've been using certainly meet those requirements. (well, not the max voltage). These USB chargers can charge an iPod Nano with no problems, and can power any other USB device with no problems.

There's plenty of other chargers out there, but I guess what I am looking for is a sure fire working one so I can just go out and buy one. (or a way to identify one through some kind of specification if it's different to standard specs) I'm already starting to amass quite a collection of USB chargers (I have 3 of them now) trying to find one that works with the Touch.