USB Wall Charger issue

[juubee]

So I bought this USB wall charger/adapter (it has the green dot) off of ebay.

It charges fine, but when I want to play and charge, it's basically a no-no.

Whenever I touch one part of the screen, another part is instead activated.

For example, I try to open up the facebook app, but instead it goes to my doodle jump app.
The touch is all messed up.

Anybody have an idea why? Unless of course I basically need to buy a new wall adapter because this one's fail.

[Ron]

Sounds kind of "scary" if the touch interface is wrong. I bought a simple usb extension cord that my iTouch does not support (on screen message).
Is the charger specific to your iDevice regarding power output? My Griffin Powerblock for 2g/3g iTouch has output specs of 5.2 v, 1000mA I.T.E. power supply (?).
Have you tried a different wall outlet? Sometimes they can be wired "backwords".
The Power/Home button restart trick probably would have nothing to do with it but who knows? I'm sure you keep in mind though a new charger is way cheaper than a new iDevice.
Sorry, lots of word containing little in the way of help :(

[wiredmind]

Safety note: If your battery ever becomes too hot to touch while charging then remove from charge immediately and leave to cool [note that it is normal for the device to get warm while charging but it should never be too hot to touch]. If this happens on a regular basis you may need to speak to Apple and possibly return your device and/or USB cable as one or the other may be faulty. Also be aware that cheap USB charging cables and wall adapters should be avoided. It's worth the expense of buying brand names.

and

Never use your iPhone when it is charging because it will never get a full charge.

[juubee]

I guess so.. should probably fork out the $29 to buy one from the apple store =b

[Aeaea]

Yeah, any weirdness like that would make me very wary of using it at all.

[shigzeo]

Me too. I use a lot of electronics which need specific voltage ranges. If fed too much, things can go wonky; if you have important information on your iDevice, back it up just in case. A former Panasonic Minidisk player was destroyed by having incorrect power input supplied by the store.

However, even mains' USB adapters should all be regulated to 5V. If there is a problem, it could be with shielding - current could be travelling through the wires and jumping over the screen instead of flowing just into the device. That might not be a problem, but it could interfere the capacitance of the screen, hence why it is indicating other places than touched.

Backup just in case.

[Thunderclaw]

If I may recommend a wall charger, this one is excellent:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powerblock
I've been using it for about a year now and it hasn't given me any problems. Plus, it comes with another cord that much more sturdy than the original one.

[madam_octa]

I have the original apple charger that I got with the phone and it's working flawlessly, although sometimes the phone gets hot when I charge it

[Aeaea]

I remember reading somewhere that Apple switched the charging voltages for their devices a few years ago -- so I looked it up. Apparently older iPods had chargers that used 10 volts for charging off their docs while newer ones (and iPhones) use 5 volts. Note If you are charging off a USB cable then you should be OK since they are spec'ed at 5 volts (unless the USB cable is connected to a power source that is grossly out of spec).

[Ron]

I remember reading somewhere that Apple switched the charging voltages for their devices a few years ago -- so I looked it up. Apparently older iPods had chargers that used 10 volts for charging off their docs while newer ones (and iPhones) use 5 volts. Note If you are charging off a USB cable then you should be OK since they are spec'ed at 5 volts (unless the USB cable is connected to a power source that is grossly out of spec).

I think this started with the 2g iTouch (iPhone too?). My car stereo needed the Scosche adapter to bring the voltage down before it would work correctly with the iTouch

[juubee]

Maybe that's why it was weird.. cause the charger worked fine on my friend's 1G ipod touch and I was thinking.. oh weird.
Then it must be this lame volt thing, sigh.

[shigzeo]

Well, iPods used to be able to be charged via Firewire (the good ol' days), but now Apple have succumbed to the stupidity and kitchy USB spec which is horribly horribly inferior in every measurable and pragmatic aspect. Not only does USB not provide voltage, it is often shared, loses voltage, has more noise than Firewire, and never reaches the stated 480 through rate. There could be a number of issues, but I've found that buying official hardware (or from very good third parties) eliminates problems pretty well.

But USB should all be spec'd to 5V - so if anything is wrong, it is probably that the cable somehow is electrocuting your screen! Surely it doesn't happen when attached to your computer does it?

[juubee]

Yeah it charges fine thru computer. Like i can play on it but not with the wall charger. I've stopped using it for now. You know of a reliable third party source?

[shigzeo]

I've had very few problems with Griffin and Belkin - they seem to be well-made, quality products. They aren't up to Apple's standards (soft sports, some poor fits and generally, looks are ... not as good), but I really trust both companies implicitly.

Currently, I'm using the Simplifi - a USB hub (dual), mains charger, compact flash, SD, MemoryStick and xD card reader. It also charges, syncs and transfers in and out of the iPod/iPhone.

Great device. Thinking of getting a review done of it too!

[juubee]

Something like this, yeah?
http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-PowerBlock-Charger-iPhone-Devices/dp/B000WKY2ZC

and
http://store.theiphoneblog.com/apple-usb-power-adapter-w-sync-cable/5A17A5673.htm
?

With the second link.. mine looks exactly like that, with the green dot and everything.

[Thunderclaw]

The first one is exactly what I have and it works perfectly. Haven't had a problem with it since I got it a year back.

[Ron]

@juubee

I have had this one for a few years with the only problem being the cord. The outer insulation has a small split from being bent where it enters the wide plug (not usb plug side). I have reinforced it with wrap to keep it from getting worse. I consider it a great value...

[juubee]

Since I have the newest iPod Touch, the volts thing won't be issue, yeah?
The description doesn't list the volts .__.