3 Pin USB Power Wall Plug

Iconic

I want a 3 Pin USB Power Wall Plug for my MP3 player so I don't have to charge via my computer.

Amazon have them at prices from £1 upwards and most people seem to think they do the job well. However there are some horror stories eg
'within the first 10minutes of using this product to charge my iPod, it blew up whilst it in the socket, tripping the circuit breaker for the room'...he doesn't mention what happened to his ipod:eek::eek:

Are these as good as they people say and has anyone got any recommendations?

elvch01

Many mobile phones (esp blackberries) use a mini USB interface, so popping into your local mobile phone shop might be an idea. It might not be the cheapest way, but I would be a bit wary of the £1 chargers. I have little experience of after-market mains USB chargers, but have had a bad experience with cheap after-market 12V car USB adapters not charging my phone properly. This might have been OK but for the fact it is also my SatNav & I was in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night in a storm when it ran out of juice.

ashleygunn

I purchased 3 pin USB wall plug for use with my iPod touch. I bought it from eBay, the seller was from Hong Kong (where they use the same type of plug as we do) and, including shipping, it was £1. It arrived in two weeks and works fine. I have used it nearly every day for the last three months.

JasX

you can get USB power sockets them built into travel adapters quite frequently these days, a bit more expensive but tend to be higher quality/made to european electrical safety standards and useful when you travel/go on holiday too

On a side note some modern motherboards are designed so the USB socket is powered even when the PC is shutdown to save needing it running to charge stuff (at least mine is )

Richie-from-the-Boro

About £2:50 each delivered from a UK based ebayer, I've seen lots and never known a problem

kwikbreaks

The more expensive ones which you buy branded in UK shops almost certainly are made in the same Chinese sweatshops that the £1 eBay ones from HK are.

jimbms

If you are that worried about different ones then apple actualy sell a 3 pin adaptor for use with the usb lead and it is only a couple of quid. Alternatice is get one of the external power packs, they may cost £20 but the one I have will recharge the touch twice and is a little smaller than the actual touch.

Iconic

Many thanks for the replies.

I think I will take a chance and buy a cheaper one and then hope for the best!!