Out of curiosity, what color is the power button during the "discharge" cycle people are seeing (where the unit is not charging, but instead being drained)?
I found a thread over on
www.minidisct.com on making a 5V supply for MDs that was informative.
If these "battery extenders" (I have one on order) are using a LM7805 to regulate the +5v, then I think they are current limited to 500mA (someone else double check the spec sheet)(if they are just a diode, then maybe not). An MC7805A seems to put out 1A. power-one.com has some DC-DC converters that put out plenty more (but not as sure about availability).
My thought is that the "kit" of stuff I'm getting with the battery extender (off EBay) will serve as raw parts if needed. My only real thought is that the battery extender might need a current improvement depending on what they used.
Anyone know the voltage required to charge an iPod? If its USB and 12V, also thought about one of the power-one 2 voltage units.. putting out 5V and 12V. A nice 2-in-1 charging device
Stick one USB port (5V) and one FW (12V) jack as the outputs. I already have a small 12V lead-acide rechargeable battery I use for the iPod (tho I am loathe to bring it thru airport security nowadays with my soldered on connectors...)
Mike