I've got the issue where it stops charging too, however I've noticed it only does it when I've got the phone sitting on the couch next to me or something for an extended period and when it's on the wall charger.

Using nuepower, the max charge rate for USB is a mere ~430-480mA... when I use the wall charger I see 800+ mA constantly... often higher (above 900). Clearly, this charges the device much faster, and generates LOTS more heat. It stays pretty cool while charging with USB, and the whole thing gets almost too hot to touch the back if it's sitting back-down on the wall charger.

My battery life really varies per day. In the same setting, doing the exact same things, on one day, it will go 14 hours and still be at 40-45% battery... The next day it will be dead in about 10 hours.

Maybe a slow, usb-driven charge will give you a bit more life out of it the next day? or would just rapidly charging it with the wall charger be the best bet? Lithium batteries aren't as sensitive to not being charged fully past the first charge (though, keep in mind, it's good to do whenever possible), so I can't see this being a totally huge issue, unless one actually manages to top off the charge (I predict the slower usb charging would be best here).

I've got an Oct 13th manufacture date touch pro, which I'm going to exchange tomorrow because the earpiece quality is HORRIBLE, and people have started complaining about me sounding the same way to them. I've heard the oct 16 and newer phones don't have the same issue. I keep all background programs closed, wifi and bluetooth radios are kept off at all times. My "average use" for these tests consists of about 10 minutes of talk time, and 20-30 outgonig texts.