Walking Forum

Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: fernman on 11:07:29, 19/08/19

Title: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 11:07:29, 19/08/19
I'm toying with the idea of buying a powerbank to recharge my phone when I'm on a multiple-day walk. Until now I've shut as many things down as possible to conserve the battery, but it would be nice to be able to relax and not have to be so neurotic about it.

This topic has been discussed on here before - a couple of years ago? - when Anker ones were widely recommended, but a quick look on Amazon just now revealed there are a number of different makes available,

So what should I go for, just to give my phone at least one full charge? The phone has a micro usb charging socket.
(What happens with one of these devices if the phone has, say, 30% charge left, is only part of what is in the powerbank used, leaving a bit more for later use?)

My top criteria is the lightest possible weight, that is a must, and the second is a low price, sub-£25 but the lower the better.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Mel on 12:03:52, 19/08/19

Power banks / portable chargers are widely available nowadays.  Get yourself down to your local supermarket (Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, etc.) and have a look at their selection.  Be wary of buying chargers off the internet as cheap imports/copies are more likely to overheat and catch fire.  As far as rechargeable batteries of any sort (but particularly power banks and ecig batteries) are concerned cheap usually means foreign import/copy which doesn't conform to UK British Standards.


Anyway, safety lecture over.... To give you a rough idea, my charger is about the size of a packet of 10 fags, weighs 130g and charges my phone 2 and a bit times from the phone's "low battery" alert.  The charger's "capacity" is 5200 mAh - the bigger the number the more charges you'll be able to do before needing to recharge the charger.  I paid £15 for mine 5 years ago from Asda so there will be more efficient, smaller, lighter, cheaper ones on the market nowadays.  USB/micro USB connections are also commonplace.


Oh, my charger is made by Kodak.


Some food for thought for you anyway  :)

Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Mel on 12:10:28, 19/08/19
Oh, and ....


...What happens with one of these devices if the phone has, say, 30% charge left, is only part of what is in the powerbank used, leaving a bit more for later use? ..


I don't properly understand what you mean there but if the charger's legit, it will switch itself off when the phone is fully charged, likewise, when the charger's "empty" it will simply stop charging.  Either phone or charger being partially full doesn't make any difference.  Both can be used/charged until dead and you can use your phone whilst it is charging.  When my charger has one of it's 4 "bars" of charge left (so I assume 25%) I can still charge my phone a bit (mebby get an extra 10% charge on my phone).



Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: pauldawes on 12:17:42, 19/08/19
The only two I've got direct experience of are the Kit 2000 mah and the Anker Powercore 13000.


The Kit is considerably lighter, but I'd only rely on it to give a short term boost to phone...where the Anker Powercore I'd expect from experience to completely recharge phone 2 orr 3 times.


It (the Anker model) is a fair bit heavier than the Kit model...but it's one I always take out with me on winter walks. when cold weather will drain phone quickly.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 12:29:20, 19/08/19
Thank you, Mel. I certainly hope there are ones lighter than 130g (4.5oz) nowadays.
I quite like the idea of looking in Tesco. If they have somethething suitable I can slip it in with the weekly shop and the OH won't notice when she pays  :)

Regarding if any charge is left in the bank afterwards, I partially worked out the answer myself and you've finished it off for me. If there are powerbanks capable of giving two charges, then it stands to reason that there is going to be some left in it after one use.

And thank you Paul for your input, I'll scrutinise the specs for the Kit 2000 which you say is considerably lighter, to see if it meets my requirements.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Dread on 12:54:10, 19/08/19
The supermarkets sell lipstick sized powerbanks that will do a single charge. Very cheap and lightweight.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 12:56:37, 19/08/19
I see what you mean about the Kit 2000 only giving a short term boost, Paul, it's something some Amazon reviewers aren't happy with.

I've gone off Kit anyway, they have a number of different models - some of which are marked as unavailable - but their specifications don't give weights.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 12:59:02, 19/08/19
The supermarkets sell lipstick sized powerbanks that will do a single charge. Very cheap and lightweight.

I like the sound of that, thanks, although I'm wondering what Tesco security staff will make of me lurking by the electronics shelves and getting my drug dealer scales out.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: andyapanel on 13:32:08, 19/08/19
I can recommend RAVPOWER; I think I have the 22500 mAh, which lasts me for at least a week.It weighs about 450g


However, for longer trips, I have switched to Solar; I use this set up:https://www.mobilesolarchargers.co.uk/shop/details/2-weekend-camping

 
It weighs about the same, but you gain independence. I have used it on a 10 day trip in France in April and then Offa's Dyke LDP in April/May and never ran out of electricity.  
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 15:12:00, 19/08/19
I use an IP68 waterproof one on the basis that I can recharge in the rain and if I dunk my rucksack no biggie. It cost £50 and is relatively heavy though. Got it from the same website andyapanel just mentioned. Used to carry a normal one in a ziplock bag but got paranoid about it's lack of waterproofing.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: vghikers on 15:34:08, 19/08/19
Quote
I certainly hope there are ones lighter than 130g (4.5oz) nowadays.

Ever the optimist  :)
Power storage just is heavy, I'm surprised to see an apparently decent power bank as low as 130g. I'll be interested to see what you decide on.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: ninthace on 15:45:25, 19/08/19
Ever the optimist  :)
Power storage just is heavy, I'm surprised to see an apparently decent power bank as low as 130g. I'll be interested to see what you decide on.
  I was issued with one of the first portable phones.  Portable in the military sense (it had a handle).  I'll swear the power supply to that was a lead/acid accumulator.  130g - hah!
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Dread on 15:53:34, 19/08/19
I did a bit of research on powerbanks last year and ended up buying a 10000 mA Anker. It weighs 180g and has not let me down. £12 from Amazon on a lightning deal. That does 3 charges. Very roughly each charge weighs 60g.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: ninthace on 16:25:26, 19/08/19
So one charge is  roughly 6.587e+28 electrons?  Bargain!  (if my sums are right and assuming no relativistic correction)  ;)
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Dread on 16:44:15, 19/08/19
Yes, but Tesco don't accept electrons.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: jimbob on 16:56:33, 19/08/19
So one charge is  roughly 6.587e+28 electrons?  Bargain!  (if my sums are right and assuming no relativistic correction)  ;)
Free radicals also weigh a bit, you may have overlooked them as they bounced of the end if the scale ;D .
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: BuzyG on 23:37:13, 19/08/19
Not convinced on the lipstick size packs.  I grabbed a couple of freebies from a gizzits promo  pack and tried one out.  It barely charged my phone once.  So still use my aging Anker dual cell pack. That gives 3 full charges on my phone. Or one on my tablet.  Quality matters with batteries.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 16:48:10, 20/08/19
So today I traipsed around some supermarkets looking for a power bank. Lots of empty hooks in the first two, with only the bigger and more expensive ones available. Next one was Asda, where I bought an Onn 3350mAh for - wait for it - £4. Photos are below.

It is 10.5cm (4 1/8 in) long, and weighs 79g (2 3/4 oz). Usb and micro usb sockets are in one end and there's a flush switch on one side. One press for on and two presses for off (I found out the hard way). When it's on, one of a row of four little lights on the end shows blue, I assume these will all be on when it's fully charged. I did find a "manual" for it online but it tells you beggar all, it's not worth saving.

Now don't all howl with derision. If I get one full charge out of it when needed, it will be good enough for me.

(https://i.postimg.cc/xT95JWrL/PC-DSC00992.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXQjJntc/PC-DSC00994.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/05XjDwFZ/PC-DSC00993.jpg)
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: pauldawes on 17:06:33, 20/08/19
At that price it’s got to be worth a punt.


But I guess you’ll be giving it a trial run in next few days, rather than guessing whether or not it will work “when needed”??
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 17:25:21, 20/08/19
But I guess you’ll be giving it a trial run in next few days, rather than guessing whether or not it will work “when needed”??

Do I look stoopid? No, don't answer that, I don't want to hear  ;D
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: pauldawes on 17:47:11, 20/08/19
Do I look stoopid? No, don't answer that, I don't want to hear  ;D


Lol.


I thought it was most likely needless advice. But given some of my own stupidities...I tend to err on side of stating the fracking obvious...
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Jac on 07:27:25, 21/08/19
The one I got direct from Duracell worked well while we were in Turkey, quicker than when plugged into the car.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 08:18:39, 21/08/19
The one I got direct from Duracell worked well while we were in Turkey, quicker than when plugged into the car.

The charge rate depends on how many watts the charger can supply and which version of Quick Charge it supports. You can get fast ones for the car, I use this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076H1Z3SH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: Mel on 11:18:06, 21/08/19
Now don't all howl with derision. If I get one full charge out of it when needed, it will be good enough for me.


And that's all that matters  O0   
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: scottk on 23:03:15, 21/08/19
Anker power core 10000. About £20, 200g and recharges my i phone 8 about 4 times. I also use it to charge my watch. Keeps me going about a week.
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: fernman on 11:04:50, 22/08/19
The charge rate depends on how many watts the charger can supply and which version of Quick Charge it supports. You can get fast ones for the car, I use this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076H1Z3SH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076H1Z3SH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)

Thanks for that information and the link. My car charger is so slow I only use it when I'm on a long drive. Christmas is in 4 months  :o I'll put one on my wish list.

And I'm forgetting my manners, belated thanks to those who suggested looking for a power bank in supermarkets, otherwise I might have spent more than £4  O0
Title: Re: Which powerbank for phone?
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:38:28, 22/08/19
I bought an Anker Powercore A1271 a couple of years ago. It weighs 12oz but I can charge my phone between three and four times before it itself needs charging. It also has two USB sockets as well, which for me is very useful. I have a Pebbell personal alarm around my neck (my wife demands it!) and I just top this up every few days. If I was to have an accident all I have to do (if I can) is press the big button for 3 seconds and an automatic message is sent to my wife and my friend as a text message saying 'Please help me' and it provides them with my location as text as well. I can also use it as a simple back up phone to speak to them as well.