Powerbank recommendations please?

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MichaelNZ

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#207340 19-Dec-2016 22:50

I am looking for a decent powerbank for an upcoming international trip. Something in the region of 20Ah. I have seen a product called "Mophie" on Trade Me which looks ok. What are these like? Other recommendations please?

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

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sbiddle

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#1694509 24-Dec-2016 07:06

MichaelNZ:

sbiddle:

Unless you're planning on jump starting a car while you're away why would you want to carry something so bulky? Unless it's a smart charger it's also potentially useless for charging phones as I've mentioned in numerous posts above.

You would also need to clarify whether that can be taken in carry on since the native voltage may not be 5V and could easily exceed 100Wh

I thought a multi use device seemed like good a idea. Thanks for alerting me to this.

Please elaborate on this charging issue. I thought the charger was built into the device?

As I've pointed out many times before USB ports are not all the same. If you have a QC2.0 or QC3.0 capable phone them IMHO you'd be stupid not to get a QC2.0 or QC3.0 capable charger, and IMHO when you start looking at something in the 20,000mAh capacity range then QC2.0 (or even QC3.0) support for charging the battery pack is also essential or you'll suddenly be finding it takes 15 - 20 hours to charge it.

In regards to the rest pretty much every IFE system, USB/power socket combo and many USB chargers and battery packs on the market are merely dumb chargers. They'll charge a modern phone at 300mA~500mA tops because they have no smarts in them to charge faster, even if they proudly claim they're a 2.1A port. Plug your phone into something like an Anker, Ravpower or some other brand of smart charger and you'll find it charges 2-3 times quicker.

I would certainly never drop $199 on a charger like that if my prime use was for a phone without knowing what speeds it would charge a phone at. These products make no claims anywhere (even on their website) about having any sort of smart charging capability so you should assume they'll charge a phone at 300mA-500mA range unless you know otherwise.

dafman

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#1694636 24-Dec-2016 17:44

sbiddle:

MichaelNZ:

I have short listed the Powerall 16Ah available at Repco for $199.In addition to the post by dafman, I'd like feedback, thanks.

Unless you're planning on jump starting a car while you're away why would you want to carry something so bulky? Unless it's a smart charger it's also potentially useless for charging phones as I've mentioned in numerous posts above.

You would also need to clarify whether that can be taken in carry on since the native voltage may not be 5V and could easily exceed 100Wh

I purchased the Powerall solely to use for emergency jump start as our Outback is an auto with electronic handbrake, so you can't move the car if flat battery (which we discovered a couple of weeks ago!). I wouldn't use the Powerall for charging phones when travelling - it's bulky plastic, whereas the Huawei I have is much smaller and lighter and perfect for travelling (and not to mention also a third of the price).