Can someone Identify this?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Can someone Identify this?

OnceBitten

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#305969 17-Jun-2023 16:50

While cleaning out some things earlier I came across what I thought was a powerbank (see photos attached) - but I'm not sure that it is

Reason I'm asking it I've plugged it into USB charger and plugged the cord (USB-C?) into the powerbank thinking it would charge up and I could then use it to charge my phone or something, but it does nothing, no lights come on or anything.... so I'm not 100% sure if it is a powerbank - and if it is I'm not sure I'm using it correctly

can someone please enlighten me as to what this is and how to use it?

Many thanks

RunningMan

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#3091143 17-Jun-2023 16:55

Powerbank with a dead battery.

Gordy7

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#3091145 17-Jun-2023 16:59

Using an image search from your second photo I get:

https://www.drogeria-vmd.com/montblanc-sluchatka-2016/

Gordy

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pih

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#3091146 17-Jun-2023 17:01

RunningMan:

Powerbank with a dead battery.

Yep, I have several just like it.

OnceBitten

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#3091147 17-Jun-2023 17:06

ok thanks - I'm not sure how long I've had it (few years perhaps?) ... but if it has a dead battery I assume that means it's stuffed?

richms

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#3091148 17-Jun-2023 17:14

Those old cheapie ones cant do much even when working new. You can try leaving it plugged in for ages to see if it trickle charges the cell enough for the full speed charge to kick in, but IMO its probably been useless since new unless you just want to power some USB string lights or similar for a few hours.

Richard rich.ms

eracode

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#3091210 17-Jun-2023 18:45

Mont Blanc? Must be a charger for a fountain pen.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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OnceBitten

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#3091218 17-Jun-2023 19:08

ok thanks for the replies.... wife & I are going overseas next month and I thought I could use it, but looks like I'm going to need to buy a new one.

can someone recommend a small / powerful one?

I'll browse the main retaillers and have a look (Noel Leeming, Harvey Norman, JB hi-fi, PB Tech)

thanks again

K8Toledo

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#3091225 17-Jun-2023 19:33

OnceBitten:

While cleaning out some things earlier I came across what I thought was a powerbank (see photos attached) - but I'm not sure that it is

Reason I'm asking it I've plugged it into USB charger and plugged the cord (USB-C?) into the powerbank thinking it would charge up and I could then use it to charge my phone or something, but it does nothing, no lights come on or anything.... so I'm not 100% sure if it is a powerbank - and if it is I'm not sure I'm using it correctly

can someone please enlighten me as to what this is and how to use it?

Many thanks

The cable is USB Micro B. Try plugging it into an AC wall charger if you can, or even a laptop USB port.

The powerbank should have an on/off button too.

OnceBitten

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#3091248 17-Jun-2023 20:35

thanks - I plugged it into a wall charger but it still didn't do anything.... there is no power / on-off button on it either

tehgerbil

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#3092403 20-Jun-2023 10:12

You can probably crack it open and replace the (likely) 18650 li-ion battery inside :)

richms

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#3092405 20-Jun-2023 10:24

tehgerbil:

You can probably crack it open and replace the (likely) 18650 li-ion battery inside :)

Most seem to have the connections spotwelded on and then soldered to the board so not a simple swap.

At the end of the day its a $2 shop grade powerbank with a brand on it, so not worth the effort.

Richard rich.ms

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Silvrav

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#3092406 20-Jun-2023 10:24

Those cheapy powerbanks that companies get branded to give away as corporate gifts or promotions. Generally don't last long

xpd

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#3092409 20-Jun-2023 10:33

OnceBitten:

ok thanks for the replies.... wife & I are going overseas next month and I thought I could use it, but looks like I'm going to need to buy a new one.

can someone recommend a small / powerful one?

I'll browse the main retaillers and have a look (Noel Leeming, Harvey Norman, JB hi-fi, PB Tech)

thanks again

I have something similar to this which works well for me. Obviously the more capacity, the better but more $$$.

Does me, and having the USB-C is great as more and more devices using it.

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

OnceBitten

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#3092446 20-Jun-2023 11:19

xpd:

I have something similar to this which works well for me. Obviously the more capacity, the better but more $$$.

Does me, and having the USB-C is great as more and more devices using it.

thanks for that - yes I'm looking at something like this

richms

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#3092467 20-Jun-2023 12:18

I have this - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005249232437.html - works great, nice and fast to charge my phone and works will all my USB-C PD stuff well. Also got this one https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005227142167.html that has on 2 occasions decided to not charge my phone over a USB-C cable and actually charge from my phone, but other times it will charge the phone fine. Might be the cable I have tho. I got a whole lot of these cables https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004771478072.html and it seems to have not had any problems.

Richard rich.ms