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Anker Power Banks – Discover Anker external batteries with our Review

July 9, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

From ANKER Power Bank, America’s Leading USB Charging Brand

– Faster and safer charging with our advanced technology

– 20 million+ happy users and counting

– 99% Positive Amazon Feedback

Anker on amazon.com.au

This is how Anker is advertised on Amazon Australia, one of the most trusted and internationally recognized power bank brands. In this article, we will analyze Anker’s journey and the keys to his success.

Current list of Anker external batteries

Currently, we can find 15 external batteries of the Anker Power Bank brand in Amazon Australia that cover a wide range of needs for all users:

MODEL mAh 
Anker Quick Charge Powercore+ 26800 26800
More info and Price

Anker 20000Mah Portable Charger Powercore 2010020000
More info and Price

Anker PowerCore 13000 Portable Charger13000
More info and Price

Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 26800mAh26800
More info and Price

Anker Upgraded with Poweriq Powercore Speed 10000 Qc10000
More info and Price

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 PD Green10000
More info and Price

Anker Powercore 10000 White10000
More info and Price

Anker Powercore 10000 Black10000
More info and Price

Anker PowerCore Select 2000020000
More info and Price

Anker Powercore+ 20100 USB-C20100
More info and Price

Anker 20000Mah Portable Charger Powercore20000
More info and Price

Anker PowerCore II Slim 1000010000
More info and Price

Anker PowerCore Select 1000010000
More info and Price

Anker Power Bank, PowerCore 26800mAh26800
More info and Price

Anker PowerCore+ 26800mAh Quick Charge 3.026800
More info and Price

These are Anker’s external batteries available on Amazon Autralia. 

Testing Anker Power banks

In the following table you can see some interesting data from the results obtained in our analyzes for Standard Recharge / Discharge (5V) in power banks of the Anker brand :

  • Nominal capacity and stored energy
  • Recharge time
  • Actual capacity and energy obtained in the discharge
  • Discharge efficiency

You can get more detailed information by visiting this section .

ModelRated CapacityRated EnergyCharging TimeActual Output CapacityOutput EnergyConversion Rate
A126110,000mAh38.50Wh4.99h6,263mAh31.91Wh82.88%
A11095,000mAh18.50Wh3.50h3,298mAh16.86Wh91.14%

Currently, we have analyzed 2 of Anker’s 15 external batteries . Do you want us to analyze any specific model? Leave us your comment at the end of this article!

The more that you read, the more things you will know…

  • Xiaomi Power Banks – Discover Xiaomi external batteries

Steven Yang: from Google engineer to Anker founder

The history of the Chinese brand begins with its foundation in 2011 by Steven Yang , who, until then, worked as a software engineer at Google’s facilities in California.

When he moved to Shenzhen, China, Yang founded Anker , taking that name from the German word ” anker ” which means anchor .

anker power bank

Initially it was dedicated to the manufacture of peripherals in general, however, in 2012, it decided to specialize in the mobile charging sector , that is, chargers, cables, replacement batteries, external batteries …

Anker’s growth has been exponential, in fact, in recent years the brand has managed to consolidate a group of sub-brands (under the name of Anker Innovations ) that, little by little, seek to expand into other markets : a clear example is the sub-brand Soundcore dedicated to the world of audio.

Strong brand = solid results: the keys to Anker’s success

Anker is one of the brands that has dedicated itself the most to presenting products that, in their entirety, try to be perfect : that the sensation since the box is opened is that of a product that is worth even more than what you paid for.

Of course, Anker’s key to other brands that follow a similar business model ( AUKEY’s case ) is that he does not limit himself to making a product that is inexpensive without paying too much attention to design , but rather seeks coherence between everything.

In addition, Anker is not only dedicated to assembling an external battery, but they have designed their own fast and intelligent charging technology ( PowerIQ ) compatible with the most widely used protocols on the market: Quick Charge,  Power Delivery.

In its latest version, PowerIQ 3.0 , it is designed to supply up to 100W of power and claims to charge some mobiles on the market faster than with other fast charging protocols:

Example of charging the Samsung S10 mobile with PowerIQ 3.0

This mentality of well-defined ideas, more than clear objectives, in addition to betting heavily on their own , has made Anker a reliable brand, synonymous with durability and solidity .

♻️ Another Anker virtue is that it is one of the brands that most cares about the environment ♻️

I already have an Anker power bank: what do you need to know?

Both the  after-sales service  and the  guarantee  are two aspects that cannot be left out if you want to buy a product that is reliable and durable; In the case of Anker you must take into account the following:

Technical serviceAt this address you can get in touch in the way you prefer with the brand.
Product guaranteeAutomatically 18 months (can be extended 6 months more) anywhere. Here you can learn more detailed information.
Product registrationIf you want to keep up to date with the Anker products you have, then register on the brand’s website and add the products you have purchased. You can also check them .
ManualYou can access online versions of the Anker product instruction manuals you have or plan to buy 😉.
Are you a fan of the brand?Then do not stop following her on her social networks ( Facebook , Twitter , Instagram ,Youtube ), follow her blog , or subscribe to her newsletter.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Xiaomi Power Bank

July 8, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

xiaomi power bank

The mobile manufacturer Xiaomi is also present in the power bank market and has several models that we will describe below. But first, let’s learn a little more about its main characteristics and how they differ from the competition.

Design and quality components: the keys to the success of the Xiaomi Power Bank

It could be said that the design of the Xiaomi Power Bank is one of the most popular in the external battery market.

Its characteristic minimalist design , which plays with geometric shapes, generally unicolor, has established a reference that has even become one of the most copied by other brands in the sector, in addition to suffering numerous counterfeits in its models.

All Xiaomi PowerBank are covered by an anodized aluminum casing that protect them from corrosion, shock and scratches. In addition, each casing is made of a single piece of aluminum, thus giving the powerbank an elegant and careful appearance.

It is not only the design of its external batteries that makes Xiaomi famous, but also its  great performance, thanks to the quality of its components and protection systems:

xiaomi powerbank

Its models incorporate a  control chip with 9 layers of protection built by Texas Instruments that optimize recharging and discharging, achieving an efficiency of up to 93% , which allows transferring a large part of its energy while charging devices.

Also, they use lithium batteries from providers like LG and Panasonic  with an energy density of up to 725 Wh / L for a smaller and more compact size of power banks.

Now yes, we present you all the models of external batteries from the manufacturer Xiaomi and where to buy them original , but before we recommend that you read our tips to buy a power bank  to really know which one fits your use needs to choose the capacity (mAh) correct:

Xiaomi Zmi No.10 Pro 65W 20000mah

N / A De Arte de línea de montaña | De Paisaje en Miniatura | Arte de la Pared del Paisaje imprimible | Terracota Paisaje Pnal Maquillaje Facial Familia Pintura Decorativa sin Marco A92 60x80cm
26 Reviews
N / A De Arte de línea de montaña | De Paisaje en Miniatura | Arte de la Pared del Paisaje imprimible | Terracota Paisaje Pnal Maquillaje Facial Familia Pintura Decorativa sin Marco A92 60x80cm
More Info and Price
xiaomi ZMI Powerpack Pro

One of the qualities that ZMI has is that it knows how to give elegance to a product: the Powerpack Pro 20K is an example of this.

This 20,000 mAh external battery is based on its younger brother, the Powerpack 20K , taking advantage of a model that is attractive in itself, although adding a much more striking color combination :

Electric blue prevails in the body of the power bank, complemented by a shade of darker blue on the edges and topped with golden touches both on the ZMI logo and on the button on the side.

The distribution of the ports is identical to the previous model:

With a bi-directional USB-C port in the center and 2 USB-A ports with Quick Charge 3.0 technology on both sides. In addition, it maintains the function as a USB hub .

But what does “Pro” do to the Powerpack Pro 20K? In addition to its design, its USB-C port , which supports 45W input in Power Delivery, now its output is capable of supplying up to 65W of power! Then expanding its compatibility to more than 50 laptops .

Xiaomi Power Bank 5000 mAh

Xiaomi offers us in its entry range a perfect companion to take anywhere, thanks to its ultra thin design of only 9.9 mm thick, being one of the thinnest on the market.

xiaomi power bank 5000mah

This model ( NDY-02-AM ) continues without undergoing a major renovation thanks to its competitive price , its reliability and the possibility of satisfying users who are looking for a cheap product that is capable of complementing the charge level of their mobile at a higher speed. than acceptable (2.1A) .

To its compact design is added a solid construction that brings together all the interactive components on one of its edges, from left to right we have the power button, which is followed by 4 charge level indicator LEDs – each one represents 25% of the total capacity -; right after the micro USB input and USB output.

As for the technical characteristics, this power bank has a capacity of 5000 mAh but due to the voltage conversion it is less. For this model, Xiaomi guarantees a real capacity of 3300 mAh .

In addition, it has a single USB output port capable of supplying a maximum current of 2.1A and a micro USB input port that supports up to 2A, allowing 100% recharging in just 3.5 hours if a charger is used. 10W (5V / 2A).

Xiaomi Power Banks 10000 mAh

Xiaomi POWERBANK 18W, Power Bank 3 10000MAH, Silver
417 Reviews
Xiaomi POWERBANK 18W, Power Bank 3 10000MAH, Silver
  • 14 x 7 x 1.5 cm; 200 gramos
  • 3.7 Voltios
  • Compatible con Portátil, Tablet, Smartphone
  • 200 g
More Info and Price

In the following table you can see a comparison of the current models of 10,000 mAh of the Xiaomi brand:

specsMy 2S 10000mAhMy Pro 10000mAhMy Wireless 10000mAhMi 3 10000mAh
ModelPLM09ZMPLM01ZMPLM11ZMPLM12ZM
Capacity10000mAh (37Wh)10000mAh (38.5Wh)10000mAh (37Wh)10000mAh (37Wh)
Actual capacity6500mAh7100mAh6000mAh6000mAh
Type Input PortMicro-USBUSB-CUSB-CMicro-USB + USB-C
USB input5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)
# Output Portstwoonetwoone
USB Output5.1V / 2.4A, 9V / 1.6A, 12V / 1.2A5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1,5A5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1,5A + Wireless Charge: 5V / 2A5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)
Total potential15W18W18W18W
Fast chargeQC 2.0QC 2.0QC 3.0 + PDQC 3.0 + PD
Wireless Charging✘✘✔✘
Low Power Charging✔✔✔✔
MaterialAluminumAluminumAluminumAluminum
Dimensions147 × 71.2 × 14.2 mm128.5 x 75 x 12.6mm100 x 74 x 23.5mm150 x 70 x 14mm
Weight218g223g250g250g
Meet other brands and models

My Power Bank 2 10000 mAh

It was not long after the launch of the second version of the 10,000 mAh Mi Power Bank ( model NDY-02-AN ) when Xiaomi decided to launch a new version baptized as Mi Power Bank 2, which, as its name indicates, was not a simple substitute for the previous model, but a change towards more consistent standards to what the power bank market demanded.

Now, what new features did this model introduce?

xiaomi power bank 2 10000 mah

Recharge / fast charge. Xiaomi has incorporated Quick Charge 2.0 technology  to the input and output port, that is, it can be recharged in just 4.20 hours if we connect it to a QC2.0 fast charge charger ; If recharged with a conventional 10W charger (5V / 2A), the charging time would be 6.20 hours, minimum.

Also, it allows you to charge QC2.0 compatible devices in less time , thanks to its quick charge output: 5V / 2A, 9V / 2A and 12V / 1.5A, which adjusts to the connected device and provides a maximum of 18W .

Charging at low power. Another new feature that Mi Power Bank 2 implements is its Low Power Charging system , that is, the charging at low power of devices such as Bluetooth headphones or smartbands.

As they explain on the official website, pressing the Power button twice will supply a lower current (60-25 mA) for these devices.

Thinner. The new model is much more compact at just 14.1mm thick compared to its predecessor at 22mm. In contrast, its length has been increased from 91 mm to 130 mm.

Better performance Another improvement achieved is its real capacity of 6900 mAh, being 10% more than the previous model that provided an output of 6250 mAh.

What did Xiaomi fail this time?

It does not incorporate another charging port , which keeps it “falling short” for those who need simultaneous charging of devices.

My Power Bank 2S 10000 mAh

The 2S model , also announced as 2I, is proof that the Mi Power Bank 2 had a shortcoming that was essential for many of the users: the lack of a second output port for simultaneous charging of devices.

xiaomi power bank 2s 10000mah

It seemed that Xiaomi, at least in the field of power banks, always left something to be desired:

Despite the aforementioned inclusion of the second USB-A output port, no significant changes were made at the technological level -QC2.0 is maintained- nor was there an improvement in the real capacity of the battery that, contrary to increasing, it dropped to 6500 mAh .

In addition, these modifications caused the power bank to increase a couple of grams in terms of weight, as well as a slight growth in its dimensions.

Should this model be considered a failure? Absolutely not, it is a power bank that competes perfectly in the current market , although it gives us the feeling that Xiaomi could have obtained a much better result.

My Power Bank Pro 10000 mAh

The emergence of USB Type C into the world of mobile phones was a small technological revolution and Xiaomi read the message very well: the Pro model is another variant of its 10,000 mAh power bank, designed to work with the most modern mobile devices :  compatible with USB Type-C  for  faster charging .

xiaomi powerbank pro

What is new with the My Powerbank Pro?

In addition to incorporating all the features of the previous 10000 mAh ranges, the Mi Power bank Pro includes a USB Type-C port , suitable for charging the phones that appear in the technological arena with this type of connector.

The  USB Type-C has been introduced gradually in the market and serves as an option to replace the USB micro standard.

Another novelty that it offers compared to its predecessor, is that this Pro edition boasts a smaller thickness, due to the fact that it measures 12.58 mm, which is equivalent to 42% thinner than the previous model.

The Mi Powerbank Pro supports Quick Charge 2.0 , this allows it to supply a maximum power of 18W , which translates to faster charging of the devices connected to it.

Xiaomi representatives made an analogy with charging the Mi Note Pro, taking 2 ½ hours with a 5V / 2A power bank, but with the Pro it only took 1 hour and 50 minutes.

It is also capable of charging devices that need less current, such as the popular Mi Band . Just by pressing twice the button that turns on this device, it will automatically change charging mode.

My Wireless Power Bank 10000mAh

With the arrival of the power banks with Qi wireless charging, the giant Xiaomi also jumped on the bandwagon and soon launched its own model on the market:

xiaomi power bank wireless 10000mah

The PLM11ZM model  is an external 10,000 mAh capacity battery equipped with a Qi wireless charging module and 2 USB output ports, one type A and the other type C, compatible with Quick Charge 3.0 and Power Delivery fast charging protocols. .

Wireless charging is capable of supplying up to 10W (5V / 2A) and does NOT interfere with the rest of the charging processes, that is, we can charge three devices at once , using the USB-A and USB-C ports and the base wireless.

In addition, the contact surface for wireless charging is made of non-slip material , in order to avoid accidents.

Of the rest, as we have said, in the Xiaomi PLM11ZM model that has 6000 mAh of real capacity (at 5V / 3A) we have all the protection systems (against short circuits, overvoltage, etc.) that Xiaomi offers in its power banks as well as with the most basic functionalities such as the charge level indicator lights.

My Power Bank 3 10000mAh

This renewed Xiaomi external battery incorporates characteristics of all the versions that precede it (Mi Power Banks 2, 2S, Pro / Pro 2), by incorporating both a USB-A and a USB-C (input / output) port .

xiaomi power bank 3 10000mah

Another novelty of this external battery is that it  incorporates the Power Delivery protocol together with the Quick Charge quick charge:

Both the USB-A port and the micro USB port are compatible with Quick Charge , while the USB-C port is compatible with Power Delivery , with 18W being the maximum power capable of supplying.

The change on a physical level is not drastic, however, the stylization of the edges, as well as the available combinations,  all-black  or  silver the body with the upper and lower areas in black,  make this new power bank look to the fashion, although it does not leave aside that minimal touch – classic – of the Chinese manufacturer.

All of this is helped by its dimensions,  15 x 7 x 1.4 cm , of which its thinness stands out  , an element that differentiates it from its direct predecessors.

Xiaomi Power Banks 20000 mAh

Next, we go with the Xiaomi higher capacity models, ideal to share the load with family, friends or whoever you want.

Even once, a Reddit user joked that he could put together several of these power banks and compete with the Tesla Powerwalls for a lower price.

Here you can see a comparative table of the latest Xiaomi versions of 20,000 mAh available :

specsMy 2 20000mAhMy 2C 20000mAhMi 3 20000mAh
ModelPLM05ZMPLM06ZMPLM07ZM
Capacity20000mAh (77Wh)20000mAh (74Wh)20000mAh (74Wh)
Actual capacity14000mAh13000mAh12600mAh
Type USB InputMicro-USBMicro-USBUSB-C
USB input5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5V / 2A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5V-20V (45W max)
# Output Portstwotwotwo
USB Output5.1V / 3.6A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5.1V / 3.6A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)5.1V / 2.4A, 9V / 2A, 12V / 1.5A (18W max)
PD: 5V-20V (45W max)
Fast chargeQC 3.0QC 3.0QC 3.0 + PD
Low Power Charging✔✔✔
USB HUB✘✘✘
MaterialABSPC + ABSPC + ABS
Dimensions135.5 x 67.6 x 23.9 cm149.5 x 69.6 x 23.9 cm15 × 7.3 × 2.7cm
Weight330.5g328g440g
Meet other brands and 20000mAh models

My Power Bank 2 20,000 mAh

The  20,000 mAh Xiaomi Power Bank 2 was commissioned to replace the first version of the 20000 mAh model ( PLM04ZM ), now what are the differences between one and the other?

At first glance, thanks to its minimalist aesthetic, the change in size is almost negligible, although it is more compact and light in this new version , however, the great leap is in its characteristics:

xiaomi 20000mah v1 vs v2

Although it maintains the same capacity of 20,000 mAh , this new version incorporates a more compact LiPo cell battery compared to the previous version (Li-ion) and even stores more  energy (77Wh vs. 72Wh). Furthermore, this power bank has a real capacity of 14000 mAh  at the output (5.1V).

As you may have noticed from the specifications, it supports the Quick Charge 3.0 protocol on both ports simultaneously, allowing you to charge your mobile as fast as if you were using the original charger.

In addition, the micro USB input port is also compatible with Quick Charge and can be recharged in less time with the use of a compatible charger.

xiaomi power bank quick charge

This power bank supports simultaneous charging / discharging ( Pass Through Charging ) , that is, you can recharge your Xiaomi power bank while you are charging your mobile.

You can also charge devices that do not need as much power, such as a smartband or a smartwatch, thanks to the Low Power Charging system , which is activated by pressing the Power button twice .

Xiaomi Power Bank 2C 20000 mAh

At first glance the PLM06ZM model  looks just like the 20,000 mAh Mi Power bank, in fact it inherits features from it, but it is not exactly the same. We could define it as the premium version of the original.

xiaomi powerbank 2c 20000 mAh

Paradoxically, the battery returns to have a capacity of 74 Wh, being its  real capacity of 13000 mAh , on the other hand, it  also supports quick charge Quick Charge 3.0 bidirectional.

Regarding its dimensions and weight it does not change too much, with similar figures (see the table below), this 20,000 mAh power bank weighs only 10 grams less, that is, 328 grams .

comparative xiaomi 20000 mAh

As for its construction, it is made of a combination of plastic: PC and ABS , which provides greater resistance to shocks and allows good protection against heat. It also includes the 9 protection systems like the rest of Xiaomi’s external batteries.

In the same way, as we have seen in the new models, by long pressing the power button , you can activate the Low Power Charging function , with which you can safely charge small devices, such as smart bracelets or smartwatches. As usual, it includes 4 LED lights that each correspond to 25% of the power bank charge level.

My Power Bank 3 Pro 20000 mAh

One of the greatest virtues that the Chinese company has is its ability to launch products that are located at an almost unbeatable price-quality ratio; This update of its 20000 mAh external battery (model  PLM07ZM ) is proof of this.

Initially, the physical aspect is slightly changed as far as morphology is concerned, however,  Xiaomi now wants to bet on an all black style   instead of the  all white  that characterized all its previous 20000mAh models –  which we were used to .

Validity of the previous model + Vanguard of the charging protocols:  not only the physical aspect was renewed in this external battery, although as it happens with the exterior of the power bank, inside it we see  common elements with its predecessor such as the QC3.0 compatibility, two USB-A ports or Low Power Charging mode .

xiaomi 3 20000mah

The jump between it represents the appearance of the USB-C port  that is between the two USB-A ports, since, being compatible with Power Delivery technology , it is  capable of supplying up to 45W , which makes it a  power bank with Ability to charge devices that require more power like a laptop .

Likewise, elements such as bidirectional charging, protection systems and simultaneous charging and discharging, as well as LED lights indicating the level of charge of the external battery are also available in the new model  PLM07ZM  from Xiaomi that, however,  exceeded in weight to its predecessor, standing at around 440 grams .

Testing Xiaomi Power banks

In the following table you can see some interesting data from the results obtained in our analyzes for Standard Recharge / Discharge (5V) in power banks of the Xiaomi brand :

  • Nominal capacity and stored energy
  • Recharge time
  • Actual capacity and energy obtained in the discharge
  • Discharge efficiency
ModelRated CapacityRated EnergyCharging TimeActual Output CapacityOutput EnergyConversion Rate
PLM02ZM10,000mAh38.50Wh5.71h6,646mAh33.84Wh87.90%
PLM09ZM10,000mAh37.00Wh6.02h6,358mAh31.82Wh86.00%
PLM01ZM10,180mAh39.19Wh6.82h7,117mAh35.46Wh90.48%
PLM10ZM5,000mAh18.50Wh2.69h3,019mAh15.17Wh82.00%
PLM03ZM10,000mAh38.50Wh5.62h7,198mAh35.47Wh92.13%
PLM07ZM20,000mAh74.00Wh8.05h14,534mAh71.06Wh96.03%
PLM11ZM10,000mAh37.00Wh4.38h6,496mAh32.92Wh88.97%

Currently, we have analyzed 7 Xiaomi external batteries . Do you want us to analyze any specific model? Leave us your comment at the end of this article!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Slim Power Bank in Australia – Buying Guide 2020

May 28, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

If you need to buy a power bank, but one of your priorities is that it takes up very little space in your pocket, bag or luggage case, then you are looking for a Slim Power bank or an Ultra Slim Power Bank.

Charmast Power Bank 26800mAh
Anker PowerCore II Slim
iMuto Power Bank ULTRA SLIM
Charmast Power Delivery Power Bank, 26800mAh PD Portable Charger, 18W USB C Battery Pack with Quick Charge 3.0 Compatible with MacBook/New Type-C iPad Pro/MacBook Air, iPhone, Pixel, Samsung,More
Anker Batería Externa PowerCore II Slim 10000mAh Ultra Thin Powerbank para iPhone X 8 8Plus 7 6s 6 Plus, iPad, Samsung Galaxy y Otros Dispositivos
jump starter
MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
Charmast Power Bank 26800mAh
Charmast Power Delivery Power Bank, 26800mAh PD Portable Charger, 18W USB C Battery Pack with Quick Charge 3.0 Compatible with MacBook/New Type-C iPad Pro/MacBook Air, iPhone, Pixel, Samsung,More
MORE INFO AND PRICE
Anker PowerCore II Slim
Anker Batería Externa PowerCore II Slim 10000mAh Ultra Thin Powerbank para iPhone X 8 8Plus 7 6s 6 Plus, iPad, Samsung Galaxy y Otros Dispositivos
MORE INFO AND PRICE
iMuto Power Bank ULTRA SLIM
jump starter
MORE INFO AND PRICE

The ideal would be to carry a portable battery of dimensions and thickness similar to our mobile so that its great utility does not become, rather, a nuisance.

For this reason, we have analyzed the market for external batteries in search of models with a  more compact design .

Let’s start!

What is an Ultra Slim Power bank?

Probably, the abbreviation for lithium polymer -Lipo- sounds, especially since today’s mobiles use this type of batteries.

Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries are safer, more compact and efficient, and are capable of storing more energy in less space than conventional Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.

slim power bank
Left: Old Xiaomi 10400 mAh (Li-ion 18650) vs Drch: New Xiaomi 10000 mAh (LiPo)

Although 18650 type Li-ion batteries are still used in power banks, they are more often found in small-capacity, cylindrical-shaped models.

Instead, many manufacturers now use lithium polymer batteries, obtaining power banks of greater capacity and less thickness.

The more that you read, the more things you will know…

  • Anker Power Banks – Discover Anker external batteries

How have we classified them?

Following the use of lithium polymer batteries, the Slim Power Bank concept arises.

As the term itself indicates, an Ultra Slim power bank is a portable battery whose main characteristic is to be extremely thin .

Of course, keep in mind that the concept of Ultra Slim does not imply that it is light, that is: the weight of the power bank will depend on the capacity of its battery , although they will always be less heavy than power banks with Li-ion batteries .

After having analyzed many models on Amazon, we established a criterion to classify if a power bank was Ultra Slim based on its capacity-thickness ratio :

  • 13000 – 20000 mAh : <= 15mm
  • 6000 mAh – 13000 mAh : <= 13 mm
  • 5000 mAh or less : <= 10mm

In addition, we concluded that  the Ultra Slim power banks with 5000 mAh turn out to be the most practical to carry in your pants pocket due to their light weight and dimensions.

These models, along with those of 10,000 mAh , stood out for being similar in thickness and size to a 5 ″ or 6 ″ smartphone. However, the 20,000 mAh power banks  may be too heavy to carry.

However, everything will depend on the use that you are going to give to an Ultra Slim power bank: for daily use or for trips, for example, if you are going on a trip you may be more interested in carrying a power bank of greater capacity and that bulks little in the backpack or suitcase.

Based on our selection criteria and taking into account the weight and size of the power banks, we have selected the best Ultra Slim models that you can find on Amazon:

Charmast Power Bank 26800mAh
Anker PowerCore II Slim
iMuto Power Bank ULTRA SLIM
Charmast Power Delivery Power Bank, 26800mAh PD Portable Charger, 18W USB C Battery Pack with Quick Charge 3.0 Compatible with MacBook/New Type-C iPad Pro/MacBook Air, iPhone, Pixel, Samsung,More
Anker Batería Externa PowerCore II Slim 10000mAh Ultra Thin Powerbank para iPhone X 8 8Plus 7 6s 6 Plus, iPad, Samsung Galaxy y Otros Dispositivos
jump starter
MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
Charmast Power Bank 26800mAh
Charmast Power Delivery Power Bank, 26800mAh PD Portable Charger, 18W USB C Battery Pack with Quick Charge 3.0 Compatible with MacBook/New Type-C iPad Pro/MacBook Air, iPhone, Pixel, Samsung,More
MORE INFO AND PRICE
Anker PowerCore II Slim
Anker Batería Externa PowerCore II Slim 10000mAh Ultra Thin Powerbank para iPhone X 8 8Plus 7 6s 6 Plus, iPad, Samsung Galaxy y Otros Dispositivos
MORE INFO AND PRICE
iMuto Power Bank ULTRA SLIM
jump starter
MORE INFO AND PRICE

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Jump Starter – Buying Guide 2020 in Australia

May 27, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

If you have a car or motorcycle, having a jump starter is practically an essential accessory.

It is impossible to predict when your car will play tricks on you. Sometimes the battery simply refuses to start once the car is parked. Without a doubt, it is a frustrating situation and too familiar for experienced drivers.

Imagine that you go out with your family to the countryside and park it a bit far to enjoy a walk in nature to the fullest. However, when you return, you find yourself with an unpleasant surprise: when you try to start the engine you do not hear anything other than that typical sound of a flat battery .

Even if you have the cables to start the battery in the trunk, you realize that there are no cars within a 100 kilometer radius. So you can’t start the car. There is no other option but to call for help.

jump starter

To avoid this type of situation, the ideal would be to have at your disposal a battery jump starter or Jump Starter . These devices are capable of starting a car without having to rely on help from other people.

Therefore, it becomes a very useful accessory to keep inside the vehicle and be used at any time.

Best Jump Starters (2020)  🚩

Next, you have a list of the car starter models that we recommend on Amazon based on what we have explained during this Guide.

NOCO Boost Plus GB40
GOOLOO Upgraded 1200A
NOCO Boost Plus GB40, Arrancador de Batería UltraSafe 1000A 12V, Cargador de Booster Profesional y Cables de Arranque de Coche por Gasolina de hasta 6 litros y Motores de Diésel de hasta 3 litros
GOOLOO Arrancador de Coches portátil 15000mAh 1500A Arrancador de Baterias de Coche (hasta 8L de Gas y 6L de Diésel) mit Pinzas Inteligentes Super Seguro y Tipo-C(I/O) USB
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MORE INFO AND PRICE
NOCO Boost Plus GB40
NOCO Boost Plus GB40, Arrancador de Batería UltraSafe 1000A 12V, Cargador de Booster Profesional y Cables de Arranque de Coche por Gasolina de hasta 6 litros y Motores de Diésel de hasta 3 litros
MORE INFO AND PRICE
GOOLOO Upgraded 1200A
GOOLOO Arrancador de Coches portátil 15000mAh 1500A Arrancador de Baterias de Coche (hasta 8L de Gas y 6L de Diésel) mit Pinzas Inteligentes Super Seguro y Tipo-C(I/O) USB
MORE INFO AND PRICE

The more that you read, the more things you will know…

  • Best Wireless Charger for Mobile in Australia – Buying Guide 2020
  • Best Solar Phone Charger – Buying Guide 2020

What is a Jump Starter? Types

A Jump Starter is a rechargeable portable battery designed mainly to start a vehicle in addition to allowing charging electronic devices (mobiles, camera, bluetooth speakers …) through one or more USB ports as a traditional power bank would do .

Although it is popularly known as a jump starter, really, what it does is start a vehicle and not, not surprisingly, the battery. It is so named to distinguish it from a battery charger that does recharge the battery without starting the vehicle.

When the vehicle is started, the alternator starts, which provides enough energy for all the electrical components of the vehicle to work and at the same time recharges the vehicle’s own battery.

In this way, after keeping the vehicle running for a time, when we stop the engine, it will be able to start with its own battery without the need to use the starter again.

One of its great advantages is that it allows us to start our car at any time and place without the need to resort to an auxiliary vehicle, for this reason, it becomes an ideal accessory for the car that will avoid problems in an emergency situation.

portable jump starter
With a starter you will never ask for help to start your car!

Battery starters are obviously not all the same, there are several types that have specific technical data and are compatible with different vehicles .

Before buying one, it is necessary to verify that the product in which we are interested adapts to all our demands and functions that we regularly fulfill with our car.

According to its dimensions, we highlight 2 types of jump starters:

Portable Jump Starter

They are small and compact starters, that can be transported in a practical way, even in the glove compartment of the car , and have a shape that is vaguely reminiscent of an external hard drive for PC.

portable jump starter

Despite being extremely compact , these starters guarantee remarkable power and a fairly high autonomy to carry out numerous emergency starts.

Carry Case Jump Starter

The Carry Case-type models, on the other hand, have larger dimensions and are commonly equipped with a carrying handle, as can be seen in the photo below. Some also incorporate an air compressor in case of having a slightly deflated wheel.

carry case jump satarter

Generally, this type of battery starters offer superior power to portable starters and are ideal for use in large vehicles : vans, trucks, boats, buses …

How to charge a Jump Starter?

In the past, a starter used to incorporate a DC charging port (DC Input) and was recharged by means of a specific charger or power adapter (included in the purchase).

Optionally, it could also be recharged by connecting it to the cigarette lighter of the vehicle with a compatible charger.

Later, new generations of starters with micro USB and USB type C charging ports appeared .

Its main advantage is that they can be recharged with any USB charger (such as that of the mobile itself) instead of using a specific one that, in addition, if lost or damaged, would be more difficult to replace.

jump starter charger
DC charging port (left) vs Micro USB and / or USB type C charging port (right)

Although any starter with a USB charging port is recommended, models with USB type C are preferable for 2 reasons:

  1. It acts as an input / output port: on some models, in addition to recharging the starter, the USB-C port can be used to charge other devices with a USB charging port: mobile, camera, headphones, speakers …
  2. Faster charging (starter and / or devices) : In general, the USB-C port supports more power (15W) than a micro USB port (12W max). It is also compatible with the new technology of fast charging Power Delivery (18W).

Our recommendation is to choose a starter with a USB Type-C charging port  and check that it is input / output . Optionally, include the Power Delivery (PD) protocol for faster recharging.

Features of a jump starter

We are going to identify the technical specifications of a starter to know how to choose the model that best suits the needs of each one (price, capacity, peak current …) and is compatible with our car:

jump starter specifications
Tacklife T8 jump starter technical specifications


Battery capacity (mAh)

A car jump starter incorporates a 3.7 volt (V) rechargeable battery at a specified capacity expressed in milliamps-hours (mAh).

The capacity indicates the amount of energy (Wh = V x Ah) that the starter has to start the vehicle and / or charge our devices when we use it as a power bank.

In the example in the image we see that the Tacklife T8 starter has a capacity of 18000 mAh (or 18Ah), therefore, the stored energy is 66.6Wh (18Ah x 3.7V).

It is important to note that a starter with more or less capacity does not determine if a vehicle will start or not, it will only depend on the starting current that it is capable of supplying.

In general, the more capacity a battery jump starter has, the more times we can start our car or the greater number of charges we can carry out on our devices (mobile, tablet, camera, speakers …) without having to recharge their battery completely again.

However, it is advisable that the starter battery is above 60% of its capacity to ensure the vehicle starts .

Peak current and starting current (A)

Both the peak and starting currents are 2 fundamental characteristics when choosing a starter for our car, as we will explain below.

The peak current ( peak current ) is the maximum instantaneous current that can provide the starter in a short period of time (<1 s) to start the engine of the car.

In the event that the car does not start instantly, this current decreases to a constant value that the starter can hold for a few more seconds (3-5s) to try to start the engine. This value is known as inrush current ( starting current ).

In this case the Tacklife T8 starter reaches a peak current of 800A and maintains a starting current of 500A and 250A for 3 and 5 seconds respectively.

While the  peak current of  a starter can vary  between 300A and 2500A , the  starting current is always less than the peak current and even on some models there will be a big difference.

How to choose the right starter for my car? 🚘

First of all, it is important that we familiarize ourselves with the specifications of our car battery . Normally, these are usually indicated on the battery itself (it is also possible to find them on the manufacturer’s website):

car battery specifications
Specifications of a car battery

In the image above we can see the specifications of a Tudor brand battery :

Voltage: 12V

Indicates the nominal voltage or voltage of the battery. Most commonly, your vehicle uses a 12-volt (V) battery .

Capacity: 74 Ah

Indicates the amount of energy that a new, fully charged battery can store.

In general, the capacity of the battery is linked to the size, the bigger the battery, the more capacity it has.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): 680A

The main function of a vehicle’s battery is to start the engine, for this reason, batteries are designed to provide a high current intensity which is called Starting Current or Cranking Amps.

Generally speaking, it is easier to start an engine in a warm environment than in a cold one.

To measure the ability of a battery to start an engine in cold temperatures, it is subjected to a test under EN * (European Standard) to estimate its CCA (Cold Cranking Amps): 

The cold cranking amps or CCA is the maximum current -measured in Amps (A) – that a battery can supply for a certain time (varies according to the EN1 or EN2 level chosen in the test) at a temperature of -18ºC without the voltage drop below 7.5V.

* The CCA value can vary in the same battery according to the regulations in which it has been measured (EN, DIN, SAE, JIS …), it is important to always compare under the same standard:

540A (EN) = 600A (SAE) = 390A (IEC) = 335A (DIN)

In addition, this value also influences the useful life of the battery , since over time the battery degrades and its starting current decreases, reaching a time when it is not enough to start a vehicle.

For this reason, the vehicles use batteries with a CCA high enough to guarantee the vehicle start in the most unfavorable conditions, also taking care that its useful life is not very short.

As we have seen, the CCA broadly indicates the starting power of a battery . The higher its value, the easier it will be to start the vehicle.

As a general rule, when choosing a starter we should check the value of the cold cranking amp (CCA) that indicates the battery of our car and look for a starter that is capable of supplying a higher peak current. 

Remember that a vehicle requires more starting power in a cold environment and its battery may not provide it if it is old or heavily discharged.

The Importance of Starting Current

The peak current ( peak current ) of a starter is an instantaneous value which can be supplied for a few tenths of a second, for example:

If we have a starter that can supply 1200A peak current and a car needs 350A peak current , then the starter would be able to start the car instantly.

However, if the car does not start instantly because it requires several seconds , the current that can be supplied by a starter constantly decreases considerably, that is:

The starter can deliver an instantaneous current of 1200A and maintain a constant current of 250A for at least 3 seconds.

This constant current of 250A is the so-called starting current .

Therefore, if the car initially requires a peak current of 350A to start and a constant current of 300A for 3 seconds, this starter would NOT be able to start the car because it can only provide a starting current of 250A (although it can initially deliver 1200A peak)

Once the starter has been selected based on the peak current, the next step would be to check the starting current ( Starting Current ) that it can hold for a few seconds and keep the one that best suits the needs of our vehicle.

The problem is that some starter manufacturers do not indicate it  and others make mention of it without indicating the seconds that can maintain that current.

On the other hand, each particular car demands a different starting current and is normally difficult to know, since the manufacturer does not usually indicate this in the vehicle manual:

  • Normally a car with a diesel engine demands a starting current higher than 300A .
  • On the other hand, a car with a gasoline engine is well below that figure, and depending on the architecture of its engine, the required starting current could be less than even 200A .

How many times can I start my car?

When we buy a starter, it is common to want to know how many times our vehicle will be able to start.

However, we are sorry to tell you that there is no universal answer as it depends on many factors, including:

Starter Power

We have already explained that the more capacity (mAh) a starter has, the more energy (Wh) we will have available to start our car (or devices).

However, not all starters are of the same quality, some models will have better energy efficiency than others and will therefore supply more power.

Logically, the energy level of the starter also influences :

Manufacturers often recommend using the starter above 60% load , as if it is below that level it may not be able to deliver all the current the vehicle needs to start.

Starting current

On the other hand, each vehicle model will demand a different starting current , depending on various factors such as engine displacement and architecture, as well as the type of fuel it uses (diesel or gasoline).

It should also be known that the colder the vehicle’s engine is, the more starting current it will demand:

The same vehicle can demand different starting current depending on the atmospheric temperature (winter or summer, for example) and on the engine temperature itself .

Not the same the cold start (first time the engine is started) when the engine has already acquired some temperature (once started the car, cape a stopped minutes and then return to start it again).

Vehicle tuning

Finally, the state of tuning of the vehicle also influences the start.

A neglected vehicle (improper oil density, damaged fuel and intake air filters, bad spark plugs or preheaters, etc.) cause the engine to take a few seconds longer to start.

As you will have seen, there are many factors that influence to know exactly the number of times that a starter can start our vehicle.

Although the truth is that, if its load is above 60%, it will give us several attempts to start.

Our advice is that, once we have successfully started our vehicle, always carry out a full recharge so that it is ready the next time we need it.

In addition, it is recommended to perform a full recharge every 3 months if we have not used it before.

How to use a battery starter?

Regardless of the model you are going to buy, the instructions for using a starter are practically the same. We wanted to prepare a small general guide to explain how to use it:

Security

Before starting to use your battery starter, it is important to take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety, that of the car battery and the rest of the equipment. Since starting your car requires the use of electrical voltage, you must be careful at all times.

But don’t worry, although there are electrical risks associated with starting your car, using a portable battery starter is much safer than starting it by connecting it to another car’s battery.

Before starting your adventure with a battery starter, keep in mind the following safety precautions for good practice:

  1. Make sure your vehicle and battery starter are completely off before beginning the battery starting process.
  2. Take the keys out of the ignition to make sure that all parts of the vehicle are turned off for the first step.
  3. Never connect the red (+) and black (-) clamps to each other , or allow them to connect through an electrical conductor. You could cause a short circuit and the portable starter may stop working. (Although most already have short circuit protection)
  4. Check that there are no flammable liquids or elements near your car or the battery starter during the process.

First steps

  1. Turn off both your vehicle and the battery starter.
  2. Next, connect the jump leads to the device itself.
  3. While the vehicle is still off , take both ends of the starter cables in your hands. You should have a red end and a black end, in the form of tweezers.
  4. Connect the red clip (+) to the + terminal of the car battery.
  5. Connect the black clip (-) to the – terminal of the car battery.
  6. Make sure that the clamps are firmly attached to the battery posts, so that when the car starts, they do not come loose and cause a short circuit when they come into contact with each other.

Starting the starter

After checking that the calipers are in the correct position, you can start the battery starter, but still don’t start your car.

The portable starter must be turned on first to “stimulate” the flow of electricity from the device itself to the car battery. You will need a short time interval so that everything is ready for the car to start.

Engine start

Then start your vehicle. This will allow the battery starter to send a current flow to your car battery that will normally start the vehicle’s engine in no time.

Since the starter acts like a supercharged portable battery and is designed to provide short bursts of power in large quantities. However, running the starter for a long time will prevent the starter from working properly later.

You only have to actuate the vehicle’s starting contact for a maximum of 5 seconds. As soon as you turn on the ignition, the starter motor starts to act, due to the burst of energy that the starter sends to the starter motor through your car battery.

At this point, the portable starter is providing its maximum amount of power possible.

Therefore, it is best to operate the starter motor only in short bursts to match the starter power, giving the necessary starting voltage and current for the vehicle engine to start.

If you try to operate the starter for 5 seconds and the vehicle’s engine still doesn’t start , don’t try to keep starting the car for an extended period. Wait about 3-5 minutes between attempts.

If you continue to try the car’s engine, you will put too much power on the portable starter, which can lead to overheating or a short circuit, causing permanent damage to it.

Make another 5-second attempt after the starter is ready to supply all of its power again. The vehicle’s engine should start after a few more attempts.

If it still does not start, we will see later what to do in these cases.

Remove cables

Once your car is started successfully, you must turn off the battery starter. Then remove the black (-) wire first, then the red (+) wire .

Remember that your battery starter works best when it’s fully charged, so be sure to recharge it as soon as possible, even if it didn’t drain your battery since the last time you used it to start your car.

What to do if the car still doesn’t start?

If your car still won’t start after 5 or more attempts to reset the battery, there are a few things you can do to try to fix this situation:

The first thing is to turn off the starter and then fix the position of the clamps on the terminals of the car battery . Sometimes they may be too loose or not in the correct position.

Try placing the black clamp (-) on another part of your car body instead of attaching it to the negative battery post.

It moves the clamps rotatably to literally squeeze them against the battery posts.

If neither of those options works, your battery may have died . Possible reasons may be corrosion and acid leakage  or popped electrodes inside the battery itself.

At this point, the best thing to do is to find a towing service that will take your car to the technical service.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Best Wireless Charger for Mobile in Australia – Buying Guide 2020

May 24, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

Since Apple’s firm commitment to wireless charging in its new iPhone 8 and iPhone X , wireless charging has become one of the most fashionable and coveted technologies by smartphone owners and, with its arrival,  the Industry linked to the consumer electronics sector has introduced a new range of accessories: the  wireless charger  (either charging base or external battery).

The convenience of being able to recharge your mobile simply by supporting it on a wireless charger without the need to connect a cable is a breakthrough in the mobile sector. 

In addition, this charger, charging base or dock can generally have any shape or size, it can even be included in other objects such as a car dashboard or a lamp. What is really important is that it is a comfortable place to support and charge the device.

Before taking a look at which devices are capable of supporting wireless charging and which are the best wireless chargers available on the market , we will try to explain in a simple way how this charging technology works. But, if you can’t wait, these are the Top 3 Wireless Charger for Mobile in Australia selling in Amazon.com.au

ANKER FAST WIRELESS CHARGER
Fast Wireless Charger RAVPower
5 Coils Wireless Charger CHOETECH 7.5W
Anker Base de carga inductiva 313, certificación Qi, adecuada para iPhone 12, 12 Pro Max, SE, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XR, XS Max, 10 W de carga rápida para Galaxy S22, S21 (sin fuente de alimentación)
RAVPOWER Cargador Inalámbrico Rápido Compatible con Samsung S8, S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6 7.5W Anti-Deslizamiento Diseño para Samsung y Teléfonos
CHOETECH Cargador Inalámbrico Doble, 5 Bobinas Fast Wireless Charger Qi, 7.5W para iPhone 12/12Pro/12 Mini/12Pro Max/11/11Pro/XR/XS MAX/XS/X/8,10W para Galaxy S20/S10/S9/S8/Note20, 5W Teléfono Qi
MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
ANKER FAST WIRELESS CHARGER
Anker Base de carga inductiva 313, certificación Qi, adecuada para iPhone 12, 12 Pro Max, SE, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XR, XS Max, 10 W de carga rápida para Galaxy S22, S21 (sin fuente de alimentación)
MORE INFO AND PRICE
Fast Wireless Charger RAVPower
RAVPOWER Cargador Inalámbrico Rápido Compatible con Samsung S8, S8+, S7, S7 Edge, S6 7.5W Anti-Deslizamiento Diseño para Samsung y Teléfonos
MORE INFO AND PRICE
5 Coils Wireless Charger CHOETECH 7.5W
CHOETECH Cargador Inalámbrico Doble, 5 Bobinas Fast Wireless Charger Qi, 7.5W para iPhone 12/12Pro/12 Mini/12Pro Max/11/11Pro/XR/XS MAX/XS/X/8,10W para Galaxy S20/S10/S9/S8/Note20, 5W Teléfono Qi
MORE INFO AND PRICE

The more that you read, the more things you will know…

Best Solar Phone Charger – Buying Guide 2020

What is wireless charging?

First of all, clarify that wireless charging is not magic or completely eliminates cables.

The difference is that the cable is connected to the charging base and not to the mobile, which we will simply support on the wireless charger, so we could really say that current wireless charging is more of a contact charge.

Wireless charging is not a technology invented by a single manufacturer for a single charger , but there are several standards among which the Qi standard devised by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) and the Powermat standard belonging to the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) stand out. ).

Both the Qi and PMA standards use electromagnetic induction to power a device that, necessarily, must be positioned on the wireless charger. However, PMA differs from Qi in using a lower frequency and less efficient load, and the connection protocols are different.

Currently,  Qi is the most used, most developed and efficient by which large manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi have opted to include this standard in their new devices.

In short,  as it is a standard charger that always works in the same way, it will be enough to buy a wireless charger with Qi technology to be able to power any device that is compatible with this technology.

How does wireless charging work?

The Qi wireless charging system works by bringing two charging coils together and connecting them both by means of a magnetic induction process , which allows the transfer of energy between the charging base and the device.

The charging base is physically connected to the electrical network (by means of a cable) and transfers the necessary electrical energy to its internal coil, which, in turn, will be transferred by magnetic induction to the other coil present in the device ready to be charged.

Charging a mobile phone by induction

In a first phase, the amount of energy that is transmitted is low and it is only to be able to communicate both systems and verify that they work according to the Qi standard.

When this procedure ends, the amount of energy transmitted from the base increases and the coil present in the receiving device converts the magnetic energy into electrical energy, thereby charging the device’s battery.

The output power of the coil present in the charging device is controlled by a chip that verifies the levels of power generated , so that they are not higher than those normally supplied by a traditional wall charger: eventually, the energy level generated is proportionally decreased to avoid overcharging or damaging the smartphone battery.

Which means that if the USB charger of your device charges at 5V at 1000 mAh, a Qi wireless charger will charge at a slightly lower power, around 700 mAh to be able to work safely.

Is my phone compatible with Qi wireless charging?

If you have a state-of-the-art mobile or tablet, it surely has Qi technology integrated to recharge wirelessly. To verify this, you simply have to check whether the phrase ” Qi integrated ” or simply ” Wireless charge built-in ” is present in the specifications indicated by the manufacturer .

But there are also many mobiles on the market that are compatible with this technology and we will only have to connect a Qi receiver module  to be able to pair with the wireless charger . (Such Qi receiver must be purchased separately)

You will be surprised by the number of compatible mobiles, which is not, in fact, a novelty, but has gained strength thanks to the greater availability of bases for charging through this system and the arrival of Apple.

You can access an updated list of devices compatible with wireless charging here . 

Features of a wireless charger

Next, we will know the characteristics that you must take into account when buying a wireless charger, as well as its operation:

Charger and cable for charging base

As we have mentioned, with wireless charging you do not need cables to recharge the mobile, but the wireless charger must be connected to a power source in order to work. Therefore, we need a USB charger and a micro USB cable to connect to the charging base.

Normally, the charger is not included while the charging cable is . For this reason, when choosing the charger, you must take into account the power (W) that it is capable of supplying:

For example, if the wireless charging base supports 2A, you should use a charger that is capable of supplying that current so that your mobile phone does not charge as slowly in said base later.

Fast (10W) and standard (5W) wireless charging

Although wireless charging is more comfortable it has the disadvantage that the charging speed is slower than the wired connection.

Any wireless charger supplies a power of 5W (5V to 1A) while current USB chargers provide a minimum of 10W (5V / 2A) and even those with Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging up to 18W .

However, we can already find in the market fast-charging wireless chargers that supply up to 10W for Quick Charge compatible phones . Remember that in this case you will have to connect the charging base to a QC 3.0 charger.

Wireless charger vs conventional charger

Is a wireless charger worth it? Or is it better to continue using cable charging?

Let’s know the main advantages and disadvantages of wireless chargers compared to the use of a conventional USB charger:

PROs

  • They considerably reduce the use of cables.
  • They can even be installed in furniture for common use. Example: lamps, tables, sofas, etc.
  • Their aesthetics are much better than conventional ones, which makes them, in many cases, one more decorative element.

CONs

  • It is uncomfortable to use the phone while charging.
  • Only a single device can be charged at a time.
  • Not all mobiles are compatible.
  • In some models, the mobile must be located in an exact position of the charger to charge.
  • To use fast charging you need to connect it to a fast charging charger.
  • By supplying a maximum of 10W (5V / 2A) the charging speed of our mobile is substantially limited.

Wireless car charger

We can also find wireless chargers to use in the car and comfortably recharge our mobile while we consult the GPS, listen to music or call a friend.

These chargers normally work just like a mobile car holder , that is, they are designed to be attached to the ventilation grille or to attach to the dashboard with a strong suction cup.

Of course, it is important to remind you that, once the wireless charger is installed, you have to plug it into the car cigarette lighter with a 12V USB adapter so that a mobile can be recharged.

And now yes! We already have our wireless charging support ready. Simply attach your mobile to it and it will immediately start to recharge.

The reason is because in the images of some Amazon products it seems that you only need to place your mobile and it will magically begin to recharge … this can confuse the buyer and the manufacturer should add the cable that connects the charger to the images with the cigarette lighter adapter.

In addition, manufacturers do not usually include the adapter with the product (only the charging cable), so you have to buy it separately … you can take a look at the best car chargers in Amazon.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Best Solar Phone Charger – Buying Guide 2020

May 21, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

In this Guide we will talk about the solar phone charger, an essential accessory in Australia for nature lovers that will allow you to charge your mobile anywhere without depending on plugs or a portable charger, you will only answer to our beloved Australian Sun.

But before to start, these are the Top 3 Solar Power Bank for Mobile in Australia selling in Amazon.com.au

26800mAh SOLAR POWER BANK
BLAVOR SOLAR CHARGER FIVE PANELS DETACHABLE
BigBlue 63W Foldable Solar Charger Portable
GRDE Cargador Solar 26800mAh Solar Power Bank Carga Rapida Tipo-C,QI Carga Inalámbrico 4 Modo Iluminación 18 LED para iPad Teléfono y Viajes Cámping
BLAVOR Cargador Solar Inalámbrico 20000mah, Batería Externa Banco de Energía Portátil 5 Paneles Solares Desmontable con Salida Doble Tipo C Entrada SOS Linterna para Android iPhone
BigBlue cargador solar plegable portátil panel solar SunPower
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MORE INFO AND PRICE
MORE INFO AND PRICE
26800mAh SOLAR POWER BANK
GRDE Cargador Solar 26800mAh Solar Power Bank Carga Rapida Tipo-C,QI Carga Inalámbrico 4 Modo Iluminación 18 LED para iPad Teléfono y Viajes Cámping
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BLAVOR SOLAR CHARGER FIVE PANELS DETACHABLE
BLAVOR Cargador Solar Inalámbrico 20000mah, Batería Externa Banco de Energía Portátil 5 Paneles Solares Desmontable con Salida Doble Tipo C Entrada SOS Linterna para Android iPhone
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BigBlue 63W Foldable Solar Charger Portable
BigBlue cargador solar plegable portátil panel solar SunPower
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The more that you read, the more things you will know…

  • Laptop Power Bank – Buying Guide 2020
  • Slim Power Bank in Australia – Buying Guide 2020
  • Anker Power Banks – Discover Anker external batteries

Why should you buy a portable solar charger?

The truth is that we are dealing with a useful accessory for people who travel, make excursions, hiking trails … since, due to its compact size and practical use, it is the ideal solution for those looking for a portable charger.

By relying solely on the sun, it is possible to save time when charging your mobile phone or other devices (cameras, speakers …) while you move from one place to another with the solar charger behind you, without needing a plug, each time it is more an attractive accessory for users.

As a small inconvenience, it is necessary to know that most solar chargers do not include an internal energy storage battery (such as a powerbank), therefore, it is recommended to correctly expose the sun’s rays on the panels of the solar charger so that the charge mobile is faster.

How does a solar phone charger works?

A solar charger is made up of one or more solar panels . Each solar panel or plate is made up of small photoelectric cells , usually silicon (material suitable for transmitting electrons) and can be of high quality monocrystalline or polycrystalline, with lower quality and inferior results.

One of the biggest limitations provided by these solar panels, in addition to the material used to manufacture them, is the low amount of energy they collect per individual cell.

That is why it would be necessary to use large panels (which would be impractical in our case) or, what is usually done, connect several small panels in parallel that are later deployed to capture more solar radiation.

Types of solar panels: Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline

When deciding on a solar panel, most users ask themselves this question : which is the best?

If we want to know, we must bear in mind that the performance of a solar panel will decrease as the temperature increases.

Monocrystalline panels: 

They are the ones that attract the most radiation by having a darker colored cell. This makes them more recommended for cloudy or low radiation days. 

Polycrystalline panels:

They are more bluish in color and reach lower temperatures, so there is less loss of performance and is recommended for days in full sun.

Therefore, there is no perfect solar panel for every day. If we perform an annual average, we will have a better performance in a monocrystalline solar panel in the months of low solar radiation and worse in the months of higher radiation, to give an example.

The solar chargers of the brands we recommend work with monocrystalline panels  from the manufacturer SunPower  that have an efficiency in their panels greater than 20%.

Therefore, when deciding on a solar charger , what is really important is that we look for the one with the best price, quality and use needs, without giving more importance than necessary if the panel is made of material or another.

What does the power (W) indicated on a solar charger mean?

The power , measured in watts (W), of a solar charger is the one that corresponds to its panel or the sum of all the small solar panels that make it up. The higher the power, the more number of panels and, therefore, the larger the size of the solar charger .

Solar Charger’ Power

Now, one thing is the power it is capable of giving and another very different thing, is what it supplies in its output:

Manufacturers often limit the output power, that is, the solar charger does not offer all the power that its panel (or set of panels) is capable of delivering. This is done primarily for safety (to avoid excessive overheating) and to extend the life of the panel itself .

In addition, there will always be another reduction in power depending on the conditions of use of the charger: angle of incidence of the sun’s rays, cloudy days, etc …

According to the power, which solar charger should I buy?

The higher the output power of the solar charger the faster the connected devices will charge , since the USB ports will have a greater capacity to meet the power demand of each connected device.

However, there are two key factors to consider:

Devices that you will use with the solar charger

It is the first question you should ask yourself and be clear: what and how many devices do you plan to use with the charger?

It is good to know because the prices of solar chargers vary greatly depending on the power capable of supplying.

That is,  if you are going to recharge 2 or 3 at a time you are interested in buying a solar charger with a higher power . On the other hand, if its use is occasional and for a single device such as a mobile, then with a 15-20W charger it would be more than enough for a quick charge.

How the sun’s rays affect the solar panel

Assuming a very sunny day, to have a good performance and, therefore, more power at the output, the solar panels must be placed so that the rays hit them perpendicularly .

Solar power bank vs Solar charger

Although both products fulfill the same function, a solar power bank has certain differences that may be more interesting to the user:

Flexibility

With a power bank with a solar panel you can store the solar energy in an internal battery  to later use it to recharge your devices.

As you can see, this allows us to have  greater flexibility than using a solar charger:  since you would have to connect the device to be recharged at the same time during the solar exposure of the charger.

Power and charging time

1) The drawback of external solar batteries is their charging time , the solar panel they incorporate is very small, that is, they have a reduced area of ​​exposure to the sun that would imply many hours for a full charge of the battery.

However, they can also be recharged like any power bank through the micro USB port.

Solar Phone Charger

This same problem happens when you go to recharge a device with the power bank through its solar panel:

2) If the power bank does not have energy stored in its battery and you have to resort to charging it through the “mini” solar panel, then the time to charge the device will be much longer than with a solar charger , which, as we have commented, is the which is why they use large solar panels and provide greater power (W).

UPDATE: Power banks with solar panels

We have found this model of the Blavor brand that includes 4 or 5 folding solar panels, thus reducing the solar charging time, unlike other power banks that only integrate a mini solar panel .

Finally an external solar battery that includes several panels!

FAQs about Solar Phone Chargers

  1. ☀️Why should you buy a solar phone charger?

    Because is a useful accessory for people who travel, make excursions, hiking trails, etc.

  2. ☀️How does a solar phone charger works?

    A solar panel charges a rechargeable battery, that in turn charges your mobile.

  3. ☀️According to the power, which solar charger should I buy?

    If you are going to recharge 2 or 3 at a time, you are interested in buying a solar charger with a high power.

  4. ☀️What does the power (W) indicated on a solar charger mean?

    The higher the output power of the solar charger the faster the connected devices will charge

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Laptop Power Bank – Buying Guide 2020

May 21, 2020 by aussiepb Leave a Comment

In addition to charging phones, tablets and other gadgets, did you know that you can use an external battery to charge a laptop?

If we are going to run out of battery in our laptop and we do not have the charger at hand, we can always resort to a laptop power bank since, after all, it will perform the same function as a charger (only with limited energy).

But not just any external battery from Amazon serves to charge a laptop , they must meet a series of requirements to work as a substitute for the charger:

  1. Compatible connector
  2. Same working voltage (V)
  3. Equal or greater power supplied (W)

In this Guide we will learn to identify a laptop power bank taking into account the previous requirements and, as always, we will recommend the best models available on Amazon.

But before to start, these are the Top 3 Laptop Power Bank in Australia selling in Amazon.com.au

TP-solar 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger Kit
AIMTOM Portable Solar Charger – 60W
RAVPower USB C Power Bank 26800mAh
TP-SOLAR 100W Kit de cargador de panel solar plegable para el generador portátil Station Power Standhones Portátiles Portátil Barco de coche RV Remolque 12V Carga de batería (DUAL 5V USB y salida DC)
AIMTOM cargador solar portátil – Panel solar plegable de 60 W con 5 V USB y 18 V DC para iPhone, tableta, portátil, cámara, teléfono móvil, GPS y dispositivos de 5 – 18 V – Compatible con generadores solares
RAVPOWER Power Bank 26800mAh Versión 2019, Bateria Externa Carga Rapida PD 30W Cargador Portatil USB C para Huawei, xiaomi, Samsung, iPhone, iPad, Macbook
MORE INFO AND PRICE
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TP-solar 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger Kit
TP-SOLAR 100W Kit de cargador de panel solar plegable para el generador portátil Station Power Standhones Portátiles Portátil Barco de coche RV Remolque 12V Carga de batería (DUAL 5V USB y salida DC)
MORE INFO AND PRICE
AIMTOM Portable Solar Charger – 60W
AIMTOM cargador solar portátil – Panel solar plegable de 60 W con 5 V USB y 18 V DC para iPhone, tableta, portátil, cámara, teléfono móvil, GPS y dispositivos de 5 – 18 V – Compatible con generadores solares
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RAVPower USB C Power Bank 26800mAh
RAVPOWER Power Bank 26800mAh Versión 2019, Bateria Externa Carga Rapida PD 30W Cargador Portatil USB C para Huawei, xiaomi, Samsung, iPhone, iPad, Macbook
MORE INFO AND PRICE

The more that you read, the more things you will know…

  • Slim Power Bank in Australia – Buying Guide 2020
  • Anker Power Banks – Discover Anker external batteries

Features of a laptop charger

Before analyzing the previous requirements, we will quickly know what characteristics the charger of our laptop has in order to find a power bank that meets the same requirements.

For example, the following image we can see the specifications of a portable charger:

Technical Specifications of a Portable Charger
Technical Specifications of a Portable Charger

Within the specifications, if we look at the output:

  • Voltage: 19.5V
  • Intensity: 4.62A

This means that this charger works at a voltage of 19.5V (volts) and supplies a maximum current of 4.26A (amps). Being 90W the maximum power capable of providing a laptop:

  • Power : 19.5V x 4.62A = 90W

With this information we already know the charging voltage of our laptop and what is the recommended power that a power bank should supply.

It is very important to know exactly this voltage, since if we connect it to a charger (or power bank) that works at a higher voltage we could irreversibly damage it. 

Using a laptop power bank as a portable charger

Now we need to use a power bank that replaces our charger and allows us to charge our laptop in an emergency. To do this, it must meet the following characteristics:

Loading Port

A laptop can be powered through a power bank in 3 different ways, depending on the OUTPUT port provided by the power bank:

Types of laptop power bank with DC, AC and USB-C PD output port
Types of laptop power bank with DC, AC and USB-C PD output port

In the market we can find 3 types of laptop power banks:

1. Power bank with DC port

If we use a specific power bank with DC output, it is important to check its output voltage and whether it includes a connector compatible with the charging port of your laptop. Although, generally, these types of models usually include a set of adapters from the main brands.

Its main drawbacks are the difficulty in finding a model compatible with a computer (output voltage or connector), they are bulky and require an AC charger to recharge them (like a laptop charger).

2. Power bank with AC port

Another option is those power banks that include a 220V AC port .

Power banks with AC 220V output port
Power banks with AC 220V output port

In this case, we should not worry about incompatibilities since we can directly connect the charger of our laptop (or any other device) as if we did it to the plug of our house. Sounds good doesn’t it?

However, we also found some drawbacks: large dimensions, additional AC charger, and part of the power bank’s energy is also lost when using the device charger as an “intermediary”.

3. Power bank with USB-C PD port

A novel way to power your laptop is using a power bank with a USB-C output port with Power Delivery charging technology .

Power banks with USB-C PD output port

The USB Type C (USB-C) is the future of connectivity, you can connect and charge any device (mobile, tablet, laptop, cameras …) using a single port universal power, let alone find compatible cables and connectors. If you still do not know its advantages, we invite you to read this article .

On the other hand, Power Delivery (PD) is the technology that allows powering high-power devices – as is the case with a laptop, through the USB C port .

Nowadays there are many latest generation laptops that bet on USB type C as a power port, for these cases, simply, you should look for a power bank with Power Delivery compatible with the charging voltage of your laptop.

Laptop with DC port vs USB-C port

But what if my laptop doesn’t have a USB-C charging port? Is it possible to charge it with a power bank with USB-C PD?

We are aware that many users do not have a latest generation laptop, in this case we would need to use a special adapter or cable that has a USB-C connector (power bank) at one end and an INPUT DC connector (laptop) at the other.

USB-C PD adapter and cable to DC connector

This adapter or cable incorporates a trigger capable of demanding power in Power Delivery from the power bank at a certain voltage: in principle, they exist for 15V and 20V , we do not know if they will be manufactured at other voltages in the future.

For this reason, you have to pay a lot of attention to the voltage when buying this cable , since if we make the wrong choice we could seriously damage our computer. For example:

If we connect a 15V PD trigger cable to a laptop that charges at 20V , it will not be able to start charging: for a 20V laptop we need a 20V PD trigger cable.

If we connect a 20V PD trigger cable to a laptop that charges 15V , WE COULD IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGE OUR LAPTOP : for a 15V laptop we need a 15V PD trigger cable .

Output voltage (V)

In the case of a power bank with DC or USB-C PD output , it is very important to check that the power bank’s output port has the same voltage * as your laptop charger , otherwise you could irreversibly damage your computer.

This output voltage will always be indicated in the power bank specifications as «DC Output» or «USB-C Output» .

Output voltage in power banks with DC port (left) and USB-C PD (right)
What happens if my laptop charges at a voltage of 19.5V * ?

Actually, any electronic device must support a voltage of + -10% of its nominal voltage , that is, if your laptop charges at 19.5V, it supports a maximum voltage of 21.45V (19.5V + 1.95V), for Therefore, a 20V power bank could be connected to it.

In addition, the voltage drop that occurs in the cable that connects the power bank and the laptop must be taken into account , which varies between 0.15V and 0.2V (depending on the resistance of the cable itself) for each meter of length .

For example, if the output voltage of the power bank is 20V, the laptop would receive a voltage of 19.8V (20V-0.2V).

On the other hand, we can also find models that can have one or more DC output ports with a fixed voltage or a single multi- voltage DC port , whose voltage can be selected (by pressing the “Power” button) at the load voltage of our portable.

Left: Power bank with 2 fixed voltage DC ports: 12V and 20V Right: Power bank with multi-voltage DC port: 9V / 12V / 16V / 19V / 20V

Obviously, if we were to use a power bank with AC output, it is not necessary to check the voltage because we would continue to supply the laptop with its own charger (which is already in charge of transforming the 220V voltage to the computer’s charging voltage).

Power supplied (W)

Finally, the maximum power that can be supplied by the power bank’s output port must be taken into account :

Maximum power in power banks with DC (130W), AC (85W) and USB-C PD (45W) output ports respectively.

If the charger of our laptop is 65W then it is advisable to use a power bank that is capable of providing the same power as the charger or higher , because, otherwise, the computer would not even start as it needs maximum power during startup (and subsequent use) at the same time that it recharges its battery.

However, in the next section we are going to see some situations in which it is possible to use a less powerful model:

What is the necessary power of a power bank to charge a laptop?

Depending on the laptop model, your charger will be designed to supply a maximum power of 45W, 65W, 90W, 130W …

We may not find a power bank that provides the same or higher power than that of our portable charger or we do not want to spend a lot of money. In these cases, we can also buy a lower power bank .

Suppose we are working in a coffee shop with our Lenovo Z50-70 laptop ( 65W charger ) and we run out of battery.

FAQs about Laptop’s Power Banks

  1. ✍️What is the necessary power of a power bank to charge a laptop?

    Depending on the laptop model, your charger will be designed to supply a maximum power of 45W, 65W, 90W, 130W …

  2. ✍️What happens if my laptop charges at a voltage of 19.5V * ?

    Actually, any electronic device must support a voltage of + -10% of its nominal voltage , that is, if your laptop charges at 19.5V, it supports a maximum voltage of 21.45V (19.5V + 1.95V), for Therefore, a 20V power bank could be connected to it.

  3. ✍️Can I use a laptop power bank as a portable charger?

    Yes

  4. ✍️What if my laptop doesn't have a USB-C charging port? Is it possible to charge it with a power bank with USB-C PD?

    Yes, in this case we would need to use a special adapter or cable that has a USB-C connector (power bank) at one end and an INPUT DC connector (laptop) at the other

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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