How to charge a portable charger power bank. Portable charger (power bank). Criterias of choice. How the power bank is charged

If you decide to buy a power bank, then our recommendations will allow you to choose exactly what you need.

Alas, the days when the phone could be charged a couple of times a week remained in the early 2000s. Most modern smartphones, for example, based on Android, with active use hardly "live" until the evening. And sometimes, at the end of the working day, they are completely discharged "to zero".

If you are familiar with the situation when you urgently need to recharge your mobile, but there is no outlet nearby, then a special external battery called power bank... I suggest you find out today what kind of contraption it is and which one is right for you.

What is Power Bank

The power bank is, in fact, an additional battery that allows you to power any portable devices through the built-in USB port. Modern power banks appeared not so long ago (around the end of the 2000s). However, their prototypes were created back in 2001. They were a small hollow capsule into which a finger-type battery or a similar form factor was inserted and were called:

Power tubes still exist, but since the mid-2000s, the capacity of one battery has become clearly not enough. Therefore, various developers began to combine several batteries of the lithium-ion type (Li-Ion) in their devices. True, with the increase in capacities, the weight of the bank inevitably increased, reaching up to 1 kg in some models!

And at the end of the 2000s, flat lithium-polymer (Li-Pol) batteries are replacing rather bulky lithium-ion batteries. With the new batteries, the banks became much lighter, and by combining up to 3 (and sometimes more) batteries in one case, they were able to significantly increase the capacity without much increase in size.

A modern power bank can look different. Miniature models like the power tube are small in size, commensurate with a tube of lipstick or even a keychain. Such devices allow you to simply recharge the phone a little during the day and they usually last no more than one charge. Usually they buy power banks, which can charge a standard smartphone 2-3 times. As a rule, these are small flat boxes, which on one of the faces may also have a solar battery.

True, there are also more abrupt banks. They are, as a rule, more "chubby", have a display in their arsenal with an accurate display of the charge and can deliver a higher current (up to 2 A), which is suitable for charging tablets. In general, today there are power banks for every taste, requirement and wallet, so let's take a closer look at their differences.

The main characteristics of the banks

One of the main characteristics of a power bank is, of course, its battery capacity... This indicator determines how many times you can charge your smartphone or tablet away from electrical outlets.

The capacity of a power bank, as well as batteries of other mobile devices, is indicated in milliampere-hours (mAh or mAh). In principle, the larger it is, the better, but if you see inexpensive Chinese devices with 15000 or more mAh values, then most likely these values \u200b\u200bwill be greatly overestimated. Alas, it is unrealistic to check the real capacity of a portable charger before buying, so it is better not to take obviously suspicious models at all.

The minimum capacity of the power bank, which is right for you, can be calculated by knowing the battery capacity of the device that you plan to charge. Let's say I have a 2200 mAh battery in my smartphone. This value must be multiplied by the conversion loss factor, which is approximately 1.3. As a result, we find out that the minimum capacity of the powerbank for one full charge must be at least 2200 * 1.3 \u003d 2860 mAh.

Let's do the reverse calculations. Let's say we decided to buy a popular model Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400. Its declared capacity is 10400 mAh. Accordingly, we divide it by the battery capacity of your smartphone (mine is 2200), and then by a factor of 1.3. We get about 3.6 charges, that is, three full and one at 60%. It is enough to forget about sockets for three or four days :)

Another important characteristic to consider when choosing a power bank is delivered current... Most smartphones today use 1 amp current to charge. In principle, you can also charge with a low current (for example, 0.5A from the USB port of a computer or laptop), however, in this case, charging will last almost half as long as usual.

If you plan to charge from a bank, for example, a tablet, then here the required current is usually already higher and is 2 or 2.1A. Accordingly, when charging from a 1A port, the tablet will either charge very slowly or will not charge at all (especially if a poor-quality cable is used for charging, provoking additional current losses). Therefore, a universal model with two USB outputs for 1 and 2 amperes can be a good choice:

In addition to the aforementioned characteristics, you should also pay attention to the type of battery in the power bank. Better if it is lithium polymer. Such batteries have a number of advantages over earlier models (for example, nickel-cadmium): lighter weight, higher capacity with the same dimensions and the absence of the so-called "memory effect" (you can read more about different types of batteries).

Additional properties of power banks

The battery in the power bank is one of the main elements, but in addition to it there are a number of characteristics that should be paid attention to in the second place.

An important property of an external battery is its dimensions... Today there are models, as they say, for every taste and color. There are low-capacity power banks the size of a credit card or key fob. They are more suitable as a souvenir than a real device. And there are quite impressive high-capacity metal boxes, the charge of which will last more than one full charge cycle!

If you like to travel and you do not need just a pretty little thing, I would recommend paying attention to solid aluminum cans. Such devices are usually not afraid of falls and negative environmental influences (dust, moisture, etc.). The downside of such a choice can only be a significantly greater weight, so in this matter you need to adhere to the "golden mean":

In addition to the shape and size, you should also pay attention to complete set power bank. Most models come with a short USB to microUSB cable. It is suitable both for connecting traditional Android devices to a power bank, and for charging the external battery itself.

This configuration is, in principle, sufficient if you plan to charge only a smartphone or tablet on Android. However, to charge Apple devices, you need additional cables or adapters. Some power bank models are equipped with several USB-cords or even universal adapters for any connectors, which are popularly called the "Gorynych snake" or "10 in 1":

In addition to cables, the package may also include various fastening mechanisms: carabiners, rings, bands, etc. The presence of such add-ons is not particularly important, but, nevertheless, if they are, they obviously will not interfere.

The last thing to look out for is additional functions... These include the presence of an LED flashlight, an informative display (instead of the traditional light charging indicators), a solar battery, etc.

By the way, about solar battery... The charging speed of most models of power banks from China from the sun is only 200 milliamps per hour. Through simple calculations, we can find out that in order to accumulate a charge sufficient to fully recharge the smartphone battery at 2200 mAh, we need the power bank to lie in direct sunlight for at least 11 hours (and taking into account the energy conversion loss factor of 1.3, about 14-15 hours).

Roughly speaking, from dawn to dusk, the power bank must lie in the bright sun to charge the phone once! I don't think there is much sense in overpaying extra money for a dubious function. Unless you suddenly find yourself on an uninhabited island and you want to recharge at least a little there :) So, if you take a power bank with a solar battery, then you need to choose models with a large (most often folding) solar panel and be sure to look at the value charging speed.

Power bank instruction

So, you have decided to buy a power bank. It should be accompanied by an instruction, but this instruction is often not very informative. And inexpensive Chinese devices may not have it at all, or it will be in Chinese :) Fortunately, most power banks are not particularly difficult devices to operate. Therefore, some general principles of work can be used for them.

Buttons and Indicators

The majority of power banks have only one in their arsenal. power button "On / Off" and several lED indicatorsthat signal the battery charge level.

A characteristic feature of the devices is that the button almost never works to turn off the power bank. It always works, but when it is not charging or the device is not charging from it, the power bank goes into standby mode. Pressing the button allows you to forcibly wake up the device, for example, to view the level of the remaining charge.

Also, if your external battery is equipped with an LED flashlight, then double pressing the power button will turn the light on and off.

As for the indicators, there are usually from 3 to 5 of them (although, there may be exceptions in any direction). By the number of diodes that are currently lit, you can judge the percentage of charge remaining in the range from 0 (no LEDs are on) to 100% (all are on). It is recommended to charge the power bank when only one indicator remains on.

Some power banks, when the charge approaches the end, start blinking with the last LED. And models with a solar battery may have an additional diode of a different color (for example, green or yellow), which lights up when charging from sunlight starts.

Inputs and outputs

The minimum set of ports on the power bank case is 2: a standard USB connector for connecting charged devices (usually labeled as "Output") and a microUSB connector for charging the battery itself ("Input" - "Input"). The single output port provides 5 volts of 1 ampere, and the input port accepts the same current of 1 or less 0.5A.

As mentioned above, more advanced models can have multiple outputs. In cheaper Chinese power banks, both of them give a current of 1A, and for more expensive devices, one of the ports will be designed to charge tablets with a current consumption of 2A. Even more advanced power banks can have up to 6 outputs, and to speed up charging, such devices can have two input jacks at once!

How to charge power bank

One of the most popular questions is how to properly charge the power bank. In principle, I already gave you a broader coverage of the problem of charging different types of batteries. Here I will only briefly summarize.

Most power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. Both of these classes of batteries do not have the "memory effect" that less-conscious sellers scare users. Accordingly, most power banks do not need so-called "training". And even more, a full discharge of such devices only harms, destroying the internal structure of the battery.

For self-assurance, after purchase, you can almost completely discharge the power bank after the purchase (until the last indicator flashes or up to 5-10% on the display), and then fully charge it by keeping it connected to the network for about an hour after the indication of 100% charge appears (the so-called "drop" charging). After that, just periodically recharge the device, preventing it from completely discharging, and it will serve you faithfully for a rather long time (unless, of course, this is a cheap Chinese fake).

Outcome

If you have at least one modern smart device powered by a battery, sooner or later you will think about where to get a portable charger to recharge it far from civilization. And just power bank can be the ideal solution in your case. The main thing is to choose it correctly.

I think it's better to spend money on buying a high-quality external battery, so that later it will not be excruciatingly painful for wasted funds and a phone or tablet that is broken as a result of poor-quality charging. Therefore, if you decide to take Chinese equipment, then only from a trusted manufacturer. Although I am not a supporter of "branding", but this is just the case when it is better to trust world-renowned developers.

P.S. It is allowed to freely copy and quote this article, provided that an open active link to the source is indicated and the authorship of Ruslan Tertyshny is preserved.

A portable charger of the type is known to every person who has a smartphone or tablet. It would seem that everything is simpler than simple: connect and charge the battery of any gadget. You can recharge your phone or tablet while on the train, in a cafe - the best option in those conditions when the battery runs out and needs urgent power. However, in order for the charger to work as long as possible, you should not be frivolous about things like the power bank instruction manual, it is important to know how to use an external battery and how to properly charge your phone or tablet.

What is this memory

In stores and on the Internet, you can buy a choice of any power bank that fits the gadget in terms of output voltage and connector.

This is a device that can be used to charge the battery in case there is no power outlet nearby. Therefore, it is important that the power itself is properly charged. This will allow him to fully perform his main functions.

How to properly charge the power bank itself

Since this charger itself is a battery, you need to be able to properly charge it. After purchasing a power bank, it should be borne in mind that it was partially charged at the factory, but before using it, it will not hurt to connect it to a power source.

• the power source can be either a computer or directly an electrical network to which the power bank is connected;
• connection must be done via an adapter with a usb connector ;
• usb cable connector connects to power ;
• the indicator on the device will light up or digital scoreboard indicating the state of charge;
• it is important to remember that the maximum charging time is 4 hours ;
• at the end of charging the power bank, the indicator will let you know about it color change, flashing, on the digital display, if any, will be 100%;
• it is also important to remember how to turn off the device correctly - after the end, you must first disconnect the turn from the outlet, and then remove the usb-cord from it.

How to properly charge your phone or tablet using power

This is obvious, but just in case, let's clarify:

• first you need to connect the cable to the power ;
• then the micro-usb cable should be connected to the gadget in need of charging;
• indicator light or display will light up ;
• battery is on, charging time here depends on what kind of device is being charged - to know the exact time, you need to read the instructions for using this device directly. Always use it if you have any operational questions.

How to handle a power bank

Like any other battery or gadget, the power bank should not be kept near open sources of fire or water - to avoid damage to the device. It is not recommended to connect the power bank to the network without using a special adapter, so that an accidental power surge does not damage it, and it does not suddenly turn off. If you use the power correctly, this will not happen. Many Internet videos show how some electronics lover disassembles this battery into parts, but it is also not worth doing it yourself, as it can cause irreparable harm to the operating device.

One of the advantages of the power bank is that it is lightweight and portable: you can take it with you wherever you go, putting it in your bag or pocket. For example, products from Xiaomi (Xiaomi) stand out for their brevity and compactness. However, it is the lightness that can cause accidental fall, breakage or loss of the device. Therefore, when using the power, you should not put it in the back pocket of your trousers, or where it can easily fall out or accidentally break.

If dirty, do not use wet wipes or water. ABOUT only clean the surface with a soft and dry cloth and do not keep it near dirty areas because any cleaning with water or moisture can harm it. It is also worth remembering that power bank does not like temperature extremes in the form of extreme cold or heat ... As with a mobile phone or computer, the device in use must not be left in direct sunlight.

Regarding the output voltage - never charge the power bank if the U network has 5 volts or more.

What else should be considered during operation

When the power bank charges itself, or charges another gadget, it usually heats up. And you shouldn't be afraid of that. Once charging is complete, it will cool down quickly.

If the power has not been used for 80 days or more, it should be fully charged before next use. If we work with him correctly, r after three months, the power bank should carry out a full charge-discharge cycle to maintain its capacity at the proper level.

Do not let small children play with the charger - to avoid accidents or damage to the device itself. Also never do not leave the povers turned on in an enclosed space during operation ... The charger heats up, and if it is in a bag or pocket at this moment, it may overheat. Plus, of course, it can be harmful to the health of its owner.

And of course, you should use power banks in the "company" with those usb cables and devices that are compatible with them.

So, how to use a power bank is not difficult. If the operating instructions for the power bank are read carefully by the user, and all its instructions are followed, the device will serve the owner as long as possible, and possible troubles will not occur. And you don't have to puzzle over why or a tablet.

It's no secret that high-quality external batteries Power bank, buy which can be affordable at are becoming a popular addition to gadgets.

Labor intensity increases with each new generation of devices internal batteriesas the devices are equipped with more and more new functions. But with prolonged use of a loved one smartphone or tablet, the gadget is prone to fast discharge.

The idea of \u200b\u200bextending the operation of the device using external battery It is far from new, because earlier cases for gadgets or special modules that were connected to a mobile phone were in demand. Such a battery, as a rule, was not enough for one full charge of the device.

On the eve of the New YearPower bankwill be an excellent gift for those who spend a lot of time outside the walls of the house and must be constantly in touch.

Terms of use of external batteries Power Bank

A modern external battery consists of several Li-Ion batteries that are installed in a plastic or metal box. This device is capable of storing and transferring power to your gadgets.

The terms of use are as follows:

• To recharge itself external battery connect it to a power source (wall outlet, tablet, laptop) using the supplied cable. After connecting, make sure that the charge indicator comes on. When the device shows 100% charge, disconnect it from the power source. Depending on the capacity of the battery, the time for charging it is determined. Remember that the battery charging cable is different for each model;
• · To recharge the gadget (smartphone, tablet), use a USB or microUSB cable. To do this, connect a smartphone from one end, and an external battery from the other, press the button (if any) on the battery and confirm charging the gadget. An indicator on the battery will show you the remaining charge. In many models of external batteries there are no buttons to confirm the charge, after connecting the device, the recharging is turned on automatically;
• · When your smartphone or tablet is charged to the prescribed level, disconnect the cable from the external battery and from the gadget. Some chargers have a built-in function to automatically shut off when your device's battery is fully charged.

You need high-quality external battery ? Then right now in our Kitayfon online store at a budget price!

Today it is difficult to find a person who does not have a smartphone. Modern models are versatile and multifunctional. This advantage becomes the reason for the lack of battery capacity. It only lasts for a few hours, which is quite problematic in the absence of charging. To fix this problem, a power bank was created.

This is the name of a means for storing energy. It can be used to restore energy balance to discharging gadgets. The mobile source has a large capacity. The device has two standard USB connectors, so you can connect any device to it. Instructions for using the bank power bank are simple. To charge the battery, you need to connect the gadget to a portable battery.

Power bank is a class of universal chargers. They are identical to the batteries used in the latest generation smartphones. Additional bonuses include low weight, automatic shutdown function when recharging small equipment. The voltage is usually 3.7 volts and the capacity is 2000 to 3000 mAh. It is allowed to discharge and charge the Power bank 500-1000 times.

Indicators to watch out for

The battery capacity is expressed in mAh. The weight of the power bank and its dimensions depend on it. The latter are distinguished by their specific energy consumption and low self-discharge current. The choice of a specific model is carried out based on the type of gadget used. Pay particular attention to the charging current. It ranges from 1 to 2 amperes.

Find out the charging time of your battery

In the line of modern models of the power bank Xiaomi mi, there are devices in the structure of which there are solar charging panels. Thanks to them, the battery becomes more economical and convenient. Appearance and material of manufacture play a minor role.

The body of the model can be metal and plastic. Special care should be taken when choosing the latter variety. This is due to the risk of overheating, one of the consequences of which is damage. Premium devices include aluminum products. They are characterized by their durability and unique design. Among the disadvantages are the absence of differences in shape, tangible weight and high cost.

How long will the charge from the power bank last

To find out the number of possible charges, you can use a special formula. The calculation takes into account the capacity of the power bank and the minimum self-discharge. If the operating conditions are violated, the functionality of the battery will decrease over time. It is necessary to take into account the fact that the power bank cannot give out 100% of the available energy.

Xiaomi Power Bank

How to charge Power bank

The supply of energy in a portable device is replenished from a stationary computer, network or laptop. The process is faster if the power bank is charged from electricity sources, the strength of which is 2A. Saving time plays a big role. When choosing a suitable method, it is necessary to take into account certain nuances and features.

The easiest way to charge the Xiaomi mi Power bank is through the outlet, using the cable included in the standard kit, a regular phone charger (if the unit is detached), a USB cable from a computer or laptop. How much you have to charge the Power bank depends on how the energy balance will be replenished. Experts recommend charging your device overnight. This will maximize the filling of the battery.

Direct "powering" of the Xiaomi mi battery will replenish the charge much faster than using a USB cable. Charging carried out by means of a solar battery should be carried out in full accordance with the rules that were indicated in the instructions.

Devices equipped in this way cost more than classic models. Some portable batteries can be charged using the smartphone itself. After the lights on the external battery stop blinking, it is not recommended to disconnect the device from the mains for an hour. This is to restore the trickle charge. If necessary, you can download a special application. You will have to charge the Xiaomi Power bank 10000 mAh for 3.5 hours. With a capacity of 20,000 mAh, the session duration is increased by 1.5-2 hours.

Possible mistakes

If the Xiaomi mi Power bank does not charge, you should pay attention to the arising "symptoms". The reasons that can cause problems include:

• poor quality of the device;
• lack of timely charging;
• the use of unsuitable devices;
• mechanical damage.

If you encounter problems with phase switching and the operation of light bulbs, you need to contact the master. It is allowed to independently engage in repairs only with the appropriate knowledge and experience.

Hello dear friends. Today people use and take on the road a bunch of portable equipment - these are phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, players, navigators, etc. But these devices do not hold a charge as long as they would like. So that such an annoying event as discharged electronics does not happen to you, I advise you to purchase portable chargers.

Before, I used my phone only for its intended purpose - for making calls. If I had a long journey without the possibility of recharging, I just turned off the phone as unnecessary and did not even think about the need for external batteries.

But since I parted with my camera, I shoot with my phone, and it turns on for a rather long time and during this time you can miss an interesting shot. Of course, I do not want to be left without a charge at the most inopportune moment, you can use charging cases, but this is not enough, and something other than the phone cannot be recharged with them.

We felt the battery shortage especially acutely. We were there for a whole week without the benefits of civilization. And if you still have equipment with you, for example, an action camera, then you definitely need to purchase a power bank, which, in fact, we did and cannot get enough of it - an irreplaceable little thing for travelers.

Therefore, today I decided to consider the topic of portable chargers, we will find out how to choose them and how much it costs.

What is an external battery

An external battery or power bank is a portable power source with USB ports that charges itself and then charges your equipment.

How to choose it correctly

Let's figure out which one is better to buy.

Features to look out for when choosing a battery:

• Device type

there is power bankwhich charges in three ways:

1. From a computer via a USB connector.
2. From a wall outlet via an AC adapter (much faster this way).
3. From the cigarette lighter in the car through an adapter.

And there is the so-called solar power bank (solar-powered), which, among other things, must also be charged from direct sunlight.

Such banks are, unfortunately, just a marketing ploy. Manufacturers do everything to make us want to buy them: they are made bright, beautiful, moisture-resistant, even shockproof, with flashlights and with special loops for attaching to clothes or equipment with a carabiner.

... they do everything except a powerful solar panel, which serves only for beauty (well, and extra weight, of course), in fact, the power of such a panel is enough only to ensure that the LED in the charge indicator lights up.

• Battery capacity

It is measured in ampere hours (Ah) and milliampere hours (mAh or mAh). The larger the capacity, the more times the portable device will charge your equipment.

This does not mean that your 2,000 mAh bank will charge a 1,000 mAh battery twice. Chargers lose energy while charging, and this is influenced by many factors up to the ambient temperature.

Miracles do not happen, the larger the capacity, the larger the dimensions and weight of the device. Here everyone chooses the optimal ratio for him, based on his own needs. If you just have a smartphone that does not last until the end of the day, then 5,000 mAh will be enough, and if you go on long hikes, you need to take the maximum, maybe 20,000 mAh will not be enough.

If both of these situations are close to you, then you can buy two turns of the bank. Less capacity for everyday use and more for travel.

The capacity also determines the price of these devices. It should be borne in mind that banks are not eternal, over time they degrade, the real capacity decreases and after a few years they have to be replaced. Therefore, I believe that even for the most capacious bank it is not worth paying more than 3 thousand rubles.

• output power

It is necessary that the power of the charger is greater than or equal to the power of the battery of your electronic devices, otherwise the bank will discharge the device instead of charging.

So before buying a power bank, we look at the power in the instructions for your devices and check them with the power of the bank. Power, if forgotten from the school curriculum, is expressed in watts (W or W).

• Output current (in amperes, A)

It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the connected devices whenever possible You can see the current strength on the native charger that came with the kit. For example, on my charger from a smartphone, a current of 1 A is indicated, and from a tablet it is already 2 A.

This does not mean that you do not charge the tablet from USB with a current of 1 A, it just will be slower than if it was 2 A. The higher the value, the faster it will charge the connected device.

You will also charge your smartphone from 2 A, exceeding the manufacturer's recommendations, but remember that its battery deteriorates.

The ideal option is a battery with two USBs, one of which has a current of 1 A, and the other - 2 A.

• Number of USB ports

The number of simultaneously charging devices depends on the number of connectors. Usually there are one or two. Better to take with two, one is not enough.

• Body material

There are metal and plastic cases. Metal, of course, looks stylish, but we do not buy it for beauty. Therefore, I advise you to take plastic, it is lighter, which is very important for a tourist backpack.

• Device charge indicators

Now almost all models are equipped with LEDs, they roughly show the remaining battery charge. There are digital indicators in the form of a small display, but they add value, but eat up the precious charge.

• Brand

Of course, it is better to take original products from a well-known brand and be calm in your safety. After all, jokes are bad with low-quality electronics, it can explode, and disable the charged devices, and, at least, spoil the battery of your phone or tablet.

But more expensive doesn't mean better. More recently, we opened for ourselves the Chinese company Xiaomi, which, as it turned out, produces reliable electronics at a good price.

It was this company that we bought our bank. Its main advantage, in addition to capacity, is that it is universal. There is no need to worry about compatibility with the bank when changing the device.

Our Xiaomi Power Bank 20,000 mAh, as in the photo below, is compatible with the main lines of smartphones and tablets Xiaomi, iPhone, Samsung, HTC, Google, Blackberry, charges digital cameras, PSP and even MacBook.

We really like it and are completely satisfied with everything, so I recommend it for purchase.

Where is it safe and profitable to buy power bank

Where is the best place to buy? In an electronics store in your city or order online?

Of course, if you go out and buy a product in a large retail store, you will be sure of its originality, but you will overpay 2 times for it.

How to save money? Right. Buy online!

Many people are still afraid to make purchases on the Internet, in the case of electronics, most often they are stopped by the fear that “if something happens, who will fix it for me under warranty?” I don’t even know which sharashka I should buy in order to have problems with the warranty and return of the goods.

Although I admit that on sites like