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Hi all, can anyone recommend a powerbank that wont break the bank, something that would charge things like phones and head lamps on a 4-5 trip into the bush.
Have next to no knowledge on the topic so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Happy Hunting
I was going to ask the same question. I've always used PowerAll which have been good and can also be used as an emergency jump starter, but one cell has died and looking for a replacement. Wondered if there were any better options now? Not interested in big units like Ecoflow.
The modern charging standard from the looks of it is USB-C PD using the small oval USB-C plug. I would look to get a powerbank with a decent wattage rating on the USB-C socket - as this protocol is multi voltage and can supply anything from the usual USB 5v right up to 20V 3.25A or more if the device's handshake allows for it.
I'm not sure what portable jump starters have this, as I still have 2 of the Powerall type that only run the original square USB-A sockets at 5v2.1A max. They are both OK and will charge cellphones and jump start cars but for modern things like Starlink Mini you need the USB-C Power Delivery protocol.
I would definitely be shopping for that feature.
I just take spare batteries for torch and a few spares to run a F2 Nitecore to charge phone.
A lot of powerbanks just use 18650 batteries anyway.
F2 is really lightweight. Think it’s discontinued now though
If flying in I use an adapter that clicks onto the top of my makita batteries that I got of Ali express for a couple dollars. Has 2 USB outlets. Also bought a led light string with USB connection at the tail that’s about 5m long. Lights a hut up off one 5V battery for a week no problem. Just a bit weighty with the makita batteries hence the fly in only for that setup
If you don't mind a little DIY, I buy powerbank case from Aliexpress for about $15, then can load it with locally sourced good quality 2nd hand 18650 cells ($2-3 each). Most powerbanks tend to be around 60% efficient, so if weight is a concern, better to carry spare cells for what you can. But roughly speaking, I get 3 full charges of the phone from a 4-cell powerbank loaded with Panasonic 3400mAh cells (50Whr of cells = 30Whr usable energy). In an emergency I can pop open the case and pinch the cells for my headlamp.
The 4 cell powerbank is good for a long weekend away, more than that and I take a second. I also have a small 2-cell one that lives in my day pack in a waterproof bag with a 25cm long cable for a backup.
For bush use avoid the wireless charging ones. Wireless charging is only 25-30% efficient, so you only get half the charging for the same battery capacity.
If you interested I can flick though a link to the USB powerbank case I use most (I have several, have upgraded cases a couple of times - same cells though!).
I've got a Nitecore NB10000 gen 2. The bank's performance will depend on temperature and your usage. Normally can get 4-5 days out of one bank. A few tips - go in with everything charged that requires power, keep things topped up at night, take spare batteries for essentials like the garmin gps and keep the Netflix to a minimum! The real biggie is cold. Keep your electronics in a zip loc bag, and throw them in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night. Stuff the bank in your puffer jacket pocket/undertop pocket so it warms up before you use it. Cold kills batteries. As a redundancy/luxury, Flextail do lamps that double as pumps/and will do up to 1x charge of your phone!
Have found the cheaper solar ones to be unreliable, I just use adapter for my makita battery's now and it's mint.
They are heavy but if you can find some 1.5 Amp battery's I've found I get a few charges out of those so good for 5+ days if running on flight mode.
Agree about the cheaper all-in-one solar ones. The smaller solar panels are underpowered, their output is too low to be really useful. Plus leaving a lithium battery bank out in the sun while charging with is a serious fire hazard IMO. Better to have a dedicated power bank with a separate good-sized solar panel so you can stash the power bank in the shade while the solar panel is out in the sun.
I got this power bank: http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/p/tech....y/N213983.html
It has 30000mAh capacity, kept my phone and thermal spotter and some of my mates' gear charged for a good week in the bush and still had a bit left over. Not light though, about 700g, and may be too big to take on a plane (not sure about that??).
Nitecore NB 10000 is going well for 3-4 day trips and just got a NB20000 for longer. Pretty hard to beat for size and weight.
Attachment 268227
I use an LED Lenser one that holds just a single 18650.
The same size goes in my head lamp so I have two batteries with me in the hills. Ie a spare for the headlamp if I need it.
It has some antiquated USB connections so I need to carry several small cables to connect to phones, Garmin watch, flextail mattress pump and so on.
I carry it in my bumbag along with survival blanket, first aid, PLB, knife, spare ammo and stuff.
The most critical device to recharge is my phone as it has GPS, emergency calls, weather and is the camera. One battery does it about one and a half charges (150%) but I do t go above 80% in the bush. The most phone charge is drained by taking photos and by using the GPS map continuously- ie when the screen is lit up.
At home, I recharge the two 18650 in a Fenix charger as its a bit faster than in the powerbank or headlamp.
I can carry extra batteries but only the LED ones really charge the phone well.
Attachment 268240
I have the Cygnet ChargeUp Boost 3 with a 20,000mAh capacity, has a usb-c input/output and 2 x usb output slots.
Weighs about 430 grams and I get about 4 iphone charges.
It's been awesome.
Hey I’ve got a spare power all you can have if required?
Jump start no longer works but battery bank is fine.
Cheers Dan
Cheers, Happy Hunting[/QUOTE]
There's a couple of internal fuse links that cause that sort of fault - usually they are fairly easily sorted?
+1 for the Nitecore recomendation.
Great units with a lot of power for their size/weight and have withstood tough conditions (fiordland etc) with no issues.
This is exactly the setup I use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobba
Just a thought. An older, but reliable phone would serve as a good backup. Not much extra to carry around.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bagheera
Another +1 for recommending the Nitecore setup. I also use NB 10,000.
I use a OtterBox 20000mAh Power Bank, slightly bigger than the nitecore but half the price:
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/BAP...t---Durable-De
A dumb question from the non-electrical punter … do the flexi Solar panel chargers - like the ones H&F sell (20W or 40W) have sufficient grunt to charge up a 10,000 mAh power bank ?
It's $30 less and twice the weight. the Nitecore is the lightest in it's class.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jukes
Nice, where’s that? Might need another if that’s all it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim
I was looking at PB tech
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Photogear.
Nitecore NB20000 for the win
Talk to @terryf for your nitecore stuffQuote:
Originally Posted by Jukes
A powerbank of say 12 volts with an amphr rating of 10 amps (10,000mAmps) holds 120 watt hours of energy. In a perfect world a 20 watt solar blanket would take 6 hours of perfect sunshine, plus 10% for charging losses, so just under 7 hours to fully recharge.Quote:
Originally Posted by chainsaw
Real world, one sunny summers day, or two clear winters day, or three cloudy winters days to fully recharge from empty.
Thanks @XR500, that’s exactly what I was after. At 0.7kg for the 20W flexsolar panel I think I’ll just take a 2nd power bank.
Attachment 268326
I take couple of these with me and seem to be able to top up gps and phone plus headlight for 4 day trip
Think I got them at Noel Leeming
Only light weight and similar size to a phone
I also take a foldable solar panel that I can re charge them with
