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power banks

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pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Thinking about getting a power bank but I would want something small dimension-wise. I already have enough crap in my pockets without adding more.

Do you guys use power banks and do you carry them with you or do you just keep them in the car or something?
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,079
10,557
126
I'm almost always near a power source, so I don't need one. I think I'd prefer a swappable oem-style if I needed extra power. Either that, or a bigger battery.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
lxskllr said:
I'm almost always near a power source, so I don't need one. I think I'd prefer a swappable oem-style if I needed extra power. Either that, or a bigger battery.
Click to expand...
I felt the same way until I was in the field with a cell phone, camera Bluetooth headset and ipad. One was always in need of a charge.

Mine only gets used on rare occasions but I love it when it does.
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,079
10,557
126
rudeguy said:
I felt the same way until I was in the field with a cell phone, camera Bluetooth headset and ipad. One was always in need of a charge.

Mine only gets used on rare occasions but I love it when it does.
Click to expand...

My main toolset includes a 12V jumpbox I'm always within 1000' of. I also have a truck, and have been contemplating solar panels. I really don't need the solar, but I've always found the tech interesting.

I like human, and solar powered things. What amazes me is no one has made a handcranked battery charger for the car. It would take a small amount of effort to use, and in exchange you get a device that'll virtually last forever, with no maintenance. The biggest drawback to a jumpbox, is they need to be cared for, even if they're unused. People tend to forget that, and it fails them when it's most needed.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
lxskllr said:
My main toolset includes a 12V jumpbox I'm always within 1000' of. I also have a truck, and have been contemplating solar panels. I really don't need the solar, but I've always found the tech interesting.

I like human, and solar powered things. What amazes me is no one has made a handcranked battery charger for the car. It would take a small amount of effort to use, and in exchange you get a device that'll virtually last forever, with no maintenance. The biggest drawback to a jumpbox, is they need to be cared for, even if they're unused. People tend to forget that, and it fails them when it's most needed.
Click to expand...

No way a hand crank could generate enough amps to jump a car. No way. It's not possible......


is it?
 
lxskllr

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,079
10,557
126
rudeguy said:
No way a hand crank could generate enough amps to jump a car. No way. It's not possible......


is it?
Click to expand...

Keeping in mind I'm not an EE, and haven't looked into it more than just thinking about it, I expect a car alternator, with a geared crank/flywheel combo could expediently charge a car, and would weigh <25# which is fine for trunk storage/infrequent use.
 
Jeff7

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
20
81
rudeguy said:
No way a hand crank could generate enough amps to jump a car. No way. It's not possible......


is it?
Click to expand...
With something there that can store energy, sure. ;)
Assuming you ignore internal leakage in the capacitor, you could start a car with a hamster on a wheel. It'd just take a lot of running to charge up the capacitor, at which point it would be capable of dumping a lot of current.

So if it was a human, maybe you crank something for a few minutes to charge up a battery or capacitor bank, and then start the car.
One of these caps could deliver over 100A continuously. You'd want 6+ in series though to tolerate 12VDC.
It only stores about 3 watt-hours though. Caps are good if you want to be able to provide a lot of current quickly, but not if you want to store a lot of energy.
 
The Boston Dangler

The Boston Dangler

Lifer
Mar 10, 2005
14,647
2
0
tyrabanks4.gif
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,592
13,808
126
www.anyf.ca
Depends what you need it for. I have a power bank for my server stuff, but it's not something that would easily fit in a pocket. :p About 4.8kwh in lead acid batteries.

You could look at a Tesla Powerwall, just wear it as a backpack. :p

On serious note if this is for like a phone or something, are you normally near a source of 12vdc such as a car? Look at a 12v to 5v converter. I recently bought one that plugs into a cig lighter socket, it's nice to have if you want to charge your phone and the power goes out, connect it to a lead acid battery or the car. I recently bought a solar panel and charge controller, and waiting for a bunch of misc stuff from Amazon (why is it so slow! ETA is like mid june!) as I'll build myself a small portable power pack that is solar powered, for use during camping or emergency power for basic accessories, etc.
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
I bought a small Anker which was amazing. 3-4 charges for my cell phone each time.

Then I was given a Mophie, which I've barely used.

Definitely nice to keep one around, especially if you're traveling.
 
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