What power bank would folks recommend for taking on a multi-day bike packing trip.
I'm going to be charging the mobile phone, garmin computer, watch, and also a couple of low power items such as 'marker' lights on the bike (I use Exposure Trace + TraceR lights to be seen).
I've currently got an OtterBox 20,000mwh power bank, BUT... I found to my detriment on the last trip that whilst it will charge the bigger items no problem, it won't charge the low power items, like the 2x lights (which are arguably more important than the other stuff!). Seemingly being low power they don't have enough power draw to 'activate' the release of electrons from the power bank (clearly the smart charger function to prevent over-charging when a larger battery is full, is not smart enough to detect when I want to charge small things too. There is no 'low power' function on it (I've contacted Otterbox, they confirmed no low power setting + a BS reply about how they don't assess it vs 3rd party devices (when EVERYTHING will be 3rd party to them !)
I'd prefer something reasonably robust, a goodly number of stored electrons (I can carry 2 smaller ones if needed vs 1 big), tolerant of water (though I'm not planning to be swimming with it !), and isn't going to set my house on fire when charging it up (so cheap Chinese shiiite is a no-no).
What are you multi-day adventurers using ?
I bought an anker one with low power mode. Decided to get another small one so I have two plugs and two banks incase one breaks/gets wet on a longer trip.
I have a pretty old now Anker 20,000mah battery which has never refused to charge anything 🤔 Whether because it's old so isn't too smart for it's own good, or it just isn't crap like your Otterbox one, I don't know!! Must admit I've not heard about this "low power mode" before so will have to look into it.
I did a 4/5 day trip & it was fine... what capacity you need though depends whether they'll be the opportunity to give it a cheeky charge for half an hour in a cafe or pub etc, and what you're running obviously.
I might be tempted to swap the lights for battery ones where a new set will last the trip, one less thing to worry about!
I have a basic one marked setty I bought in france. It just works. 10 000mahrs. Charges phone, kindle, headtorch, lights
My anker 20000 mah unit has a low power mode, but charges my lights, phone and garmin in normal mode.
+1 for Anker, my older one won't see my Fenix 5, the newer Powercore 20100 (a couple of years old at least) will.
+1 for anker, currently away with the husbands 20000mah version but its pretty slow at charging the iphone so I'll be replacing it with a newer version which in the garb says it has a trickle charge mode which I'm guessing is what you need.
This year I completed the IPWR, 5500km over quite a few days, lots of things I didn’t get right, but one thing I reckon I got pretty perfect was my charge setup. I used to swear by anker but for this trip they didn’t quite match up to the specs I could find elsewhere. I ran 2 x 10,000mah power banks the actual brand/model is irrelevant but in addition to your requirement I think you want:
* 2 separate batteries (faster to charge + can charge more items)
* USB PD 20W charge speed (fast charging)
* pass through charging I.e will charge items whilst it is charging itself (you just want to plug it in and sleep)
* low power mode (as you discovered)
The other piece of the puzzle was the charger, which was a tiny (“GAN” is the word you’re looking for) 66W 100W USB PD compatible charger.
for me this was
https://www.amazon.com.au/HEYMIX-Charger-Compatible-MacBook-Samsung/dp/B0BQHM5PDW/
(hmm, that’s not supposed to be a kindle. It’s a “HEYMIX 100w GAN charger”)
and
https://powerbank.zendure.com/products/supermini-blue
Aldi had some Anker 10,000 for sale for under £5 the other day seems to work well
Thanks for the replies folks. Most helpful.
(And for the tip on a GaN charger too. I'd not thought about that - other than having to prioritise what I did charge when I got a bit of time in a shop that had a micro-cafe).
My technique with the cafe/random power point you find was just charge your two power blocks (because you got the fast charger and fast charging blocks right?!). Then charge your other devices from them whilst on the bike - an iPhone for example can only charge at 20W maximum anyway.
For me this meant no cable salad to mess around with (I use 2 x 10cm Amazon basics usbc cables and they live in a ziplock bag with the power banks) and I felt more comfortable leaving it somewhere out of my sight as it is only a powerbank someone may pinch.
hope you have a great adventure!
Yes, thats what I did (20,000mah pack, and a Samsung faster charger).
O had plenty of electrons onboard..I was just unprepared when I couldn't get to charge the lights from the power bank (maybe Ill take bigger lights next time !!).
The block i bought for this summer supports being fast charged. My older Anker is great but is slow to charge
Typed a longer reply but forum
Anyway I agree with @iwbmattkyt
Had a similar setup for 6 day 3 person Hebrides trip this year.
100w Minix usb GaN charger
2x veektomx (Amazon) 20000 mAh power banks. 45w charging input.
That setup will give you flat to fully charged on 2 power banks in a little over 2 hours.
Now also have a ugreen 45w foldable usb charger (really ace kit and cheap too) for charger redundancy and also for smaller/lighter trips
I've gone slightly left field on my solution.
Firstly ditch the fancy watch and get a cheap as chips casio. Also always keep the phone in airplane mode except for very quick message checks. It'll last days like that.
Then as a power bank I use my exposure main light, a maxxd. Has the strange advantage of doubling up as a light!
Sort of related, and I don't know how common it is, but saw (and used) a Guinness pump with 4 usb charging ports in the base recently.
My Anker one is years old, very good, get one.
Firstly ditch the fancy watch and get a cheap as chips casio. Also always keep the phone in airplane mode except for very quick message checks. It’ll last days like that.
You could go one step further and ditch the fancy phone and get a cheap as chips none smart phone for £10 from tesco. It'll last about 30 days switched on.
But it won't take pictures, won't go on line and won't use GPS as a back up to your Garmin in an emergency.
yup, user name checks out 😂 I guess if you're in the middle of nowhere & determined not to engage with civilisation then it makes sense, otherwise for most people a functioning smart phone is as useful as normal when on a bike-packing trip, probably more useful if in an area you don't know! Plus, photos etc as said.I’ve gone slightly left field on my solution.
I also have my Maxx-D as an emergency power bank though, don't normally need it whilst riding as wouldn't normally bike-pack in the dark (unless something's gone wrong!!) so tend to only use it as a camping torch so an initial full charge will easily last the trip.
I've got a new phone so the battery is pretty good at present, and last outing did turn it to mode to reduce consumption.
The MaxxD as a backup power supply is a great call....and an great excuse to get a bigger badder front light for the nights that are drawing in !