Step by step power bank guide


Power banks are becoming very useful items in our modern society. This is a backup charging device that someone can take anywhere where the electricity network is not available. Portable charging devices shapes varies from small to big. The small ones are commonly used to recharge mobile phones and other small electrical devices.

Bigger backup charging device are still transportable but there are too big to fit in a bag or in a pocket and too heavy to carry. Nevertheless, their size can start from the size of a shoe box. They can easily be taken away with you in a car. They garantee energy for laptops and computers while in a middle of nowhere with no access to the Grid.

What is a Power Bank?


what is a power bank

Technically speaking, a Power Bank is an energy storage container that is made with high-density energy batteries, such as lithium. The main purpose is to recharge electronic device batteries whenever the power grid is not available. In other words, it is an emergency backup charging device that will recharge all sorts of devices, such as laptops, tablets, and cell phones. Also, keep in mind that, just like any mobile device, the power bank itself has to be recharged when it is running out of energy.

Check : Which electronic devices can I recharge with a power bank?

Things to know before getting a power bank


Things to know when buying a power bank

Today is the day you want to get a power bank, but you don't particularly know what to buy. Here is a little help to understand what is most important in the selection of a power bank. Whether it is for a small device such as a mobile phone or a bigger device such as a laptop, criterias are the same. You have to understand what the deal is when purchasing a power bank in comparison to what you really want and fancy.

1/ The power bank mAh capacity


(power bank mah capacity)

The energy capacity is the very first thing to look at, when you are looking at getting a Power bank. The power mAh capacity will dictate how many times your single mobile device can be recharged even before recharging the power bank itself. In other words, it shows how independent you can be from the grid. How long can you last with your mobile device and your battery backup while you are away?
Small power banks capacity are measured in milliAmpere Hour (mAh). Check the following grid for power banks single mobile device charging capacity:
Power Bank milliAmp Hours (mAh) to charge single device

On the second hand, you might want something more powerful to be able to recharge multiple mobile devices at the same time when needed. For Instance, you might be looking at a tablet and one or two mobile phones. Check the following grid for power banks with multiple devices charging capacity:
Power Bank milliAmp Hours (mAh) to charge multiple mobile devices

2/ The different ports available on the power bank.


(power bank multiple ports)

Why do you have to look for the different ports on the power bank? There are very good reasons which are related to charging device capabilities. There are 2 different type of ports on a power bank. The first one: The power bank recharging port. This is the one that you use to recharge the power bank device with. The method is the very same as a mobile phone. The second type of port is for external mobile device connections. This is the output port. More output ports the power bank has, the better it is. Multiple output ports will allow you to charge several devices simultaneously.

3/ The power bank size, shape and weight


(power bank different shapes)

Colors, sizes, and shapes are pretty much your choice, but before putting your desire up front, there are a number of elements that you should consider in that area. Certain shapes and sizes, whether they are small or not, will not fit nicely into a back or front pocket. It could even be inconfortable. A heavy power bank may fit into your handbag, but you may feel the weight after a while. For those cases, consider a compact and lightweight model.

4/ Power bank cables used for charging external devices.


(power bank usb cables)

Cables have an important role to play between the power bank and the mobile device. A cable decides how much power is really transferred from a power bank to the mobile device. A fast recharge may be impossible just because of the cable between the power bank and the external device. Therefore, make sure the cables you will be using are suitable for the best recharge performance.
Choosing the right USB cables, a little help

5/ The power bank brand to choose from.


(power bank brands)

A particular brand may be more expensive than another, but good quality and reliability components are not to be ignored. Check reviews for performance and durability. Choose a power bank accordingly. It will provide peace of mind on the one hand and a good guarantee of longevity on the other.

Differences between an electronic device battery and a Power bank?


There are several differences between device batteries and power banks. Although a power bank is a battery by itself, its electronic features are very different. The power bank is built with high-energy-capacity batteries. Its purpose is to recharge other batteries, whereas mobile device batteries provide energy in order to run the device itself..
Read More ... Power bank and device battery comparison

How is a Power Bank build?


power bank elements

The power bank is made of several batteries and very specific electronic elements. The electronic part manages the charging and discharging methods. It is the key to how a portable charger works. There are two types of batteries commonly used. Lithium-ion batteries have a high power density. Lithium-polymer batteries offer other benefits, as they are lightweight and flexible and can be built in different shapes and sizes.
See More ... How is build a power bank. ( video )

What is a power bank used for?


power bank for multiple devices

Power banks are used to charge mobile devices when there is no access to an electricity grid. For instance, if you are in the middle of the jungle or while walking in the mountains, an electricity wall socket is unlikely to appear in the middle of nowhere. The most common device that can be recharged with a small power bank is the cell phone, but there are also laptops, iPads, notepads, tablets, and small speakers. Bigger power banks exist as well and supply recharging backup for several units, such as bigger laptops. Unfortunately, such a backup recharging device cannot fit into a pocket, but you can still take it with you to places.

Do you really need a power bank?


power bank big shape size

Why you would need a power bank for? A power bank is an emergency backup recharging device. This is the garantee your life events won't be disrupted because of your mobile device low energy level.

If you are a regular commuter and you are using mobile devices such as a mobile cell phone and a small laptop, having a power bank may become handy at a certain point. If your phone is running low on power while you are on a call , the power bank will solve your problem immediately. You just need to plug the power bank into your phone , and that is it. You can carry on talking. Looking for an electric plug or a dedicated charging station while waiting at the airport or the train station can be done afterward.

If you are a serious traveler and end up in the middle of nowhere for a period of time, bringing an average-sized backup recharging device is essential. Talking on the phone and taking and sending photos may drain your phone's power after a while. A power bank device will guarantee several recharges, so there is no need to worry during your expedition.

If you are somebody who does not check regularly how much energy his mobile device has, the emergency power bank is, in no doubt, the portable charger to have. Whatever happened to your tablet or mobile phone's energy level, you will only have to attach the power bank to your device. You will be able to carry on talking to your friends, listening to your favorit music or watching videos as normal.
Read more ... Power bank use

Which electronic devices can I recharge with a power bank?


(power bank multi devices)

The answer varies depending on the power bank's size and its mAh energy capacity.
Check the mAh capacity
Generally speaking, average size battery backup will be able to recharge tablets, smartphones, IPhone, IPad, earphones, portable speakers, smartwatches, small laptop. Bigger power bank will be required in order to do the job on standard laptops. In other words, small power banks fitting in a pocket will be perfect to recharge small devices such as mobile cell phone. To recharge several electronic devices such as laptops, a bigger backup charging device will be required.

Which Power Bank can I use for a laptop?


power bank for laptop device

A power bank can be used to charge a laptop, but not all power banks can do the job. Small power banks that have under 10.000 mAh of energy capacity will not be suitable because they do not have enough power to supply the laptop battery. It might not charge the laptop device at all. Worse, it can even drain out the laptop battery energy you are trying to recharge. A high-energy power bank will do the job very well. Search for a battery backup energy capacity of 10.000 mAh and above.

Check the power bank capacity list for various mobile devices

How do power banks work?


(power bank batteries charging)

To make it simple, there are 3 main elements to consider.
1/ A power bank is a high energy battery by itself.
2/ The battery has to be filled with energy in order to work.
3/ The purpose is to recharge other smaller mobile device batteries.

A power bank is made of high energy capacity batteries. Those batteries are mainly made out of lithium. Power banks are basically energy containers which have to be filled before to be able give back the energy to other devices. it has input and output ports. The input socket is to recharge the power bank itself.

A power bank is charged the same way as other mobile devices using a wire or using a wireless recharger. Using a wire, you attached the charging wire into the power bank input port and the other side into the charger. Plug the charger into the grid and wait. As far as the wireless is concerned you just put the power bank on top of the recharger. The recharging time depends on different factors, such as the power bank capacity and the charge level. Power banks usually have an LED indicator that indicates the current charge level capacity. The charge cuts off when it reaches 100% energy capacity.

Output ports are used for recharging external devices. Charging one or several mobile devices depends on the power bank total energy capacity. The power bank energy capacity is mesured with milliAmp Hours (mAh).

How to use a power banks?

How do power banks work Technically?

Power Bank capacity for single device


The grid below shows the power bank capacity required to recharge x times the same electronic device. Some small-capacity power banks are not applicable (N/A) for bigger mobile devices such as laptops, iPads, and tablets. The bottom line of the grid gives you access to how to check your mobile battery device's mAh capacity. It is something you need to know in order to choose a power bank.

Power bank milliAmp Hours (mAh) capacity for single mobile device
Power Bank mAh Capacity IPhone Samsung .Ipad. Tablet Small Laptop
iphone samsung phone ipad samsung-tab laptop
5,000 1x 1x N/A N/A N/A
10,000 2x 2x 1x 1x 1x
20,000 4x 4x 2x 2x 2x
Search Mobile Device Capacity IPhone Check Android Check IPad Check Tablet Check Windows Check
Search Mobile Device Capacity Linux Check

Power Bank capacity for multiple mobile devices


The following grid shows the power bank capacity to recharge x times multiple electronic devices. With bigger energy capacity power banks, several mobile devices, from small to big, can be recharged at the same time. Keep in mind, though, that a bigger power bank will not particularly fit into your pocket, nor will it be convenient to carry to places due to its size and weight.

Do not forget, the portable charger capacity that is on display in a shop is never the real capacity. It is always less, or even much less than claimed. Check reviews; you'll get a better picture. Any way, look for a good, reliable brand and aim for more mAh than it is claimed for the power bank device.

Power bank milliAmp Hours (mAh) for multiple mobile devices
Power Bank mAh Capacity IPhone Samsung .Ipad. Tablet Small Laptop
iphone samsung phone ipad samsung-tab laptop
30,000 +2x +2x
40,000 +1x +1x +1x +1x +1x
50,000 +2x +2x +1x +1x +1x
60,000 +1x +1x +1x +2x +2x

How to search for device battery mAh capacity ?


If you are serious about getting a power bank, then you have to know about your mobile device's battery energy capacity. You have to choose a power bank capacity that is at least twice the capacity of your device. Therefore, you have to know the battery capacity of your phone, your laptop, or any other device in order to make a choice.

Power Bank capacity for single device


How to find IPhone battery energy mAh capacity?


iphone


Looking for battery capacity mAh on a Iphone is not straight forward. You ll get through a number of stages before getting to the battery status "Battery Stats". Keep in mind, that those steps & procedures might change in the future with new Iphone versions.

1/ First go to "Settings"
2/ Select "Privacy & Security"
3/ Select "Analytics & Improvements"
4/ Select "Analytics Data"
5/ You will get to the analytic reports page "Select the top line"
which is the current report which has just been generated.
6/ The selected report opens. You will get all sort of analytic details that has no use in this current case.
On the right hand side of the top title "Select the small going up arrow surrounded by a small box"
7/ A menu opens up
8/ Select "Battery Stats"
9/ Look for "capacity mAh"

How to check iPhone battery mAh of any iPhone video

How to check Android device battery capacity?


android

You are looking at getting a battery backup vs power bank in a shop or on line. The first step is to look for your android phone battery capacity. Here is how to proceed. It is a very easy and straight forward process.
1/ First go to "Settings"
2/ Choose "Battery"
3/ Select "Battery health"
look for capacity mAh

Read more ...

How to search for IPad battery energy mAh capacity?


ipad

The standard IPad procedure to look for the battery energy capacity on a IPad is the same as for the IPhone. The ability to get the details is there but you have to go through a number of stages to generate a report. And then, you have to look for any battery details and status within the file report.

1/ First find the icon "Settings" and select it.
2/ Look for "Privacy & Security" Icon.

It will be at the bottom of the options list. Select it.
3/ Next, Select "Analytics & Improvements"
4/ Activate "Share IPad Analytics" if it is deactivated.

This fonction allows to create a details log which you get battery capacity details from.
5/ Select "Analytics Data"
6/ Select and open the top report.

It is the log report which has just been generated.
7/ Now You have to search through the file in order to obtain the battery details you are looking for

The easiest way to find out about the IPad battery capacity is to install iMazing. (This is a licenced program)
After it has been installed.
1/ Click the iMazing battery icon.
2/ A small window opens with very usefull battery details such as the mAh capacity

Read more ...

How to search for tablet battery mAh energy capacity?


tablet

Tablets and Android phones have the same operating system. This make the use of one or the other very easy. As far as battery information is concerned, there are several ways to find it and steps are very simple. Those steps are part of the Android software installation. Keep in mind, more accurate reading of battery health and details can also be obtained with third party applications.
See the different ways to customize and add new applications.
For the 1st way to find Battery mAh, check the Android battery capacity.
Here are the steps for the second way :
1/ Get into "Settings"
2/ Scroll to "About Phone"
3/ Click on the About Phone option.
4/ Next, Click on "Battery Information"
look for capacity mAh

Watch video ...

How to search for laptop battery mAh capacity with microsoft windows?


battery details using windows

Microsoft windows 11 generates a Battery capacity report in MilliWatt Heure. In order to get the value to MilliAmpere Hours a conversion is needed. [ See (mWh) Conversion ] To produce the battery details reports the following steps are required.

1/ Go to the seach taskbar.
2/ type powercfg /batteryreport and press enter.
3/ A html file will be generated ( ex : file:///C:/Users/gse3473/battery-report.html )
4/ Open File explorer and search for the file
5/ Double Click the html file
6/ The report will open in a web browser


Microsoft guide line battery report procedure

How to search for laptop battery energy capacity on linux ubuntu?


battery capacity using linux

There are differents ways to find out about a laptop battery capacity on linux, using either a window interface, in other words using a program, or using the terminal.
Choosing a program interface is easy.
1/ Search for "Power Statistics" on the application menu
2/ Open the program
3/ Select Laptop Battery tab
You get the "energy when full" in Wh (Watt Hours) as a capacity level.
You will have to convert the figure.
Check how to convert Watt Hours(Wh) To MilliAmp Hours(mAh)

Choosing a terminal interface is not difficult either but it is not for everyone.
1/ Search for the tool "acpi", install if it is not present.
$> sudo apt-get install acpi
2/ Execute the program "acpi"
$> acpi -V
The capacity detail you are looking for is "Last full capacity xxxx mAh = xxx%"
5 ways to check the status of laptop battery on Ubuntu

How to View Laptop Battery Capacity video

How to convert MilliWatt Hours (mWh) To MilliAmp Hours (mAh)


MilliWatt Hours(mWh) conversion

Microsoft Windows reports return battery capacity in milliwatt-hours (mWh). It is fine only that MilliAmp Hours (mAh) is the unit you would be looking for to choose the relevant average-size power bank from. In that matter, you will need to convert milliwatt-hours (mWh) to milliamp-hours (mAh).
There is no big deal. There is a simple formula that will provide you with the answer. Also, the following MilliWatt-Hours (mWh) conversion grid will give you different figures that you can refer to without going through any formula or calculation.
MilliWatt Hours (mWh) to Milliamp-Hours(mAh) Conversion Calculator

Converting MilliWatt Hours(mWh) To MilliAmp Hours(mAh)
Formula : (mWh) / volts = (mAh)
MilliWatt Hours (mWh) Voltage (V) Milliamp Hours (mAh)
- 1000 3,7 270,27
- 5000 3,7 1351,35
- 10000 3,7 2702,70
- 20000 3,7 5405,41
- 30000 3,7 8108,11
- 33000 3,7 8918,92
- 42000 3,7 11351,35
- 50000 3,7 13513,51
- 60000 3,7 16216,22
- 70000 3,7 18918,92

How to convert Watt Hours(Wh) To MilliAmp Hours(mAh)


Watt Hours(Wh) conversion

In Linux, installing tools from the shelf, such as linux_$> acpi , will give milliamp-hours (mAh) as battery capacity, but the standard Linux ubuntu tool, on the other hand, returns battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh). The tool acpi requires you to execute an OS command, which is not for everyone.
The easier way to get Milliamp-hours (mAh) will be to refer to the Watt Hours (Wh) To MilliAmp Hours (mAh) conversion grid below.

Watt Hours(Wh) To MilliAmp Hours(mAh) Conversion Calculator
Converting Watt Hours(Wh) To MilliAmp Hours(mAh)
Formula : [ (Wh) × 1000 ] / (V) = (mAh)
Watt Hours(Wh) Voltage (V) Milliamp Hours (mAh)
- 50 3,7 13513,51
- 100 3,7 27027,03
- 200 3,7 54054,05
- 300 3,7 81081,08
- 500 3,7 135135,14
- 1000 3,7 270270,27
- 2000 3,7 540540,54