For a number of years there have been all kinds of power banks that held conventional primary or rechargeable batteries and have a USB-A socket to allow charging cell phones. This combines that function with the additional capability to jump start a car. These new devices also typically have a flashlight function. They are packaged in a shape that's similar to a cell phone, but somewhat larger.
The first one I heard about is called Lightning Pak (official web page). They make a number of packs with different capacities (6.5, 13 & 15 AH). A friend has the small one.
Then I got this one branded Annke (official web page). They make units rated for:
CP-02A 8 AH,
CP-03 12 AH,
CP-05 6 AH
The paperwork that came with is says it's 8 AH capacity. But measuring the capacity depends very much on what load is used so I expect there will be a lot of claims about capacity that don't specify the test conditions. More on that later.
The interesting thing is that they both use the same connector for the jump starting functions and the output voltage is very close to 12 VDC. So right away I want to make an adapter cable to a Power Pole with the 45 Amp terminals using 10 AWG super flex wire.
Annke CP-02A
Not sure what batteries it uses. There are similar products on eBay that have no case and no batteries, but are intended to use 6 each 18650 batteries.
I have on order (30 June 2016) one of the "Mobile Power Bank USB DC 6x18650 Battery Charger Car Jump Starter 3.6/5/6/9/12" and some 18650 unprotected batteries for it. The ad says "Car Jump Starter" but the photos do not show any EC5 connectors.
Load Testing
Using the EL1132 Electronic Load and a custom made EC5-45 Amp Power Pole cable with 10 AWG Super Flex wire. First built a 10 AWG to Power Pole cable for the EL1132.
See Fig 7 for the test setup.
Current Capability Table
Nominal
Amps
Current
Amps
Volts
Power
Watts
0
0
12.19
0
1
1
12.19
12
2
2.013
12.09
24
4
3.998
11.98
48
8
7.998
11.8
94
10
9.982
11.6
116
15
14.97
11.3
169
20
20.03
10.8
216
30
30.12
10.3
310*
* The EL1132 is rated at 300 Watts Max.
Battery Capacity Test Table 4 Amp Load
Note the 8 Amp Hour rating this unit is advertised with did not specify the test conditions. I randomly choose 4 amps for this test.
It turns out that at 4 Amps the capacity is only 1.8 AH. A back of the envelope calculation:
at half the load current the capacity might double to 4 AH, so at 1 amp load maybe 8 AH capacity.
It makes sense the AH rating would be for the lowest current application, i.e. slow charging a cell phone ( maybe 1/2 amp).
The AH rating when jump starting might be 180 Amps & 10 seconds or 1/2 Amp Hour.
Timer
Minutes
I
V
Amin
AH
WH
8:00:00 (11:41:30)
0
4
12.2
0
0
0
7:58:45 (11:42:45)
1:15
4
12.0
5
0.1
60
7:53:45 (11:49)
6:15
4
11.5
25
0.4
300
(11:57:24)
15.54
4
11.0
64
1
768
(12:08)*
26:32
0
6.5
106
1.8
1272
* Turned itself off.
12:14 pm back on charge. Charge LEDs still blinking at 6:30pm
Operation
The USB-A output is normally off and the button needs to be pressed to turn it on. A quick press turns on the "power on" LEDs. If there is no load the unit turns itself off after maybe 15 seconds. This makes it unsuitable for use with low current loads like the GoPro video camera or the WSPRlite radio beacon, both of which have very low standby current drain.
Pressing and holding the button turns on the Flashlight function. Then a quick press causes fast flashing. Another quick press results in an SOS Morse code flash. Another quick press turns the unit off.
The jump start contact seem to be hot all the time. (That makes sense since switching hundreds of amps is not something that can be done in a small space.
Photos
Fraudulent Power Bank
This was advertised on eBay as a power bank & Jump Starter, but when it arrived there were no high current terminals so there's no way it can be used as a high current source.
Marked on front AILI and on back as "Power Banker". It came without any batteries and needs up to 6 each 18650 Li-Ion cells.
Fig 1 back
Fig 2 front
Fig 3 does not work to power GoPro Hero5 camera.
Note LED next to USB output is on yet camera shows
battery without "+" charging icon.
ANKEWR PowerCore20100
This is the newest and best power bank I've got. It works well with low current loads, like the GoPro video camera or the WSPRlite radio beacon, both of which have very low standby current drain.
PowerCore20100
The label says:
Model: A1271
Capacity: 20100 mAh / 72.36 Wh
Input: 5VDC @ 2A Output: 5VDC @ 4.8A
Anker Technologies Co. Ltd. | Made in China
Two each USB-A outputs.
Single USBmicro input.
I haven't bought one, but they offer a 400Wh power bank called the "Power House" which includes 5V, 12V and 115VAC outputs, and uses a "12 Volt" input (they say 16 - 17 VDC @ 6A).
The Suaoki unit seems to have more features and a much lower price. PS5B 444Wh, 3 charging methods: AC line, 12/24VDC vehicle or solar panel (100 Watt panel: 18 VDC @ 5Amp at Equator)
Photos
Fig 1 being charged
(6 hrs and 3rd LED is blinking)
Fig 2 being charged
(6 hrs and 3rd LED is blinking)
Batteries
Battery Chargers
Battery Testing
Products for sale
ElectroBoom - Learn safety by seeing mistakes
Jump Start a Car with AA Batteries - not directly, but by using 10 to 12 series connected AA cells the car battery will be charged enough after about 10 minutes to start.
Cranking a Car with Super Capacitors (Supercap) - using 6 series connected 400F super caps.
PRC68, Alphanumeric Index of Web pages, Contact, Products for Sale
Page Created 30 June 2016