Power Bank instructions, how to use, precautions

Smartphones and tablets perform many functions. Even at an average load level, they consume a lot of electricity to maintain wireless communications and run service programs. Extend autonomy without being close to a 220 V stationary power outlet using an external battery. This article talks about how to use power bank without errors. Careful study of the instructions provided will be useful when choosing the appropriate model. Following additional recommendations will prevent problems and emergency situations.

Operating principle and features

Portable power banks are made from lithium-ion batteries. Several ordinary batteries, depending on the final capacity of the structure, are connected to each other, all of them are placed in a durable plastic or metal case. The charging level can be indicated in different devices by LEDs activated by pressing a button or even displays. Be sure to have inputs on the surface of the Power Bank for connecting wires.

The peculiarity of the device is that the batteries built into the case accumulate a charge, hold it for a long time and can “share” it with other equipment. With the help of a power bank, you can charge your smartphone anywhere: on a train, in the forest, and in any place where there is no electricity.

Using an external battery is easy, but you need to study the instructions for use. If used incorrectly, a power bank may not work as efficiently or even become dangerous.

Causes of malfunctions and their elimination

Power Bank won't turn on

The device may be low. Fully charge your POWER BANK from the mains power supply via an adapter (5V, 1A or 2A).

Phone won't charge

The indicators work, there is no charging. Your phone's power socket may be clogged. Clean the connector with a cloth moistened with alcohol with the phone turned off and the battery removed. Let it dry. Check the power cable.

Power Bank turns off

When the phone is connected, the Power Bank turns off. It is possible that your power cable or connector is faulty and is creating a short circuit in the circuit, causing the protection to trip. To remove the protection, put the Power Bank on charge. Replace the faulty cable.

Phone doesn't hold charge

After the phone is fully charged from Power Bank, the phone battery drains very quickly. The phone battery may be faulty. Replace your phone battery with a new one.

The device does not turn on or charge

The Power Bank worked for a long time, but now it has stopped turning on and charging. It is possible that a “deep” discharge of the lithium-ion battery cells has occurred. Contact any service center.

Sources used:

https://store52.ru/instruktsiya_na_russkom_yazyke_dlya_mini_power_bank_2600_mah
https://www.bestfree.ru/article/device/power-bank.php
https://batteryzone.ru/accumulator/kak-polzovatsja-power-bank
https://batteryk.com/instruktsiya-po-ekspluatatsii-power-bank
https://gadget-bit.ru/power-bank-instrukcija-po-nastrojke/

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Range of external batteries

Portable chargers are widely available on the market. There are models in different colors and shapes, but the main differences remain:

Capacity _ There are devices with a volume from 1000 to 50000 mah. But these are rather extreme options, and the most popular are 2600, 5000, 10400, 16000, 20800 mah. This indicator determines how many times you can charge a phone or other device from an external battery.
Functionality . Depends on the number of inputs and supported modes. Thus, some modifications of Power Banks from Xiaomi (in particular, the 3rd generation model) have two USB inputs for simultaneous charging of two devices. They also support Quick Charge (fast charging), as well as low-current charging.
Manufacturer . In addition to Xiaomi Mi, there are external batteries on the market from Meizu, Proda, Hoco, Realme, Baseus, Demax, Samsung, Vympel, Huawei and many others class=”aligncenter” width=”546″ height=”380″[/img]

It is better to trust products from trusted companies that have good reviews. Cheap, unknown batteries may have artificially high capacity and may even be unsafe to use.

Cable and amperage

It's good to have fast charging. But even if it is not there, the external battery should produce a current of 2A. Most power banks have this, but it’s never a bad idea to check whether these numbers are indicated on the box. Otherwise, the charging process of both the smartphone and the external battery itself will be extremely slow.

The quality of the cable also matters. Actually, this is one of the main (but far from the only) disadvantages of numerous Chinese power banks from Aliexpress. A bad cable will cause significant voltage drops, which, at a minimum, will negatively affect the charging speed.

Unfortunately, you can only check the quality of the cable experimentally, using a special tester. So when choosing an external battery, it makes sense to focus on the reviews of those who bought and tested them.

Our test of the Ritmix RPB-10005 showed that this external battery's included cable was excellent—voltage sags were very small. As for the current strength, the maximum current that the Powerbank is capable of delivering was 2.7 amperes, which is a good indicator for a device that is stated to have only 2 amperes. At higher currents, the Powerbank turns off, so the overvoltage protection that the manufacturer claims is definitely there.

The Ritmix RPB-10005 itself charges with a current of approximately 2.1 A (power ~ 10.6 W), and a full charge will take about 4 hours 55 minutes.

Instructions after purchase

Manufacturers of external batteries are required to charge the device and only then transfer it to warehouses. Companies with a good reputation adhere to this rule, but the buyer does not always receive a fully charged option. The delivery time from the manufacturer to its representative, and then to the point of sale, can even be several months. It is also unknown how long the PowerBank will remain on display until a buyer is found. During this time, the batteries will self-discharge.

After purchase, the user must completely discharge the device and then fully charge it from the power supply. In general, it is recommended to carry out 2-3 full charge-discharge cycles. This is necessary to ensure that the battery fully utilizes its capacity from 0 to 100%. Charge-discharge cycles help “remind” the device of its capacity.

What is battery capacity and how is it designated?

So, everyone knows that any smartphone, tablet or player needs a battery to operate.
It is located directly in the device body. To function fully, it must be regularly charged by the owner. As you use it, the battery charge decreases, indicating the need to repeat the procedure. How long any tablet or phone will hold a charge essentially depends on two factors - the level of energy consumption and battery capacity. The more charge consumed, the faster it is used up. And, accordingly, the larger the battery capacity, the longer the device can remain operational.

The capacity of batteries for mobile devices is measured in milliamp-hours (mAh). A designation indicating how many of these units characterize the capacity of a particular battery can be seen on the battery itself. For example, a Samsung smartphone is equipped with a 1850 mAh battery, and the larger iPhone 6 Plus has a 2915 mAh battery. The larger capacity of the latter means that the second smartphone consumes more power due to the larger screen. This is also a kind of pattern, since for simple MP3 players a 500 mAh battery will be enough, while tablet computers with a 12-inch screen, for example, are equipped with a battery of 5000 or more milliamp-hours.

How to charge Power Bank

This charger is essentially a combination of several batteries, which in turn also require periodic recharging. The instructions in Russian, consisting of several steps, will help you figure out how to charge the Power Bank:

The charging source can be a computer with a USB input or a power supply (in this case you will need a power supply).
The cable plug (included) of the micro-USB/Type-C type is connected to the corresponding connector on the portable charger.
The second plug is inserted either into the USB-A connector and connected directly to the computer, or through an adapter it is inserted into a power outlet.
The activity of the LEDs or display (depending on the device model) will indicate that the charging process has begun.
Indicators will also indicate that the device is fully charged. This may include flickering, color changes and other characteristic signs (depending on the model).

Important and correct shutdown procedure. According to the instructions for Redmi Power Bank and Xiaomi Mi Power Bank, you first need to pull out the cord from the charge source (computer/outlet), and then from the Power Bank itself.

How to handle a power bank

One of the advantages of a power bank is that it is lightweight and portable: you can take it with you anywhere, putting it in your bag or pocket. For example, products from Xiaomi stand out for their brevity and compactness. However, it is the lightness that can cause an accidental fall, breakage or loss of the device. Therefore, when using a power bank, you should not put it in the back pocket of your trousers, or in a place where it could easily fall out or accidentally break.

If dirty, do not use wet wipes or water. Clean the cover only with a soft, dry cloth and do not keep it near dirty areas , because any cleaning with water or moisture may damage it. It is also worth remembering that the power bank does not like temperature changes in the form of extreme cold or heat . Like a mobile phone or computer, the device you are using should not be left in direct sunlight.

Regarding the output voltage, never charge a power bank if the network U is 5 volts or more.

Indication

Features of the display can be considered using the example of Mi Power Bank 3; its instructions allow you to understand from the LEDs how charged the battery is. In fact, other manufacturers, for example Meizu, work on the same principle, so the guide can be considered universal.

For indication, there are 4 LEDs on the surface of the case; they can flicker, glow constantly or be inactive. Display Features:

To check the charge level you need to press the button. The number of illuminated LEDs signals this; each light bulb is responsible for 25% of the capacity.
During charging, already filled containers glow constantly, and those participating in the current charging flicker. So, with 2 glowing and 1 flickering lights, the Power Bank will be charged 50-75%. If all 4 LEDs start blinking, this indicates an error has occurred.
When transferring charge to another device, the situation is similar. The remaining full parts glow, the one from which the charge comes flickers. The discharged part does not glow.
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For some types of Power Bank, the instructions are even simpler; we are talking about devices with a display. For example, on the Hoco B27 the percentage of the remaining battery is indicated by a specific number. In some models, this may simply be a pattern of a battery with even divisions (as on push-button phones).

Power bank charge and its indicator

Let’s dispel another illusion: the declared capacity of an external battery and how much charge it gives out are two big differences. In addition, like any battery, over time the capacity of the power bank becomes smaller.

Different external batteries have different efficiency. There are those whose efficiency is close to two-thirds (we again point towards the creations of nameless masters from the Middle Kingdom). A good efficiency is one that starts from 80%.

You can only find out the actual capacity of an external battery using a tester. Having tested the Ritmix RPB-10005, we found out that when discharged with a current of 1 A, the power bank can work for almost 6 hours, during which it will provide a capacity equal to 8305 mAh or 30.76 Wh. Thus, the efficiency is just over 83% - an excellent result for an inexpensive external battery.

An extremely useful option is the charge indicator of the power bank itself. Most external batteries are equipped with it, but most often these are four glowing dots on the case that disappear as the power bank is discharged, so you will get an extremely rough idea of the battery charge level.

An indicator in the form of percentages is much more convenient. Large numbers are easier to see than tiny dots, and the accuracy of the measurements gives a clearer picture of the distance between you and the power bank from the outlet.

For example, in Ritmix RPB-10005 the indicator is reflected on a small display, stylized as the screen of a modern smartphone - with rounded corners and an ironic cutout “like an iPhone”. When the device is inactive, you can turn on the indicator using the button on the side. While charging other devices on the RPB-10005 model, percentages are displayed continuously.

How to charge other devices from PB

The instructions for using the Power Bank also contain information on how to charge other devices using an external battery. These steps are universal for products from different manufacturers and different containers (10,000, 20,000, etc.):

A cable is connected to the power bank into the USB-A connector.
The other end of the cable is inserted into the micro-USB/Type-C socket of another device (smartphone, tablet, etc.).
The start of the charge transfer process will be indicated by a lit LED panel or display.

For each Power Bank, the instructions contain the approximate charging time. It also depends on the device, the charge received, and even the cable used. The number of possible cycles can be calculated by dividing the volume of the external battery by the volume of your gadget.

Description and parameters

The external battery Power bank is compatible with any mobile devices: iPhone, iPad, iPod, phones, smartphones and tablets on Android, Samsung, Nokia, photo and video cameras, mp3/mp4 players, GPS.
Total ROM capacity: from 2600 to 20800 mAh (from 1 to 12 charges of your mobile device).
Battery type: polymer lithium-ion or Samsung/TDK lithium-ion.
Average conversion rate: 0.85.
Number of charge cycles: up to 1000 (up to 10 years of operation if operating rules are followed).
Charge status indicator: available.
USB charging cable: 1 connector (micro-USB).
Housing: shock-resistant made of polymer materials or aluminum.
Built-in protection: against overdischarge, overheating or short circuit.

Low current charging mode

The instructions for Xiaomi Power Bank 3 contain recommendations for charging small-sized equipment. The fact is that a 10,000 mah external battery or even a 20,000 mah Pro battery may not even “notice” a fitness watch or wireless headphones; charging will start and stop immediately. To work with such devices, you must use a special mode:

Press the charge indicator button twice quickly.
Wait for the lights to light up in sequence.
Connect a small device.
To exit this mode and return to normal mode, you just need to press the power bank button once.

Modern external batteries from Xiaomi, Redmi, Baseus and other companies support fast charging mode. It does not need to be specifically turned on; it is activated automatically if the device being charged and the cable support the technology.

Connectors and pass-through charging

For a long time, power banks were charged via a microUSB connector, but with the proliferation of the Type-C connector, there are more corresponding cables, and finding a “cord” for the old connector is increasingly becoming a problem.

When choosing an external battery, you should pay attention to which connectors it can be charged through; ideally there should be two of them - microUSB and Type-C.

Another useful feature that is not talked about much is support for pass-through charging. This means that the user can charge the external battery itself and simultaneously recharge another gadget or device from it.

Of course, this method will not be too fast, which is what we see in the example of the Ritmix RPB-10005. The review hero will deliver a charge with a voltage of approximately 4.5 volts, instead of the standard 5 V, which will significantly increase the charging time of third-party devices.

Features of operation

The instructions for Xiaomi Power Bank 10000 have an important “Warnings” section, which concerns the safe operation of the devices. All provisions are also relevant for other versions of external batteries:

Devices must be stored out of the reach of children. They should also be hidden from pets.
It is important to use devices that meet electrical standards. This is to avoid electric shock or damage to the batteries.
Do not expose the Power Bank to shock, strong pressure, or moisture. All this can adversely affect its performance.
If there are deformations, swelling, or other dangerous damage, the battery must be disposed of.
During operation, it is important that the Power Bank and the charging gadget have access to air. You cannot use devices in your trouser pocket, backpack, or under your pillow.
The instructions for Power Bank 10000 prohibit you from disassembling the device yourself. Is it dangerous!
The external battery should be stored away from radiators, fireplaces and other heat sources. Also, it should not be left in direct sunlight.

Instead of results

By choosing wisely, you can save a lot of money on purchasing an external battery. There is no point in buying an expensive power bank if you prefer not to damage your smartphone’s battery with fast charging or do not intend to charge your entire fleet of gadgets from it, from a watch to a laptop.

At the same time, there are functions that are worth paying special attention to - the actual capacity of the external battery, its compactness, the presence of several types of connectors and, of course, workmanship.

Precautionary measures

The instructions in Russian for all external batteries also contain a section on precautions. It is important to follow them for safety and for the equipment to work efficiently:

Before using the Power Bank for the first time, you need to charge it to 100%.
It is advisable to use a branded cable and unit (Meizu for Meizu, Mi for Redmi, etc.).
Before leaving home for a long time, be sure to disconnect the battery from the power supply.
At the end of the charging process, you must immediately turn off the device. Overexposure may cause equipment damage.
It is advisable to store the Power-Bank with a charge level of 25-50%.

Solar portable chargers

The portable universal charger works quite simply - from solar energy that hits our planet in the form of rays. The latter, in turn, pass through photocells, after which they generate a charge. This, in turn, is collected in special batteries and subsequently transferred to the gadget. There are two types of solar portable charging devices - those that can store and transfer charge simultaneously, and those that can only do so in turns. Again, the choice should be made based on your needs and preferences. This gadget is primarily suitable for avid travelers. It is also necessary to remember that he will only be able to help if the weather is sunny.

Where can chargers be used?

There are quite a lot of applications for portable devices. As already noted, they can recharge phones, players, tablets, as well as GPS navigators, recorders, cameras and other battery-powered gadgets. Therefore, they are most often used either by those whose gadget is not enough until the end of the working day, or by those who periodically need to have something for entertainment on the road, as well as by travelers who are often out of reach of a source of electrical energy. This is very convenient, because it can give you real autonomy. This is especially true for solar panels, with the help of which a portable charger can restore energy.