Power Bank / Battery Pack - What all things to take care when buying one ?

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raksrules

raksrules

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Due to the innumerable gadgets we are carrying daily, we also have to now satisfy the power needs of these devices. Hence many of us have started carrying one more additional gadget, the power bank.
With the popularity of these devices, there is an influx of the same from each and every brand, known and unknown. Every damn company seems to be having a power bank today.
This is where things get confusing.
So now what suggestion would folks give here for people in market to buy new power bank.
Also list down your experience (not 1-2 day ones please but long term) with the ones you are using and would recommend (or not).
Also it would be great if someone can enlighten us on the actual cell / battery used inside these power banks. And how does the voltage matter and relation between mAh and Voltage.
Also any information about the samsung or LG cell used in some of the better(??) power banks


From whatever information I have gathered till now, here are some of my findings...

  • Most chinese no brand power banks have a battery known as 18650 and this is not really a good battery.
  • Power banks with listed capacity as high has 50000mAh have actual capacity less than 15000mAh.
  • Chinese power banks most use used batteries (from laptops etc).
  • Samsung Cells are considered superior and their power banks better than no name ones.
Please pitch In.
 
I have so far used these two:
http://www.flipkart.com/sony-cp-f5-...arger/p/itmdp5rzsatqthbc?pid=ACCDP5RNKE7ZYTBW (over 4 months)
and
http://www.flipkart.com/mi-10400-mah-power-bank/p/itmdyyrytgphhfpp?pid=ACCDYYQZQJCYEHCB (a month)

My experience so far:
1) With the SONY one, I could charge a couple of low battery (1300 mAH) mobiles. The phones would charge fast till 90%, then would take some time to charge.
2) There is no indicator to see the power level of the power bank
3) While charging the power bank, the device doesn't get hot
4) With the MI one, I could charge 4 phones 100%
5) While charging the power bank, the device gets hot
6) Compared to SONY, MI looks like a brick

My real concern about any power bank however is this--
http://en.miui.com/thread-19104-1-1.html
okvsiu.jpg
 
I am looking to buy a decent powerbank myself and I checked out some Portronics ones in the mall. Are they any good?
 
I have the Ambrane 10400mAH powerbank.

It charged my Nexus 7 twice fully.
Recharging the PB takes a very long time.
Charging time of phone / tablet is very less compared to USB or wall charger.
It has a small LCD display to indicate how much it is charged, how much charge is left and whether the charge is going in or out.
There are 2 USB ports.
It has a torch light ^_^
 
Me and a colleague bought the P-1000 from PayTM. I got one which was imported in August 2014. My colleague received one which was imported in September 2014.
The packing and product are totally different.

August 2014
There is no Ambrane logo on the body of the power bank. The box is see through and totally different. The seal on the box is different. The part near the LED gets slightly warm. (tested at home where ambient temperature is 28 - 30 C)
Pictures - http://imgur.com/a/7CLNy#0

September 2014
There is Ambrane logo on the body of the power bank. Came in black box with velvet like material inside. The seal is bluish in colour. The part near the LED gets quite hot whenever some phone is being charged from it. (tested this in office AC environment)
Pictures - http://imgur.com/a/l2b3R#0

I have mailed Ambrane with pictures of both. Hope both of them are genuine.

P.S - Those who have already owned this, can you check and tell which one is genuine or matches the one which you had.
@ruiner21 , @puns - please provide your input
 
Last edited:
ayanavish said:
1) With the SONY one, I could charge a couple of low battery (1300 mAH) mobiles. The phones would charge fast till 90%, then would take some time to charge.
Click to expand...
Disconnect when it reaches 90%, general guideline when charging li-ion so as to preserve the life of battery longer.

Going to 100% puts more stress on it. Faster charging also does the same.

Recharge when its 30 rather than flat. Cuts down on deep discharges.
 
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hotshot05 said:
Me and a colleague bought the P-1000 from PayTM. I got one which was imported in August 2014. My colleague received one which was imported in September 2014.
The packing and product are totally different.

August 2014
There is no Ambrane logo on the body of the power bank. The box is see through and totally different. The seal on the box is different. The part near the LED gets slightly warm. (tested at home where ambient temperature is 28 - 30 C)
Pictures - http://imgur.com/a/7CLNy#0

September 2014
There is Ambrane logo on the body of the power bank. Came in black box with velvet like material inside. The seal is bluish in colour. The part near the LED gets quite hot whenever some phone is being charged from it. (tested this in office AC environment)
Pictures - http://imgur.com/a/l2b3R#0

I have mailed Ambrane with pictures of both. Hope both of them are genuine.

P.S - Those who have already owned this, can you check and tell which one is genuine or matches the one which you had.
@ruiner21 , @puns - please provide your input
Click to expand...

I ordered and received the Ambrane P-202 2200mah powerbank from paytm, package was sealed and there is a logo on the body of the powerbank. My brother has a P1000 I think, will check with him.
 
pepps3484 said:
@hotshot05 , I have also received the same as August 2014 one in your post. Please keep posted for the originality of the same.
Click to expand...
I had mailed Ambrane the two set of pictures. They replied that both products are genuine. The packaging was changed this month.
A guy from Ambrane called me up(got my no from the bill I scanned and sent them). He told me that the QC department missed the Aug 2014 product somehow. It normally does not happen. He assured me that the product was genuine even though the logo was missing.
 
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