2200mAh Portable Power Bank On Sale $10 til 3/31 - not useful w/ QuickStart

Ron Czapala

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=28733496&utm_campaign=pid28733496&utm_medium=RSCOM&utm_source=ProductPage&utm_content=OptionsBlue

Keep your devices powered up, even when there's no outlet available, with the RadioShack 2200mAh Portable Power Bank. It provides up to 6 hours of talk time and charges quickly from any USB port.
Provides up to 6 hours of talk time
Works with most micro USB devices
Maximizes standby time by automatically shutting off and maintaining its charge while not in use
LED indicator lets you see the energy level at the push of a button
Capacity: 2200mAh
Output: 5V DC, 1A
Battery charging time: 3.5 hours
Cable length: 13"

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Just a heads up from the manual: you can't use it to charge devices with input currents less than 100 mA. IOW, if you're trying to use it to power, say, a QuickStart board that draws less than 100 mA, it will not work.

-Phil

Ron Czapala

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

Just a heads up from the manual: you can't use it to charge devices with input currents less than 100 mA. IOW, if you're trying to use it to power, say, a QuickStart board that draws less than 100 mA, it will not work.

-Phil

Good catch Phil!

Yep - just tried it - no go!

Of course that wasn't mentioned on the package.

Oh well I'm sure I'll find a use for it...

erco

So optionally switch a 50 ohm resistor across the 5V output to draw 100 mA. A bit wasteful, but do whatcha gotta do! Half watt ought to do it. Even a USB Multi splitter with a few LEDs might do it.

Publison

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »

Just a heads up from the manual: you can't use it to charge devices with input currents less than 100 mA. IOW, if you're trying to use it to power, say, a QuickStart board that draws less than 100 mA, it will not work.

-Phil

And it will not power a Rev A Quick Start.

Publison

Picked up this one last week for $24.97:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=17244076

Charge a Phone and Kindle with 80% left.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

I would almost bet that the charger/power source is looking for peak currents in excess of 100 mA. If that's the case, a simple addition to the QuickStart should remedy the problem without drawing excess average power form the battery:



The Prop pin output pulses the MOSFET gate with a low duty cycle. If the Prop pin gets stuck low, the chip will reset, so it also acts as a watchdog of sorts.

-Phil

pjv

Hi All

Costco sells what I believe to be the 2200 mah units at 19.99 for a two-pack. Two USB cables included.

Cheers,

Peter(pjv)