Review of USB battery pack (UK)

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Kitabz

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Feb 11, 2009
411
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UK
I got a USB battery pack from Portable Power Supplies with the intention of using it as a power supply for a USB passthrough (for a 901) but it doesn't quite have enough output for this. It's okay but not great.

Interestingly, it works better turned off rather than on - I suspect that there is some kind of regulator that checks for demand when the device is on but when it's turned off, you can still draw power from it.

Anyhoo, aside from the passthrough option, the EVO typically comes with a USB charger so I was keen to have a independent power supply just in case I find myself up a mountain [for example] with no access to mains electricity. And on this score, the USB battery pack is fantastic.

As has been repeated several times over various posts, certain laptops/computers fail to work perfectly with EVO chargers meaning that the tip of the battery does not light up when it is charged so there is no way to know when charging is complete. It has been speculated that this is because the computer cuts power to the port when charging is complete so the charged indication is therefore missing. This battery pack does not suffer from this problem - the tip does light up when charging is complete.

This USB is super-fast when charging EVO batteries - I can't believe it. Something like 15 minutes from dead and the tip stays lit for a couple of minutes then the battery pack (and the e-cig battery) both shut down so it is definite that charging is complete. You could travel with just one battery and this charger because recharging is so fast. Sounds scary but on thinking about it, my laptop only takes about an hour and the battery capacity is more than 10x that of the EVO so why should it take hours like 801/901 batteries running off the mains?

I've attached a couple of photos: the first one is the charger and the EVO only and the second one is the charger with an additional mini-hub so that I can charge a number of devices at the same time.

Highly recommended, I ordered through google checkout and it came within a couple of days.

PS. I have their double USB mains charger too, 2A output, excellent for £5.00 (and this does work with the USB passthrough for a 901).

Links-
Charger: Portable Power Supplies - USB Li-Ion Battery Pack
USB mains: Portable Power Supplies - Wall Charger
Hub: Belkin USB 2.0 4-PORT MINI HUB * NO POWER SUPPLY: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
 

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Kitabz

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Feb 11, 2009
411
3
UK
I have tried that model and indeed it is crappy for vaping from USB passthrough! Also crappy for USB passthrough that I have tried is Powermonkey and some chinese thing called a Powerkhan, avoid them 2!!

Yeah, it wasn't great as a passthrough power supply (about the same as my laptop) - it would do in an emergency I suppose. Much better as a recharger.
 

taz3cat

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 2, 2008
1,180
7
Port Arthur, Texas
I just got a UnIversal External Powerbank with a Li-lon polymer 3200mAh, 5V with two USB ports plus the power cord with a mini USb with a standard USB to charge it. for less than $22.00 including shipping on e-bay. It has a USB mini port for changing.

I tried it before I fully charged it and I was blowing vapor and that was without it hooked up to a power sorce. I like to swap between at least two e-cig to keep the atomizers cooler.
 
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