My new 600 hour run time flashlight

jzmtl · **on:** May 08, 2014, 04:27:49 AM

Picked up this recently, okay not really a real flashlight, it's a external battery pack. But it does come with flashlight function powered by a small 5 mm LED. It's actually surprisingly bright for what it is, and with 13000 mah battery behind it, I'd imagine the 600 hour runtime claim isn't too far off.

It's interesting that so many new electronics are coming with build in flashlights now, although I'd preferred a better circuit instead (these ext battery packs waste 1/3 of the capacity on voltage conversions).

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2014, 08:37:09 AM

That would make a great emergency/bob light

Sent from my Windows Phone 8S by HTC using Tapatalk

enki_ck · **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2014, 07:37:54 PM

13000 mah battery powering a 5mm LED, that will last for months, 2 and a half months of 8 hour nights running full time.

I'm actually looking at some decent portable backup power, so I'd love tho hear your thoughts on it after you've used it a bit.

I'm currently leaning toward the Guide 10 Plus cause it runs off of AAs. It's slightly capacity of 9200mah shouldn't be a problem. Is the battery on that "flashlight"

of yours replaceable?

sawman · **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2014, 08:26:18 PM

That's kinda cool, what is it used to power?

jzmtl · **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2014, 09:57:03 PM

Quote from: enki_ck on May 08, 2014, 07:37:54 PM

13000 mah battery powering a 5mm LED, that will last for months, 2 and a half months of 8 hour nights running full time.

I'm actually looking at some decent portable backup power, so I'd love tho hear your thoughts on it after you've used it a bit.

I'm currently leaning toward the Guide 10 Plus cause it runs off of AAs. It's slightly capacity of 9200mah shouldn't be a problem. Is the battery on that "flashlight" of yours replaceable?

Nope, the whole thing is sealed, not a screw in sight. Can probably pry it open but I'm not going to find out.

These things are getting bigger and cheaper. With a few hundreds charge cycle from any decent brand it'll last years even if you use it everyday, and it'll be way obsolete then. So my thoughts is just buy the cheapest, there will be way better models when it dies. Key thing is decent brand though, I've bought two phone batteries off DX and they have half of claimed capacity and died in a few months, one started to bloat and scared the heck out of me. (Anker claims using good quality Samsung batteries, which seem to last in my phone)

Still, I wish they'd have a more efficient design than just putting bigger battery inside them. Even the manual tells you straight that 30% of the capacity is wasted during charging.

Quote from: sawman on May 08, 2014, 08:26:18 PM

That's kinda cool, what is it used to power?

Anything that charges/runs from USB, just plug the cable into one of the two ports. One supplies max of 1 amp, the other 2 amp, and I think the minimum is 30/60 ma. It also recharges with a micro USB port on the side, any phone charger would work, but a 1.5 + amp charger would work faster.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2014, 10:51:57 PM

I have a backup/portable battery thing too but it seems like no matter how often I charge it it's dead when I want to use it. I'd be glad to hear how you get on with this one.

Def

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2014, 11:34:58 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on May 08, 2014, 10:51:57 PM

I have a backup/portable battery thing too but it seems like no matter how often I charge it it's dead when I want to use it. I'd be glad to hear how you get on with this one.

Def

Is it dead from standby or charging phone?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2014, 02:46:26 AM

Standby.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

jzmtl · **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2014, 03:18:11 AM

Huh, strange, I'll keep an eye on mine. When I received it, theres still over 75% according to the indicator LEDs, after whatever time it spent in warehouse.

glorn · **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2014, 04:14:11 AM

I also have an Anker charger and it is excellent.

Mine is the Astro Mini: http://www.amazon.com/Astro-Mini-Ultra-Compact-Technology-Smartphones/dp/B005X1Y7I2

Less than $20 and works very well. Holds a charge without issue and will charge my phone to full at least twice. I've had it for a year and a half now, and have used it with my iPad, iPod, my phone, and friends phones with no issues ever. Easy to EDC, and when coupled with a wall adapter and vehicle adapter (the coiled Anker cord serving as the cable for all three options), you have a small and complete travel charging solution.

jzmtl · **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2014, 10:43:14 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on May 09, 2014, 02:46:26 AM

Standby.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

I've had it for a while now, only charged it initially and used it to keep phone charged while playing games, no standby drain issues. Anker gets decent reviews so you should be safe.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2014, 04:05:06 PM

Based on this thread I just ordered a similar one on eBay, although they claim it is 50000mah. I'll take their word for it. It also has a built in solar panel which should help keep it charged.

I'll report more on it when it arrives.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

sawman · **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2014, 04:08:16 PM

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2014, 06:15:15 PM

Good one!

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

jzmtl · **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2014, 03:55:56 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on June 03, 2014, 04:05:06 PM

Based on this thread I just ordered a similar one on eBay, although they claim it is 50000mah. I'll take their word for it. It also has a built in solar panel which should help keep it charged.

I'll report more on it when it arrives.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

Hope it's a name brand one!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2014, 12:39:09 PM

Nope.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/131203034372?var=430448817586&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

But for $25 I figured I'd take the chance. For some of these things I don't see the point of paying $130 for a Sony or Radio Shack brand when I can buy the exact same thing from a distributor in China for next to nothing. I actually own things that I got for next to nothing, and the exact same item is going for a mint in a local store.

For example, I needed a 4 port USB hub so I went around the various stores. I was prepared to spend $20 on one, but no one had them for less than $40. That's too freaking much in my book, so I came home, went on eBay and bought two 7 port hubs for $8, including shipping. A few weeks later I saw the exact same 7 port hub (but with Nexxtech printed on it) on sale at the Source (Canadian Radio Shack for those following along at home) on sale for $30 each.

Def

jzmtl · **Reply #16 on:** June 09, 2014, 04:34:40 AM

On some things, yes, dollar store and best buy stuff come from the same supplier. But from personal experience I know lithium ion batteries are not created equal, some really are crap and may be dangerous.

But I guess for $25 even if it's crap not much is lost, just keep an eye on it, and chuck it if any abnormal behavior starts (major drop in capacity, swelling etc.).

powernoodle · **Reply #17 on:** June 09, 2014, 11:47:56 PM

Is your's the Anker E5? That's what I carry in my Man Sack, and it is marketed at 15,000 mAh. Either way, that's enough juice to charge a smart phone multiple times.

Edit: The E4 is 13000 mAh. Rock on.