Powerbank help

[greenbear]

Hi fellow multitool and flashlights, I wonder if anybody can help with some advice on power banks.  I have been thinking of buying one, given the threat of blackouts in the UK this winter. I am mainly looking to charge a smartphone but I am also looking to investigate rechargeable batteries for flashlights.

Does anybody out there have any experience with, or recommendations for, power banks?

Thanks in advance 

[enki_ck]

If 18650 powered flashlights, then this might be one to consider

https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20USB%20battery%20box%20Tomo%20M4%20UK.html

[nate j]

I’ve had a number over the years; the Anker ones seem to be pretty good quality, but anything that has good reviews on the big river site will probably be fine.


If it were me, I would save the power bank capacity for cell phone charging, and consider one or more of the following options for light:

- 30-day or 60-day (or equivalent) lanterns - These are fairly large and heavy, generally running on 3-6+ D batteries.  But, as the names imply, they have extremely long run times, and are just the thing to set on a table or hang from the ceiling.

- good quality single AA flashlight - Something like a Fenix E12 V2 boasts 70 hours of runtime on low.  It’s small enough that carrying it around in your pocket is easy.   Even allowing for some exaggeration by the manufacturer, one of these paired with a large (e.g. 32 or 48 count) pack of AA batteries should provide thousands of hours of light.

[edc yes]

 
Bought a JW 4000ma bank off the shelf at the local drugstore. Has served well over about 50 discharge/recharges.

[greenbear]

Thanks guys - I knew you would know the answer 

[Aloha]

I'm happy with my Anker.  I also have a few no name ones that have been good.  There have been some really good rechargeable USB lights that have come out.  One in particular I have and really like is RovyVon Auroa A5. 

As for rechargeable cells, I mostly use Eneloop. 

[Kev D]

I have a couple of Anker power banks, an older 20000mah one that has been an old faithful I have taken all over camping with me for years, and its still great.  I also have a newer 26800mah one that has USB C charging and output so it can charge modern cell phones faster, it as been great so far to.

I'm glad I have them for the same reason as you, the upcoming power cuts they are saying we will get this winter.  I've also got a couple of ryobi mini inverters for running lamps that just use my tool batteries and could also charge phone, and some cheapo chinese LED lanterns that take standard AA batteries for backup.