Power bank issues with multiple devices

[brhoward]

Has anyone experienced issues with trying to charge their phone, tablet, cycling computer, GPS devices all from the same power bank? It seems there is no standard and a lot of mis-information about amperage limits on the different devices, especially the GPS ones. Help!!!!!

[John Nettles]

I frequently do that.  I charge into the power bank while simultaneously charging a phone (2amp) and a blinky light (1amp).  Only downside is it takes longer to charge everything but that makes sense since I am trying to charge more items.

However, only a few have more than 2 outputs.  Also, look to ensure the power bank has the appropriate minimum output for your phone and/or devices.  Some devices require at least 2 amps now.

If you know the specific power bank you are looking to buy, ask the "community" on the Amazon page of the item you are looking at.  I would consider at least a 10kmah power bank and only those by Anker.

Don't buy much more storage than you need as the extra capacity is just extra weight.

Tailwinds, John

[brhoward]

Hey John!!!

It seems Garmin is a little 'proprietary' on their power bundles for their devices. The don't highly recommend any non-Garmin pack if at all. They did say to not go above 2.0 amps. From what I'm seeing the Ankers put out 2.0 amps per jack. But they also say they may NOT be for some GPS devices. I'm cornfused!!

[John Nettles]

Sorry but I can't help you too much with that as I use rechargeable AA batteries for my Garmin.  Again, I would hit up the Amazon community (ask a question section) if any use X power bank to charge a Garmin X gps.
Tailwinds, John

[David W Pratt]

I'm looking into a power bank.  I sent Anker an email and they responded in a couple of hours.  They recommend a 10,000mAh power bank to be able to recharge my 3,000mAh phone battery twice.  My GPS is an etrex and runs on AA batteries.  I got a little charger that will run off the solar panel, or my phone charger if there is 110 handy.  It will also recharge the batteries using the dynamo hub on one of the bikes.  I also carry a pair of regular AA batteries as back up.

[abhi]

Which solar panel did you get?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

[David W Pratt]

Anker Power Port Solar.  Says it puts out 21 watts.  Has two output jacks.  It will charge my 4G dumb phone up to about 66%.
Since Anker recommended a 10k mAh, and said it would charge a 3000 mAh battery twice, I'm guessing that one could expect about 67% yield from a power bank.  They say the solar panel will charge the power bank but I suspect it might take all day. They suggest the wall charger

[brhoward]

The issue is not with what charges the best. The issue is that Garmin warns not to charge their devices at more than a 2.0 amp rate. Above that, you could damage the device. A lot of the power banks mention 2.5 to 3 amp output so my confusion as to how to cut the amperage down to not burn up the Garmins.

[David W Pratt]

My little Garmin is an Etrex-20 and runs on AA batteries.  Therefore, I have two sets of rechargeable batteries.  The batteries can be recharged by the dynamo hub on one of my bikes, and by the solar panel, as well as from a wall charger.  For my trip this Summer, I plan to take the bike without the dyno hub, so I thought the power bank would be a good idea.  The phone doesn't charge below about 12 mph anyway, so in hilly New England, it constantly beeps as it goes on and off charge, very annoying. 

[jrswenberger]

The issue is not with what charges the best. The issue is that Garmin warns not to charge their devices at more than a 2.0 amp rate. Above that, you could damage the device. A lot of the power banks mention 2.5 to 3 amp output so my confusion as to how to cut the amperage down to not burn up the Garmins.

The output ratings for these power banks are maximums. The charging current drawn is a function of the device receiving the charge. The power banks don't know what device they are charging or what charging profiles are ok for that device. Unless the power bank is defective, the receiving device determines the rate of charge up to the capabilities of the power bank. There may be other issues involved with charging Garmin devices. It sounds like Garmin wants to blame their poorly designed recharging circuits on the devices providing the energy.

[David W Pratt]

Just to complicate things a little more.  I just received my power bank from Anker.  It is charging now so I have not used it at all, but the  instructions mention that if you push and hold the power button, it will shift to "trickle charge" mode.  This is supposed to be appropriate for charging a Bluetooth device.  Trickle mode is indicated by a green, instead of blue indicator light.  A little counter intuitive, but that mode might be appropriate for the Garmin devices.
Good luck
PS: After I have actually used it, I will report back here