Portable chargers are also called power banks. They are convenient options for charging devices such as mobile phones, tablets, flashlights, and smartphones. Going off communications for most people could inconvenience them or their clients a big deal. Whenever you are is not at home and the power on the phone is off, or whenever at home, and there is no power, you need to connect the smartphone to the power bank to charge. Due to the uncertainty, it is vital to ensure the power bank is always fully charged.
The need for a portable charger
Portable chargers have become a necessary tool for traveling and an essential gadget for many people. They come in different sizes, prices, and capacity to charge. They have also been developed to suit different kinds of needs. Some have a large battery capacity, while others don’t last so long. For example, travelers, people living in areas where electricity is a problem, or camping require a large battery capacity power bank. On the other hand, people who need to be connected for the day or in-house for so long would require one with a small battery capacity.
A new portable charger whole package
Portable chargers are sold with a battery pack, user manual, and connecting cables. The cable has both the standard-size USB and micro-size USB. It also has multiple charging ports for charging different devices. The user manual is supposed to guide you on how to charge devices. For example, they may guide you to charge your iPhone with an adapter.
Tips for selecting the right portable charger
Different people have different needs for using a portable charger. For example, some want the power to sustain them for a long time, while others just a short period. Therefore, you select the portable charger according to your needs.
Here are a few tips:
- Ensure the device charges safely, indicating the necessary LED indicator lights and turning itself off automatically when fully charged.
- Select a portable charger with more than two charging ports. It is more convenient.
- Ensure that all the cables are intact. It should have its charging cable and some other USB cables depending on the manufacturer. It is more convenient picking one that uses the same cables as your devices.
How to tell if a portable charger is fully charged?
According to the manufacturer, different portable chargers have different indications to tell you when it is fully charged. It is necessary to check the manual to see what specifications the manufacturer has given to know when it is fully charged. Most of them have LED indicator lights that you should check to know the charging progress.
The LED indicators are 4 in most chargers. Every indicator blinks depending on the charge taken up simultaneously. The progress is noted as; fully charged has 4 LEDs lit, 75%-50% charged has 3 LEDs lit, 50% to 25% charged has 2 LEDs lit, 5% to 25% charged has 1 LED lit, and when it is discharged, no LED is lit.
Other portable chargers have multiple lights on their side that indicate the battery remaining in it at every particular moment. They progress behind as it continues losing power, and vice versa. When the battery is almost running out completely, it gives a warning by blinking. Then at that point, you need to charge it, so it does not go off completely. When fully charged, it has a steady light, primarily red.
Also, most times, a portable charger takes 1-2 hours to charge fully. Calculate the charging time to keep track as it charges. Again, it depends on what kind it is. If it has no indicators, check out from the manual how to know when it is fully charged.
The reason why a portable charger may take long to charge
Portable chargers have larger battery capacities hence require a longer time to charge them. It’s charging speed could get slower when you charge it on a wall charger with lower power. The faster the AMP or power on the wall charger, the faster it will charge and vice versa.
How to ensure the portable device is charging properly
- Ensure you use the correct charging cables, preferably the cable purchased with the portable charger. Generic chargers usually slow the charging process of any device and may cause complications for it.
- It is advisable only to charge the device only when it has a low battery.
- Just like any other device, avoid overcharging it at any time.
- Note how long your device takes to charge fully. This will help you identify the charging pattern that will help you quickly note when there is a problem.
- Purchase a device with LED indicator lights so that you quickly note when it has fully charged for disconnecting.
Safety measures when traveling with a portable device
As mentioned earlier, portable devices are very convenient for travelers. However, they require proper handling when traveling with it by air or vehicle. Some safety measures include:
- Please do not keep it in the pocket or bag with metal objects like keys. This is because the metal objects short it causing overheating, which could result in a fire.
- Do not expose the naked terminals. Cover them using tape to ensure it is safe.
- Have a separate pouch for a power bank and a separate one for the batteries.
- If traveling by plane, inform the flight attendant first to guide you according to their guidelines. Some airplanes have regulations regarding the usage of a power bank.
