Review request for HKJ [USB Power Devices]

Looks interesting, I have bought one.

Any chance of testing this very cheap (costs like $11) and versatile powerbank Aili 119 (6×18650 not included): http://www.ebay.com/itm/20V-Mobile-Power-Bank-UPS-6-18650-Battery-Charger-For-Laptop-Iphone-Universal-/321866773183

Beside usb output it has options to adjust output voltage from 3,3V to 21V (up to 3,3A) so that it can also be used to charge laptops. I bought this one after I read a review where the writer claimed very high efficiency when charging laptop and average when using usb output . If this test is out of the question for you, can you please take a look at the methodology of this russian test and if its even theoreticly possible that boost from 9-12V to 20V is realized with such a high efficiency (97% ?). Thank you!
Link to the test: http://review-china.com/aliexpress/8488-.html
Translated into english: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=\_t&hl=sl&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Freview-china.com%2Faliexpress%2F8488-.html&edit-text=

I just saw there's a new version of the YZXStudio UPM : ZY1273.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Colour-TFT-Dual-USB-Power-Monitor-YZXstudio-ZY1273-QC-3-0-Auto-Without-Bluetooth-/201730631141?hash=item2ef81525e5:g:IgkAAOSwiONYOpB7

Haven't thoroughly compared specs though, but the major difference I see is USB Type-C instead of a micro-usb connector.

At first glance the specifications looks the same as ZY1270, but the display looks considerable smaller. This might be the only change and done to reduce the price.

I have ordered one.

I’m very curious about the Soshine E3 / Tomo V8-4 Powerbank!
One is now in my Powerbank collection.
Only disadvantage so far is it can’t work as ups and has around 2,5mA drain.
budgetlightforum.com/node/33711
gearbest.com/iphone-power-bank/pp_136425.html
fasttech.com/product/1592500-soshine-e3-dual-usb-pcb-board-plastic-enclosure
dx.com/p/soshine-4-x-18650-li-ion-battery-usb-emergency-charger-power-bank-box-285415#.WEXL6mV75GE

I have been looking at one, but it could not handle 2A current draw (It died), maybe I will get another and do a full test.

I just emailed Franky, I want one with bluetooth.

It'll come in handy when testing USB-C cables ;)

You may want to consider getting one of these. The data it generates is great for determining cable quality.

http://www.totalphase.com/products/advanced-cable-tester-l2/

Its main benefit is it can measure the signal integrity in an abbreviated format if you do not have a 12Ghz scope. It can even measure pin-to-paddleboard resistance within the connector. But I do realize it might be a bit more expensive than most pro-users would prefer.

I have spoken with the creators of this and asked if they might consider making a “hobbyist” version. But the market is limited, so I do not know how well received that suggestion was. I directly cited the work you do here as an example of the benefits. But then you risk companies trying to use it for QC on production lines — as I’ve seen some companies use the YZX testers you cite.

(The 0.5Hz drift etc. you have the skill to notice, they do not. As a result engineering errors are made on consumer products. “Pass/No pass” syndrome.)

Here is a sample of the data it generates:

I share all data from tests I run. If you would like, would you be willing to incorporate that into your results table? I admit I’m a bit envious of how well you document your battery and cable results. They are very well formatted and presentable.

The only issue I see with USB-C is there are additional things to query (eMarker, certification lookups, length, active vs passive cables, etc) that are very difficult to document in a standardized format. So my own documentation is a bit lacking.

May I suggest the Olight UC Universal Magnetic USB Charger?

Looks to be a good travel charger for this travelling season periods. :beer:

Some places that ships to the EU.
Fasttech
Battery Junction

Whoa! That's a nice bit of kit. A little above my paygrade, I fear.

It's a bit much for a homegamer like me, you not only need that, you also need an interface to go along with it, if I understand correctly.

It didn't start out that way :)

It's mostly input from my readers that took the 'extendedness' of the data this far. They had some good remarks, which I incorporated.

On incorporating your data, lemme think about it some more.

+1
I´m very interested in this.

I say “Fie!” to that! :slight_smile: I’m technically a homegamer too. Just a lucky one. Please consider writing TotalPhase expressing interest and perhaps they can offer a restricted suite for less.

Actually, it runs a webserver and appears as a network adapter. You plug it in, it adds an NDIS internet IP adapter, and you type in the box’s private IP address and you do all work through the web browser interface on the box. It’s all self-contained.

The only reason you’d need any of those utilities is for firmware updates, which are free on the website. The only consumable is the box on the left. It is “only” rated for 10k connector insertions… and the box keeps track with a monotonically increasing counter. This is again to prevent fraudulent data from factories when the connector wears out. There are also adapters to cover A-to-MicroB and C-to-A etc. cables. Pins are pins.

Please let me know if you would like to know more about the specifics of what to look for in USB-C cables.

  • The important part is to independently measure the IR drop (resistance*current at max capacity of 3A or 5A) on the Vbus and GND pins. There are different thresholds for each. (500mV Vbus, 250mV GND) due to data signaling concerns.
  • All 4 Vbus and all 4 GND pins must be tied internally in the connectors/cable.
  • Some cables also bridge GND to the shield braid of the cable to get a “free ground conductor”.
  • Some get it backwards and use the shield braid for Vbus, which is VERY dangerous!! Especially if the cord frays.
  • Some connect the shell to ground, others keep it separate.
  • USB 2.0 cords are NOT supposed to have SBU wires
  • SBU1/2 wires are supposed to be “crossed over”, like the SSTX/RX pins.

If you just need to do continuity checks, here’s an open-source Arduino Mega schematic I created. It’s fairly crude however: it doesn’t do resistance measurements since I don’t know how to make it accurate enough.

I apologize if I went off-topic.But I really want to help as much as I can.

Thanks for that, but do not expect a review in the near future, I have a couple of chargers in queue.

i hope you will continue reviewing blitzwolf powerbanks.
i pre-ordered one of their latest powerbanks:

do you think you will review it?
(i have the old xiaomi 4x18650 10400mah powerbank, and the single cell blitzwolf powerbank, but have been thinking about something in-between them as well, when this one appeared at a pre-order price of $12.99)

Blitzwolf sometimes send stuff to me for review, I do not know if I will get that power bank.
Due to the amount of items I have in queue I will not be buying it myself.

for comparison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hdn0MuCK_0
Familiar looking box with 5 USB ports, beware the clones …

he’s dissecting what appears a well designed board with decent separation between AC and DC sides but a dead short somewhere inside

May I ask how to donate equipment to you? I’d be interested in your opinion of the Belkin F7U005bt04-BLK illustrated here. (Comment split from BlitzWolf BW-C4 thread.)

Or I can ask Jen Warren (Global Director of PR, Belkin) to send you a sample. I presume they have their own warehouses nearby, and would appreciate a counter-point to my initial criticism of this charger when used with the Google Pixel (Sailfish model).

https://plus.google.com/102612254593917101378/posts/dgqeFSM19bd

Please let me know what option is best with you, and I will endeavor to get it to you!

May I ask a review of the Xiaomi Dual USB car charger with Bluetooth? Xiaomi Roidmi 2S http://m.banggood.com/Original-Xiaomi-ROIDMI-2S-Dual-USB-3_8A-Dual-Mode-Bluetooth-4_2-Hands-free-Calls-Car-Charger-p-1042119.html

I wonder if they have correct overload protection.

I will add it to my queue.

Thanks! I have an older version and the Xiaomi car charger seems quite nice. I hope the inside is also good.