Powerbank with removeble cells. Or charger with powerbank function.

Your memory severed you right. Not suited for my use. The M4 version was tested.
Here on Banggood is a discharge curve of the T4 version; it only delivers 0.5A when 40% is left in the cell.
Far from the 2A I need.

While that drain is not a big deal for my purpose, it’s usually one of things hinting to low quality.

Thanks for recommending the Xtar.
Had a very quick look at the reviews and I already know I prefer Xtar over Tomo

I have the Xtar PB2 and a Tomo clone (Soshine E3) and the quality and performance of the Xtar is leaps and bounds ahead, it’s time they launched a 4 bay version. I don’t have the measurements to back it up, but the Soshine doesn’t deliver the same output even with 4 full cells, keeps trickle charging indefinitely (doesn’t terminate) also doesn’t seem very efficient, won’t start charging on solar until sun is far more direct. Only issue I have with the Xtar is it terminates a little too early, stops charging my phone around 95%, and can’t be used as a UPS, since it will restart charging itself, but needs a button press to restart the charging of the connected device after a power drop.

I recently bought the Xtar PB2 and then found out it only fits flat top batteries, and all of my batteries were button top.
I then had a to order some flat tops and wait a few weeks. Just keep that in mind if you’re thinking of getting one.
Otherwise it’s a great little device, and using 2 Samsung 30Q’s, powers up my phone nicely.

That’s no problem because I only own unprotected flattops.
Well, I do have a few raised tops, but those are not 18650’s

I recently posted a review and youtube video on the Xtar PB2, if you’re interested:

Super-short summary: nice charger/powerbank combo for phones or other power-hungry devices, but only takes flat-top unprotected cells. It will supply 2A.

Now youse tell me…

Wellp, I just use the Tomo as a quick’n’dirty charger, not as a powerbank, so it’s not too big a deal to me, but it’s nice to know about the XTAR.

If it suits your needs, by all means just use and enjoy. Erm you are already doing so :slight_smile:
But for those whole need lotsa juice and don’t want to carry more cells than needed it’s always nice to find better options.
There is always something better somewhere. Usually at a cost. But the Xtar has a nice price so I go for that!

I might have to try one of these, but a four cell would be ideal.

I just purchased a XTAR PB2 LED USB 3.6V/3.7V unprotected Li-ion/IMR/INR/ICR 18650 batteries Portable charger with power Bank function from the Official XTAR Store on AliExpress for $13.88 with free e-packet shipping. The estimated arrival time is 12 - 20 days.

It is available from BangGood for 12.99 with free shipping. But for less than a dollar difference, I would rather do business with Ali since they provide free tracking and I've have good luck with them. My past purchases from the BangGood China store have taken between 51 and 141 days to arrive. (But purchases from their US store have taken only about a good week.)

XTAR PB2 Product Description

  • The Revolution of Traditional Charger.

    Portable battery charger with power bank function!

    Used as a power bank:

    • Max 2.1A USB output, fully charge Iphone 7 Plus in 2hrs.

    • Protect our environment with replaceable batteries design, control the quality of the cells yourself and DIY the capacity of your mini power bank up to 7000mAh+.

    • Battery charge & discharge balancing technology makes all of capacity available for use and increase each cell's longevity.

    • Conversion efficiency up to 92%.

    • Hand-held portable charger with magnetic cover design, fast charge your USB devices and all kinds of cell phones anywhere anytime.

    Used as a battery charger:

    • Max real 2Ax1/1Ax2 charge current, fully charge 1x2500mAh 18650 in 1.5hrs or 2x2500mAh 18650 in 3hrs.

    • Equipped with all XTAR unique features like 0V Activation function revives over-discharged batteries, TC/CC/CV three-stage charging maximizes battery lifespan, multi-protections and so on.

Best is to buy the 2 cell one. Then you have an excuse to buy a 4 cell lateron :slight_smile:

Nah, I likely would have have ordered a 4 cell version.
But not 100% sure because I already have a big (8 cell?) PB and a smaller one could serve a purpose too.

My orders from Banggood usually arrive quickly. ETA of my Xtar which I ordered today is Thursday.
It just depends what you order and from who. AliExpress is just a massive collection of shops. I had very fast delivery from Ali but also slow. My cells took over a month to arrive. But that’s, I think, because as of lately they are banned from air freight.

Another advantage Banggood has is that they just print a random low price on the envelope. Above e20 I have to pay tax + e15 handling fee.
Two times I ordered something over e20 and Banggood just printed $7.35 on the package :slight_smile:

You're getting three day shipping from BangGood? Where do you live? I just put an XTAR PB2 in my BangGood shopping cart just to check it out and the standard (free) shipping to my US address from China is 7 to 20 days. To get tracking, I would have to add $1.30. Congrats on the deal you got.

Nitecore has some powerbank chargers.

You’re aware that pretty much all planes have AC outlets now, right?

Liitokala engineer 500 has power bank out capability.
It only works with lithium cells in the charger [not nimh].
the charger can take 4 cells, i don;t know if it will be a power bank with less than that.

wle

I’ve used my Liitokala 500 as a powerbank a couple of times. It seems to work well enough, but I can’t comment on the efficiency.
Mine does make an annoying high pitched whine when used as a power bank though. Not a big deal as I bought it as a charger and it doesn’t have any issues there, but still a little disappointing. (Not sure if it’s a common issue or just mine?)

I’m not saying I’m getting 3 day shipping from anywhere. I’m saying it varies which each order. My Banggood order was shipped a few hours ago. Banggood and Ali are a collection of a lot of tiny stores. All of them have their own shipping speed.

EDIT: Just checked the shipping info. While I’m 100% sure it said ETA is Thursday (I remember because that’s also the ETA from a Ali order that’s on it’s way for a whole month) it now says 15 August. A full month….
Likely you think: “ZoomieFan just didn’t zoom in on the matter close enough and just didn’t read well. ” :slight_smile:
That’s not the case but I’ve seen some Chinese fine print before. They say stuff like arrives is 3 days and then at another spot they write “after shipping”. That has a 7 day timer. I can file a dispute if not shipped within 7 days on that 3 day order……

Another mess is, the country of origin. I had a few times that during the ordering process it stated the product was shipped from China. But the stamp showed it was shipped from a warehouse in Europe.

When in get tracking the information usually is:“Tracking info not availble right now (for 2 weeks)”. Or “Parcel is with China post. (for 3 weeks). Or ”Can’t be tracked out of China”. And suddenly it’s in my mailbox. So I no longer see the use of tracking info :slight_smile:

I’ll just wait and see how long it takes to arrive. When I order from China I just blindly assume it takes a month. No matter what the site states. But once again, I must say my mail often did arrive much sooner than a month.

Pro tip: Just order something every week. Then after the initial start up phase, you’ll receive a package each week. LOL

As for your question were I live: Indiana and Netherlands. In all honestly I must say I never noticed much shipping speed difference between the two locations. But then, I’m not really following all those orders. It’s not uncommon for me to receive something I forgot I ordered :slight_smile:

Is that one month BangGood shipping estimate to Indiana or Netherlands? Thanks for the Pro Tip. And I though I was the only one that had a bad memory!

Netherlands

To Netherlands
Cables June 6 - July 7
Cables June 6 - July 9
Plugs Feb 6 - Mar 7
Convoy BD06 Jan 20 - Feb 20
BLF Q8 Jan 16 - Jan 26
Fitorch MR35 Jan 16 - Jan 26

Often 30 days. But also 10days as you see. I always, without exception pick the cheapest shipping.

That’s all I have. The arrival dates are of the packages I marked as received on their site. Often I don’t do that so they just close it after 60 days or so.