I have many 18650 cells but also various uses for those cells.
To keep it sweet and simple I’ll just give two example.
I burn batteries like crazy with my BLF Q8.
But I also do quiet a few intercontinal flights. It’s always a struggle to power my devices during a flight and the hours I spend on the airport. The airport where half the outlets are broken and the other half in use by everyone except me
I already have a fat powerbank but that’s not enough. I could buy another one but I figured a powerbank with replaceble cells would put my cells to good use.
I’ve seen such empty powerbanks. My LiitoKala chargers all have a powerbank function.
So I got that all covered.
I looking for advise/tests on which one is most efficient.
Some powerbanks with non-removeble cells do allow me to get 85+% from the juice that’s in the powerbank. While the crap versions hardly deliver 50%.
The main powerhog during my travels is a small laptop. The powerbank should be able to supply a 2A.
Yeah, Tomo was what I was refering to. I believe you when you say they work fine. But how fine.
Say you put in one cell of 3500 mAh, how many actually gets delivered to the device you are charging?
3000 mAh? Or far worse like 1500 mAh?
I have no way of testing things but when I use my 4 slot LiitoKala and drain 1.2 amps it get noticeble warm.
Warmth = loss.
Here is a BLF review on the Tomo M4 by HKJ, and there are others - just do a search. Maybe you will find your answers therein. From my memory, I don't think the Tomo is very efficient. Cheers.
Take a look at the Xtar PB2! HKJ has a review of it and there are some more on the forum!
It will be my PB and Charger (for unprotected 18650s) very soon!
I re-read HJK’s review on the Tomo about the parasitic drain and checked mine.
It’s only been a few months and < 3.0v.
I removed the batteries and I’m keeping them separate from now on.
I have other cheap battery chargers that I keep batteries in with no drain.
Kinda defeats the purpose.
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.
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.
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.
If it suits your needs, by all means just use and enjoy. Erm you are already doing so
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!
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
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.
