Xiaomi/Mi’s single 18650 USB power bank with LED flashlight. It’s kind of old and has been reviewed before, but this is the first time I’ve seen the instructions in English. Hopefully this will be useful to someone. With its English packaging it looks like they’re going to start selling this internationally. I don’t expect the hardware to be different from the Chinese version.
On the packaging:
Model: LPB01ZM
Input: 5.0V 1.0A
Light source wattage: 3W MAX
Cell capacity: 3250mAh 3.63V 11.8Wh
Color: White
Onput: 5.0V 1.0A
Max. lumens: 190LM/240LM (MIN/TYP)
On the sticker over the USB ports:
Quickly press the Function key three times to activate SOS mode.
Press the Function key once to exit SOS mode.
Instructions:
I’m not typing them out. Here are the key points:
- It’s not an on/off button - “The Function button is not an On/Off button. No button operation is needed since the product detects charging and discharging automatically. The power level indicator will shut off 2 minutes after the battery is fully discharged.”
- You need to twist until it clicks 3 times quickly to turn the light on. A lock out protection of sorts.
- Press the button 3 times for SOS mode
- You can rotate all the way or click once to turn it off
- Cannot use flashlight and USB out at the same time.
- Cannot charge and use flashlight at the same time.
- There seems to be over-current protection - “If the product enters protected mode (LEDs do not respond after pressing the button) due to a short circuit or other causes, simply connect it to an external charger to resume operation”
Now here’s something new - you know how power banks will shut off if your current draw is too low, making it impossible to charge small devices like smart watches? This has a special mode to force it to stay on!
Double-click, and the LED will flash red-off-orange-off-green-off-. It’ll stay on for 2 hours. I’ve never seen this feature before. The timer is handy since I’ll probably forget it’s in this mode.
The adjustment rotates infinitely, like a mouse scroll wheel. Not like Nitecore’s recent variable series (EC22, MT22C etc.) which can only rotate, say, 270°. I think the electronics are interesting because this design is harder to make than just a rheostat, and it lets them put in features like the 3 clicks to turn on. I’ve heard that sometimes it skips and doesn’t change when it clicks. I haven’t seen this, and since it rotates continuously, just keep rotating. It’s not like a tap that you’ve tightened all the way and continues to drip. My car stereo skips if you rotate too fast too.
Added 4 November 2018:
Ok I’ve finally got the measurements.
1.9819 mAh, 9.8934 Wh at 1A discharge rate (not exactly 1A, I don’t have a USB load)
Since rated capacity is 3250mAh @ 3.63V, theoretical capacity is 2360mAh. So efficiency is *84*. This isn’t particularly high. For example, my USAMS 4000mAh battery can reach >90 efficiency.
I also measured the brightness levels. Since my meter is uncalibrated, I’m expressing them as a percentage of the maximum (190-240 lumens. Let’s assume an even 200)
Percentage (lumens)
3% (7 lumens)
13% (26)
23% (47)
34% (67)
45% (91)
55% (109)
64% (128)
74% (149)
84% (167)
93% (186)
100% (200 lumens)
