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If you live off-grid or are planning a long weekend picnic, you understand the importance of having a reliable portable charger. But if you need to charge a portable charger, there are many ways to do so, like finding a reliable power source and a charging cable. However, one often wonders how to charge a portable charger when they are not in the vicinity of a power outlet.
When you find yourself in such tricky situations where you urgently need a portable charger or a power bank, you can use Jackery Solar Generators to quickly power them up. A Jackery Portable Power Station is a compact and reliable source of eco-friendly power that provides sufficient energy to help you power your portable charger and other outdoor appliances, like a mini refrigerator, portable cooler, CPAP machine, etc.
Understanding Portable Charger Basics
A portable charger is a compact device that often fits right inside a jeans pocket. It is designed to store electrical energy and later release it to charge other electronics that typically consume mid-range wattage power. A portable charger helps travelers quickly power up their electronics while on the move, especially when the grid power source is unavailable.
There are three different types of portable chargers:
Standard Portable Chargers
These are the most common chargers that one can find with most travelers. A standard portable charger features a built-in battery, most often a Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo), which can be charged via USB or wall outlets. These chargers can connect to various charging cables, like USB-C, Apple Lightning, etc. With these standard portable chargers, one can charge smartphones, iPads, and other similar electronics.
Solar Portable Chargers
A portable solar charger utilizes the power of the sun's rays to generate electricity. It comes with solar panels that harness the sun's rays and convert them into DC electricity. Solar portable chargers are ideal for those who are looking for a sustainable charging solution for indoor and outdoor activities like hiking or camping. Depending upon the battery capacity of a solar portable charger, one can charge different appliances.
Wireless Portable Chargers
A wireless portable charger employs induction technology to transfer power wirelessly to compatible devices. With a wireless portable charger, one can completely eliminate the need for charging cables, which provides added convenience to the user. However, a few notable disadvantages of using a wireless portable charger exist. For instance, wired charging will take longer than wired charging, and you can only charge compatible appliances.
Portable chargers allow users to power up their small devices while traveling or facing extended power cuts. Here is a simple breakdown of how a portable charger works:
Charging the Device
The first step is to understand that if the power bank or a portable charger is not powered up, then it cannot provide the required power to the appliances. When the portable charger is connected to a power source, like a wall outlet or a solar panel, the electricity is converted and stored in the lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells. These cells serve as an energy storage unit for the power bank.
Energy Release
When you connect a portable charger to a device that needs charging, it then releases the stored energy from its internal batteries. This stored energy is transmitted through the charger's output ports to the connected devices. Some standard power banks provide more than two output ports, so you can charge multiple devices in one go.
Circuit Regulations
These portable power banks are equipped with circuits that help regulate the voltage and current output to match the requirements of the device being charged. This circuit regulation can ensure the safety of sensitive electronics like smartwatches, iPads, or smartphones.
Recharging Your Device
A portable charger can be recharged when connected to a power source. Once its battery is exhausted and needs to be replenished for future usage, one can again plug it into a wall outlet or harness the solar energy through solar panels to make them ready.
The Importance of Proper Charging
Like any other battery-powered device, a portable charger also requires best practices to charge to increase longevity and effectiveness. By properly charging your power bank, you ensure that its battery life remains in good condition, and you can use it in varied conditions without the need to charge the power bank every day.
Here is why proper charging of your portable charger is important:
Battery Health
Battery-powered portable chargers have fixed batteries, which means that they cannot be changed after a certain amount of usage or once the battery starts performing poorly. Proper charging helps preserve the health of the battery, so you won't have to think of replacing it in the first place. By avoiding overcharging or discharging the battery completely, you can extend the battery's lifespan.
Charger's Efficiency
Charging a portable charger correctly or in the right manner ensures optimal efficiency when it starts powering up the devices. By adhering to the right charging methods, one can minimize the energy loss during the charging process and simultaneously maximize the amount of power available for charging multiple devices.
Personal Safety
The right charging method improves the battery life of the power bank and mitigates the risk of safety hazards associated with such portable chargers. By following the right practices, one can prevent major accidents caused by overcharging, exposing the charger to extreme temperatures, or using incompatible charging cables.
When using a portable charger, there are certain rules that one should follow to avoid any incident and to increase the battery's lifespan. A few essential rules for charging a portable charger are:
Use Compatible Devices
Always use compatible wall adapters, cables, or another power source to charge a portable charger. Using incompatible chargers or cables may result in slower charging speeds, which significantly reduces the battery's efficiency and might also damage the charger or any other connected device.
Avoid Overcharging & Discharging
It is often seen how users leave the portable chargers overnight to get charged. However, this is not recommended by experts and most manufacturers. Overcharging and, in certain cases, complete discharging can degrade the battery's health over time and reduce its lifespan. The right practice is to disconnect the charger promptly once it has reached its full capacity or stop using it altogether once it has exhausted it.
Clean the Ports
If you have not used your portable charger in a long time and are planning a trip where you might need it, it is recommended to check the condition of all the basics, including the cables, connectors, and charging ports. Clean the dust or debris using a light fabric to ensure that the connections are secure, which would provide optimal charging performance.
Taking a few moments to prepare before charging your power bank is helpful for the battery's lifespan and is highly recommended for optimal charging. Preparations not only come in handy, but they help streamline the charging process and promote the longevity of the portable charger.
Here are a few preparations that you need to do as you start charging the portable charger:
Gather Compatible Accessories
The first preparation that you need to do is to gather all the compatible accessories that either come with the portable charger or if you have purchased them separately from the manufacturer. The compatible accessory can include the charger itself, charging cables, and a power source, like a USB port, a wall outlet, or a solar charger.
Check Charger's Compatibility
Even before you connect your sensitive electronics or before you recharge the power bank, verify that the charging cables and power source are compatible with your device. If you use an incompatible accessory, it might lead to inefficient charging and cause hardware faults in your devices.
Clean Charging Area
Do not place your portable charger near any obstructions or in the vicinity of flammable materials, like deodorant, matchbox or lighter, paints, varnishes, etc. Try selecting a stable and well-ventilated surface to avoid any incident.
Inspect Charger's Condition
Before you plug your charger into an electronic device or into a power source, inspect it for any visible damage or signs of wear. To facilitate a secure connection, you can wipe off any dust or debris from the charging ports with a clean cloth.
If this is your first time using a portable charger or if you have purchased a new one and you plan to use it for the time, then there are a few first uses that you should do to ensure good battery lifespan, like:
- Ensure that you fully charge the power bank before using it for the first time to charge your devices.
- Try taking some time to familiarize yourself with your portable charger's features and functions.
- Once the power bank is fully charged, test it with some low-sensitive devices to monitor the performance and expectations.
- After the initial storage, store it away from direct sunlight, moisture, or extreme temperatures.
How to Charge A Portable Charger?
If you are wondering how to charge a portable charger, then remember that charging it is a simple task that ensures you have a reliable power source for your mid-range electronic devices when you need them the most. By following the below-mentioned steps, you can easily charge your portable charger:
Plugging the Portable Charger
In order to charge the portable charger, you will need access to the cables and power source. Once you have all the compatible accessories, follow the below steps:
Step 1: Locate the charging ports in your portable charger.
Step 2: Use the compatible cable to connect the charger to a power source, such as a computer's USB port, a solar generator, or any other compatible charging adapter.
Step 3: Firmly insert the charging cable into both the charger and the power source.
Letting the Charger Charge
Once you have connected the portable charger with the compatible cable and adapter, you will need to let it charge until the battery reaches its full capacity.
Step 1: Check for any indicator light that verifies that the charging process has begun.
Step 2: Allow the portable charger to charge uninterrupted until it reaches 100% capacity.
Note: When a portable charger is charging, avoid using it to charge other devices. Using a portable charger when charging might damage all your devices.
Ensuring Efficiency
After your portable charger is fully charged, you need to ensure that it remains a reliable companion for your charging needs. For this, you need to ensure its overall efficiency:
Step 1: Once the portable charger is fully charged, disconnect it from the power source.
Step 2: Store the charger in a safe location, away from extreme temperatures.
Step 3: Periodically check the power bank and charge it back if the capacity has reduced.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Portable Charger?
The duration of a portable charger to get fully charged depends on multiple factors, including the brand, the battery capacity, the power source, and the battery's age.
It won't be wrong to say that the charging time may range from a few hours to overnight. Here is a rough estimated time required to charge different portable chargers.
|
Portable Charger Battery Capacity |
Charging Time |
|
2000 mAh |
2 to 4 hours |
|
5000 mAh |
4 to 6 hours |
|
10000 mAh |
10 to 15 hours |
|
20000 mAh |
15 to 20 hours |
Jackery Portable Power Stations for Portable Chargers
Jackery is a leading manufacturer of solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. The eco-friendly line of products from Jackery provides reliable and convenient power sources for off-grid living, camping, emergencies, and everyday use.
A Jackery Portable Power Station is a portable unit that comes with multiple input and output ports. These portable power stations come in various sizes and battery capacities, ranging from compact models, which are ideal for charging smartphones, iPads, power banks, etc., to larger units capable of powering appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, electric drills, etc.
Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels have monocrystalline silicon solar cells that are designed to harness solar energy. This stored energy can later be converted into AC electricity via the built-in pure sine wave inverter of a Jackery Portable Power Station.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station is ideal for powering medium-range appliances. With an astounding battery output, this portable power station supports charging mid-range appliances for camping, off-road travel, home emergencies, and more. It also comes with world-class ChargeShield Technology, which protects your portable chargers against damage.
When using a Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station, one can efficiently charge 99% of devices, including different battery-size power banks, mini refrigerators, portable air conditioners, drones, televisions, etc.
Let's consider that you are using Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station to charge your portable charger. Then, the working hours that you will get with different battery capacity units are:
- 2000 mAh Portable Charger (5 W): 214.9 H
- 5000 mAh Portable Charger (20 W): 53.7 H
- 10000 mAh Portable Charger (22.5 W): 47.4 H
- 20000 mAh Portable Charger (25 W): 42.9 H
Note: The Wattage of these portable chargers is estimated and can vary as per the brand and demography.
Customer Review:
"I took this unit out this weekend, and it performed as expected. Charged my Segway scooter, MacBook and a couple of small gadgets." -- Chris.
YouTube Video:
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is a compact portable power station ideal for road trips, camping, and picnics. It weighs only 8.27 lbs, making it perfect for carrying inside a backpack. Additionally, its operational noise is less than 45 dB, which is a great option for those who look for a whisper-quiet mode during charging. This power station's portable and ergonomic design helps travelers quickly charge their power banks without any hassle.
With multiple output units, a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station can support the charging for multiple devices. For instance, it can easily charge your 20000 mAh power bank and your smartphone (20 W) without losing much power.
Let's consider that you are using Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station to charge your power bank. Then, the working hours that you will get with different battery capacity units are:
- 2000 mAh Portable Charger (5 W): 48.9 H
- 5000 mAh Portable Charger (20 W): 12.2 H
- 10000 mAh Portable Charger (22.5 W): 10.8 H
- 20000 mAh Portable Charger (25 W): 9.7 H
Customer Review:
"I ran my 37 QT 12V fridge/freezer on Eco mode for 7 hours. At the end of the test, the Jackery was still at 28%. Very happy with it for the price and capability!" - Allen Wells.
YouTube Video
How to Tell Your Portable Charger is Fully Charged?
Portable chargers often indicate their battery status through LED lights. A portable charger typically comes with four LED lights on the side, each representing 25% of the total charge.
Here's how you can tell if your portable charger is fully charged based on the LED light status:
Light 1: The first light indicates the lowest level of battery charge. When you connect the portable charger to a power source, the Light 1 may blink or remain solid to show that the charging is in progress.
Light 2: Light 2 indicates the second level of battery charge. When the second light starts blinking, it shows that the power bank is at least 25% charged. Once the second light becomes solid, it represents that the portable charger now has 50% of the battery capacity.
Light 3: Similar to Light 1 and Light 2, Light 3 represents another battery charge level. Once the Light 3 becomes solid, it means that the portable charger now has at least 75% of the battery capacity.
Light 4: Light 4 is generally the highest level of the battery charge. When the portable charger is fully charged, all four lights will remain solid, indicating that the power bank now has 100% of the battery capacity.
Note: If your power bank does not have LED lights, you can check the manufacturer's guide to learn how long it would take to charge your portable charger.
How Often Should You Charge Your Portable Charger?
It is a good practice to recharge your portable charger whenever its battery is depleted or before you go on a long trip where finding a power source may be difficult. Additionally, if you frequently rely on a power bank to charge your gadgets, you may need to charge it more frequently to ensure that it is always ready when needed.
That said, there are several chargers that often take a lot of time to charge. Some of the factors behind the longer duration are:
Battery Capacity
A 5000 mAh power bank will be fully charged faster compared to a 20000 mAh power bank. This is because the 20000 mAh power bank stores more energy and requires more time to reach 100% battery level.
Charging Method
The charging method plays a significant role in identifying the duration it will take to charge the portable charger. For instance, your 20000 mAh power bank will charge faster if it is connected to a high-output wall adapter compared to when charging it via a low-output USB port.
Input Power
Similarly to the charging method, the power output of the charging source plays an important role in understanding how quickly a portable charge charges. For instance, let's suppose you are charging a 5000 mAh power bank via a USB port with a 0.5 A. It may take roughly 10 hours to get fully charged. However, if you use an adapter with a 2 A output, the charging time is reduced to roughly 2.5 hours.
How To Charge Portable Charger FAQs
What size of power station do I need for my portable charger?
The size of the power station that you need to charge your portable charger depends on the battery capacity of it. However, one can identify the working hours that they will get if they use a particular power station.
For instance, if you are using a Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station to charge a 20000 mAh power bank that ideally has 25 W, then the working hours can be calculated by:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances
Working Hours = 1264.64 Wh * 0.85 / 25 W = 42.9 H.
Note: The battery capacity of Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station is 1264.64 Wh, which is multiplied by 0.85 to amount the power loss during the initial charging.
How do you charge a power bank portable charger?
Connect the power bank or portable charger to a power source using a charging cable. Now plug one end of the cable on the power bank and the other end into a compatible power source.
How do you activate a portable charger?
Portable chargers are typically activated the moment they are connected to a device that needs charging. In some cases, there is a small button on top of it. Pressing it for a few seconds can also activate the portable charger.
How do I know my power bank is charging?
When a power bank is charging, you can check for visual indicators like four LED lights or display screens on the power bank itself.
Why isn't my portable charger charging?
A non-compatible cable or power source or even dust in the charging port are the major reasons behind the non charging of the portable charger.
Final Thoughts
Proper charging of portable chargers is crucial for maintaining their overall performance and battery life. If one ever wondered how to charge a portable charger, then by following the recommended practices and ensuring compatible power sources, one can optimize the efficiency of their power banks.
Whether for outdoor adventures, picnics, or everyday use, a well-charged portable charger ensures reliable power for mid-range electronics. However, charging a power bank can be tricky when traveling outdoors. In scenarios like this and other outdoor adventures or home emergencies, you can check out Jackery Portable Power Stations. These portable power stations are well-built, compact, and portable to carry in and around.
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