![How to Charge a Power Bank [Ultimate Guide 2024]](http://www.jackery.com/cdn/shop/articles/how_to_charge_a_power_bank.jpg?v=1715568236)
A power bank or portable charger is a must-have gadget when traveling. It not only helps recharge smartphones or laptops, but it also provides batteries for emergency appliances. If you wonder how to charge a power bank in 2024, the process is straightforward. In order to charge a power bank, you will require a compatible cable that you will need to connect to a power source and to a power bank, followed by analyzing the charging indicators.
When traveling to the outskirts or living in an area facing frequent power cuts, one is always looking for ways to charge a power bank effectively. A Jackery Portable Power Station can easily charge power banks and other portable chargers for indoor activities without much hassle. The portable and ergonomic designs of these power stations also help carry them easily during outdoor adventures.
Power Bank Charging Basics
A power bank is a handy, portable device that stores power in itself so it can help charge other devices. Technically, it stores electrical energy and provides power to various electronic devices as per its internal battery capacity. In most emergency cases, a power bank serves as a backup source when a traditional power outlet, like a wall socket, is inaccessible.
The working mechanism of a power bank is very straightforward. Most manufacturers use a lithium-ion battery as the energy storage component. The power bank also comes with built-in control circuitry that manages its charging and discharging to ensure efficient operation.
When a power bank is charged to a power source, like a wall adapter or a solar charger, the power bank's internal battery is charged. When the power bank is later connected to a device, the internal circuitry discharges the stored energy to charge the connected device.
Here are some most common features of a power bank:
Power Bank Battery Capacity
The battery capacity of a power bank varies according to brand and requirement. A typical power bank comes in various capabilities, all measured in mAh or Wh. Depending on one's need and requirement, one can go ahead with a higher or lower mAh power bank. For instance, a 20000 mAh power bank will store more energy and charge devices multiple times compared to a 5000 mAh power bank.
Power Bank Output Ports
A power bank has multiple output ports. Some modern power banks have different types of outputs, like USB-C or USB-A, while some even provide wireless charging pads to charge different electronics.
Power Bank Input Ports
Just the output ports, a power bank features different input ports for charging. Depending on the model and power bank's brand, these input ports can be micro-USB, USB-C, or Lightning ports.
Fast Charging of Power Bank
Most power banks come with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, which is affordable, fast, and reliable for charging electronics. Technically, a Qualcomm Quick Charge is 4x faster than a standard charger, allowing quicker charging of all compatible devices.
Safety Features of Power Bank
Safety is an important feature of a power bank. Most quality power banks incorporate built-in safety features, like short circuit protection, temperature control, overcharge protection, overcurrent protection, and more. This prevents the power bank and attached devices from any potential damage.
Rules & Guidelines
In order to get the most out of the power bank, it is very important to follow certain rules and guidelines. The following rules and guidelines can help ensure that the power bank has an extended life and does not damage your connected devices:
Use the Right Charger
The most important rule for properly charging power banks is to avoid duplicate cables and power sources bought from untrusted suppliers. Always recharge your power bank using the provided or recommended cable and power source. If you are in doubt, you can cross-check the manufacturer's guidelines to see what cables and chargers are recommended to avoid any damage to the power bank.
Avoid Overcharging
All power banks come with LED displays or a panel that states the current charging capacity of the power bank. Once the power bank is fully charged, these LED lights will have a constant color, or the display will show 100% battery capacity. Once the power bank is charged, you should unplug it from the power source to prevent overcharging, which can degrade the battery's lifespan.
Choose Right Place
Some medium-range power bank batteries may be directly affected when used in extreme temperatures. If possible, always charge your power bank in an open-ventilated area, away from flammable devices or such places that are prone to extreme temperatures or moisture.
Avoid Concurrent Charging
It is not recommended to charge a power bank and use it to power an appliance at the same time. Once your portable power bank is fully charged, you should first unplug it and then use it to charge your compatible appliances. Concurrently charging and discharging the power bank will directly impact the battery's performance. At the same time, a little fluctuation in the power can also damage your sensitive electronics.
How to Charge a Power Bank?
Charging a power bank ensures that you always have an emergency battery backup that can help you quickly recharge your devices, like smartphones, smartwatches, iPads, etc. Here's a step-by-step process to correctly charge a power bank:
Step 1: Check Current Battery Level
The first step in correctly charging a power bank is understanding its current battery level. If the power bank is fully charged, there is no need to plug it again into the power source. You can check the current battery level by pressing the turn-on button on the power bank. If all four LED lights display a constant color, it means that the power bank is 100% charged.
Step 2: Choose the Right Charger
Ensure that you are using the right adapter to charge the power bank. It is highly recommended that you use the company-provided charger to avoid hardware or overheating issues. It is often seen that when one uses a third-party charger that comes from a non-reliable brand, the power bank charges extremely slowly, leading to a poor battery lifespan.
Step 3: Locate the Input Port
Turn around the power bank to identify the input port on the power bank. Usually, these input ports are labeled as 'Input,' and they match with one of the ends of the provided cables. While checking the input ports, also ensure that there is no dust or debris in them. If you locate some dust, use a clean fabric to wipe it off.
Step 4: Connect the Charger
Plug the charger into a wall outlet or a USB power source, like solar power. Always ensure that the power source that you are about to use is working correctly and provides a stable electrical connection when it is operational.
Step 5: Insert the Charging Cable
Take the charging cable that comes with the original box or from the manufacturer to start the charging. Insert the USB end of the cable into the charger, and then plug the other end into the input port of the power bank. The other end that you will connect to the power bank is usually a micro-USB, USB-C, or Lightning connector. Avoid using such cables that have a significant amount of cuts in them.
Step 6: Check the Indicator Lights
Once the power is on, you can check the indicator LED lights to understand the current charging status. If there are no hardware faults and if the power source has a stable electrical connection, the indicator lights may flash to indicate that the power bank is receiving power and charging as needed.
Step 7: Let It Charge
Each power bank takes a different time to charge, depending on its battery capacity. Keep the power bank attached to the power source and leave it for some time to let it charge.
Step 8: Monitor the Charging Process
Do not use the power bank when charging, and do not leave it overnight to get charged. Make sure that you are periodically checking the power bank's battery level to avoid overheating.
Step 9: Unplug the Charger
Once the power bank is fully charged, unplug the charger from the wall outlet and disconnect the charging cable. Properly keep the charging cable in a box for future usage. If the power bank is overheated, let it cool down for some time before you start using it.
Step 10: Use the Power Bank
Once the power bank's temperature cools down, you can use the power bank to charge your appliances. Depending on the number of output ports and the battery capacity, you can use multiple electronics to concurrently charge using one power bank.
Here's a detailed infographic to clearly depict how to charge a power bank:
How to Know When a Power Bank is Fully Charged?
Having knowledge of when the power bank is fully charged helps the user understand when to unplug it from the power source. The timely removal of the power bank from the power source helps increase the battery's longevity and ensures that the power bank is fully operational when needed.
Every brand has their respective methods to help the users to understand when the power bank is fully charged. That said, there are some common lights that indicate the status:
Steady Indicator Lights
Most power banks feature four indicator lights that illuminate when the power bank is connected to a power source and get turned off when the battery is fully charged. When the power bank's battery is only 25% charged, the first LED light will blink, but the second and third will start blinking when the charging level reaches the 50% and 75% mark.
First LED Light Blink: 0 - 25%
Second LED Light Blink: 26 - 50%
Third LED Light Blink: 51 - 75%
Fourth LED Light Blink: 76 - 100%
Note: The LED lights may blink rapidly for a few seconds before staying lit continuously to signal a complete charge.
Audible Alerts
Most recent power banks also emit a small beep or audible alert to indicate when they are fully charged. Some also come with a mobile application that notifies the user once the power bank is 100% charged.
LCD Display
Some high-end power banks also feature a built-in LCD display that shows detailed information on the battery capacity. This LCD displays the battery percentage and provides an alert once the battery is fully charged.
How Long Does it Take to Charge a Power Bank?
It can take up to 2+ hours to charge the power bank from empty to full. However, the exact charging time depends on several factors, like the capacity, power source, charging speed, and the current battery level of the power bank.
Here are the basic guidelines to understand how long it takes a charge a power bank:
Battery Capacity & Power Source
Battery capacity plays an important role in understanding the time it will take to charge a power bank. The power bank of smaller battery capacities will be charged faster than the ones that feature a powerful battery. To put it in a better perspective, if you will use a 5000 mA power source, then:
Charging Time = Battery Capacity (mAh) / Charging Current (mA)
2000 mAh power bank: 24 minutes
5000 mAh power bank: 1 hour
10000 mAh power bank: 2 hours
20000 mAh power bank: 4 hours
Charging Speed
After the power source and battery capacity of the power bank, another important factor is the charging speed used to charge the portable power bank. The charging speed of the power bank depends on the charging technology it supports. For instance, if the power bank supports fast charging like Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, then it can charge more quickly when paired with compatible chargers.
Battery Level
The current battery level also affects the charging time of the power bank. It takes longer to charge a power bank from a lower battery level to full capacity than one that already has a 50% or 70% battery level.
Jackery Portable Power Stations To Charge Power Banks
Jackery is an acclaimed manufacturer of solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. With 4 million units in sale, Jackery has been awarded by notable media houses for its R&D in the field of solar energy.
A Jackery Portable Power Station is a portable power unit by Jackery, ideal for those who want to harness solar power to charge their outdoor appliances. It features a pure sine wave inverter battery that converts the electricity gathered by the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels into AC electricity. The converted AC electricity is used to power electrical appliances, like portable power banks, laptops, CPAP machines, and other outdoor tools.
There are four different types of power banks based on their battery capacities:
Small Power Banks: 1000mAh to 5000mAh
Medium Power Banks: 5000mAh to 10000mAh
Large Power Banks: 10000mAh to 20000mAh
High-Capacity Power Banks: 20000mAh and above.
With a Jackery Portable Power Station, one can easily charge power banks ranging from small to high-capacity batteries.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is a handy portable power unit that weighs only 8.7 lbs. With a long-lasting battery and Whisper Quiet mode, it is ideal for those who are looking for an eco-friendly power solution to charge their appliances on the go.
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station features innovative ChargeShielf technology that provides a stable power output, which is extremely important for charging high-capacity power banks.
Let's consider a scenario where you are using Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station to charge your power bank. 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
Note: The mentioned Wattage of these power banks can vary depending on the brand, manufacturer, and location.
Customer Review:
"As an avid outdoor person, I and my family value the comfort of having electricity while camping. We love this device." -- Ramon Lugo.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
If you are looking for a portable power station with a higher battery capacity than the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station, you should check out yet another best-selling Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station. This high-capacity power station is ideal for camping, off-road travel, home emergencies, and other outdoor adventures.
With a Whisper Quiet mode that ensures that it emits less than 30dB of noise while operational, this Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station supports almost all devices, ranging from high-capacity power banks to laptops, smartphones, iPads, etc.
Let's consider a scenario where you are using Jackery Explorer 1000 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 power bank (5W): 214.9 H
5000 mAh power bank (20W): 53.7 H
10000 mAh power bank (22.5W): 47.4 H
20000 mAh power bank (25W): 42.9 H
Customer Review
"One of the reasons that I chose the Jackery Explorer line is that they are reliable, self-contained units that do not require other equipment to operate"—Tennessee Experimenter.
How to Use a Power Bank for The First Time?
There are different ways to use the power bank for the first time. It is essential to familiarize yourself with some key considerations for its initial use so you can make the most of the power bank.
Here are some important tips to follow when using the power bank for the first time:
Read the Manual
There's no harm in reading the instruction manual provided by the seller. It contains information on the compatible chargers or cables, power source, and current requirements. By knowing the right information, you will be able to use the right accessories with your power bank.
Current Battery Level
There usually is a small button on the side of the power bank. Pressing it will illuminate the 4 LEDs on the backside. Each LED indicates the total battery level percentage. If all four LEDs light up, it means that your power bank is 100% charged. In contrast, if not a single LED light lights up, it means that you will need to charge it before you can start using it.
Charge Small Gadgets
Do not directly connect your sensitive appliances to the power bank during the first time of charging. Try connecting some small gadgets like earbuds or smartwatches to see if the connection is proper and everything is charging at the specified speed. If everything is in order, you can connect your important gadgets to it.
How to Charge a Power Bank Tips
When learning about how to charge a power bank, the most important aspect that new users miss out on is understanding some generic tips and factors to consider while charging. These tips and guidelines are crucial for maintaining the performance and longevity of your portable power bank.
Always Use The Right Charger
Always use the power charger provided by the manufacturer or a charger that has compatible specifications that match your power bank. Using an outdated charger or even a third-party one, which is incompatible, slows down the charging process and harms the internal circuit system.
Always Check the Power Source
Ensure that the power source you're using to charge your power bank is stable and reliable. Do not use such power sources that have a fluctuating or unreliable power output. For instance, a fully charged laptop can be a good power source, but it would charge at a slower speed. At the same time, if you use a portable power station like a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station, then not only will you get a constant power supply, but you can even charge your power station when traveling.
Avoid Overcharging Of Power Bank
Always remember to unplug your power bank when its battery reaches 100%. Overcharging a lithium-ion battery may degrade its quality and subsequently reduce its lifespan. If you are using a local power bank, overcharging might lead to hardware issues with it and all the connected accessories.
Always Charge Before Use
When the power bank is dormant and unused for some time, its energy reserves slowly dissipate. For optimal performance, make sure that you charge it 100% before using it for the first time in months. Once the power bank is fully calibrated (0 - 100%), it will ensure maximum capacity and efficiency.
Always Read Online Instructions
Instruction manuals and online help guides are for users to familiarize themselves with the power bank and its charging capacities. Read the instructions and helpful guides to understand more about compatible cables, power sources, and charges. Most instruction manuals also provide a detailed guide on what you should not do when charging the power bank or things to avoid while carrying a power bank during the flight journey.
How to Charge a Power Bank FAQs
What size of power station do I need for my power bank?
The size of the power station depends on the power bank's battery capacity and the devices you plan to charge with it. However, you can calculate the working hours that you will get when you plug your power bank into a portable power station.
For instance, let us suppose you are using a Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Power Station to charge a 20,000 mAh power bank that ideally has 25W, then:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Power Bank
Working Hours = 1264.64Wh * 0.85 / 25W = 42.9 hours.
Note: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station's battery capacity is 1264.64 Wh. The total battery capacity is multiplied by 0.85 to account for the power loss during initial charging.
How do I know my power bank is charging?
Most power banks feature four indicator lights or an LED display that illuminate when the power bank is charging. Depending on the model and variant of the power bank, these LED lights may blink, change color, or remain steady, indicating different charging stages.
Can I charge a power bank with a mobile charger?
Yes, you can charge a power bank with a mobile charger, but make sure that the charger is compatible and has enough output voltage to match the power bank's input requirements.
Do you charge a power bank for the input or output?
You charge a power bank using its input port, which is typically labeled as 'Input' or 'Charging.' You can attach a compatible cable to this input port and connect another end to a wall adapter or a USB port.
Should I drain my power bank before charging?
No, it is not recommended to drain your power bank before charging. However, it is highly recommended to calibrate it once in a while or when it has been dormant for a few months.
Correctly Charge Your Power Bank
A power bank is an important companion for indoor or outdoor activities. From learning how to charge a power bank correctly to analyzing different methods and tips to ensure the longevity of a power bank, one can adhere to best practices and maximize its lifespan. From selecting the right power station size to calibrating the power bank, the right charging methods help users ensure they get uninterrupted access to portable power when needed.
Next time when you plan to charge a power bank, try getting a Jackery Portable Power Station. The portable power stations are designed in a way that one can carry them around without any difficulty and the multiple charging ports ensure that you can charge multiple devices simultaneously.
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