[Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Review: RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme – The Last Portable Battery You’ll Ever Need?

[Dane Trethowan]

Okay, the battery just ran down with my Sangean WRF1 tabletop connected to it.
Battery lasted for around 78 hours so what does that tell us?
Well not much apart from the very obvious, the battery is rated at 22000MAH and 
the radio takes around 500MA, I was running the radio at low volume for all the 
time it was connected.
I don’t know whether a Raspberry Pi takes less than 500MA, I suspect it does so 
go figure .

> On 21 Sep 2016, at 9:40 AM, Dane Trethowan  wrote:
> 
> From my testing with other gadgets I reckon 5 days to a week would be right 
> on the money for the Pi, they run on the smell of an oily rag when it comes 
> to computer power.
> 
>> On 21 Sep 2016, at 7:32 AM, Travis Siegel > > wrote:
>> 
>> I want to get one of these, and rig it up in a case of some sort with my 
>> raspberry pi.  I wonder how long it could power the pi.  Someone I saw 
>> online built a laptop into a case, and used a battery similar to this one, 
>> and it ran for about 2 days off of one charge of this battery.  I'd have to 
>> think that the pi would be good for a week or more on a single charge of 
>> such a battery.  I really need to look into getting meone of these things.  
>> I use a power juice now, and it will run my pi for about an hour, which 
>> isn't a whole lot, but it's enough when I need to be away for just a little 
>> while, and still need access to a machine.
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri, 16 Sep 2016, Dane Trethowan wrote:
>> 
>>> Review: RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme ? The Last Portable Battery You?ll Ever 
>>> Need?
>>> August 27, 2014
>>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme
>>> I?m starting to think I might have a problem. My interest in external 
>>> batteries
>>> may be turning into a fetish, but these energy stores are important to our
>>> digital lifestyles. The latest electron pump to whet my appetite is the
>>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme.
>>> Xtreme is a clue to this units performance, this is one meaty power pack.
>>> Weighing in at over half a kilo and with dimensions of 18.5 cms x 12.4 cms x
>>> 1.8 cms, this isn?t going to fit in your pocket. But its huge capacity is 
>>> its
>>> advantage and it?s still small enough to fit in pretty much any bag.
>>> The 23,000mAh 5v output will, for example, fully recharge an iPhone around 
>>> 12
>>> times, a Galaxy S4 around 7 times and even an iPad Air from empty to full
>>> twice over. In addition the battery can output a range of higher voltages to
>>> power netbooks, notebooks and laptops too.
>>> The Kit
>>> As well as the battery itself, the kit comes with 4 charger tips for mobile
>>> devices (Samsung, Nokia, mini and micro USB) as well as 2 x USB power leads,
>>> plus a range of 10 charger tips for laptops (see below) and a DC lead to 
>>> hook
>>> them up. There?s also a felt carry case to pack it all into.
>>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme Kit
>>> Feel the Power
>>> The little LCD screen gives the unit an air of quality and shows the 
>>> remaining
>>> power level of the cells (both visually in bars as well as a percentage
>>> value). In addition the USB symbol appears when charging through either of 
>>> the
>>> USB ports.
>>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme LCD Display
>>> The upper aluminium body (plastic bottom half) helps with heat dissipation 
>>> and
>>> there are 4 ports along the top edge of the case. From left to right, first 
>>> is
>>> the input port, this is used to charge the battery from the supplied AC 
>>> Mains
>>> charger (15-24v 2A) which will work around the world as it?s 100-240V 
>>> 50-60Hz.
>>> It takes around 6 hours to fully charge.
>>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme Ports
>>> Next along is the USB 2 port, this is a 2.5A output that will charge an iPad
>>> at full speed as well as those other power greedy devices like the Galaxy 
>>> Tab
>>> or Nexus 7. The USB 1 port is a standard 1.0A output for your iPhone, 
>>> Android
>>> smartphone, Portable Game Console etc. Finally the right-most port is the DC
>>> Output for charging laptops and notebooks. 
>>> Check the AC adaptor for your laptop to determine the voltage required, then
>>> hold down the single function button until the voltage value begins to 
>>> flash.
>>> Press the button again to cycle through the output options (9, 12, 16, 19 
>>> and
>>> 20 volts). Once you arrive at the correct value leave it flashing for a few
>>> seconds and it will stop and lock to that output.
>>> Apple Magsafe Cord / CableThe 10 notebook tips included in the kit will
>>> connect the battery to most units from Acer, Asus, Benq, Dell, HP, Lenovo,
>>> Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.
>>> Being a MacBook household there?s an obvious omission from that list, no 
>>> doubt
>>> because of Apple?s proprietary connector. However a quick search turns up 
>>> these
>>> inexpensive Apple Magsafe and Magesafe 2 cords so it may be possible to rig
>>> something up for your Cupertino computer. But plug any Heath Robinson
>>> contraption into your shiny, expensive MacBook 

[Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Review: RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme – The Last Portable Battery You’ll Ever Need?

[Dane Trethowan]

Hi!
Your comments have prompted me to write more about this device and the various 
tests and other other devices I’ve charged with it.
I’ve tried two of my HP Notebook computers with the Powerbank and one worked 
very well but the other didn’t, the machine that didn’t is an older machine - 
around 6 years old now - and does - by today’s standards - take a lot of juice.
Whenever I tried to power this machine up from the power bank the powebank’s 
protection circuit would be triggered so I’m suspecting that the machine was 
just taking far too much current.
The hunger HP Notebook works just fine.
I’ve charged my Apple iPhone 6 without a problem though interestingly the 
Samsung Galaxy S6 won’t use its “Fast Charge” function when charging from the 
2A USB port of the Powerbank, it does charge but my Goodness! its damn slow.
At the moment I have the Powerbank connected to my Sangean WRF1 Tabletop radio 
which has an input which can take any voltage from 9-15 volts, the radio has 
been running from the Powerbank quite happily now for 72 hours.
The power bank opens up a whole range of possibilities, I originally bought it 
for my Casio Keyboard and Roland Keyboard amplifier but I can see I’m going to 
have to buy another or at least something similar.
Its a great accessory to use say if you have an Olympus or Zoom recorder.

> On 21 Sep 2016, at 7:32 AM, Travis Siegel  wrote:
> 
> I want to get one of these, and rig it up in a case of some sort with my 
> raspberry pi.  I wonder how long it could power the pi.  Someone I saw online 
> built a laptop into a case, and used a battery similar to this one, and it 
> ran for about 2 days off of one charge of this battery.  I'd have to think 
> that the pi would be good for a week or more on a single charge of such a 
> battery.  I really need to look into getting meone of these things.  I use a 
> power juice now, and it will run my pi for about an hour, which isn't a whole 
> lot, but it's enough when I need to be away for just a little while, and 
> still need access to a machine.
> 
> 
> On Fri, 16 Sep 2016, Dane Trethowan wrote:
> 
>> Review: RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme ? The Last Portable Battery You?ll Ever Need?
>> August 27, 2014
>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme
>> I?m starting to think I might have a problem. My interest in external 
>> batteries
>> may be turning into a fetish, but these energy stores are important to our
>> digital lifestyles. The latest electron pump to whet my appetite is the
>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme.
>> Xtreme is a clue to this units performance, this is one meaty power pack.
>> Weighing in at over half a kilo and with dimensions of 18.5 cms x 12.4 cms x
>> 1.8 cms, this isn?t going to fit in your pocket. But its huge capacity is its
>> advantage and it?s still small enough to fit in pretty much any bag.
>> The 23,000mAh 5v output will, for example, fully recharge an iPhone around 12
>> times, a Galaxy S4 around 7 times and even an iPad Air from empty to full
>> twice over. In addition the battery can output a range of higher voltages to
>> power netbooks, notebooks and laptops too.
>> The Kit
>> As well as the battery itself, the kit comes with 4 charger tips for mobile
>> devices (Samsung, Nokia, mini and micro USB) as well as 2 x USB power leads,
>> plus a range of 10 charger tips for laptops (see below) and a DC lead to hook
>> them up. There?s also a felt carry case to pack it all into.
>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme Kit
>> Feel the Power
>> The little LCD screen gives the unit an air of quality and shows the 
>> remaining
>> power level of the cells (both visually in bars as well as a percentage
>> value). In addition the USB symbol appears when charging through either of 
>> the
>> USB ports.
>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme LCD Display
>> The upper aluminium body (plastic bottom half) helps with heat dissipation 
>> and
>> there are 4 ports along the top edge of the case. From left to right, first 
>> is
>> the input port, this is used to charge the battery from the supplied AC Mains
>> charger (15-24v 2A) which will work around the world as it?s 100-240V 
>> 50-60Hz.
>> It takes around 6 hours to fully charge.
>> RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme Ports
>> Next along is the USB 2 port, this is a 2.5A output that will charge an iPad
>> at full speed as well as those other power greedy devices like the Galaxy Tab
>> or Nexus 7. The USB 1 port is a standard 1.0A output for your iPhone, Android
>> smartphone, Portable Game Console etc. Finally the right-most port is the DC
>> Output for charging laptops and notebooks. 
>> Check the AC adaptor for your laptop to determine the voltage required, then
>> hold down the single function button until the voltage value begins to flash.
>> Press the button again to cycle through the output options (9, 12, 16, 19 and
>> 20 volts). Once you arrive at the correct value leave it flashing for a few
>> seconds and it will stop and lock to that output.
>> Apple Magsafe Cord / CableThe 10 notebook tips 

[Techno-Chat]: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Review: RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme – The Last Portable Battery You’ll Ever Need?

[Travis Siegel]

I want to get one of these, and rig it up in a case of some sort with my 
raspberry pi.  I wonder how long it could power the pi.  Someone I saw 
online built a laptop into a case, and used a battery similar to this one, 
and it ran for about 2 days off of one charge of this battery.  I'd have 
to think that the pi would be good for a week or more on a single charge 
of such a battery.  I really need to look into getting meone of these 
things.  I use a power juice now, and it will run my pi for about an hour, 
which isn't a whole lot, but it's enough when I need to be away for just a 
little while, and still need access to a machine.



On Fri, 16 Sep 2016, Dane Trethowan wrote:


Review: RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme ? The Last Portable Battery You?ll Ever Need?
August 27, 2014


RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme

I?m starting to think I might have a problem. My interest in external batteries
may be turning into a fetish, but these energy stores are important to our
digital lifestyles. The latest electron pump to whet my appetite is the
RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme.

Xtreme is a clue to this units performance, this is one meaty power pack.
Weighing in at over half a kilo and with dimensions of 18.5 cms x 12.4 cms x
1.8 cms, this isn?t going to fit in your pocket. But its huge capacity is its
advantage and it?s still small enough to fit in pretty much any bag.

The 23,000mAh 5v output will, for example, fully recharge an iPhone around 12
times, a Galaxy S4 around 7 times and even an iPad Air from empty to full
twice over. In addition the battery can output a range of higher voltages to
power netbooks, notebooks and laptops too.

The Kit

As well as the battery itself, the kit comes with 4 charger tips for mobile
devices (Samsung, Nokia, mini and micro USB) as well as 2 x USB power leads,
plus a range of 10 charger tips for laptops (see below) and a DC lead to hook
them up. There?s also a felt carry case to pack it all into.

RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme Kit

Feel the Power

The little LCD screen gives the unit an air of quality and shows the remaining
power level of the cells (both visually in bars as well as a percentage
value). In addition the USB symbol appears when charging through either of the
USB ports.

RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme LCD Display

The upper aluminium body (plastic bottom half) helps with heat dissipation and
there are 4 ports along the top edge of the case. From left to right, first is
the input port, this is used to charge the battery from the supplied AC Mains
charger (15-24v 2A) which will work around the world as it?s 100-240V 50-60Hz.
It takes around 6 hours to fully charge.

RAVPower RP-PB14 Xtreme Ports

Next along is the USB 2 port, this is a 2.5A output that will charge an iPad
at full speed as well as those other power greedy devices like the Galaxy Tab
or Nexus 7. The USB 1 port is a standard 1.0A output for your iPhone, Android
smartphone, Portable Game Console etc. Finally the right-most port is the DC
Output for charging laptops and notebooks. 






Check the AC adaptor for your laptop to determine the voltage required, then
hold down the single function button until the voltage value begins to flash.
Press the button again to cycle through the output options (9, 12, 16, 19 and
20 volts). Once you arrive at the correct value leave it flashing for a few
seconds and it will stop and lock to that output.

Apple Magsafe Cord / CableThe 10 notebook tips included in the kit will
connect the battery to most units from Acer, Asus, Benq, Dell, HP, Lenovo,
Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.

Being a MacBook household there?s an obvious omission from that list, no doubt
because of Apple?s proprietary connector. However a quick search turns up these
inexpensive Apple Magsafe and Magesafe 2 cords so it may be possible to rig
something up for your Cupertino computer. But plug any Heath Robinson
contraption into your shiny, expensive MacBook at your own risk.

You can use both USB Smart Ports at once (3.5A max) and even simultaneously
charge 3 devices by adding your laptop at the same time (4.5A max total
output). The instructions allude to an 80% efficiency stating that the unit
will ??consume about 20% of the total capacity, including power loss from 
circuit
heat and voltage conversion?.

RAVPower say the Lithium-Polymer cells employed by their unit are more stable
and safer than Li-ion and they are good for over 500 recharge cycles. They are
keen to point out the other safety features of this unit too and quote
protection for overcharge, overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature and short
circuit with auto-shut down where required. In normal use the unit will auto
power off between 5 and 20 seconds after its been disconnected.

Bottom Line

We recently packed the RP-PB14 on a long family car journey and even though
there was USB power available in the car, the rear seat passengers preferred
to use the battery as it meant those (short) lightning and micro-USB cables
weren?t as stretched and restrictive as they were