The Basics of Power banks, Solar Power and Car charger , Features, and Use

 In today’s world, we are blessed with so many gadgets that make our lives easier. One of these gadgets is the portable power bank. 

Basically, a power bank is an external battery that is housed in a sealed case and stores electrical energy. It usually comes with a USB cable to use it as a power source for laptops or phones with a dead battery.

Power banks have become very popular among smartphone users. This is because they are usually overtaken by the time we spend with the device every day. Now you can charge your device without having to look for an outlet.

Types of power banks

There are three main types of portable power banks available in the market. These are:

- Universal powerbank. This type usually comes in many sizes and configurations. These configurations can be customized depending on the requirements of your device and your budget.

- Solarcharged Powerbank. This powerbank has a photovoltaic panel that can charge the internal battery when it is in the sun. Note that solar charging is not fast, so you need to be patient.

- Oldstyle battery phone case powerbank. This type of powerbank can be very handy. However, it is not compatible with most devices.

Charging a powerbank

Powerbanks have special input sockets. This is where you plug in the power cable and connect your device to a power outlet. You can also connect your powerbank to your laptop or computer to charge it. Therefore, there are also devices with a micro or mini USB socket for charging.

It may take a while for this power bank to charge. It usually depends on the capacity and the current state of charge. Larger batteries will take longer. An LED indicator will let the user know when their powerbank is fully charged.

Charging your powerbank

Powerbanks usually have indicators that let you know the charge level. There are many devices that boast an efficiency of more than 90 percent. However, for many users, the efficiency is as low as 80 percent.

Choose the right powerbank

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right powerbank. One of them is your intended use. When it comes to a portable power source, the main thing you should look for is capacity. This is measured in milli amp hours (mAH). There is no exact number for how many times a powerbank can charge your device. However, as a rule of thumb, the more mAH it has, the larger the capacity needs to be.

Another point to consider is the USB charging capability. Older models do not have such a feature. Since most powerbank users are on the go, it is best to invest in a model that can be charged via USB. The next point is the price and quality. Check if the price matches the amount of power and the quality of the whole device to make sure it is worth every penny you spend.

Solar Power Systems - What Other Components Are Needed?

Here is a list of the components you will need and some of the options available.

Once you have completed your solar panel, you will need to connect them to an inverter unless you want to convert your lighting fixtures and appliances to DC. There are several types of inverters available for use with your solar generator. 12/24/48 volt inverters are most commonly used with residential solar energy systems.

Inverter

Square wave: No longer commonly used because of the limited number of devices they can power.

Modified Sine Wave: Can power most household appliances and lamps, but some with digital timers may not work properly.

True sine wave, also called pure sine wave: Closest to the power supplied by your utility company. This is the best type of inverter you can use. It costs more, but it is more efficient than the other types of inverters. The extra cost pays for itself quickly, and you won’t be bothered by the noise or inconsistent amperage that other types produce.
Charge Controllers

Charge controllers prevent your batteries from overcharging and do not allow reverse current to flow from the battery bank to the solar panels when the panels are not producing power, such as at night or on long, cloudy days.

PWM charge controller: Pulse Width Modulation is a three-stage charge controller.

MPPT charge controller: maximum power point tracking is the newer type of controller that allows multi-stage charging and delivers more power to the battery bank by matching the bank voltage to the voltage of the solar panels. MPPT charge controllers are more efficient due to the varying solar irradiance.
Battery Banks

You will store the energy generated by your power generator in batteries. Battery banks should be the same voltage as your solar panels. The following battery types are commonly used to store solar energy:

Flooded batteries - Flooded batteries have removable service caps that allow you to replace the water that evaporates during charging. These battery banks should not be used indoors or near sparks or flames because the water that evaporates is in the form of hydrogen gas.

Sealed Batteries - These types of batteries do not have removable service caps, so no water is added. The hydrogen gas that is produced by flooded batteries is not a problem with sealed batteries, so they are considered safer for indoor use. Because they are indoors, the temperature is more constant, making them more efficient.

Universal Car Chargers

Do you use electronic devices such as the iPod, a laptop, cell phones, MP3 players, etc.? Do you use them in your car? I guess the answer to both of these questions is YES; if yes, then you probably need a universal car charger for your electronic devices. In this article, you will learn more about universal car charger for devices like cell phones, iPods, mp3, etc. 

It is a multipurpose device that allows you to charge any of the above electronic devices. Universal car chargers are useful devices that everyone can use. The USB charger allows you to charge digital cameras, PDAs, cell phones and many other electronic devices that can be charged with various adapters. 

You can charge your Mp3/Mp4 player using an adapter that comes with the universal car charger. Charging the headset becomes easy even if there is no power outlet. The adapter is useful when your device’s battery is dead and you have no source other than your car with a universal car charger to bring it back to life. Devices that are powered by the USB port are relatively easy to charge.

 The adapters can be plugged into the car’s cigarette lighter socket, increasing the efficiency of a single outlet. The adapter can charge any USB device while being compatible with any type of electronic device that uses USB charging cables. 

The USB charger has a circuit board that protects you from short circuits. Audio devices are no exception when charging in the car. The USB plug has an LED indicator that shows the charging status. The output of the charger is DC 5V 500mA. Another advantage of this charger is its small size, which increases its portability. This device is powered by 12V from the car cigarette lighter.