Power banks?

jerry12953 said:
Hi,

I'm looking into a powerbank as a means of keeping my single BLX1 battery charged while out in the field. Does anyone have any general or specific comments about them, any good makes or recommended models?

Thanks.
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For a normal powerbank, I have always used Anker ones. Never let me down yet :thumbs:
 
I've a little Energizer powerbank. Only about 15 quid from Argos. You can get two or three decent charges out of it so its ok for a day out. Very small and compact. My phone battery drained very quickly when I went up Cadair Idris in subzero temps earlier this year. I was very glad to have the powerbank with me that day.
 
I have 2 Anker 20,000mAh powerbanks, one is 4 years old, the other 3. I think the 4 year old no longer quite fully charges as the 4th indicator keeps flashing on charge rather than turning off. However difference is not noticeable in normal use. I’ve used them teguarly charging iPhones & iPads and other things. Very satisfied. I’ve bought other Aner stuff and it’s all been good … so far.
 
jerry12953 said:
Are they good for charging camera batteries as well as phones?
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Probably, if your cameras are running on electrons rather than diesel :lol: Sorry, I Don’t know but if you look up the capacity of of an iPhone and an iPad and compare with a camera that should give an answer, on Amazon they usually say something like “recharges xphone 3 times” .
 
sphexx said:
Probably, if your cameras are running on electrons rather than diesel :LOL: Sorry, I Don’t know but if you look up the capacity of of an iPhone and an iPad and compare with a camera that should give an answer, on Amazon they usually say something like “recharges xphone 3 times” .
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Powerbanks can deliver about half their rated capacity (they quote the battery capacity, not the output) so a 20000mAh (20Ah) power bank would fully charge the above battery 4-5 times from flat.
 
jerry12953 said:
There's a confusing mass of information online about various sockets and plugs etc........

The OM1 charges from USB-C by the looks of it.......
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It may have a USB-C socket on it, but the other end of the cable will plug into an ordinary USB port
Some devices with a USB-C input can have a fast charge input as well, but as far as I know they will also charge from 5V from ordinary USB, haven't seen anything that doesn't.
 
Even if you don't need it now, one with small USB C out will potentially charger USB C devices faster - but won't do any harm if they can't do fast charge.
 
JonathanRyan said:
If you're putting a camera on a tripod and running from a battery then maybe look at these


That way of somebody walks into the cable it disconnects rather than pulling everything to the ground.
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Or hang the battery in a pouch on the weight hook of the tripod.
Then the cable will be right out of the way, and the battery will serve a secondary purpose of helping to steady the tripod :)
 
It’s a good thing to have if your a worry guts , but I have yet to run a olympus battery to zero in the field . Last year at bempton I took just under 900 shots and on getting back to the car still had 35% charge left ..
And as far as I’m aware the OM1 has a better battery . Surely a spare battery in your pocket is more sensible
 
the black fox said:
It’s a good thing to have if your a worry guts , but I have yet to run a olympus battery to zero in the field . Last year at bempton I took just under 900 shots and on getting back to the car still had 35% charge left ..
And as far as I’m aware the OM1 has a better battery . Surely a spare battery in your pocket is more sensible
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.... After 900 shots my OM-1 battery will usually be flat, doubtless because of the way I shoot. I agree about having a spare battery in your pocket or in my case, in the HLD-10 Battery Grip. But OM-1 batteries are still in very short supply at this time of writing.

When I was in Portugal in March with only 1 battery, a weatherproof portable battery charger kept me going until I got home in the evenings. I have it as extra backup if I use up my 2 batteries - I already owned it and so didn't need to spend money on a third battery.
 
Do you do a lot of chimping Robin ,as that will run your battery down . I don’t tend to check my my shots that often being fairly confident of my equipment
 
the black fox said:
Do you do a lot of chimping Robin ,as that will run your battery down . I don’t tend to check my my shots that often being fairly confident of my equipment
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.... Are you calling me a Chimp, Jeff? :ROFLMAO:

CHIMPANZEE 'RODDERS' by Robin Procter, on Flickr

I'm confident of my equipment, especially with the OM-1 + 150-400mm TC PRO combo :p - It's myself I need to keep checking! I get impatient to know if I nailed the shot or not, at least until I view it at home on the big screen.

I tend more to chimp when there's no action going on but I use features on the OM-1 which are battery juice thirsty.
 
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I'm a fan of Anker products. I know Fuji list a few specific power banks that they have confirmed as suitable for use with their cameras (both Anker I think).
 
I have a Belkin for my iPhone and iPad.

Bloody useless it is, as when I need it I find I have left it at home....:headbang:
 
I'm sure we had a contact from Anker wanting to advertise on TP, but can't find the email. If they were interested, it sounds like we have a receptive audience!
 
lindsay said:
I'm sure we had a contact from Anker wanting to advertise on TP, but can't find the email. If they were interested, it sounds like we have a receptive audience!
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.... Anker, and particularly their powerbanks, are a very well respected brand globally. I have a different brand but I know Anker are well liked. I think they also have a 'shop' on Amazon.
 
Another + for Anker, here, and for also Baseus quality.

Just a word of caution: Nobody in this thread has suggested it but please do NOT use cheap unbranded batteries/chargers as these can be dangerous, especially as typically you might leave them on charge overnight. There is a significant risk of fire (and, with some chargers, electrocution). The couple of quid you might save on them will not seem like a good deal in that case.
 
Being in the market for a power bank, I ordered an Anker one via Amazon. Shame it wouldn't take any charge through either "normal" USB or a fast charger via USB-C. Just been picked up for return to Amazon. INIU one now on order from the big river.
 
I have one Anker power bank, about 14 months old.
It is down to 66% of its original capacity, and is quite swollen, so I guess it is near end of life :(

It has been used side by side in the same way and places as other ones.
 
Sangoma said:
I have one Anker power bank, about 14 months old.
It is down to 66% of its original capacity, and is quite swollen, so I guess it is near end of life :(

It has been used side by side in the same way and places as other ones.
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I had a cheap and really excellent Amazon Basics one for about a year but then they recalled them and stopped selling them. Maybe a lucky escape?
 
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