Add a photo to your power bank to make a customised power bank

This new power bank release would make a great gift.  It’s called the X Loli, the top unscrews and it allows you to insert a photo or a full colour logo.  We can picture thousands of teens having a great time printing out their selfies and popping them into this housing to make a wonderful gift.  This unique model power bank is from a company called Famousworks based in Shanghai China.  This unique power bank has a built in USB cable, this design makes it compact and convenient to use.

Please note we do not keep this model in stock, we can import from just 200 units.  

X Loli Customised power bank

X loli power bank

X loli power bank

True power bank capacity versus battery capacity 

When purchasing power banks do you know the difference between the true capacity and the capacity shown on the packaging or the spec sheet?

This is a long standing debate that’s been raging since the introduction of power banks.  Many manufacturers state the capacity of the battery cells in the power bank rather than the usable capacity of a power bank.   In South Africa we have adopted the use of stating the battery capacity rather than the actual usable capacity.  We can only assume this happened because some of the earliest brands we saw in the shops were based on battery capacity.  These include brands like Yoobao, GP, Energiser and InOut.   The brand Amped was also one of the earliest power bank brands seen in South Africa, their stated capacity is based on usable capacity.

Gecko Media was one of the first promotional distributors to offer power banks. In fact we offered a solar charging model as far back as 2008.  We can speak from a corporate gift channel perspective, all the power banks sold as promotional items state battery capacity only.  The only question now is whether these power banks are truly the capacity they claim to be.  Any customer is most welcome to visit Gecko Media to see our specialised testing equipment that allows us to test the actual capacity of the power banks we sell.

Fake power bank capacity

Stated capacity and true capacity should not be confused with fake capacity.   Fake capacity is when a power bank claims to be 16000mAh and is in fact only 2000.  This is a type of fraud committed by many Chinese factories that sell power banks filled with sand and all sort of materials to make them feel heavier and more substantial.  Take particular care when buying online and importing form China.

Power bank filled with sand

These fake capacity power banks are often sold online on sites like eBay.   Many of these factories recycle old laptop 18650 cells and put them into cheap power banks (see pic below).   Be careful where you buy from. Gecko Media offers a 1 year swap out warranty provided you didn’t drive over the power bank of course.

Typical recycled battery power bank

What is a car jump start power bank?

A new trend in power banks is the car jump start power bank.  With this awesome power bank you can charge your phone, charge your laptop and jump start your car.   There are a number of these products hitting the market.  They all vary in battery capacity and jump start ability.  In order to really be effective these power banks must have a high discharge rate lithium polymer cell.  Lithium ion cells simply do not cut it for this product.  This ability to rapidly discharge is critical so that the jump starter can create the required CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) to start an engine. The CCA can be thought of as the power output required to start an ice cold car engine.  The number of CCA you need depends on your vehicle engine size and where you live, in particular how cold it is where you live.  The colder an engine is, the more power it takes to turn the engine over to get it started.  It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with.  So the colder it gets, more power is needed.

Jump starter power bank outputs currents vary between 150A and 600A.  These are suggested jump start currents for different size cars:

Small engine, 4 cylinder engine       150A – 300A

Larger engine,  6 Cylinder engine    300A – 400A

Very large engine,  8 cylinder           400A – 600A

Small diesel engine, 4 cylinder          300A – 400A

Larger diesel engine, 6-8 Cylinder   400A – 600A

Most car jump start power banks can charge laptops

Many of the jump start power banks can also charge laptops.  Most feature a button that allows you to select the different voltages.  In our opinion this is not ideal as many people are not technical and could end up damaging their laptops.   Most jump start power banks are supplied with a variety of tips that fit into various laptop makes and brands.  There are far more advanced laptop chargers available click here for more info.

Jump start power bank laptop tips

Specialised jumper leads, anti spark

We have tested a number of jump start power banks that claim to have spark proof and short circuit proof jumper leads.  Many of these leads are not true spark proof but they do in fact have fuse systems that prevent them for short circuiting.   We do not recommend touching the leads together no matter what the power bank manufacturer claims.  Rather be safe than sorry.  The model below shows a standard set of jump start power bank jump leads with in line fuse on the red cable.

Standard leads for jump start power bank

We have also tested true spark proof jump leads.  These leads cost a lot more than standard jump leads because they have circuits built into the cable.  This circuit offers the following protection:

1. Reverse polarity indicator.  An LED lights up when the cable is connected the wrong way around on the battery.
2. Short circuit protection. Nothing happens at all when the leads are touched together.
3. Low power bank battery power.
4. Ready to use indicator.

Specialised anti spark jump start power bank leads. Circuitry based.

Additional features of jump start power banks

Most jump start are supplied with 4 in 1 cable, this allows you to charge phones tablets and other 5V USB devices.   The jump starter power bank normally also features a built in LED torch.

Jump start power banks with LED torch

As can be seen above these jump start power banks also come with wall socket power adapters.  They also come with an adapter so that it can be charged from your cigarette lighter port.   See below.

Most models can be charged from a car lighter socket