USB Battery Pack Recommendations

Tanere

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Oct 4, 2019
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Miramar, FL
Good evening Folks.
What do you all carry with you camping or long trips as far as USB Battery banks/charges. I would love to get something I can throw in my tank bag and charge off my tether line coming from the battery while riding. I really just need to charge my Sena10CPro, iPhone and iPad in the tent at night.
Was looking at something like the Anker PowerCore 20000
 

Tenman

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Dec 7, 2013
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Natchez Ms USA
anitygravity xp3. I don't leave home without it. If you evewr have a hard start in the boondocks. You will be glad you had it. It fits under the Altrider rack or under the pillion seat perfect
 
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regder

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Toronno
Jeebus, that XP-10 is $200USD.

My advice is buy the smallest, cheapest 20k mah battery pack from a semi-reasonable brand you can find. At some point you're going to lose it or break it. 20k mah is the max for airplane travel.

I'm on my third of the one below. Lost one, another got stolen, third one is still alive. Can charge by either lightning or micro-usb which is super handy depending on what I need to charge.

Note, if you have a USB-C laptop. They make 20k mah packs now that can charge a laptop.

 

SkunkWorks

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Sep 13, 2018
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Colorado
I have this exact Anker one.
Anker 20100 mah battery bank

I charge it during the ride in my tank-bag or top-case.
Charges my iphone, Sena headset, GoPro, and whatever else I want to charge at night in my tent.
It holds a lot of juice!
 
B

ballisticexchris

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I have the Earth-X. It is very small and compact. It also can jump start a diesel truck.
 

Alexander

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Kansas City
I strongly agree with Tenman/Criss/Chris on getting one that can also double as a jump starter. You lose no functionality on charging peripherals, but gain the ability to jump a bike/car/truck if you need to. Downside is that some models are larger and eat up more space, so take that into account before deciding.

A youtube channel called Project Farm tested 8 brands a while ago. I believe Audew did the best overall, which runs about $100 for 20000 mAh (rated 4.6/5 stars, currently). Granted, its footprint is about 9" x 3.5", which isn't exactly small (~about 2.5" longer and 1" wider than the Anker Powercore you're looking at, by quick glance).

I've been using a smaller 400A/8000mAh one by Suaoki for years (only cost like $30), and it has saved my bacon a few times when my other bike didn't have enough juice to turn over.
 

patrickg450

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Memphis TN
Go with a MicroStart, small and cheap will yield expected results. I have an XP10 as well, use it on my 7.3L as well........
 

U.P.rider

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Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan
I have the AG XP-10 now for going on 4 years and have started everything from Kubota's to 5.7L truck and my Vmax that was having charging issues. It works great and holds a charge between uses which sometimes have been 3-4 months.
 

Sierra1

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I've been using the TACKLIFE T8 MAX Jump Starter - 1000A Peak 20000mAh, 12V Car Jumper (All Gas, up to 6.5L Diesel Engine). When I got it, it was on sale. It's $89.99 now on Amazon. Comes in it's own case, does all the usual stuff. It's compact enough that I throw it in my tool bag that I bungee to my seat.
 

Spider

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Here's one of my favorites, and reasonably priced for what it has. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0746GQ7FS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The reasons I like it:
1. Can be taken on an airplane in a carry on bag (I like to do fly and rides).
2. Recharges electronics
3. Jump starts just fine
4. Charges fastest with its own charger, but can be recharged from a cellphone charger in a pinch
5. Includes an old-style cigarette lighter adapter (which I use to power an older Garmin Zumo 665 on a rented or borrowed bike...I stick this in a tank bag...but I have to leave the battery pack's light turned on because the Zumo pulls very little power so the battery will auto shutoff with just the Zumo connected).

If your goal is to carry the biggest battery you can on a plane, the max is actually 26,800 mah (the conversion calc to the 100 wh limit is done at 3.7 volts).
 

Checkswrecks

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Having done a lot of battery investigations and conferences since the 787 fire of January 2013, PLEASE do make sure whatever you get has a layer of foam or other insulation to keep vibration from the cells.

Make sure to never EVER let the terminals cross either, as lithium packs won't just spark like lead-acid. Below is a before and after:
 

Sierra1

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The one I use claims to have "smart tech" to prevent such catastrophes from happening. But, I'm a measure twice, cut once kinda guy, and try not to tempt fate. I will head your warnings.
 

Fennellg

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Jun 28, 2015
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North Carolina
Our bikes are easier to bump start. You have to carry a jump box, it has to be charged, you have to remove a panel, you have to replace a panel.

Much easier to bump it. I know you need a helper for convenient hill.
 

Fennellg

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I know or the inverse, the jump pack is not charges. No perfect solutions. I just want to get it out there, you have a get out of jail card, the bump start. With a hill or helper, much faster and efficient. I am often surprised how a dead battery will stop many of our members dead in their tracks.
 

SilverBullet

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Harmaston, TX
... PLEASE do make sure whatever you get has a layer of foam or other insulation to keep vibration from the cells...
Insulation internal to jump pack case or external. I have always carried mine in the original box nested inside the foam cutout. Is this sufficient?

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 

Fennellg

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Yeah and there is that fire shit too. Thanks Checkswrecks for taking our warm and fuzzy feeling and replacing it with fear. :)
 

SilverBullet

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A completely dead battery will not bump start either. And good luck bump starting off pavement, doubt your rear wheel will hook up on anything but hard pack.

Think of as many scenerios as you can and then decide on solutions for some per your risk tolerance and riding situation.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 
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