Portable power supply options

[Gizzit]

Just in case anyone else is interested...

I want to be able to use my Scroll extreme when I go on holiday to Cyprus later this year (keep the kids entertained, watch movies, play games, etc). It is quite a long flight (5 hours), plus all the time hanging around in the airport, so I was looking at possible battery "top-up" options. Although it states in the manual that you should not charge the device with anything other than the supplied adapter, I fugured that if you can trickle charge from a PC/laptop whilst syncing (via the micro USB port), any USB power supply should be ok (it is a global standard after all). I tested it last night from a USB mains adapter and it charged the tablet just fine (no fried tablet, which was a bonus ), so got myself one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160692696987?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

The added bonus with the micro USB socket trickle chage option is that I can charge the device in the car from an aux power supply (cig lighter) USB plug, and if the supplied power adapter gets lost or broken, I have a backup. Should work fine I recon

[Piers]

Thats pretty awesome. Ive found the included battery lasts around 6 hours with video and 20-30 with just web browsing (at a push). For £17 you cant really go wrong, it should give another 4-5 hours video!

Edit: Although it does say in the description that the charger is excluded lol

[Gizzit]

Yea, but I've already got a bunch of USB wall adapters, so not a biggie They do supply a whole bunch of connectors (apple, micro USB, mini USB, etc, and the necessary cable to fit the adapters so you can charge a range of kit. The power input is a regular mini USB, so any generic USB socket/plug will work fine. I charged the pack from my laptop today with no problems

[Piers]

Just found a 5200mAh for £15, might go for that one!

edit: Just found a 10,000mAh one for £24 delivered, look OK. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-10-000m ... 409wt_1163

[burgergetsbored]

I know it's not quite as good value but it's got excellent reviews, two USB ports and 7000mAh. I'll probably go for that if I ever get around to buying a tablet :L

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TeckNet%C2%AE-D ... d_sim_ce_1

[Gizzit]

just tried out the power bank - it seems to work a treat

[BobC]

Bear in mind that USB charging is usually 500mA whereas the "proper" 5V charger is rated at 2000mA which is why USB charging is referred to as "trickle" - it will take about four times as long. The battery in the Extreme is allegedly 7800mA/H (though such claims mean nothing without reference to the discharge rate). USB if handy for keeping things topped up but for a full recharge you need to allow a lot of time while the tablet is idle or else all the juice is going to keep it running.


BobC

[Gizzit]

Been having a bit of a play with the portable charger today. When the scroll is switched on, 'charging' with the power pack via the micro USB seems to be more like a battery extender than a charger - the power levels still drop, but not as quickly (which for me is fine).

If the scroll is switched off (or on standby) it will top up the battery - albeit slowly and not completely (the pack I bought will top up perhaps 20% of the battery, based on the limited time I've had to experiment. It is definately not a replacement for the regular charger, but is a decent option if you are out on the road with no access to a regular power supply

[Piers]

Just ordered the TeckNet iEP387 from the Amazon link a few posts up

[Gizzit]

Tested the power pack overnight. It charged the battery +50% (ish) with the tablet switched off, so not too bad