Portable battery charger: 7 tips to choose the right charger

Many of our electronic devices come with their own plug-in charger, but it is not designed to charge when there is no power. How should you choose the best portable battery charger to work with your device? What you need is a guide or some tips to help you choose the right charger for your device. This article provides 7 great tips for choosing the right portable battery charger.

If you have an iPhone device, the choice is quite easy. Portable battery chargers must be designed specifically for the iPhone and are therefore automatically compatible. However, something to look for is your iPhone model to make sure the connection and amplifiers are compatible.

What if it’s another portable device besides an iPhone? That’s where some help is needed.

7 tips for choosing the right portable battery charger

1. Portable battery charger

The first thing to consider is voltage and amps. Your device should come with some specifications on how many input volts and amps are required to charge the device. Sometimes, such as a GPS or rechargeable flashlight, this specification may be printed near the charging port. Sometimes it will print inside the battery compartment if you have one for rechargeable batteries. On many others you will have to find the manual or search online.

Pay close attention to what you are charging. MP3 players and other small devices with minimal power requirements will be easy to charge with any portable charger. Larger items like laptops, some mobile phones, and portable DVD players may need a larger portable charger or you may need to use your car to charge them.

Advice: The most important specification is the amps. If you try to charge your delicate electronic device with an amperage that is too high for the device, you may damage the batteries or even the device. Make sure the amperage is close to the device’s requirements. The next most important is voltage. Make sure the voltage is equal to or higher than the device specification for the batteries to charge. Otherwise, you may damage or discharge the batteries instead of charging them.

2. Duration of the trip

If you’re going to the mall or local park, you can probably get away with just charging at home or using a car outlet charger to keep your device powered up. Not all devices have compatible car outlet chargers so this is something to keep in mind.

Many of us have 12V power outlets in the car now, but what if it’s a long trip with multiple devices used by multiple family members and part of the trip will be walking through Yosemite National Park or another destination? suitable vacation or adventure? That’s where the portable battery charger comes into play.

A portable battery charger usually has its own internal battery pack that must be kept topped up to provide power.

Advice: Make an energy strategy for your trip ahead of time. Consider bringing a couple of portable battery chargers that can plug into your car’s 12V outlets to keep them charged until you need them. That way, whether you’re staying in the car or taking an extended jaunt away from the trusty SUV, you’ll have the power you need for all your devices. Many newer chargers come with multiple outlets and multiple outlet types to service multiple electronic requirements.

3.Solar

Solar panel chargers are becoming more popular as they drop in price and offer more power per dollar. For the most part they don’t put out that much power and of course it depends on the available light. But, they can be a good plug and forget charger for non-emergency charging.

Tip: This could be a good option for powering that second battery pack on a long trip. The kids can use the outlets while solar power takes care of the battery pack for you. You just need to keep the panel in as much sun as possible, which is usually found on the dashboard of a car or SUV. Also, make sure any solar panel charger you buy comes with a smart controller so you don’t accidentally overcharge your batteries.

4. Fast boot capability

Believe it or not, many of the newer jump starters also double as portable battery chargers. Both can jump start your car and often have built in outlets for DC or possibly inverter outlets for AC.

Advice: This is a useful device in emergencies that can jump start the car, turn on emergency lights, emergency radios, and mobile devices.

5. Connectors and adapters

Make sure you have adequate outlets to power all of your devices. These days, devices are all over the place in their requirements for a power connection. It can be AC, DC, USB, etc.

Advice: Calculate your charging needs ahead of time and buy the right outlet adapters to avoid having to have those plugs on your portable battery charger. It will save you money and the adapters are available in kits to save you even more money.

6. Dimensions

Batteries are heavy and a portable battery charger is made up mostly of batteries. Also, the more features and power a charger has, the bigger and heavier it will be. Always check the dimensions before you buy and make sure it will fit your plans in both function and size.

Advice: Portable chargers need to charge themselves, so when planning long trips, keep in mind keeping your portable chargers charged.

7. Readings

Your portable battery charger may be just a lump that provides no information about what’s happening, or it may have gauges, LEDs, knobs, and dials to provide exactly what’s happening so you’re never in the dark.

Tip: Opt for a battery charger that gives you basic information about when a charge is complete. Some chargers, especially larger ones, may overcharge your devices. Try to get a device that has a microprocessor controller to automatically protect your devices from damage. That’s how it goes and forgets it!

I hope this article has given you an idea of ​​how to choose and use a portable battery charger.