Topic: Power bank keepalive options

[rastasean]

Hi,

I have a few power banks for various electronics, including recorders and my iphones. I've noticed that the power banks will stop supplying power to the iphone to charge it after ~90 seconds. The power banks I have been using are inexpensive ones, about $10-$20, so they don't have different modes to cycle through. It's quite annoying having the power bank connected to your phone and to have the battery on the phone drain so low. What's the purpose of keeping it connected?

It seems this is a known design (for me it's a flaw ) but there are inline devices you can use to keep the power active and to charge the device.
Do any of ya'll have experience with these devices? Here's ones in particular:
https://thepihut.com/products/power-bank-keepalive-assembled

If you don't have this issue, what specific power banks are you using? I don't seem to have the problem if I've actively using my iphone - it's charge it. But that's not practical if i want to charge up overnight or something.

I don't think this would be an issue on most recorders, as they're drawing power power than an iphone at rest, but that's just a guess on my part.

Open to hear from ya'll.

Thanks!

[DavidPuddy]

I've never had an issue with Anker battery packs and I've owned around 10 or so. Some of the Talentcell batteries have USB output and double as a 9v/12v battery for taping rigs (which is great IMO).

[rastasean]

Thank you!

[Gutbucket]

Talentcell or some other battery that features a good-ole toggling on/off switch rather than a momentary push-button.

[rastasean]

I found a solution with my iphone until i get a Talentcell or Anker - play a podcast at zero volume (unless you want to hear it) and lock the screen. That will keep the battery out of its sleep state to change my iphone.

[Gutbucket]

^ Good creative work around.

Talentcell or some other battery that features a good-ole toggling on/off switch rather than a momentary push-button.

For as additional layer of "keep-alive" power protection, I'd like to find a switch guard which fits the toggling power switch on the Talentcell.  I've occasionally bumped the switch and turned off the battery.  Doesn't happen often, and I'm careful enough to not have compromised any recording because of it, but it would provide some nice additional power security on the several Talentcells I use.

Something like this-


Except sized for this switch-


I could make something, but would rather just buy something adhesive-backed and stick it on.  Should be available as its a common size toggle switch.  If anyone has a lead on something appropriate, please let me know.

[VibrationOfLife]

Something like this?: https://mouser.eao.com/component/22-925/en/protection-cover

[Gutbucket]

That might work.  But ideally a rectangular format the same as the switch (that switch style is quite common) without a hinged cover. Just a simple short wall on either side of the long dimension of the switch to prevent accidental toggling if something bumps up against the switch.  I might find some section of rectangular box tube the right dimension, cut it down and glue it on.  Just need to be able to fit a finger in to accurate the switch.

[papabliss]

Would a silicon waterproof cover, the type you press on to engage the switch rather than lifting a cover, work?  Do you know the dimensions of switch on your power bank?

[Gutbucket]

Not really. The entire point is to prevent inadvertent actuation of the switch by anything that doesn't fit between the rigid walls of the switch guard surrounding the switch.

Will measure, but its approx. 1/2" X 1" (13mm X 25mm).

[VibrationOfLife]

Maybe fab something up like this?  https://www.kyleswitchplates.com/toggle-switch-guard/

[fanofjam]

Not really. The entire point is to prevent inadvertent actuation of the switch by anything that doesn't fit between the rigid walls of the switch guard surrounding the switch.

Will measure, but its approx. 1/2" X 1" (13mm X 25mm).

I use that same battery whenever I stealth with my Zoom F3...it's a bit bulky for stealth taping but it fits in one of the pockets of my cargo shorts and I love having all that excess juice so I never have to be concerned with batteries going dead.  I use two narrow strips of duct tape to make sure the USB connector is secured to the battery...gives me confidence that the USB connector will stay plugged into the battery while in my pocket.  It's not an elegant solution, but I also use a third narrow strip on half of the battery on-off rocker switch so that it holds half of the switch down in the on position.  I make sure the strip of tape is long enough to wrap over onto the sides of the battery, which gives the duct tape a little more holding force.  Like I said, it's not an elegant solution but it works well enough that I've never accidently turned the battery off while everything's in my pocket. 

FWIW, I start my recording before I even leave my car for the show.  With that battery, I never have to be concerned about battery running out.  So I also duct tape over the F3 display after engaging the hold switch.  The only thing I check during the show is to make sure the red hold light is illuminated.  Now and then I'll pull the tape back after the opener just to press stop and record again, but most of the time after the show ends I have a single six-hour long recording that's broken up into 2GB increments.