Portable Backup Battery Pack

[ComputerDave]

I have a client who needs a longer life from his laptop than a new battery will give him. His job does not allow the luxury of plugging in anywhere for the day. There are lot of choices out there; I'm just courious if you guys have something you have worked with. Thank you in advance.

 

[Diggs]

Size and budget? You can find a power station to match just about any budget these days.

 

[ComputerDave]

Size and budget? You can find a power station to match just about any budget these days.

Humm had not thought about the budget. Some of those battery packs look like they would power a lot more than a laptop, I was thinking there would be something smaller, but perhaps that's not available.

 

[britechguy]

I suspect something like this is more what you had in mind: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laptop+power+bank

I have not used one and I presume that choice of capacity will be dependent on just how many times it might be called upon between its own ability to be recharged.

 

[Diggs]

I was thinking there would be something smaller

Laptops take 19 volts which isn't common to anything. In days past the batteries were removable and you just carried spares. If a 12 volt source is available there are bricks/chargers that will work.

 

[Diggs]

I suspect something like this is more what you had in mind: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laptop+power+bank

Can the laptop be charged via USB? Still kind of rare. If so then that's the way to go.

 

[britechguy]

Can the laptop be charged via USB?

A good question, but it is becoming common. I actually need to check if the Dell laptop that I have that came with the usual Dell Charger will accept charge through USB-C. My daily driver, the LG Gram, charges through either one of its 2 USB-C ports.

I'd have to believe that these exist with tip adapters that match up with the major brands, too. I didn't dig that far.

 

[ComputerDave]

Can the laptop be charged via USB? Still kind of rare. If so then that's the way to go.

Yes, that would be the way to go, but it's my understanding that he would be "out in the field," so to speak.

 

[ComputerDave]

I suspect something like this is more what you had in mind: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=laptop+power+bank

Yes sir, that is what I had in mind.

 

[britechguy]

BTW and as an aside: I just checked and the Dell Inspiron 15 5500 that I rescued from the trash heap and that has only one USB-C port has one that supports power delivery (and I would presume that virtually any used on a PC would).

I just plugged in the charger from my Gram to the USB-C port and the little light that tells me the battery is charging popped on immediately. So if any given laptop has a USB-C port, I'd simply double check that it is one that supports power delivery and, if so, it can be used for charging even if it might not be as fast as the dedicated charger port is.

 

[timeshifter]

Does he have an EGO lawn mower?

Extend Run Times and Power More than Your EGO Tools |EGO

These innovations let you work longer and take your EGO battery on the go to power phones, laptops, lights, speakers, and more.

egopowerplus.com

I have a few tools in my garage that are made by EGO and share the power system - lawn mower, trimmer, blower, etc. They also have a really nice lamp and a power inverter.

 

[mmerry]

Seems like all power tool makers are coming up with portable power.

18V ONE+ 150-WATT BATTERY POWER SOURCE AND... - RYOBI Tools

18V ONE+ 150-WATT BATTERY POWER SOURCE AND CHARGER KIT

www.ryobitools.com

20V 190 Watt Power Source Battery Inverter - Tool Only

Amazing deals on this 190W Power Inverter at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

V20* 150W Power Inverter (Tool Only)

CRAFTSMAN® V20 150W Power Inverter delivers charging for a wide variety of devices <150 watts. The 3 unique charging ports provides users the choice between Type-C, Type-A, and AC connections. The LED flashlight allows the user to light up dark workspaces.

www.craftsman.com

 

[ComputerDave]

Does he have an EGO lawn mower?

Extend Run Times and Power More than Your EGO Tools |EGO

These innovations let you work longer and take your EGO battery on the go to power phones, laptops, lights, speakers, and more.

egopowerplus.com

I have a few tools in my garage that are made by EGO and share the power system - lawn mower, trimmer, blower, etc. They also have a really nice lamp and a power inverter.

Oh, I'll have to ask about that. Thank you.

 

[britechguy]

The question comes back to: What can this client carry, or are they willing to carry, as far as recharging the laptop goes?

I wouldn't be willing to carry a big power station or its rough equivalent. Some might even find the power banks "too much to deal with carrying with me," in which case, they're out of luck.

 

[timeshifter]

The question comes back to: What can this client carry, or are they willing to carry, as far as recharging the laptop goes?

That's an important question. My suggestion isn't too light and easy to transport, however the run time would be insane, especially if he has more than one battery pack for the EGO ecosystem.

Here's the light that I have, it's one of my favorite things

POWER+ Portable Area Light

The POWER+ Portable Area light can be used as an ambient mood light, effective task light, and so much more. Activate boost mode for best in the class 10,000 lumens to illuminate large areas.

egopowerplus.com

 

[Sky-Knight]

Two words...
Camping Generator

Seriously, the portable lithium "generators" in the camping isle are cheap, plentiful, and several orders of magnitude cheaper than "UPSs" or "travel batteries".