Portable power solution

[Guest tdroza]

I just came across this on Amazon: http://amzn.to/bHqPyo

It's a small portable battery (500mAH) with micro usb connector that slides onto the back of the phone. There's a video of it here:

Although it isn't a huge capacity battery (slightly more than one-third of the San Fran's built in battery), for £20 it seems like a fairly good option.

Has anyone tried one?

Edited October 31, 2010 by tdroza

[Guest tmockingbird]

I just came across this on Amazon: http://amzn.to/bHqPyo

It's a small portable battery (500mAH) with micro usb connector that slides onto the back of the phone. There's a video of it here:

Although it isn't a huge capacity battery (slightly more than one-third of the San Fran's built in battery), for £20 it seems like a fairly good option.

Has anyone tried one?

I think the idea is great, i mean i would love to be able to charge or keep the battery running longer, but £20 for a battery is a bit too much.

[Guest What_The_Fox_Hat]

I just came across this on Amazon: http://amzn.to/bHqPyo

It's a small portable battery (500mAH) with micro usb connector that slides onto the back of the phone. There's a video of it here:

Although it isn't a huge capacity battery (slightly more than one-third of the San Fran's built in battery), for £20 it seems like a fairly good option.

Has anyone tried one?

I think it's worth considering that as the Blade seems to be built 'upside down' when this is plugged in the screen will be covered by the battery instead of going behind it no?

[Guest Maringer]

I think the idea is great, i mean i would love to be able to charge or keep the battery running longer, but £20 for a battery is a bit too much.

I've got a Power Monkey which I bought a year or so back - 2200 mAh, but very slightly bulkier than the one in this thread but I can recommend them - also useful for recharging cameras and the like. I paid about 15 quid from an eBay seller and you should be able get one around this price pretty easily.

Edit: Obviously, a Power Monkey won't slide onto the back of the phone but it doesn't take up much space in your pocket/bag and you can recharge your phone almost fully a couple of times with it.

Edited October 31, 2010 by Maringer

[Guest Andy Maclean]

I think it's worth considering that as the Blade seems to be built 'upside down' when this is plugged in the screen will be covered by the battery instead of going behind it no?

Yep, the micro USB port is upside down so this would go over the screen.

Nice idea tho, shame the capacity is so low.

The Power Monkey sounds like a better option.

Andy

[Guest shteve]

Yep, the micro USB port is upside down so this would go over the screen.

Nice idea tho, shame the capacity is so low.

The Power Monkey sounds like a better option.

Andy

I bought a Pebble. Got it for about £25.

[Guest bear807]

get sanyo eneloope best protable abttery ever use has 2 usb port 4000mah i think?

able to charge up an iphone 2 1/2 times and able to charge both my iphone and sf at the same time!

[Guest schkinx]

how about this little fella ?

maplin solar power charger

[Guest tdroza]

Yep, the micro USB port is upside down so this would go over the screen.

Good spot! I hadn't noticed that.

I hadn't seen the Veho Pebble before but I like it - high capacity battery and a standard USB socket so you can use existing USB cables instead of having to keep track of various adapter plugs.

[Guest popoyaya]

wondering if there's a powerpack that uses a single high capacity AA battery. that would be super portable and would have enough juice for a couple of recharges.

[Guest oh!dougal]

wondering if there's a powerpack that uses a single high capacity AA battery. that would be super portable and would have enough juice for a couple of recharges.

How about 2 AA's ?

Mintyboost (kit) from Lady Ada

[Guest popoyaya]

£2.99 orf fleabay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EMERGENCY-MOBILE-PHO...9#ht_2398wt_906

[Guest nicksoph]

wondering if there's a powerpack that uses a single high capacity AA battery. that would be super portable and would have enough juice for a couple of recharges.

maplins do one for 8 pounds, one aa battery in a rather oversized aluminium tube

[Guest Patricia1066]

I have a Maplins phone charger, works fine on my non-smart phones, but doesnt charge the SF.

Many of the ebay chargers do not offer microusb which is a pain because you then need to connect via the female usb connector using your own usb - microusb cable. They may not work either. Look for one advertising blackberry 9700 etc as they will be up to the job.

@Andy Thanks for the rec for Power Monkey.

[Guest Patricia1066]

Update on the power charger for Blackberry 9700 - that charger isnt compatible with the microusb port of the SF.

I do not understand why as BB is supposed to have a microusb port also.

[Guest SpruceyB]

Update on the power charger for Blackberry 9700 - that charger isnt compatible with the microusb port of the SF.

I do not understand why as BB is supposed to have a microusb port also.

I believe it might have something to do with Transistors.

Transistors between pins can tell Android phones what to do like go into Dock Mode / Car Mode.

I used an old MiniUSB Blackberry on my G1 ages ago and it sent the G1 crazy.

[Guest popoyaya]

I've noticed that with heavy use the SF battery, like with most smart phones, can drain pretty quickly, even after a few hours. An "emergency" phone charger seems like a must-have for this phone if you want to use it fully. And they seem really small and easy to carry.

Has anyone found a portable charger that works with the SF?

I've ordered both of these. Will update when they arrive...

£2.67 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...T#ht_3804wt_906

£1.84 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...T#ht_1867wt_906

Am I right in assuming that a high capacity battery, say 2500mah would provide two recharges for the SF battery (rated at 1250mah)?

Also, anyone know a source for cheap, short USB to Micro USB cables? I've found these but they're £8. :) ...

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trk...+micro+usb+lead

Edited November 5, 2010 by popoyaya

[Guest thepeganator]

I've noticed that with heavy use the SF battery, like with most smart phones, can drain pretty quickly, even after a few hours. An "emergency" phone charger seems like a must-have for this phone if you want to use it fully. And they seem really small and easy to carry.

Has anyone found a portable charger that works with the SF?

I've ordered both of these. Will update when they arrive...

£2.67 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...T#ht_3804wt_906

£1.84 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...T#ht_1867wt_906

Am I right in assuming that a high capacity battery, say 2500mah would provide two recharges for the SF battery (rated at 1250mah)?

Also, anyone know a source for cheap, short USB to Micro USB cables? I've found these but they're £8. :) ...

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trk...+micro+usb+lead

Like this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-Male-B-Male-Micr...=item35adadf51b

Standard Nokia usb cable is fine, I have two.

[Guest popoyaya]

Like this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-Male-B-Male-Micr...=item35adadf51b

Standard Nokia usb cable is fine, I have two.

nice & cheap! but 90cm a bit too long for portable charging. 6in would be better.

[Guest libretteer]

nice & cheap! but 90cm a bit too long for portable charging. 6in would be better.

I bought a short one from this seller. Seems to work fine for charging from the laptop, haven't tried it in the charger.

[Guest flibb]

I ended up getting a powermonkey powertraveller on ebay for £15, comes with a range of tips, and can shove out 5v at 1.2A from a 2200mAh battery.

[Guest Patricia1066]

I believe it might have something to do with Transistors.

Transistors between pins can tell Android phones what to do like go into Dock Mode / Car Mode.

I used an old MiniUSB Blackberry on my G1 ages ago and it sent the G1 crazy.

I found another way of charging the battery, a miniusb to usb cable. Its described as Portabe mobile micro usb charger - 1500mAh details in earlier post.

It took 2 hours to fully charge.

The output microusb needed to be fully inserted into the phone, taking off the cover, and it was held securely.

It charged up the phone and was fully usable to take calls, play music and network. 1500 mAh gave 4 hours full use, before it beeped it was used up, and the phone was left in a higher battery charge than when plugged in, from 32 to 64% charge.

I am using the stock ROM and usually dont get a complete days use without charging so will be glad to have this when away from usb power source.

[Guest popoyaya]

I found another way of charging the battery, a miniusb to usb cable. Its described as Portabe mobile micro usb charger - 1500mAh details in earlier post.

It took 2 hours to fully charge.

The output microusb needed to be fully inserted into the phone, taking off the cover, and it was held securely.

It charged up the phone and was fully usable to take calls, play music and network. 1500 mAh gave 4 hours full use, before it beeped it was used up, and the phone was left in a higher battery charge than when plugged in, from 32 to 64% charge.

I am using the stock ROM and usually dont get a complete days use without charging so will be glad to have this when away from usb power source.

Not sure what you're talking about here. "miniusb to usb cable"? connected to what exactly. the blade takes a microusb. and what power source are you connecting to?

[Guest chris54621]

i would have considered buying if it was below £10- but the idea is great or just keep a car charger in you car all the time..

[Guest Niks10]

This one is 5000mAh with ZTE Blade's 1250 mAh battery, would this give 4 full charges using this product?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004AM1OK4/

Any one bought this or similar item?