Portable Power Bank for Raspberry Pi 3

[samferguson]

Hi Everyone -

Has anyone been able to power the RasPi3 from portable power? We've been using the Raspi2 with mobile phone power banks quite successfully, but now they don't work with Raspi3. I bought a new power bank that said it had 2.5A output, but it still doesn't work.

Any suggestions for particular power banks that work?

[drgeoff]

Try using a shorter, thicker cable between powerbank and RPi.

[Powerbanktalk]

Power consumptions are important here I guess using higher output Power bank can be the answer. I personally have not used Raspberry 3 but would definitely like to try using power bank for this.Portable charger power bank of 3v could be useful I guess will let you know once I try it !
I have collection of power banks reviewed @ my blog http://www.powerbanktalk.com

[pingpong2012]

The Pi3 is limited on voltage usually, not current. Like 4.8V would probably leave it permanently blinking. Most pi3-specific supplies are 5.1V and some even advertise >5V at 2.5A draw. Unfortunately I haven't seen any pi3 specific batteries.

"doesn't work" is also a relative term. I can use two power banks each rated at 2.1 or 2.5A, and they both work but give rainbow squares. Even at 100% CPU usage, and some GPU, I had a rainbow square and no issues.

[samferguson]

You say you use two different power banks? Could you tell me which ones? ie brand and model. I'm ok with rainbow square if need be as I'm running headless and the damn thing's so fast it'll probably do my job no problems even when underpowered.

By doesn't work, I mean gets to the rainbow screen, flickers a bit, and then I get rainbow square, then I'm stuck on rainbow screen. I take the same card out and run it on the raspi2 with no problems. I'm assuming the kernel is the same on both. That's unlikely to be the problem right? Or...

Found this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=138725&p=926016

Is it just I need to rpi-update the firmware ? Did you have to do that? Thread seems evenly balanced between USB cable thickness and updating software.

[pi-anazazi]

Hi!

I just tried one of those:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/mobil ... s-3542058/
...with a very short cable on a Raspi 3. The green LED is flickering, nothing else happenz...

when it is fresh loaded, boots fine a Raspi3

Works fine for Raspi 1B and 2B+, even with much smaller power banks (for mobile use ).

[drgeoff]

I take the same card out and run it on the raspi2 with no problems. I'm assuming the kernel is the same on both. That's unlikely to be the problem right? Or...

Found this thread:
viewtopic.php?t=138725&p=926016

Is it just I need to rpi-update the firmware ? Did you have to do that? Thread seems evenly balanced between USB cable thickness and updating software.

The RPi3 has quad core processor and they are a different ARM version from the single core in all other RPis.

Unless you have an OS that caters for that, it will not boot.

[Sughorai]

Please check if there is any option for the smart charging in the portable power bank. Smart charging feature provides the power bank the ability to detect the current drawing ability of the connected device and discharge power accordingly. So, if your Raspberry power bank has smart charging then, your smartphone should not be having trouble to get charged. Otherwise do not forget to check the charging port of the smartphone, if that is fine try an adapter. You can get more about power bank troubleshooting at my site: http://www.powerbanky.com.

[drgeoff]

Please check if there is any option for the smart charging in the portable power bank. Smart charging feature provides the power bank the ability to detect the current drawing ability of the connected device and discharge power accordingly. So, if your Raspberry power bank has smart charging then, your smartphone should not be having trouble to get charged. Otherwise do not forget to check the charging port of the smartphone, if that is fine try an adapter. You can get more about power bank troubleshooting at my site: http://www.powerbanky.com.

Totally incorrect.

Smart charging enables the powerbank to advise the device being powered/charged the maximum current the powerbank can provide.

It is the device being powered/charged that decides how much current it will draw. Apart from advising the maximum, the powerbank does not influence the current it provides.

Smart charging uses the two data pins in a USB host port. The micro-USB socket on RPis has only the two power pins connected. Even if the powerbank provides smart charging information, the RPi does not see it. Even if it did, the information would be of no use.

[khooke]

I'm using an Anker E3 Astro 10000 and an Anker PowerCore 13000 and both of these will power the Pi3 with no rainbow square in the top right. If I add the 7" screen as well though, I have to use both batteries otherwise I do get a rainbow square (connect one pack to the screen, one to the Pi).

[caldimerda]

I'd like to know if anyone has an update to this? I would like a power bank with an output port sufficient to power a RPI 3 too.

I have an Anker E4 and and EasyAcc 10000 and both will power up the Pi but it throttles on the EasyAcc and even with the Anker it did as soon as even a single processor starts to do much work.

All these devices seem to have a 2.4A output maximum. But with quick charge and similar features now being offered, does anyone know if the new powerbanks run an RPI 3 that's doing something?

[JimmyN]

The power bank is rated at 2.4A, and it may likely provide that. The problem is seldom the power bank as long as it's rated 2A or more, the problem is the USB cable between the power bank and the PI. The conductors are too small so currents over an amp result in a significant voltage drop.

They are fine for charging things, and if 1A or so of charging current causes the voltage to drop a half volt it's really not a problem since the battery peak charge voltage is only 4.2V. But if you want to use it to actually power a Pi you'll have a problem if you're dropping a half volt or more in the cable. Use that same cable on a 10A supply and you'll still have low voltage at the Pi, the problem is the cable.

[caldimerda]

Hi JimmyN

I've fallen foul of many RPI power problems, so yes I have checked it's not the cable - because I use the same cable with a power supply and with the power banks. The Powerbank isn't delivering enough current when the RPI 3 does some work. From the MagPi benchmark chart it seems a RPI 3 will need 3A.

[klricks]

Hi JimmyN

I've fallen foul of many RPI power problems, so yes I have checked it's not the cable - because I use the same cable with a power supply and with the power banks. The Powerbank isn't delivering enough current when the RPI 3 does some work. From the MagPi benchmark chart it seems a RPI 3 will need 3A.

The power used by the RPi 3 and connected devices is limited to 2.5A by the 'polyfuse'. A RPi would not approach that unless fully loaded with devices including camera, display and several other USB devices.

That said, many power supplies have trouble outputting the full 5.0 V when operating at the advertised maximum current rating, so using a higher rated power supply can be helpful.

I would expect that the power banks would suffer more in that regard as it is more difficult to step up voltage (3.7V to 5.0V) than it is to step voltage down as done in a typical power supply.

[caldimerda]

Well what do I know. I'd casually glanced at the MagPi graph and somehow arrived at 3A. Oh dear, what is age doing to me?

I'd read about the stepping up. I guess it doesn't matter what the reason is. I'd like a Powerbank that doesn't give me low voltage warnings!

[Daveawalker]

I have a 10000mAh power bank and what I have done is put in a buck DC - DC Convertor directly onto the Battery. http://www.communica.co.za/catalog/Details/P4138706545
This prevents the brown outs for me when power goes off, I am using it as a PSU.
I have upped the voltage to 5.2V and it still drops 400mV over the cables, I am measuring the voltage on the Pi Header..
My next step will be to connect directly on to the 5V on the Pi header to remove these pesky micro usb cables..
I am running osmc and need a stable supply.. Idling it draws only 70mA but when playing video it ups to around 100-150mA

[drgeoff]

.. it is more difficult to step up voltage (3.7V to 5.0V) than it is to step voltage down as done in a typical power supply.

I'm not convinced that is true. Have you anything to support your statement?

[Bruny]

Smart charging uses the two data pins in a USB host port. The micro-USB socket on RPis has only the two power pins connected. Even if the powerbank provides smart charging information, the RPi does not see it. Even if it did, the information would be of no use.

We should be more interested in pass-through charging and UPS features

[drgeoff]

Smart charging uses the two data pins in a USB host port. The micro-USB socket on RPis has only the two power pins connected. Even if the powerbank provides smart charging information, the RPi does not see it. Even if it did, the information would be of no use.

We should be more interested in pass-through charging and UPS features

I fail to see why Bruny has quoted me.

Smart charging is totally independent from pass through charging and UPS features. A powerbank can have neither, either or both.

[MHB]

I have a 10000mAh power bank and what I have done is put in a buck DC - DC Convertor directly onto the Battery. http://www.communica.co.za/catalog/Details/P4138706545
This prevents the brown outs for me when power goes off, I am using it as a PSU.
I have upped the voltage to 5.2V and it still drops 400mV over the cables, I am measuring the voltage on the Pi Header..
My next step will be to connect directly on to the 5V on the Pi header to remove these pesky micro usb cables..
I am running osmc and need a stable supply.. Idling it draws only 70mA but when playing video it ups to around 100-150mA

Awesome, I'm glad it works. Was hoping to implement something similar. And hey, Communica!

To add to the discussion, with a cheap Adata 10000mAh powerbank (4*18650 cells) the output voltage drops significantly when driving a 1A resistive load. I suspect the output regulator to be the culprit. The powerbank has 1A and 2 A output ports, which are connected in parallel....

[Usman95]

Hey there,

On the topic of power banks, that actually work. In all honesty, there are really just a set few number of power banks chargers on the market that are top tier. This is mainly because power banks can easily be created, made to look special and ultimately their quality is still left in the gutter. This is why it's so important to search and know the best companies that make portable chargers because this way you're not stuck with a mediocre product.

Take a read about this https://www.chargerharbor.com/best-top- ... ever-made/. These are one of the select few companies that have proven time and time again that portable chargers are supposed to have a standard to meet and that quality does indeed matter.

Although I am wondering what power bank you did purchase? Hopefully, you can avoid that brand in the future and if it is from a reputable charging electronic company then it might be a defective unit. Hopefully, you can take advantage of the warranty that most charging electronic companies have.

[JLPotocki]

Well It's been a while since anyone posted here about the subject, but I will tell you my experience on this subject. I bought a Raspberry Pi 3 with a 3.5in monitor, and powered it with a Blackweb 9000mah Power Bank it outputs 5V 2.4a that I bought at a Walmart. It powered the pi3, Monitor, Logitech G11 keyboard and Mouse. The down side to the .1a difference was a very minor dip on performance (barely noticeable) I will say that If you are looking into Power banks for a power solution be sure to do the following:

1. Buy the Power Bank from a retailer with good standing (avoid Alibaba and ebay type stores.)

2. At the time I post this make sure it has a output of 2.4a, or greater. (I will test it on a 2a power bank soon.)

3. If you are going to use this were the CPU is running at 40% or higher 80% of the time look for 20000mah or larger capacity if you need 8 or more hours of use. (mine ran for around 3-4 hours at 80% CPU average use with all the the attachments in use as well.)

4.If you need a 24/7 off-grid rig (like camping or tailgating) consider a 20000mah power bank with a Small Solar Power Cell combo.

By the way the power bank I am using only cost me a whopping $10......... so it is way cheaper than buying a Lithium Ion Battery from adafruit.

[davidcoton]

Welcome, JLPotocki. That's all good experience you report. Just one thing:

4.If you need a 24/7 off-grid rig (like camping or tailgating) consider a 20000mah power bank with a Small Solar Power Cell combo.

Make that a "100Ah power bank with a Large Solar Cell combo"
It depends how much sunlight you get, and exactly what you are powering (hardware) and what software you are running. But for your rig, you use about 3Ah battery capacity each hour.
So for the battery to last 24h it needs at least 72Ah, and some reserve for dull days.
At 3.7V (normal power bank battery) 3Ah used in one hour is about 11W consumption. So over 24h your solar panel must provide 264Wh, or 22Ah at 12V. On average you get 12h daylight, much less at high latitudes in winter, and in many places sunlight is not reliable. Even if you can guarantee the sun for 6h in winter, the solar panels will only produce full power when the sun is high, so maybe the equivalent of 4h at full output. So your panel need a peak output of 6A (72W) -- and I haven't been particularly conservative in these calculations. A detailed calculation mneeds a lot more info on the actual requirement for power, the run time without good sunlight, and the local sunlight averages.

tl;dr -- for 24/7 off grid, you need a bigger battery and solar panel than you would ever guess.

[MarkR]

I use one similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/PowerGen%C2%AE-1 ... op?ie=UTF8

It is capable of driving a Pi3 with camera and some other gubbins including a couple of small continous servos which drive the robot along.

The Pi3 I have running computer vision algorithms which hit the CPU pretty hard

[amanjjghg]

Check out http://bestpowerbanksformobiles.in for best power banks reviews