Review: U2o i-UP External Laptop Power Pack



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Let us know what you think once you have had a play!

Sorry- late to the party again!

I can confirm that the U2O power pack does charge my laptop whilst being on charge itself though I haven't had time to check whether the current in can keep up with the current out!

The power supply is a 'moulded plug' type like most phone chargers.

Must admit after purchasing one of these batteries im quite disappointed. I have an Acer Aspire One Netbook with a 2200mAh battery that gives 2.5 hours usage. I expected a bumper amount of power from the 13200mAh external battery but only get 4.5 hours extra from it. Nearly 2 full recharges. I've learnt that 13200mAh is based on a 5v draw and my netbook is 19v, so the battery seems more 3300mAh if you use 19v.

BTW, My maths may not be correct because im totally confused with volts and mAh. However im clear that the battery only gives me 4.5 hours. tested twice with fully charged battery (left for 8 hours on charge). Netbook was also in powersave mode with decreased lighting etc.

Hi dyno- apologies for the late reply! I saw this post but didn't have time to try your findings till now, and after a little research have to say you are right!

I've tried using the U2O both to recharge my Advent 4213 (3600mAHr battery) and also to power it without the battery. I'd expect 3 full recharges but only get 1.5, and using it as the only power source giives about 4.5 hours (so pretty much the same as 1.5 charges of the main battery)

I'm pretty sure the mAHr rating should be unrelated to voltage- after all the main battery is rated at a mAHr setting. The only question would be whether the charger could sustain the wattage required at the required voltage- my own tests suggest there is little difference between using it as primary power (around 24W by my calculations) and charging power.

I'll try and get some clarification from the supplier but it seems to have degraded quickly from my initial tests when new, but possibly I wasn't rigorous enough.

Thanks for replying back neilm. Its good to confirm the results so others know what to expect. I did get some feedback also from the UK main suppliers which confirms this too.
I have however decided to keep the product because it is still a very handy device. It gives me adaquate power for 99% of my journeys still (Usually 5 hours in a day required) and I nolonger have to carry my power supply or worry about where to recharge.
As you can recharge the laptop or other device while its in your bag its ideal. Plus being able to charge up the mobile when I forget etc makes it a versatile device.
I recently took it on holiday with me and was great to leave all the chargers at home and just take this. It kept my laptop, mobiles and camera all fully charged and had full use of my laptop while waiting for my flight and during it.

I did contact the supplier and got the same reply- the 13200mAh is rated at 5V. I disagree with this as a blunt statement and asked for clarification, but have had no further response.

It may be that the pack can only deliver its optimium performance at 5V- beyond this there will be more of a heating effect so the available power will be used in heat generation. I find the whole thing a little disingenuous- the pack is being sold as an extended battery for laptops and netbooks, with the capability of charging 5V devices over USB if needed. One might expect the rating to be consistent with the target devices.

As you say, this is still a great product, and I use mine frequently, but some mention of its limitations in the literature would be welcomed.

Concerning the rated mAH
13200 mAh at 5 volt. That means that at 10 volt you get only half the mAmps during the same 1 hour. Because the total energy in the battery being 13,200 Ah * 5 = 66wh remains the same. So 66 / 10 = 6.6 Ah . This means only a current of 6600 mA during 1 hour at 10 V . and even less at 13V like neilm experienced.
The way they get to different Volt settings is of course by switching the cells in the devise from parallel to series. Thereby increasing the voltage but limiting the max available output current over the same length of time. Or less time with the same current.

PS
Using this devise as a general battery charger for all devices is not such a good idea, from an environmental point of view. You should use it as such only as a backup, because it decreases general efficiency. (extra step)

Thanks Guy- it's making a little more sense!

I still think it is misleading selling a battery aimed at laptops with specs relevant only to low power devices! By what you are saying, this battery should only be able to supply 13200*5/19 at 19V (3473mA) ?

I received it a few days ago and I'm very happy with it but every time I plug it to the device after a few minutes I hear a high pitch sound coming from both battery and device, what do you guys think?.

Regards

I think I'd take cover!

Seriously I'm not sure it should be doing that. Does it last long?