Silverstone PB06 USB Power Bank Tear-Down

[Guest]

USB power banks come in many shapes and sizes, some of them also including value-added capabilities. Today, we’re taking a look at SilverStone’s PB06.

Silverstone PB06 USB Power Bank Tear-Down : Read more

 

[Daniel Sauvageau]

For those wondering how that third unit turned out, its 12V cover is in-between the first two: tight enough not to slip out on its own, but not snug enough to stay put completely either. So far, the micro-B connector hasn't broken off from mild intentional abuse.

 

[zodiacfml]

80 USD?! No thanks.

 

[alextheblue]

For those who want jump-starting first, with a dash of USB charging, Noco's Genius Boost GB40 is solid. The GB40 is rated at 1000A "3 seconds" which falls somewhere between cranking and peak amps. They have even more powerful options too. They're pricey unless you find a good deal. Other good-looking (brand and otherwise) options I've run across that prioritize jump starting but still have decent USB 5V capability:

- Omega's 80600. 350/700A peak. I've used this model. Also sold under Pro-Lift I-8006 series. 6000 rated mAh 5V capacity IIRC.
- Omega's harder-to-find 81100 unit. 400/800 amps - rated 11000 mAh
- Ravpower's RP-PB053 600A peak unit. 18000 mAh "raw"/unrated capacity.
- Ravpower's RP-PB063 1000A peak unit. 14000 mAh - rated?
- Bolt Power's D29 450/900A peak unit. 18000 unrated mAh.
- Wagan's 7506 V10 "400"/700A peak unit.

Of those probably the most interesting units is Ravpower's RP-PB063. It's still geared towards jump starting but it has faster charging than any of the other ones above - one of its USB ports even supports QC 3.0.

 

[Dan414]

Awesome write-up. Thanks!!

 

[Olle P]

Overall a nice in-depth review!
Two oddities though:
1. This is NOT a 10Ah battery pack. Since the cells are connected in series it's just 3,3Ah.
2. The ripple is measured at ~9V. Shouldn't the USB output be 5.0V?

 

[Daniel Sauvageau]

Overall a nice in-depth review!
Two oddities though:
1. This is NOT a 10Ah battery pack. Since the cells are connected in series it's just 3,3Ah.
2. The ripple is measured at ~9V. Shouldn't the USB output be 5.0V?

Most power banks report the total combined rating of their lithium cells. Travel restrictions don't care if the cells are in series or parallel, all they care about is the total Wh or Ah capacity of the underlying cells. For the end-users, 50Wh is 50Wh regardless of series or parallel as well. When you buy a 5.2Ah power bank, you usually find a pair of 2600mAh cells in parallel but this only gives you ~4V, so you need a boost converter to get that up to ~5.1V. Since the PB06's battery voltage is 12.6V, it uses a buck regulator to bring that down to 5V or 9V instead.

I suppose I should have tested at 5V too instead of 9V Quick Charge. Same inductor and switching frequency though since all the QC voltage selection chip does is change the switching regulator's feedback voltage divider, so ripples would still be quite significant at about half as much.

 

[Olle P]

1. This is NOT a 10Ah battery pack. Since the cells are connected in series it's just 3,3Ah.

Most power banks report the total combined rating of their lithium cells. Travel restrictions don't care if the cells are in series or parallel, all they care about is the total Wh or Ah capacity of the underlying cells. For the end-users, 50Wh is 50Wh regardless of series or parallel as well.

There's a HUGE difference between watthours (stored energy) and amperehours (battery capacity), since the former takes the voltage into account.
The package clearly states 10 Ah, which it's not.
It's 3.3 Ah, 36 Wh.