Teardown: EC Technology 26800mAh Powerbank with QC3.0

Unboxing, first look and full teardown of the EC Technology PB05 powerbank. Features 3 USB outputs (one is Qualcomm QuickCharge 3.0 compatible), 2 USB micro B inputs for high current charging and 8 LG 3350mAh cells inside.
PB05 powerbank on Amazon.co.uk: amzn.to/2yRgrWD
Other links:
www.diypowerwalls.com/t-LG-LGA...
www.injoinic.com/doc/pdf/IP531...
www.injoinic.com/doc/IP5310_Da...

[@Jimmy4949]

You can't expect to get 3340mAh unless you discharge at a very low per cell current, because of the method manufacturers use to rate their cell capacity. Fortunately with 8 cells in parallel the current per cell is lower and you'll get closer to rated capacity out of them. The same cells in a 4 cell powerbank wouldn't yield as many mAh because the individual cell current would be twice as high to produce the same output. A 4A output with 4 cells would be an amp each, but the same 4A output with 8 cells is only half an amp per cell. Manufacturers "cheat" on capacity determination by using a very low discharge current, which usually doesn't represent real world usage, but looks good on the label. The datasheet info I looked at shows those cells minimum capacity to be 3250mAh when discharged at .2C (650mA) to a cutoff voltage of 2.5V. So if you only discharge one at half an amp you may get close to the 3340MAh, and only if you discharge down to 2.5V. If you look at datasheets for all the major producers (LG, Samsung, Panasonic, etc) you'll see that they all use the same method, a .2C discharge down to 2.5V. And even then, with only a .2C discharge the result shown in their datasheet will be less than the label, I guess they round it up a bit. As discharge current increases capacity always drops off, and that's true with NiCad, NiMh, Alkaline, Li-ion, whatever.

[@bridgendesar]

I just used an unheard of before method of opening a powerbank. Tools you'll need, a slide hammer a hot glue gun, some plastic pads that fit into the slide hammer, a vice and some isopropyl alcohol. Simply stick 2 of the plastic pads on a corner on opposite sides of the powerbank (allow glue to cool for max adhesion), clamp one side into the vice and hook the slide hammer onto the other side. Give it a whack, not too hard, and not too soft, the corner will pop up, unfortunately you'll need to do this on each corner (mine came completely off on the third, but results will vary) Now the annoying bit, to remove the tabs with the glue on, soak the glue with the isopropyl alcohol and use a PLASTIC spudger/ old credit card to lift around the edges. It won't come off easily, but it will come off, just take your time (if you stick the pads with a slight overhang, you'll find it easier to push them off)

[@dos541]

lol im taking apart a powerbank while watching julian take apart a powerbank

[@kevinisawake]

Thanks for opening this baby up (the EC Technology 26800mAh Powerbank ) - just bought one now after seeing whats inside. Not happy that its that hard to open though. They should have made it easier so we can update the batteries when they loose their juice over time.

[@cmj20002]

Wow, that is a beefy board. I love it. Nice big inductor as well. Good sized traces.

[@beforebefore]

There's a trick from years back when I worked in Garmin engineering, and we first began to ultrasonic weld plastic cases... freeze the seam with freeze spray (or cans of "air duster" inverted)... freeze it good, then while exerting separation force, whack it with a weighty screwdriver handle... something with some mass. This will fracture the ultrasonic weld, and... as I abhor seeing... "whallah" (come on people... it's a French word "voilà!")

[@paulgrimshaw6301]

I think it would be interesting to measure the efficiency of these power banks, both charging and discharging. 98Wh is just the battery capacity. What do you actually get out, and how does this compare to what you put in?

[@reeseyme9613]

how about doing a round of discharging with the turnigy balance charger to find out the actual capacities of the cells?

[@pirateman1966]

You can glue it back together without the side belt broken parts. Then use 1/2" adhesive backed "foam for weather stripping" at your local hardware store, and stick a belt of it all around the sides of the power bank. Will hide the nastiness, and provides some cushion for the pushin when it hits other objects.

[@TheColinputer]

The 2 chips and 2 inductors would be to keep the normal 5v only ports and QC ports separate. From the placement on the board id say the 18 is doing QC ports and charging using the top inductor. And the 10 is doing the normal 5v ports and the 4 LEDs. using the bottom inductor. That other unknown chip might be for the auto switching for the USB signaling

[@yonjairoacostamontoya454]

My power bank is fully charged but power doen't comes out from any port, the torch can be used, buy form usb port i can not charge y devices... Do you know why now is not charging?

[@mindeunix]

Hey Julian, please test Soshine E3S. I want to know your opinion about this power bank. Thanks!

[@UkSkin]

Considering it''s got 8 branded 18650's in it you really can't argue about the price

[@Chriva]

Been hunting for a while for good cells to put in one of my aging laptops since I could only find cheap nockoff packs for it. Quite understandable since it is 8 years old but I really need it for car stuff. All looked good in the datasheet too. Thanks, Julian :)

[@-Xaverius]

do you have any source where I​ can buy that QD188

[@iPelaaja1]

I was looking at this few days ago. I have two of the previous generation and they are great. I have way too many power banks though and not really any use for them, just thought that the 2 micro-USBs at the input is an interesting idea, so maybe when this is on sale I'll get one.

[@sagagrg3714]

Hello how do you reset this powerbank ??

[@andrewk8636]

Why not use quick charge for the input too? And USB c

[@ApexHerbivore]

Just bought one of these, sadly the leads that come with it aren't good enough to use with the QC port. I thought mine was a dud until I tried using a decent Anker lead.

[@SidneyCritic]

The datasheet is linked on the bottom of the DIY Powerwll table.

[@ufohunter3688]

My guess is to maximize power output delivery for each usb socket driven by a separate chip, or to comply with a protocol that is on one chip but not the other. Or, one could be flashing the LED indicators in Chinese and the other one in English!?

[@matthewmiller6068]

Given the choice between a light and more ports I would rather have more ports - I can get a plug in light if I want one. This one looks a lot more like the RAVPOWER ones. Would be interesting to see how the 26800 USB-C PD one compares to this QC one.

[@dst0815]

can it discharge and charge at the same time?

[@LongPlaysGames]

I assume that you can use the IP5318 to charge while using the IP5310 to discharge, or vise versa.

[@spikeydapikey1483]

I have the older one with the three stage torch. Not really used it that much, but it seems solid enough. Also, as AvE would say: Tappy tap tap!! ;o)

[@DASHAWNJOHN]

I have that one too, i only used the torch once when THE power went out

[@MusicalBox]

I was kinda hopping you'd show us the butter knife datasheet ^_^

[@km5405]

some may call your methods and tools unorthodox but by god you get the job done!

[@Mentorcase]

Because we all open our precision electronic devices with a ball pein hammers and not spudgers!

[@FurrBeard]

I really do dislike enclosures that can't be opened non-destructively. A bit of marring is one thing, but having to partially destroy the case to get access to the inside annoys me.

[@AmmarAbotouk]

I thought the inducter will be bigger to boost to 12v

[@douro20]

Where did the QC3.0 tester come from?

[@ledtester7000]

Search ebay for "QC2.0 QC3.0 Automatic Voltage Current LCD Tester" or on banggood "juwei qc2.0 3.0 tester"

[@cmj20002]

I have some similar cells and the lowest they should go is 2.5, that is listed for the lowest discharge voltage. I have taken them down to 2.6 with no issues, but wouldn't go lower. You know just to be safe. I have not killed one yet.

[@AndrewGillard]

Big Clive did a video on over-discharged Li-Ion cells recently - turns out there's been some actual research done into it and it's not anywhere near as damaging or dangerous as people think. In fact, damage doesn't start occurring until you NEGATIVELY charge them to ~12% of their normal voltage, i.e. you reverse charge them to MINUS 0.5V. Clive's had several cells from Poundland power banks that were showing 0V on arrival but worked perfectly after being charged: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYPaoIyArs-NhNE

[@michaellinahan7740]

Julian, Never looked inside one of these but converted numerous Nicad cordless devices to Lion don't these devices have balanced charging? If not what does this do to life expectancy of the device? Mike

[@JulianIlett]

+Michael Linahan There's no need for balancing since all the cells are in parallel.

[@ahaveland]

You've also answered my question about the cell topology... I made 15 packs of 16 cells for my ebike - if they sold the controller in its own box with an xt60 or HXT socket, we could make use of it with our own arbitrarily sized pack of cells.

[@Kondzio29]

my guess on using two micro controllers is that they used two solutions that can be in standalone banks, juzst to make one powebank that have one QC port and two regular, also only one chip control LEDs

[@Kondzio29]

probably it was cheaper than manufacturing special chip with three outputs

[@nunogarcia9446]

The IP5318 is a dedicated QC 2.0/3.0 voltage regulator that can vary the voltage to comply with the Qualcomm Fast Charging specifications. There are two chips, however, and each of those has one (hefty) coil. From what I've read on the datasheets, I'd agree with you, one chip for 5V and the other for 5/9/12V QC port. It makes sense; it'd be quite hard to be generating both voltages (5V and the one on the QC port, which varies) using only one coil, while switching at the same frequency / duty cycle.

[@JJayzX]

One chip does one input, one standard output and one qc. The other does the other input and standard output.

[@daddytwins2003]

Does each chip take one of the charge inputs and somehow parallel the charge output to the batteries to get the 4 amp charging?

[@JulianIlett]

I think so :)

[@PaulPaulsen]

the 5318 can QC3.0, which the 5310 can´t. and every IC can only handle 2 outputs

[@iPelaaja1]

And one chip can probably only output one voltage, i.e. 5V or QC9/12V at once

[@BAKKER2727]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaXVcoBqaMx1fqc

[@AndrewGillard]

Missed a trick by not including USB Type-C ports, especially given how popular Type-C is in modern phones (and that the chips inside apparently already support it!). With two Type-C ports, even without implementing USB-PD, they could have it charging at 5V/3A x2 = 6A = 30W (and Type-C ports have the useful feature of being able to be used as an output and an input on the same port).

[@kevinisawake]

the future mate - its starting/coming 2020 for usb c.

[@dalenassar9152]

DISASSEMBLY: Hold the knife blade PARALLEL to the seam length and tap lightly with hammer. ?

[@TheSpotify95]

3.something volts for a discharge cut-off is quite high; there is usually still plenty of capacity available to use. 2.5V for the discharge cut-off is about standard for most cell manufacturers, and most Li-Po/Li-Ions in general - go below 2.5V and you run into problems regarding over-discharge; if you stop discharging above 2.5V then you still have usable capacity that is not being used, thus not using the cells to their maximum potential.

[@PolakeXD]

Even with two micro USB ports it gonna take hours to charge the 18650 cells : / Now I for example added an XT60 connector which bypass the circuit board. With this simple modification I can charge the 18650 cells to 4v and let the power bank circuit balance charge every single cell to 4,18v

[@Random_4400]

I'm pretty sure they are using the IP5318 for the fast charging output and dual micro USB input and the 5310 for the other 2 normal 5v outputs. This also explains the 2 inductors, while more efficient to do it this way it is definitely more costly & in this day and age I'm surprised this company is doing it.

[@tabineshhtc]

This cells sold 6€ or more each and if you buy this pb at 26€ which has 8 cells

[@JoshKaufmanstuff]

Since the Charger IC supports USB type-C input. Could they have used 1 type C input instead of the dual Micro-B sockets for fast recharge? (Type C is supposed to be good for 100Watts)

[@rob6676]

amazon wont ship this item to Canada! :(

[@ParedCheese]

Rob W International shipping for items containing LiPos is tough, these days. Regulation on packing & labelling has got quite strict (and therefore prohibitively expensive) due to the danger of them blowing up if damaged by poor handling.

[@nickfranolic2102]

I just order on Amazon.ca for $70.99 can.

[@robertcartier5088]

This item would be excellent to power a TS-80 portable soldering pencil.

[@TheBauwssss]

The two chips are probably for QC2.0 and QC3.0

[@JoshKaufmanstuff]

Where can I get that quick charge breakout?? Can I use this to make a charger for my Surface Pro (requires 12V)?

[@mrb632]

Wondering why they don’t use screws for example instead of this sticking????

[@beforebefore]

1S8P ???? Interesting... I would have guessed 4S2P for more efficient buck conversion. Two controllers for two concurrent USB 3.0 / type C outputs.

[@JulianIlett]

But anything other than 1S8P would need additional balance charge circuitry. Interestingly, the QD188 power bank is 4S2P.

[@pepper669]

Let's offer Julian a can opener.

[@Ghozer]

Sheffield, That's where I live!! xD

[@orbitaaltube]

I have the sos model. It has worked brilliantly. I have taken it camping and on various plane journeys.

[@anjansinghaprovat1973]

Nice..

[@NoHandleToSpeakOf]

Device...

[@golf-n-guns]

Does anyone know the difference (if any) between QC and Oneplus's Dash Charge?

[@golf-n-guns]

www.cnet.com/news/fast-charging-phones-quick-charge-dash-charging/

[@MrBrymstond]

26800mAh before the 5v boost.

[@Debbiebabe69]

Aw god. 26Ah, quickcharge, dual input - yet it still only has the dreadful 4-LED power indicator :(. Ive seen cheap Chinese powerbanks from China with one proper cell and three made of sand, that still has a proper percentage display!

[@AdamWelchUK]

One chip doing Qc, one sensing standard usb and one input, the other doing a further standard sensing USB output and the second input? Nice to see the innards - thanks for continuing to wrestle with it :-)

[@JulianIlett]

That's pretty much it! Follow up video coming soon :)

[@AdamWelchUK]

I’m wondering how well the two ICs will charge together. Like I found with the multi IC TP4056 board it’s not going to work terribly well unless they regulate at exactly the same voltage. Looking forward to your follow up.

[@cypeman8037]

I thought Samsung made LG batteries. 😂😂😂 Wrap it in insulating tape, job done.

[@Sonysam4]

Excelente video !! (:

[@Ra-zor]

Still think it's false advertising when they plug these things as such high capacity, as that is at 3.7v! When you put it through the dc-dc converter and have your 5v output you drop the capacity by over 30% (when double the voltage you half the storage capacity in amps), plus you don't want to discharge the batteries below 20% to prolong their life, so thats about 50% of your capacity lost already...

[@sharronoof3491]

I still like the old one better

[@fromfin90]

I have the older bank, dont need it often but when i do its amazing. Three ports to charge many things at once and enough amps to deal with anything

[@markflack9191]

I have the middle model of the three you showed us, it is my highest capacity powerbank and the one i use most.

[@sazman2000]

oi oi wee man. great vid

[@andljoy]

Oooo they made a new one ..... I needs it .

[@hunainshuja7919]

Thank you for that device, Quick Charge detector.

[@rogercarltonhunter]

Half an A4 size

[@reece1200]

No joke one of these shitters burnt my house down!!

[@lezbriddon]

never trust anything printed on a cell......

[@jeffbeasley8235]

lez briddon agreed, would have liked to see a discharge test to verify the cell capacity.

[@lawrencel3188]

Battery device to charge battery powered devices. Somehow that should seem to break some thermodynamics law. ;-)

[@matthewmiller6068]

Lawrence L i used to think that was silly but the high capacity ones are quite nice - used one of the RAVPOWER 26800mAh USB-C ones on a cross country flight to keep my laptop and smartphone at 100%. They are also nice in a power outage, recharge a phone many times over or my laptop almost twice. Also the power bank I have recharges much faster than the devices I can run from it...so its a nice reservoir

[@StreuB1]

Not available in the US. Rubbish!

[@petti78]

www.amazon.com/dp/B00GBTSHZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gdl.zbX45SH3A

[@evilutionltd]

Battery codes start with LG, wonders who makes them lol.

[@JulianIlett]

+Evil from evilution Doh!

[@maicod]

LOL I thought it meant they contained Liquid Gold

[@johnmorgan1629]

I can't believe how irresponsible you were opening the powerbank, no sign of a explosion containment pie dish.

[@kyoudaiken]

South-Korea cells are rubbish. Panasonic's NCR18650B are the holy grail.

[@Bob_Burton]

Congratulations on destroying a perfectly good powerbank and learning nothing.

[@jcm4377]

UKHeliBob :)

[@NoHandleToSpeakOf]

We learned the chips and cells lables for one.

[@RWBHere]

This 26,800 mAh is a nonesense. Yes, I understand that it's market hype, but if they want to play with numbers, then why not use 95,480 mWh? It sounds bigger, but it is meaningful, and people can make reasonable assessments about the capabilities of a power bank. It doesn't stop dishonest people, but if they are honest, then at least you can say that this provides 1 Amp at 12 V for up to 7.5 hours, 10 V for up to 9 hours, or 5 V for up to 18 hours - allowing for losses. - Or should those be 7,500, 9,000 and 18,000 _millihours_ instead?! ;-p

[@stevenc22]

fourth

[@somethingsomeone5440]

Second

[@akarshagarwal4516]

First

[@Alan2E0KVRKing]

Why are ppl still doing this? Brain cells need replacing, do LG make those cells as well?

[@MrBrymstond]

26800mAh before the 5v boost.