Anker Power Bank Output

#1

I have a Garmin Zumo XT GPS that I use on my bicycle. It has an internal battery, but I want to extend the run time by connecting an Anker power bank.

I see that some have colored USB ports. What are the outputs of the various power banks? I assume they are 5 volts, but are some 1 amp, 2 amps or even 3 amps? How can I tell?

#2

They will typically show the output specs of each port on the website, box, and/or directly on the power bank itself. Is there a specific one you are looking at?

#3

No, there isn’t a specific one, yet. I want to power my Garmin Zumo XT GPS from an Anker power bank when I use it on my bike. It looks like the USB port needs to be 5 volts and 2 amps. I know that USB ports are rated at 5 volts, but I think power banks vary on how many amps they offer.

I assume the blue colored USB ports are more, but how much more?

#4

Port colours can depend on the model of power bank, I’ve seen both blue, black or orange USB ports output 5V/3A

The Anker PowerCore 1300 (A1215) can output at 3A and is fairly compact. Depends also how long you are wanting to extend your Garmin Zumo for

1 Like
#5

If you’re seeing Anker powerbanks with coloured ports then chances are it’s an OLD powerbank, and recommend you check it’s not used. Anker made coloured ports many years ago related to IQ vs IQ2 vs IQ3 and back when there was QC2 QC3.

Anker’s newer products don’t use coloured ports.

Your Garmin has two different “needs”

  • it will have a maximum possible ingest, say 5V 2A which is the fastest possible ingest, typically for when recharging it
  • it’s average power draw, often a lot less than the above.

So you can do some maths:

  • say your Garmin lasted 10 hours and it had a 5000mAh internal cell (look this up yourself, I’m not looking it up for you)
  • so your Garmin thus consumed (5000mAh / 10h) 500mA per hour.
  • there’s always some losses in conversion, cables, ports, etc, so a rough rule is 2/3rds efficiency, so your Garmin to keep charged in this example needs (500 / 2 *3) 667mAh to keep charged. So you’d not need 5V 2A you’d need 5V 0.7A to keep it charged.
  • say your Anker powerbank was a 2000mAh well it would do the above example for (10 * 20000 / 5000 / 3 * 2) for 27 hours.

All Anker chargers all do at least 5V 1A even going back to their 1st oldest models, most do 5V 2A or 5V 2.4A or 5V 3A. Look up the specs on your chosen model.

Simple eh?

#6

Nice breakdown

:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

#7

I sent Garmin a message and there response was:

Hello James,

You will need quite a bit of power. The device needs this type of power:

  • Input: 10-30V, 1.5A (max)
  • Output: 4.8-5.5V, 1.5A

Thank you for choosing Garmin,

I checked my Anker power banks and they show this:

PowerCore Fusion 10000 5V 3A Max

PowerCore III 10K A1247 5V 2.4 A Max

I should be good.

Thank you for the replies.

#8

I use this one, the PowerCore 10000 Redux, attached to a case on my bike: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096TP4B1T

Specs:

Recharging Time: 2.8 hours (with 18W USB PD charger & USB-C to C cable)

USB-C Input：5V ⎓ 3A / 9V ⎓ 2A

USB-C Output：5V ⎓ 3A / 9V ⎓ 2.78A

USB-C PPS Output：3.3-6V ⎓ 3A / 3.3-11V ⎓ 2.78A（25W Max)

USB-A Output：5V ⎓ 3A / 9V ⎓ 2A / 12V ⎓ 1.5A

USB-A Protocol Output: 4.5V ⎓ 5A / 5V ⎓ 4.5A

Total Output：5V ⎓ 3A Max