PowerCore Essential 20000 as UPS for Raspberry

#1

Hello all, i wonder if PowerCore Essential 20000AH A1268 could be used always connected to powerline and to a Raspberry, to act as an UPS.
I was also looking for informations on the MAX output current on the single USB port. It says 3A overall. If i connect only one device, it is 3A on that single port?
Thank you.

#2

It’s not documented but probably it’s 2.4A max per port, sharing 3A across 2 ports.

It could probably power a Raspberry Pi 5V 2.4A 12W, but it would turn itself off eventually depending on the load on the Pi, e.g. if Pi was average 5W, assuming this Powercore is 3.7V 74Wh, assuming 90% efficiency, is 13h. You’d then have the Pi forced off when the Powercore was empty and impossible to avoid the Pi turning off.

You can’t feed this Powercore with power while it is delivering power, it’s not a substitute for a ups which has a switch to automatically from power in to out.

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#3

As @professor mentioned, it’s not recommended to charge your power bank at the same time as it is being used to charge something else. This stresses the battery and quickly shortens its lifespan.

#4

I doubt it will even work (pass thru, ups) but so long as the expectations are to begin with a Pi off, run Pi from Powercore for some time, then turn Pi off, then that probably works.

#5

The expectation was to keep a raspberry working during power outages up to a few hours (let’s say six).
My raspberry 3b+ works as wifi hotspot, using a 4g dongle to provide internet access and vpn connection to 3 solar powered wifi security cams. It usually uses less than 2A (little cpu, no keyboard, no mouse, just wifi, usb 4g dongle and ethernet connection).
It is ok with me if i have to replace the PowerBank/“UPS” every year. I understend that battery would be stressed, being used as UPS is not what they are built to do.But i was trying to figure out if i risk just to wear them out, or to overheat them or make them explode… or if this power bank don’t work this way at all.
I found threads on raspberry forum where users claim to be using this model as UPS, but i rather ask here too… and i’m beginning to think it might not be the best option.

#6

This is harder through English words than pictures but I’ll try.

This will NOT work:

  • power to Powercore, Powercore to Pi.
  • Power goes out, Powercore keeps the Pi going until power restored or Powercore empty whichever first.

This will work:

  • power to Pi
  • a charged Powercore unplugged waiting.
  • power outage, the Pi turns off.
  • unplug the power from the Pi, plug in the Powercore to the Pi, the Pi turns on
  • when power restored, unplug Powercore, Pi is off, plug in Power, Pi is on
  • then recharge the Powercore.

Understand?

If someone says they made the first idea work then it’s by luck and not recommended.