Color: BlackChange
Price:$185.00+ Free shipping with Amazon Prime
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on February 14, 2016
Purpose of Purchasing
I play guitar, sing, write my own music and perform (not professionally). There are many event locations where getting AC power is not convenient or the power is unreliable. I think this is great technology that has applications far and wide of the items tested for this review.
Full Disclosure: I received a discounted priced unit with the agreement that I would write a review. There were no other stipulations as part of this agreement. My review is my opinion and not swayed by the discount or opinions of ChargeTech. I originally emailed support several times before suggesting the idea of testing and reviewing this product. The communications were and continue to be excellent.
For this review, the devices tested exclusively use an external AC->DC Power Supply Unit (PSU) with an AC plug on one end connected to the ChargeTech and the other to an AC->DC converter that plugs into the equipment. Since this covered nearly 95% of every piece of electronic gear I own, it seemed a reasonable approach. Keep in mind that before deciding on what to test, I needed to do the math to determine what I had that could be powered by the PPO AC side.
Before receiving the unit, I did a fair amount of research; downloaded specs and the user manual and read-up on the differences between a True Sine Wave (TSW) and a Modified Sine Way (MSW).
The AC output of the ChargeTech PPO is a MSW and my initial concerns were that an MSW might cause issues with sensitive electronic gear. Unless the PSU specifically says TSW only AC Input, you have no concerns. All of the gear tested with the ChargeTech PPO for this review, have PSUs supporting MSU AC Power. You should always check for this before plugging it into the PPO or you’ll likely brick your electronic device and void the PPO warranty.
Important Numbers
Every modern Power Supply Unit (PSU) comes with the power ratings on the AC Input and DC Output sides – the numbers are stenciled or embossed on the PSU. Both the AC and DC information is important to understand first before you plug anything into the ChargeTech PPO. You do not want to void the warranty the ChargeTech offers on their devices. There are a lot of conditions to that warranty so it is recommended that you do your homework first.
You need to understand how to calculate the Power Demand on the PPO AC side (the one powering your equipment). There is circuitry on the PPO to warn you about plugging something in with too much power demand, but it’s not going to prevent you from voiding your warranty or bricking devices. These tests did not challenge the overload circuitry as part of this review.
[See Attachment]
Pros:
The 27,000mAh unit is rated at 500 charges. From zero-to-full takes about 2.5 hours. That’s fast to me in 2016. This will degrade some as the batteries lose efficiency. For this review the unit recharged seven times with no measured difference (to the minute).
• Sleek design. I like the black unit and it looks great with my pedal system
• It does what it says it does
• I can perform on battery with all of my pedals for almost six hours.
Con:
• No replacement battery packs. Once they stop holding a charge, you need to purchase a new unit. Perhaps an altered internal design to support plug and play battery replacement would be more palatable to the wider potential customers who presently DIY DC battery supplies.
Conclusion
I’m enjoying the ChargeTech PPO. It certainly has applications for me beyond music too. I travel so having a great battery for the laptop, tablet, and phone are generally what the PPO was designed for, except in this case - it can do a lot more and for longer. I didn't do a review the USB performance because I can’t think of anything new to say about USB Power other than it works, and it works well with this PPO. You can charge a lot of USB devices.
List of products tested with this 27,000 mAh PPO
• Antares ATG-1 Floorboard AutoTune System
• Boss GP10 Guitar Processor
• iPad 2
• iPad 2.1
• Kindle Fire 7
• TC-Helicon Voice Live 3
• TC-Helicon Voice Live 3 Extreme
• TC-Helicon Play Acoustic
• HP M1212nf Laser Printer
• Intel NUC i7
• Intel NUC i5
• Dell Latitude E7440 Laptop
• Toshiba Satellite Laptop
• Linksys AC3200 Tri-Band Router
• HP1410 Switch
• Cisco DPC3010 Cable Modem
I play guitar, sing, write my own music and perform (not professionally). There are many event locations where getting AC power is not convenient or the power is unreliable. I think this is great technology that has applications far and wide of the items tested for this review.
Full Disclosure: I received a discounted priced unit with the agreement that I would write a review. There were no other stipulations as part of this agreement. My review is my opinion and not swayed by the discount or opinions of ChargeTech. I originally emailed support several times before suggesting the idea of testing and reviewing this product. The communications were and continue to be excellent.
For this review, the devices tested exclusively use an external AC->DC Power Supply Unit (PSU) with an AC plug on one end connected to the ChargeTech and the other to an AC->DC converter that plugs into the equipment. Since this covered nearly 95% of every piece of electronic gear I own, it seemed a reasonable approach. Keep in mind that before deciding on what to test, I needed to do the math to determine what I had that could be powered by the PPO AC side.
Before receiving the unit, I did a fair amount of research; downloaded specs and the user manual and read-up on the differences between a True Sine Wave (TSW) and a Modified Sine Way (MSW).
The AC output of the ChargeTech PPO is a MSW and my initial concerns were that an MSW might cause issues with sensitive electronic gear. Unless the PSU specifically says TSW only AC Input, you have no concerns. All of the gear tested with the ChargeTech PPO for this review, have PSUs supporting MSU AC Power. You should always check for this before plugging it into the PPO or you’ll likely brick your electronic device and void the PPO warranty.
Important Numbers
Every modern Power Supply Unit (PSU) comes with the power ratings on the AC Input and DC Output sides – the numbers are stenciled or embossed on the PSU. Both the AC and DC information is important to understand first before you plug anything into the ChargeTech PPO. You do not want to void the warranty the ChargeTech offers on their devices. There are a lot of conditions to that warranty so it is recommended that you do your homework first.
You need to understand how to calculate the Power Demand on the PPO AC side (the one powering your equipment). There is circuitry on the PPO to warn you about plugging something in with too much power demand, but it’s not going to prevent you from voiding your warranty or bricking devices. These tests did not challenge the overload circuitry as part of this review.
[See Attachment]
Pros:
The 27,000mAh unit is rated at 500 charges. From zero-to-full takes about 2.5 hours. That’s fast to me in 2016. This will degrade some as the batteries lose efficiency. For this review the unit recharged seven times with no measured difference (to the minute).
• Sleek design. I like the black unit and it looks great with my pedal system
• It does what it says it does
• I can perform on battery with all of my pedals for almost six hours.
Con:
• No replacement battery packs. Once they stop holding a charge, you need to purchase a new unit. Perhaps an altered internal design to support plug and play battery replacement would be more palatable to the wider potential customers who presently DIY DC battery supplies.
Conclusion
I’m enjoying the ChargeTech PPO. It certainly has applications for me beyond music too. I travel so having a great battery for the laptop, tablet, and phone are generally what the PPO was designed for, except in this case - it can do a lot more and for longer. I didn't do a review the USB performance because I can’t think of anything new to say about USB Power other than it works, and it works well with this PPO. You can charge a lot of USB devices.
List of products tested with this 27,000 mAh PPO
• Antares ATG-1 Floorboard AutoTune System
• Boss GP10 Guitar Processor
• iPad 2
• iPad 2.1
• Kindle Fire 7
• TC-Helicon Voice Live 3
• TC-Helicon Voice Live 3 Extreme
• TC-Helicon Play Acoustic
• HP M1212nf Laser Printer
• Intel NUC i7
• Intel NUC i5
• Dell Latitude E7440 Laptop
• Toshiba Satellite Laptop
• Linksys AC3200 Tri-Band Router
• HP1410 Switch
• Cisco DPC3010 Cable Modem
on November 4, 2015
Let me start by saying, this battery pack performs very well, especially considering its type being fairly new to market. I have seen some bad reviews for this and similar products, and I think that they are by people who don't know what they are buying.
If you are expecting a portable wall outlet, then you are living in a fantasy. If you need some portable power for a low power AC device like a laptop charger then this is going to work great for you.
Pros:
-Compact for it's capacity
-Sleek looking
-Fairly efficient (for a modified sine wave inverter)
-High sustained AC power output for what it is (~90W on my model)
Cons:
-Can get quite hot if left in an enclosed space (like a bag) while in use. This could be a big problem because there does not appear to be any thermal overload protection for the inverter (or it is set quite high)
-Use of CR18650s (I assume based on dimensions) vs prismatic cells leads to a larger device than needed and lower energy density
Technical Overview:
Note: I do not work for the company, so my statements on the internals of this device are educated guesses.
This pack seems to be build from 8x3000 mAh CR18650 cells likely placed in a series-parallel configuration of two strings of four. This would allow for the pack voltage to be 12-15V which is ideal for most inverter technology on the market. The overall pack is quoted as 24000 mAH due to its 8x3000mAH cells. This means that the total pack energy is approximately 90WH. This means that if you are using the pack at its full power capability of ~90W, expect it to be unusable in approximately 40 minutes (if you include some losses due to inefficiencies).
In practice I have been able to charge my Surface Book from 5% to 60% while the laptop was in use on a full charge of the battery pack. My laptop has about a 70WH battery capacity which means that the pack was able to give it about 50WH (if you include a little for being in use) worth of energy before it quit. This means that battery to battery power conversion efficiency was around 50-60% which is not unexpected considering the type of inverter and various stages of conversion that happen.
Overall I am very satisfied with this pack and I will continue to use it as a portable expansion to my laptop's internal battery for quite a while.
I plan to update this review with pack wear and product life information when I can.
If you are expecting a portable wall outlet, then you are living in a fantasy. If you need some portable power for a low power AC device like a laptop charger then this is going to work great for you.
Pros:
-Compact for it's capacity
-Sleek looking
-Fairly efficient (for a modified sine wave inverter)
-High sustained AC power output for what it is (~90W on my model)
Cons:
-Can get quite hot if left in an enclosed space (like a bag) while in use. This could be a big problem because there does not appear to be any thermal overload protection for the inverter (or it is set quite high)
-Use of CR18650s (I assume based on dimensions) vs prismatic cells leads to a larger device than needed and lower energy density
Technical Overview:
Note: I do not work for the company, so my statements on the internals of this device are educated guesses.
This pack seems to be build from 8x3000 mAh CR18650 cells likely placed in a series-parallel configuration of two strings of four. This would allow for the pack voltage to be 12-15V which is ideal for most inverter technology on the market. The overall pack is quoted as 24000 mAH due to its 8x3000mAH cells. This means that the total pack energy is approximately 90WH. This means that if you are using the pack at its full power capability of ~90W, expect it to be unusable in approximately 40 minutes (if you include some losses due to inefficiencies).
In practice I have been able to charge my Surface Book from 5% to 60% while the laptop was in use on a full charge of the battery pack. My laptop has about a 70WH battery capacity which means that the pack was able to give it about 50WH (if you include a little for being in use) worth of energy before it quit. This means that battery to battery power conversion efficiency was around 50-60% which is not unexpected considering the type of inverter and various stages of conversion that happen.
Overall I am very satisfied with this pack and I will continue to use it as a portable expansion to my laptop's internal battery for quite a while.
I plan to update this review with pack wear and product life information when I can.
on March 6, 2017
Bought this for traveling with my new 2016 MacBook Pro 13. Need lots of extra power for editing in Lightroom for work trips. I originally wanted a USB-C connection to not have to carry the battery pack charger, but I need to do a lot more research on what actually works well with a good amount of power for the MBP13. In the end, with this battery I just have to travel with the battery pack's power cord for recharging when I can (and the power cord for recharging the battery pack really isn't that big). On a recent trip back from a shoot in the Bahamas, I was able to edit in Lightroom for about 3 hours with the MBP13 plugged into the Chargetech battery using the apple usb-c cable and power brick (with the apple power extension from my 2013 MBP15 connected to the brick for more secure attachment) and MBP battery was still at 100% with still 1 "dot" of power on the Chargetech battery pack. I could probably have gone another 30 min to an hour or maybe more. Screen brightness was up 100% and all programs closed except for Lightroom. Overall I love this for serious power needs... also can be used with any device with a power cord that won't exceed the battery output, so very versatile. Definitely suggest using the Apple Power adapter extension if you have one or buying one for a more secure conenction (although using the power brick plugged directly into the Chargetech does work, just not as secure while on plane- I put the battery on the floor below my legs to keep it out of the way and ventilated)- Apple Power Adapter Extension Cable. Overall SUPER happy with the battery pack. It IS large- around the size of an iPad mini but MUCH thicker and heavier, but I carry pro camera gear all day, so not a big deal for me. And besides... if you NEED then power and there's no outlet at your seat on the plane, what options do you have? Definitely recommend the battery pack. FYI... I purchased this full price and was not solicited for review or received anything for my review. Just spent a lot of time trying to figure out the solution to my travel power needs and this fits the bill!
on February 14, 2017
I'm using it to power a CPAP. Good price compared to CPAP dealers, and the ac outlet avoids the scam of having to buy a $90 dc adapter from manufacturer. It runs the CPAP FOR 7 hrs which is just barely adequate - if they made one size larger i'd buy it now.
on July 22, 2016
I have a portable oxengiater, I was short an hour for my travel time. At a loss I called the company who suggested that that I buy a battery for 325. I was not happy with that idea as I am renting the machine and felt that could change, like everything does. So I started looking for something like a battery pack. I was checking the battery cosst on amazon when up poped the Charge tech 27000. with mucfch caution and checking with an electrion friend I decied to get it. My thought was if it didn't work I could use it for other things like phone pad computer. Well Guess what it works I an thirlled not only did I save money but I can do what I wanted it for plus. I am a happy camper thanks amazon and charge tech, By the way the tech people are great too.
on August 2, 2016
I bought one. I've used for about 3-4 charge sessions. It's fairly nifty.
I use it to charge essentially my Surface Pro 3 when I went to the laundromat or I'm sitting away from an outlet and am being lazy.
It works fairly well for this.
My only two complaints about it are:
1. When I bought it and continuing to now, there's something loose on the inside (I can hear movement, like something is rolling when I tilt it). I don't think it's causing any damage...but, I don't like that sound.
2. Half the time I use it, it runs cool (which is great and is unlike my other battery charge (I think it's an Anker 10,000mAh)) but then half the time I have stuff plugged in (like today when I was at a doctor's office waiting, it was running extremely hot, like burning). I didn't smell anything funky from it.
I think it's just my model is slightly abnormal. Anyways, I would buy it again if it stopped working or if I lost it.
I use it to charge essentially my Surface Pro 3 when I went to the laundromat or I'm sitting away from an outlet and am being lazy.
It works fairly well for this.
My only two complaints about it are:
1. When I bought it and continuing to now, there's something loose on the inside (I can hear movement, like something is rolling when I tilt it). I don't think it's causing any damage...but, I don't like that sound.
2. Half the time I use it, it runs cool (which is great and is unlike my other battery charge (I think it's an Anker 10,000mAh)) but then half the time I have stuff plugged in (like today when I was at a doctor's office waiting, it was running extremely hot, like burning). I didn't smell anything funky from it.
I think it's just my model is slightly abnormal. Anyways, I would buy it again if it stopped working or if I lost it.
on December 18, 2015
I bought the 27000 mah battery for $150 on 12/17/15. It was a Holiday sale or something. It arrived via Amazon prime the next day.
I think people should know the watt hours of this device. Ah can be quite misleading because the voltage of batteries can be different. This pack has 27 AH * 3.7V (lithium batteries) = 99.9 Watt hours.
Observations:
-Using a kill a watt meter I can see the unit by itself draws up to 0.7 watts an hour when the inverter is turned on. Not bad for DC to AC inverter being turned on.
-The product has the same power supply and manual of the HIS Gear Up Portable AC and Enerpad portable AC outlet which is made in China or Taiwan. In fact, the power outlet products look exactly the same besides having different branding labels.
Pros:
-Roughly 99.9 watt hours of power.
-Will deliver up to about 85watts/hour to most devices.
-Portable and decent product.
-Will even charge my 17" - 150Watt/hour - i7-5700hq, geforce 6gb 970M - Gigabyte P37wV4 laptop with low brightness settings in balanced power mode or turned off. (Power draw is typically 30w to 65w)
Cons:
-no LED percentage indicator for more precise battery levels
-no Sine wave inverter; Power transfer efficiency can be better. But overall it is good.
-85w max output. I'd like to see 125-150w Max + additional peak, even if it is a 99.9 WH battery.
-no USB C / Thunderbolt 3 for Dc to Dc charging of Intel 6th generation devices that. I don't count this against Chargetech as it is fairly new for 2015.
-Price: Even at the Holiday price of $150+ tax for 27AH or 100 watts, it still costs about $5.56 per Amp Hour. There are other lithium ion AC power outlet products out there that will cost less. Right now the HIS Gear UP Ac outlet has a cost point of $3.50 per AH. They are on clearance.
I paid $32.50 for 13 AH. The 20AH costs $60+tax to $69.99. These products look exactly the same as the Chargetech products.
Conclusion: Overall, I am quite happy. I just think the price needs to come down more as other companies have competitive Portable AC outlet products for less. That is why I give this only 4 / 5 stars.
I think people should know the watt hours of this device. Ah can be quite misleading because the voltage of batteries can be different. This pack has 27 AH * 3.7V (lithium batteries) = 99.9 Watt hours.
Observations:
-Using a kill a watt meter I can see the unit by itself draws up to 0.7 watts an hour when the inverter is turned on. Not bad for DC to AC inverter being turned on.
-The product has the same power supply and manual of the HIS Gear Up Portable AC and Enerpad portable AC outlet which is made in China or Taiwan. In fact, the power outlet products look exactly the same besides having different branding labels.
Pros:
-Roughly 99.9 watt hours of power.
-Will deliver up to about 85watts/hour to most devices.
-Portable and decent product.
-Will even charge my 17" - 150Watt/hour - i7-5700hq, geforce 6gb 970M - Gigabyte P37wV4 laptop with low brightness settings in balanced power mode or turned off. (Power draw is typically 30w to 65w)
Cons:
-no LED percentage indicator for more precise battery levels
-no Sine wave inverter; Power transfer efficiency can be better. But overall it is good.
-85w max output. I'd like to see 125-150w Max + additional peak, even if it is a 99.9 WH battery.
-no USB C / Thunderbolt 3 for Dc to Dc charging of Intel 6th generation devices that. I don't count this against Chargetech as it is fairly new for 2015.
-Price: Even at the Holiday price of $150+ tax for 27AH or 100 watts, it still costs about $5.56 per Amp Hour. There are other lithium ion AC power outlet products out there that will cost less. Right now the HIS Gear UP Ac outlet has a cost point of $3.50 per AH. They are on clearance.
I paid $32.50 for 13 AH. The 20AH costs $60+tax to $69.99. These products look exactly the same as the Chargetech products.
Conclusion: Overall, I am quite happy. I just think the price needs to come down more as other companies have competitive Portable AC outlet products for less. That is why I give this only 4 / 5 stars.
on August 6, 2016
As a competition bbq cook I need a reliable source of power to run my temperature control system overnight while sleep. The ChargeTech provides that security and more. I no longer have to lug around "car battery" size powerpack to perform that task.
on June 10, 2016
For about a month, I have been using this small battery pack to power two separate incliners. I have tried other non-mAh portable, rechargeable power packs, but they would not last more than a few hours. This ChargeTech unit is excellent, perfect for my incliner application, which I use daily. The other units were much larger, but not nearly as reliable. They would not last a day, before needing to be recharged for 10 hours. I recharge the ChargeTech about every two weeks, for 2 - 3 hours. Excellent product, which does what its developer says it will do. Did I mention that it powers BOTH of my incliners...at the same time?And it's easily hidden out of sight. I also bought a power plug splitter, so that I could plug both of the chair power plugs into the power pack, which has a single three-prong receptacle. Money well spent for what had been a very elusive solution!
