As solar technology gets more widely adopted, we’re seeing an increase in the number of personal devices with permanent solar panels. Portable power banks & chargers are one sort of electronic equipment that has fully embraced solar technology. Solar energy banks are becoming a must-have for outdoor lovers as well as a reliable tool for city workers who depend on their computers and smartphones to get themselves through the day.
These handy tools store and generate electricity, allowing you to recharge your portable devices on a daily basis even if you don’t have access to an AC outlet. A solar power bank is an important emergency preparedness gear for others, as it can recharge electronics during natural calamities and power outages.
What Is A Power Cell?
“An arrangement of galvanic cells for conserving electricity” is what a power cell is. To put it another way, it’s just a fancy title for a battery. Power cells are sometimes known as portable chargers or power banks. With the growth of mobile gadgets in the last fifteen years, compact backup power sources, particularly those with a built-in panel, have become increasingly popular. In the event of a power outage or emergency, the solar panel serves as a reliable means of charging the real power cell.
Portable Solar Chargers
Solar electric chargers have similar properties and components in general. They are usually small and light, meant to slip into the pocket or crammed into a backpack. Power cells are often used to specific levels of electricity to small equipment such as cell phones, radios, and even lights in distant regions.
Most portable chargers can be recharged using one of the following methods, depending on the model.
- A USB port is used to connect to a computer.
- A Power supply cord is used to connect to a wall socket.
- Using a built-in solar cell or energy source and being connected directly into solar cells through an MC4 connector.
Similarly, to use the cell, the battery’s stored electricity must be released to the necessary electrical equipment. Typically, power banks can produce energy in one of the following ways:
- Plugs for an AC (wall outlet)
- Outlets for cigarette lighters (DC)
- USB ports
4Patriot Power Cell
The Patriot Power Cells are solar-powered, ultra-portable chargers. The device can charge any USB and is small enough to fit in your pocket. The Patriot Power Generator, which 4Patriots introduced in 2014, is the company’s most well-known product.
Plugging your Patriot Power Cell into a wall outlet is the quickest way to recharge it. The Patriot Power Cell, on the other hand, will charge itself using its eye-catching built-in solar panel. However, the solar cell could be ineffective to the point of being purely decorative.
Developer Of Patriot Power Cell
4Patriots, an American firm that sells survival equipment such as flashlights, dried meals, and water filtration systems, created the Patriot Power Cell. 4Patriots is situated in Nashville, Tennessee, and their fundamental aim and mission is “freedom and self-reliance.” On their website, you may learn more about the firm and explore all of the items.
What Makes It Unique?
The 4Patriot Power Cells are intended to serve as a backup power source for any USB-powered device. It can therefore charge cell phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices.
The patriot power cell, on the other hand, just comes with two conventional USB Type-A connections. A USB Type C port may be required if you have a recent smartphone or tablet. If this is the situation, you will need to acquire an additional adapter or another power bank because the Patriot Energy Cell does not allow it.
Pros
- All-in-one device with a small footprint
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof
- A built-in LED flashlight is included.
- TSA lithium battery standards are approved.
- It’s tough and can resist a lot of drops.
- Long-term viability (500 charges)
Cons
- Solar charging is extremely slow (40 hours)
- AC charging is inefficient (about 6 hours)
- The three-month shelf life necessitates frequent charging.
- There have been numerous complaints of gadget failures.
- Only 2 USB type A connectors are available, and there are no other outlets.
- The cost per amp hour is higher than alternatives.
Battery Life
Patriot Power Cell has an 8000 mAh battery capacity. This should be enough to charge your smartphone somewhere between 2 – 4 times, depending on your device.
When your four Patriot Power Cells are fully charged, they can last for about three months. This is referred to as the “shelf life” of patriot power cells.
Users can expect 500+ full life cycles of charging/discharging from the Patriots Power Cell during its lifetime. In addition, 4Patriots provides certain substantial guarantees. Patriots claim to offer a 100% satisfaction 12-month money-back guarantee as well as a two years warranty on their website.
How To Charge A Patriot Power Cell?
You may charge the patriot cell by connecting it into the socket or choosing to leave it out in the sun, as previously stated. However, the time required to charge to full varies significantly.
The charging period for an AC wall outlet is around 6 hours in optimum conditions. This adapter is a little slow in comparison to other chargers, but it’s not horrible. The Patriot Power Cell, on the other hand, can take up to forty hours to charge from the sun! That’s right, you read it accurately. It took me 40 hours.
Cost
A Patriot Power Cell costs around $29.95 on the 4Patriots website, totaling around $40. As a result, if you’re shopping for the entire family, you could save money. A Patriot Cell 4 Pack is also available for $99 from the firm. The 4 Pack set of patriot power cells also comes with a “lifetime access” pass to the firm’s Prepared Digital Guidebooks.
Summary
The Patriot Power Cell, despite being a rather simple gadget, performs admirably. The tiny, handy battery bank may be charged overnight and is ready to go the next day. The Patriot Cell will come in handy whether you’re traveling on a road trip, going camping, or simply need an extended battery recharge for your phone.
With that considered, it’s difficult to look past the device’s barely working solar panel. The entire thing comes across as a cheap gimmick. Definitely, there is always space for development in general. The Patriot Energy Cell isn’t the best or most affordable portable solar charger available.
