Tag Archives: batteries

Geelink GL-02 portable power station can be mixed and matched to your needs

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Battery-powered backups are becoming more common these days, especially as people start to move away from inefficient, loud, and dangerous gasoline generators. There is quite a number of options out there, differing in sizes, battery capacities, and output ports, demonstrating that there isn’t really a “one size fits all” solution in this case. There are some modular designs out there as well, but they sadly lean towards the hefty side of the spectrum, sorely testing the definition of the word “portable.” This portable power station, in contrast, is really something you can carry around without breaking your back. More importantly, however, you can lighten your load even further by bringing only what you need, leaving the rest behind if you’re sure you won’t need either AC or DC power while you enjoy a relaxing day off the grid.

Designer: OCEAN DESIGN

Different portable power stations try to meet different needs, which is why there are dozens of them available in different sizes. Some are hulking beasts that are really only portable if you roll them around on their wheels but, in turn, can power an entire house in an emergency. Some are small boxes that are only slightly larger but definitely heavier than a toolbox, and they can charge laptops and very small appliances for just a few hours, just enough for an afternoon outdoors.

The thing with these big batteries is that you are stuck with what you have. Sure, some let you daisy chain to power stations together, but the number of ports you have available is fixed forever. You can neither add more nor can you remove those that you don’t need, which could actually decrease the mass you need to carry. The Geelink GL-02 actually tries its hand at that modular approach, and while not completely perfect, it lays the foundation of what could be the modular and portable power station of the very near future.

Instead of a single box or crate, the GL-02 is made up of four parts that nicely stack on top of each other. The cover on top is really only needed when you’re not using the power station, but the battery box that sits at the bottom is the one constant part of the assembly. That module houses an 80,000 mAh battery that, thanks to sine wave inverters, can output a good 300W of AC power for appliances.

What goes on top of that battery is really up to you, but there are two modules available. The DC module is going to be popular with gadget lovers with its USB-C and USB-A ports, as well as a 12V DC barrel-type port. It is also the module that has a flashlight that is typical for camping and emergencies. The AC module, on the other hand, has two 220V AC outlets for appliances and a switch that manually turns the output on or off. Both modules have their own displays, but the odd location of the AC module’s screen pretty much decides that it will always be at the top.

With this design, you can opt to either attach only the DC module or only the AC module if you’re sure you won’t be needing the other. Of course, having the full assembly means you won’t have to think hard about that, but at least the option is there. The one flaw in this design is that it is limited to these four pieces and in a fixed stacking order. You can’t swap the placement of the DC and AC modules, and you can’t have two modules of the same type. You can’t even stack batteries to double the output. The execution might not be perfect, but it definitely sparks the imagination of what can be done with some tweaks to this stackable and modular design.

 

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Rider RX flashlight is an excellent gift idea for EDC lovers and fidgeters

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Most don’t appreciate the importance of an emergency flashlight until they can’t find one when they need it, so this stylish flashlight makes it easy and fun to have it wherever you go.

Everyone needs a flashlight for almost any situation, from emergency blackouts to looking for lost things under the bed. Just like the batteries that power them, we often find ourselves with flashlights with not enough juice or, worse, no batteries inside them. Having to scramble for the right battery in an emergency just adds to the stress you’re already feeling. Thankfully, Acebeam’s Rider RX tries to cut down on that by delivering a flashlight that not only works with almost any type of battery, it also helps relieve stress by giving your fingers something to play with.

Designer: Acebeam

Click Here to Buy Now: $40 $50 (20% off with Coupon Code: YK20). Hurry, sale ends on April 18th.

Some flashlights work with typical alkaline batteries. Others use rechargeable NiMH batteries. Still, others use the same kind of lithium-ion type that smartphones use. The Rider RX embraces them all so you can grab whatever’s readily available, which is often an AA battery, without making compromises. While the included Li-ion battery does offer the brightest output, even an AA battery can deliver a decent brightness so you won’t trip in the dark. The optical lens makes sure that the 219F LED shines a soft and balanced beam instead of blinding your eyes or spreading the light too thin.

The Rider RX flashlight is flexible in more ways than just the battery it uses. Its small size, which is just big enough to fit a single AA battery, makes it extremely portable and convenient to use. The two-way stainless steel clip makes it easy to clip it onto any strap or pocket and in any direction you prefer. The durable stainless steel and titanium outer tube should relieve worries about accidentally dropping the small flashlight, while the variety of color options, which include “Rainbow PVD” and “Sophisto Grey,” make the Rider RX a cool and practical gift or party favor.

But wait, there’s more! The situations when you’d need a flashlight or even need to hold one are often situations with some amount of stress or tension. These are times when we tend to uneasily fidget or grab onto something for our hands and fingers to play with. Fortunately, the Rider RX itself is a fidget toy, and you can slide, push, and twist that clip without fear in order to give your worried mind a distraction.

Rider RX in Titanium.

With its ability to use any type of battery, its portable and lightweight design, and its hidden fidget toy feature, the Acebeam Rider RX EDC AA flashlight is something you’ll want to always have in your bag, emergency kit, glove compartment, and more. Its clean, stylish design, colorful variants, and accessible price tag also make it a great gift for family and friends, especially those who tend to lose things under couches and beds.

Click Here to Buy Now: $40 $50 (20% off with Coupon Code: YK20). Hurry, sale ends on April 18th.

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Solego is a modular solar power system that’s also green in another way

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Many solar power stations and batteries claim to be green because of how they charge, but this modular solar system is really green inside and out.

A lot more people are becoming conscious of their fossil fuel use, especially when they’re actually trying to live off the grid or survive a power outage. Typical gasoline-chugging generators have long been considered to be not only wasteful but also dangerous, especially when used indoors. A need breed of portable power stations has been presenting cleaner, quieter, and greener options that use safer rechargeable batteries for power. To complete the green picture, these can even be charged via solar power. What might be a convenience for hikers, trekkers, and adventurers might be a life necessity for other people in other parts of the world, and that’s exactly what the Solego 2.0 is attempting to bring to regions where the grid is virtually non-existent.

Designer: Menhert Corporate Design

Clean, green, and renewable energy is nowhere more needed than in locations where electricity is not only expensive but also as rare as gold. These are areas where power generators are the go-to solution of homeowners and businesses, which often translates to gasoline generators. These, after all, are nearly ubiquitous, which means they’re easy to find and, more often than not, inexpensive. They are, however, also the worst in almost all other aspects, so more efficient and more economical options are always in high demand.

Solego 2.0 addresses those needs by being green in two ways, with the most obvious being how it charges its batteries from the sun. The design is modular so that each battery “pack” can be stacked or extended to provide more power as needed. There are enough ports and rod-type DC outlets to power any device, though the size of the pack will naturally determine how much juice it can actually send out. Solego itself doesn’t include the solar panels that will charge the batteries, but those are easily available in the market today.

What makes this solar system different from commercial solar power generators is how the design and composition of the product itself are environment-friendly. The top and bottom shells, for example, are made from a bio-based and biodegradable polymer, while the body uses aluminum that can be recycled later on. Although the batteries do contain chemicals, it is meant to use LiFePO4 or Lithium iron phosphate that doesn’t contain rare earths. This is also the same type of battery used in electric cars and most portable power stations.

With Solego, a small community or business can operate off the grid without feeling guilty that they are harming the environment in the process. While the total power output will depend on how large the batteries are, the system’s modular design means that they can be combined if more power is needed, avoiding wasted energy and material in making larger batteries. It’s definitely an interesting take on the current solar power generator trend and will hopefully become a more common consumer product in the future.

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Bluetti 2022 Easter Bundle will help you leave off the grid in the years to come

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Escaping the city is easy when you have a clean, green, and quiet power you can rely on to continue living the modern lifestyle.

Power banks or battery packs have almost become a necessity these days for any digital nomad, but those small boxes of energy can only go so far. While camping (or glamping) or during emergencies and power outages, you will need a lot more power to drive small appliances or even just charge your faithful MacBook. That’s where Bluetti’s wide assortment of portable power stations come in, offering large batteries that can even power your house in a pinch. Admittedly, these huge boxes aren’t something you’ll want to buy on a whim, but the company’s latest seasonal promos knock down those prices, so you’ll have fewer excuses not to prepare for a rainy or dark day.

Designer: Bluetti

Click Here to Buy Now: Up to $400 off. Hurry, Easter sale ends on April 18!

AC300+B300 Combo – Expandable Power Center

The Bluetti AC300 and its B300 battery module partner are the company’s current champions, offering power and flexibility in the combination you want or need. The AC300 is a 3000W Pure Sine AC inverter that allows you to power even the most demanding appliances. It doesn’t come with its own battery, though, but you can connect up to four of these 3,027 Wh B300 modules. You can even connect two such combinations for a whopping 24,576Wh or 6000W 24V of power to run the whole house. And thanks to its modular nature, you decide just how many modules you want to connect, making it easier to move them around the house or outdoors as needed.

AC200MAX – Versatile Power Monster

The Bluetti AC200 MAX walks the middle ground by containing its own 2,048Wh battery. It’s larger than the AC300 because of that, but it also means you can use it standalone. You can, however, also connect up to two B230 or B300 battery modules when you need more power. Just like its more flexible sibling, the AC200 MAX can power multiple devices or appliances at the same time, thanks to its 16 outputs ranging from AC outlets to USB-C ports.

EP500 – Unparalleled Power Backup

If portability isn’t too much of a concern, the Bluetti EP500 promises to be the only home emergency power backup you’ll ever need, especially with its large 5,100Wh capacity. As big as a suitcase, and thankfully also with wheels, this movable power station can be connected to our house’s main grid so it can kick in the moment power goes down. Bluetti’s Fusion Box lets you connect two of these together for the ultimate home power supply.

EB55 & EB70 – Pack Lighter, Travel Further

In contrast, the EB55 and EB70 go the opposite extreme and come in Bluetti’s most portable sizes. Providing 537Wh and 716Wh of power, respectively, these lighter batteries offer enough juice for a quick, relaxing trip outdoors. Like all of Bluetti’s power stations, these can be charged with solar energy, so you won’t have to worry about the power station itself running out in the middle of nowhere. In fact, Bluetti is also putting its new PV350 Solar Panel on a discount, guaranteeing 350W of power on a sunny day, and won’t break a sweat on cloudy ones.

This Easter, Bluetti is offering big price cuts for these products to help you prepare for worst-case scenarios or simply be more confident and less stressed when spending days away from a wall socket. The AC300 and two B300 batteries, for example, will go for only $5,399 ($400 off a regular $5,799), while a single B300 battery module will cost only $1,899 after a $100 discount. The PV200 Solar Panel is normally $499 but is $70 off at $429 during that promo period. With Bluetti’s product line, you don’t only get the power you need to live off the grid, you also have the choice to go completely green, thanks to solar panels that will charge these clean and quiet power generators.

Click Here to Buy Now: Up to $400 off. Hurry, Easter sale ends on April 18!

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Biden will review tech supply chains to reduce dependence on China

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The US is still heavily dependent on other countries for technology manufacturing (among other products), and President Biden is looking for ways to reduce that dependence. The LA Times has learned that Biden is ordering a review of US supply chains...

Samsung is using quantum computing to research better batteries

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Even the slightest improvement in battery technology could help you decide what gadgets you buy, and Samsung is hoping quantum computing will give it an edge. The tech firm and Imperial College London researchers are using Honeywell's System Mode...

These TWS Earphones are solving the tech waste crisis with removable replaceable batteries

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Watch any AirPods teardown video and there’s one thing you’ll quickly notice. There’s no way you can put it back together once you’ve disassembled it. The damned things are hermetically sealed shut, and opening them means damaging them. In fact, Apple doesn’t even fix AirPods that come to them for servicing. The design is so notoriously un-fixable that it’s actually cheaper for Apple to replace them with a new pair.

Now that problem isn’t unique to Apple. Almost every single TWS earphone faces the same issue. Designed to be small, these earphones have absolutely tiny batteries that don’t last beyond a year, and their small bodies/components are almost always fused/glued together with no intention of ever being separated for repair or even recycling. The result is an overwhelming wave of tiny electronics that can’t be reused and can’t be disassembled and disposed of safely. They’re made of metal and plastic, which won’t biodegrade, and even contain toxic lithium-ion batteries within them.

To overcome this problem, the NOVO TWS earphones have a unique and clever compromise. Microphones, speaker drivers, and SOCs (system on chips) are usually designed to last 4-5 years, whereas those batteries go dead within a year or 18 months. The NOVO earbuds just turn the batteries into a modular unit that can easily be replaced… a feature you’d see in old mobile phones before they began becoming sealed, unibody devices. Unlike phones, however, these battery modules are designed to sit on the outside, and come in a variety of colors with ornamental patterns, adding a fashionable flair to the earphones. Every few years when the batteries wear out, you can simply switch the modules for new ones, choosing from a variety of colors and textures to ‘upgrade’ your earbuds. The old batteries get swapped in at the company which provides a discount on the new batteries, closing the loop and creating a circular economy where batteries are recycled and perfectly capable tech doesn’t enter a landfill because one single part was designed to go prematurely obsolete.

Designer: Batu Sozen