1. What are the difference between the power bank’s actual and rated capacities? A. Differences: The actual capacity of the power bank is the same as its battery. However, there is a difference between the power bank’s battery voltage (3.7V) and the operating voltage of charged products (5V) (such as mobile phones). Energy will be lost in the transformation between the two voltages. Therefore, the actual (rated) capacities for charging a smartphone, tablet computer, or other electronic device are not that of the battery, but the capacities calculated after the conversion and subsequent energy loss. B. Calculation formula: Rated Capacity = Power Bank Battery Capacity x Battery Voltage 3.7V / voltage boost 5V x Conversion Efficiency Example: The actual capacity is 5000mAh, and conversion efficiency is 85%. capacity = 5000 x 3.7 / 5 x 85% = 3145mAh C. Then the rated How many times can the PC500 charge a device? Rated capacity / capacity of the charged device’s battery = number of charges Example: Battery capacity is 5000mAh, and rated capacity is 3145mAh, an iPhone4 (1420mAh) can be charged approximately twice. D. The following table shows the number of charges for common devices from the ADATA PV100 & PC500. Device Smartphone Tablet Times for charging Model Battery Capacity PV100 PC500 iphone 5 1440 mAh 2.16 2.33 iPhone 4S 1420 mAh 2.17 2.34 Nokia Lumia 928 2000 mAh 1.56 1.68 HTC ONE 2300 mAh 1.35 1.46 HTC Butterfly 2020 mAh 1.54 1.66 HTC Butterfly S 3200 mAh 1.85 1.05 Samsung Galaxy Note2 3100 mAh 1.00 1.08 Samsung Galaxy S3 2100 mAh 1.48 1.60 Samsung Galaxy S4 2600 mAh 1.20 1.29 iPad mini 4400 mAh 0.71 0.76 2. IPad 4 11560 mAh 0.27 0.29 IPad 3 11560 mAh 0.27 0.29 Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 P5220 6800 mAh 0.46 0.49 Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 N8000 7000 mAh 0.44 0.48 What are the differences between lithium-ion (18650) and lithium-polymer batteries? The difference is the different kind of internal electrolytes used internally. Lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolyte, and lithium polymer batteries use solid or gel polymers. These two battery processes are mature and quite safe. However, lithium-ion batteries use liquid electrolyte, which will have high pressure in an overcharge situation. This can cause rupture of the sealed metal shell or outflow of liquid electrolyte. Comparably, lithium-polymer batteries have a higher price but are more stable, with greatly reduced risk of danger. Additionally, there are many recycled batteries and so-called Japanese or Korean cells on the market, but are not really used in the power banks so marked. Thus, selecting a brand with a good reputation is important for consumer safety. Lithium-Polymer Around 25% higher than 18650 Aluminum composite film Item Lithium-ion (18650) Cost Around 25% cheaper than Li-Polymer Battery Case Stainless steel Fixed size, cylindrical Any size, Shape & Dimensions Depending on housing (ø18mm / H:65 mm) Lighter than 18650- 40% More stability and safety Cell will expand in abnormal situation. Less recycled cells Weight Heavier than Li-Polymer 40% Safety Explosion risk higher than Li-Polymer if vendor's manufacturing procedure is deficient Recycle Risk Recycled or reused cells very often 3. How many times can the battery be charged and recharged? Charging the battery to 100% and then discharging until it is at 0% power is one complete cycle. After 500 cycles, the power bank retains 70 – 80% of its original power. a. The below chart shows 10 complete charging cycles: Capacity Charging Discharging b. The chart below shows the results after 500 charging cycles: 4. What are the benefits of the power bank’s “Six-way Smart Protection Mechanisms”? A. Overcharge Protection: Detects when the battery is full, and automatically stops charging in order to protect the battery. B. Over-Discharge Protection: When the battery is low, the device will automatically stop charging the phone in order to protect the battery. C. Over Temperature Protection: Detects if the battery temperature exceeds 60 degrees, and stops charging and discharging in the event of overheating. D. Short-Circuit Protection: Detection of abnormal current or voltage at any time stops the power automatically . E. Overvoltage Protection: On the power input (Micro USB ) charging port, any situation with aberrant voltage will result in power automatically turning off. F. Over Current Protection On the power output discharging (USB AF) port, if there is an abnormal amount of output current, power will automatically stop in order to protect the device being charged. 5. How do I charge the power bank? ADATA power banks can be charged by a standard USB connection, from a desktop or notebook computer, or from a USB powered wall outlet. 6. Should I wait until the power bank is fully discharged before recharging it? Many power banks use an 18650 or Li-Polymer battery, and if they are completely discharged before charging it can lead to a reduction in the battery lifespan. Since ADATA power banks have over-discharge protection, there is no danger to the battery if the power bank is fully discharged. However, it is recommended to charge the power bank soon after it has completely discharged, in order to keep the power bank in an optimum condition. 7. If the power bank is not used for a long time, how long will it need to recharge? It is recommended to complete a full discharge and recharge cycle on the power bank every 3 – 6 months. Exceeding this time period may cause the battery capacity to be reduced or the life expectancy shortened. 8. Most power bank manufacturers are insured, does ADATA carry similar insurance? ADATA places a strong emphasis on electrical safety. All the company’s power banks are covered by product liability insurance in the amount of US$ 500 million. This applied to all purchasers of ADATA products, providing customers with extra peace of mind.