Some serious questions about battery banks

[GigaHurtOC]

Like most people, I have a few devices, such as mobile, ipad and other devices that can be charged via USB PD

I have a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, which can be charged at 45 watts with their charger, otherwise, you can charge it at a maximum of 25W.

I do a fair bit of travelling, hence I have 3 power banks (4 if you include the battery pack that I have in case I get a flat battery, and need to jump-start my car).

The battery banks I have are as follows:


1. Cygnett charge up Pro 25K mAh laptop power bank (92.5 wH)

2. Cygnett Chargeup Reserve 2nd generation 20K (74wH)

3. Sprout 15,000 mAh power bank pro (55.5Wh)

In total, this gives me 60,000 mAh


The specifications of my 3 power banks are as follows:

Cygnett chargeup Pro 25K mAh laptopower bank:

Output

USB-C Output 1 - 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-3.0A (27.0W), 12.0V-3.0A (36.0W), 15.0V-3.0A (45.0W), 20.0V-5.0A (100.0W)

USB-C Output 2 - 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-2.0A (18.0W), 12.0V 1.5A (18.0W)

USB-A Output 1 - 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-2.0A (18.0W), 12.0V 1.5A (18.0W)
Total Output: 118W

Input

USB-C Input 1 - 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-3.0A (27.0W), 12.0V-3.0A (36.0W), 15.0V-3.0A (45.0W), 20.0V-3.25A
(65.0W Max)


Cygnett Chargeup Reserve 2nd generation 20K:

Input/Output
Lithium Battery: 20,000mAh/74Wh,

USB-C Output 1: 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-3.0A (27.0W), 12.0V-2.5A m (30.0W), 15.0V-2.0A (30.0W), 20.0V 1.5A (30.0W Max)

USB-C Output 2: 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W Max)
2
USB-A Output 3: 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-2.0A (18.0W), 12.0V 1.5A (18W Max)

USB-C Input 1: 5.0V-3.0A (15.0W), 9.0V-3.0A (27.0W), 12.0V 2.5A (30.0W), 15.0V-2.0A (30.0W), 20.0V 1.5A (30.0W Max)
Total Output: 30.0W Max


Sprout 15,000 mAh power bank pro

Model: SPBC15000BBK

Input (Type-C PD): 5V 3A,9V-3A, 12V-2.5A, 15V 2A,20V 1.5A

Output 1(USB-C): 5V=3A

4.3V 2.4A 10.34W

Output 2 (Type-C PD): 5V-3A,9V-3A, 12V-2.5A, 15V 2A,20V 1.5A


Output 3 (USB-A) (QC 3.0): 5V 3A,9V-2A, 12V=1.5A


Now, here comes the part that I need help with!

Although I'm aware that you can buy a small device called a digital USB wattage reader that gives you a readout of Volts, Amps and Watts, I've been using various apps and tools on my s22 ultra for my results. I have run these tests with 2 seperate USB-C --> USB-C cables. Both yield similar results.

So, the 25,000 mAh power bank should be able to charge my s22 ultra at 25 W, but the best I can get is:

USB-C Output 1: 4.25V 3A 18W
USB-C Output 2: 4.25V 2A 7W
USB-A Output: : 4.14V 1A 4W

Why am I only getting a maximum of 18W on a USB-C output that can deliver 100W? Shouldn't I be getting at least 25W or more?

The 20,000 mAh power bank outputs a maximum of 30W on USB-C Output 1, 15W on the 2nd USB-C Output, and 18W via USB-A Output.
I tried both cables with all 3 ports and got:

USB-C Output 1: 4.3V 3.6A 15W
USB-C Output 2: 4.2V 1.5A 15W
USB-A Output: 4.2V 1.5A 7W

Whilst about 2 years older, this battery bank should be able to reach 25W output whilst charging my phone. Why does it max out at 15W?

Finally, the 15,000 mAh battery bank.
I could not find any wattage details for this product, but as the Volt and Amp maximums on the outputs are similar, (for example), one USB-C Output can charge at 15V, so I'm guessing that I should be doing a LOT better:

The best values I got were as follows:

USB-C Output 1: 4.3V 2.4A 10.3W
USB-C Output 2: 4.3V 3A 15W
USB-A Output: 4.3V 1.6A 7W


I would really love to know the following:

1. s22u can charge at 25W, but with the special Samsung charger, you can charge it at 45 watts. Why am I only getting 15-18W max instead of 25W or more?
Is it the cable, the power bank? my phone?

2. Since there's settings on the 25K mAh bank that can charge a device/s at 36, 45 and 100W, what devices make use of these levels of power delivery?

3. Could it be, that because there's no charging settings between 18W and 27W, it just defaults to 18W? Or should I (using the 25K mAh power bank as an example),
be able to use USB-C Output 1 at 9V 3A 27W and get a 25W charge?

4. Is this how it works? As 25W is the maximum unless you buy the charger, does this mean that 9V 3A 27W automatically defaults to 5V 3A 15W ?


5. Are there any other ways that I can check the state of my power banks? The 25,000 mAh is basically brand new.

6. Why can't I charge my s22 u at 45W using my power bank?

7. I know this sounds like a dumb question, but what's the point in advertising the capability of charging at 100W, 45W, 36W and so on if it never actually works?

8.. What is it about the 45W Samsung charger that allows for 45W PD?

9. Is it something in the wall plug? Do different USB-C --> USB-C cables have different Amps or able to carry a stronger current than other cables?

10. Can I use any of my power banks to charge my phone or Ipad at 25W or higher?

I would really like to figure this out.

Thanks in advance!

I ask this because I am interested in purchasing a 45 watt charger

 

[R-T-B]

I think your biggest mistake is relying on software/apps for your data. They are almost never acurate.

 

[GigaHurtOC]

What do you reccomend that I do?
Are you able to answer any of my questions?

Cheers.

 

[Imouto]

There are little USB headers that tell you all kinds of info about a USB connection. Search for "USB-C meter" in sites like Aliexpress and such. Nearly all of them can keep track of the energy. Just make sure it's compatible with the PD protocol and supports the max current you are trying to pull.

As for the power used to charge your phone, it's almost never the maximum. When the battery is mostly discharged you can get pretty close to the maximum rating, halfway it decreases and when it's nearly full the power drops quite a lot.

 

[GigaHurtOC]

I've narrowed everything down to one question.

You can buy the 45W Samsung travel adapter that will give you 45W on s22 ultra.

Link:

45W Power Adapter Black Black | Samsung Australia

45W Power Adapter Black (EP-T4510XBEGAU) - See the benefits and full features of this product. Learn more and find the best Mobile Accessories for you at Samsung Australia.

www.samsung.com

But, the only thing I need to know is that could I purchase a 5A USB-C cable with 100W Max PD?

https://p-y3-www-amazon-com-au-kalias.amazon.com.au/INIU-Charger-Braided-Samsung-MacBook/dp/B08J2HXYPH

In other words, what makes it charge at 45W, is it the wall charger, or the cable?

Or is it both?

I would like to charge off a power bank!

Cheers

 

[joemama]

what makes it charge at 45W, is it the wall charger, or the cable?

It should be the charger, both the charger and smartphone control the charging voltages and amps

 

[GigaHurtOC]

It should be the charger, both the charger and smartphone control the charging voltages and amps

So the actual wall charger you mean...

 

[ty_ger]

The charger and the phone are both part of the equation. The charger has to be able to output the power and communicate effectively with the phone. And the phone needs to be able to use that much power at that rate.
"What makes it charge at 45 watts?" Are you sure that it does? Just because it can output up to 45 watts doesn't mean that your phone ever will use that much. The charge rate of the phone's battery is important. Your phone should never try to charge its battery faster than the battery's chemistry safely allows.
I would suggest that you buy a USB power meter to make some measurements so that you can make real comparisons instead of using advertised maximum theoretical values.

 

[Imouto]

In other words, what makes it charge at 45W, is it the wall charger, or the cable?

Or is it both?

I would like to charge off a power bank!

It's the three. The PD protocol makes the devices talk to each other. So the charger/bank says what it can deliver, the phone what it can take and depending on the quality of the cable the actual power delivered. If the cable is bad, too long or both there will be a voltage drop that the protocol will always assume as a conductor that is too thin. If there's a voltage drop during charge the same because it means it overheated.