OpenWrt on RAVPower RP-WD03

WARNING: Once I put OpenWrt on my FileHub Plus, I couldn't restore back to the original firmware.  I am not saying it is impossible, I just couldn't find any working directions.

Recently, I decided that I wanted to play around with OpenWrt  I was aware of it, but never really took the time to try it out.  I had a RAVPower RP-WD03 travel router that I really wasn't using, and it seemed like a good starting point.  I didn't take detailed notes unfortunately, so this post will just be a high level summary.  Also this information was current as of 8/17/2021, but as time goes on of course some of it might change.

Using the directions in the OpenWrt Wiki ( https://openwrt.org/toh/ravpower/rp-wd03 ) I was able to get OpenWrt installed.  I ended up using a snapshot build, which didn't have LuCI installed so I had to figure that part out.  As a note, the directions under the "Installation section" shows two files being renamed to kernel and rootfs, but when you look lower in the "OEM installation using the TFTP method" section you will see the file two method is used for snapshot builds and recent releases.  As of right now the latest stable build is 19.07.8, you can grab the correct file using the firmware selector ( https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/ ).  You end up renaming that one file to "kernel" when you share it via TFTP, instead of the two file method for snapshot builds.

While getting familiar with OpenWrt, I started to play around with adding software and quickly ran into space issues since the WD03 only has 8MB of storage.  At that point, I set the WD03 aside and shifted my attention to getting OpenWrt working on my Raspberry Pi 4.  I might pull together another post later on that.

Once I was a bit more comfortable with OpenWrt, I decided that I needed to do something with the WD03.  I tried my best to restore the original factory image, but despite following the directions I could find online nothing worked.  For some reason I had it in my mind that the low RAM was the issue, but then I remembered it was the storage space not the RAM.  Next thing I did was start to read up on what I could safely remove from OpenWrt.  It turns out that, due to the way OpenWrt uses SqashFS you don't really save space just by deleting files.  The best option to save space on OpenWrt is to do a custom image.

So making a custom image was my next focus, as always first step was to read up on it a bit.  The OpenWrt Wiki ( https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/additional-software/imagebuilder ) again was very helpful.  I used those directions, and the information on saving space ( https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/additional-software/saving_space ) to setup a custom build for my WD03.  It worked great, and best part is while I am messing around with the WD03 if I decide to reset things my custom build already has LuCI installed so I am ready to go right from the start.  I even set it so the OpenWrt wi-fi access point was on by default so I could easily connect and change settings.  I would probably avoid putting anything too specific in your custom build, for example don't save your home wi-fi password since one day you might get rid of your device and you don't want certain information saved on the device even after a reset.

Overall, if you are looking to play around with OpenWrt then go for it - just make sure you read directions carefully, and understand you could mess up your device if you are not careful.  I don't think I can get my WD03 back to stock firmware, but I am ok with that.  Of course, having an understanding of things like networking and linux commands is very helpful, but I am guessing the type of person who is interested in OpenWrt is probably familiar enough with those concepts or willing to learn.

Useful links from this article:

• https://openwrt.org/toh/ravpower/rp-wd03
• https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/
• https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/additional-software/imagebuilder
• https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/additional-software/saving_space

RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-port Desktop Charger ( model RP-PC136 ) Review

I recently purchased a RAVPower PD Pioneer 65W 4-port Desktop Charger ( model RP-PC136 ). It just came with the charger itself and the power cable (detachable) but most people will have the cables they need so the fact it doesn’t come with cables is fine.

For a size comparison, it was about the same size as two portable wall chargers that I have: a 1-port USB-C 60W charger and a 2-port USB-A/USB-C 65W charger.  The fact I am able to get 4-ports for something that is still small enough to travel with was nice.

Charger and power cable

2x USB-C and 2x USB-A

Size comparison: 2-port charger on left, this product in the middle, and 1-port charger on right

Size comparison: 1-port charger on left, this product in the middle, and 2-port charger on right

To test the charger, I used various devices and a USB-C volt/amp meter to help track what was going on.  The numbers I use are just an estimate for watts, I wasn’t focused on accuracy I just wanted a rough idea of how the charger acted with various devices.

Test scenarios and outcomes:

- Lenovo Chromebook C330 connected alone on USB-C was charging around 14.5V / 2.07A, basically 30W.

- Lenovo Chromebook Duet connected alone on USB-C was charging around 8.52V / 2.39A, basically 20W.

- Samsung S9+ connected alone on USB-A was charging around 8.9V / 1.5A, basically 14W (fast charge mode).  

- RAVPower 26800 mAh battery pack connected alone on USB-A was charging around 4.86V / 1.81A, basically 9W.

- Putting both Chromebooks on the charger dropped the Duet to 16W, and the C330 stayed at 30W which was expected based on the product info.

- Putting both Chromebooks and the S9+ all at the same time dropped both Chromebooks to 16W each (as expected based on the product info), and the S9+ was charging at around 13W.

- Putting all 4 devices (2 Chromebooks, S9+ and the battery pack) left the Chromebooks with 16W each, S9+ around 8.6W and the battery pack at 10W.

I didn’t have any devices that pulled over 30W, so I wasn’t able to really max it out but the fact it was able to charge multiple devices without issue was nice.  I did notice that the USB-A ports could charge above 5V (supporting QC) but only if you were using one of the USB-A ports.  If you used both USB-A ports, they were limited to 5V.  After the fact I looked at the product info on the RAVPower site and saw this was reflected in the information.

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Compact: This wasn’t much bigger than two different wall chargers that I have, and those were just one and two port chargers (both supported USB-C PD).  This charger had 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports.

Compatibility: It was nice that the charger supported PD on the USB-C ports and QC on the USB-A ports.

Bottom line: Great 4-port desk charger that is also compact enough for travel.

RAVPower Multi-Purpose Pocket Tool Kit Review (Model RP-TL001)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently received a RAVPower Multi-Purpose Pocket Tool Kit for a product review. In addition to the main tool itself, the package included a pouch and 9 screwdriver bits in a little holder.

The tool itself is wide.  To compare, I grabbed a pocket knife and multi-tool that I had and together they were about as wide as the RAVPower pocket tool.  The pocket tool also combined features of both - it had some of the tool of my multi-tool, and had a larger blade like my pocket knife.

I haven't used the pocket tool heavily, but for tasks around the house ( cutting open boxes and tightening screws ) it works just fine.

The only real problem I had with this pocket tool is the pouch itself.  The design of the pouch makes it stick out a good bit.  Additionally, inside the pouch there is a little part for the screwdriver bits but the piece of material that holds it in also causes the pocket tool to catch the material when you try to put it in.  In additional to this, the tool fits deep into the pouch.  So basically putting the pocket tool in and out of the pouch isn't as easy as I would expect, but you can still do it with one hand.

I plan to keep using this pocket tool and will update this post as needed.  Here are the main points I noticed about this pocket tool:

Knife: As a knife, the blade is sharp and has a saw part to help with cutting.

Multi-Tool: As a multi-tool, it has the common items you might need ( for example pliers/wire cutters, and can/bottle openers ).  The multiple screw driver bits also make this a handy single tool for many different quick jobs.

Pouch: The pouch could use some design changes, but overall it works.

Bottom line: As a pocket tool with a knife, this could be a useful tool to have around the house or in the car.

RAVPower Product Page: https://www.ravpower.com/RP-TL001-Pocket-Knife-Plier-Kit.html
Amazon Product Page: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YVDWRP

RAVPower 13000mAh Deluxe Series External Battery Pack Review ( model RP-PB22 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently received a RAVPower 13000mAh Deluxe Series External Battery Pack ( model RP-PB22 ) for a product review. In addition to the battery pack itself, the package included two USB to microUSB cables and a travel pouch.

Left to Right : Travel pouch, battery pack, two cables

Side view

The USB battery pack is rated to handle 4.5A max across two ports.  To test the battery bank, I used a USB meter and near 2A load on each port for a total of almost 4A load across the two ports.  Once the battery pack turned off, I calculated the measured was about 58% of the rated mAh which is a bit lower than average but still not the lowest I have seen.  Once I charge/discharge a few times, that might improve.  The device seemed able to handle the load I placed on it with no problem.

For real world tests, I had no problems charging my tablet and smartphone.  The built-in flashlight is a handy feature - if you need to move around at night, or have a power outage, it is nice to have.

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Output Handling: With a rated 4.5A rated output, it should be able to handle two power hungry devices with no problem.

Capacity: With a rated capacity of 13000 mAh, this battery pack should be able fully charge your devices more than once.

Other Features: The travel pouch is a nice way to keep everything together, and the LED flashlight is pretty handy - one of those things you don’t realize you would use until you have it.

Bottom line: If you are looking for a high capacity battery pack with nice features this is a great option.

Amazon Product Page: http://amzn.com/B00MPIGPUY

Traveling with Technology

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received some of these products for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.  Products with a * before the name were review samples.

I recently went on travel, and took a good bit of my gadgets with me.  Some of it I found useful, some I probably will take with me again.  I decided to pull together a list of what I took with me (from a gadget perspective) and my thoughts on each item.  I don't really plan to list the details of the standard stuff people might bring - laptop, smartphone, tablet or smartwatch ( yes I had all of those with me ).

NOTE : Each item is either linked to my blog review, Amazon review, or just a generic product page.

Battery Packs

*RAVPower 18200 mAh (Model RP-PB26): This is a pretty large battery pack, and I did find it useful on the flight itself but other than that I didn't use it much.  I think it is a great high capacity pack, but I found myself grabbing the smaller one below.  I just didn't use my tablet as much as I thought I would at the airport or on the flight.

*RAVPower 7800 mAh (Model RP-PB31): I used the battery pack pretty much every day, mainly to keep my phone charged while I was using it as a hotspot.  Although it isn't a high capacity like the one above, it did the job for the day to day needs.

If I had to pick one of the two battery packs above, I would go with the larger capacity - basically it ends up being insurance just in case I do need the juice (or a coworker needs to charge their phone too).

Bluetooth Gadgets

*TaoTronics Shower speaker ( Model TT-SK03 ): I actually got this right before I went on travel, so I figured it would be great to test (no worrying about playing loud music in the morning and waking up others).  I don't know if I will take it again, but it is pretty compact so I may bring it along just in case.

Wallet TrackR: Honestly I didn't get any real use out of this - I put it in my luggage, so I was able to look at the screen and see when it was close but normally by the time the phone found the tracker the luggage (when waiting at baggage claim of the airport) it was only a minute or two away from being seen.  Neat gadget, but the way I used it didn't really provide any benefit.

*Ukonnect Bluetooth keyboard: This one is pretty simple - I planned to use my Nexus 7 tablet while on the plane, and basically I didn't do it.  I didn't really run into any other situations where I felt the need to break out a keyboard.

Chargers

*RAVPower Qi charger (Model RP-WCN13): I took this with me for my Nexus 7 tablet, but honestly in the hotel I was normally sitting near a charger or just didn't use the tablet that much so I didn't even use it.  It is pretty small so I might try it again next trip.

*Bestek 5-port 8A USB charger: I used this every day to keep my multiple devices charged, I have reviewed other multiple port chargers but this and the RAVPower 4-port (Model RP-UC07) are probably best for travel since they come with cords instead of plugging directly into the wall.

Other Gadgets

*RAVPower FileHub RP-WD02: This is a pretty unique device since it acts as a portable router and file sharing device.  I didn't really use the file sharing aspect on this trip.  For the wireless router, I was thinking I could hook it up in the room (if the hotel had an Ethernet jack) and use my own secured WiFi instead of the open WiFi of the hotel - unfortunately they didn't have network cables in the room and I was too lazy to go downstairs so I just used my smartphone hotspot instead.

I did find an interesting use while flying out - I was able to use this device to connect multiple devices (via 1 account) to the in-flight Internet.  I honestly just did that to see if it worked, especially since their support people said there was no way to do that.

One other advantage - if you are taking a device that probably can't go to the login page of hotels ( game system, Chromecast etc) this little gadget should help in that sort of situation since your devices connect to your router and that router connects to the hotel wifi (or Ethernet) - so as long as you have 1 device (laptop, smartphone or tablet) that can click on the agreement the other devices can leverage that same connection.  As a side note, there is a newer WD03 model out.

GoGo Inflight Internet: This is isn't really a gadget I took with me, but it was neat to use this service on the flight.  I learned a few interesting things from using GoGo:

1) On my Android devices, some Google apps seem to work even if you haven't paid for a pass (such as email)
2) Chat with their support, they can sometimes hook you up with a discount.

Google Chromecast: I was able to catch up on a few episodes of Blacklist using my Chromecast, and considering how small it is I don't see a reason why I wouldn't carry it along just in case the TV didn't have anything I enjoyed.

*Bestek 2 port 5000 mAh charger: This actually acts as a 2-port charger and a battery pack.  I didn't really use the battery pack function ( since I already had 2 others ) but I used the 2-port charger on the nightstand near me so I could keep my phone and watch nearby.  I don't know if I will take it in the future, the fact it supports 2 functions gives it a few extra points.

Breffo Spiderpodium: This is not exactly an electronic gadget, but it is a very useful smartphone holder.  I think it is great for travel, because you can flatten it out and easily pack it.  I used it to hold my smartphone in my rental ( which I used for navigation ) so I think it is definitely a good item to bring on travel if you are going to have a rental.

Overall, I have a good idea of how I will adjust my gadget packing for my next trip.  Some of the items that seemed like good ideas but didn't get used will likely not make the trip, of course that is probably when I will actually need them.

RAVPower 7800mAh Power Bank with iSmart Charging Review ( Model RP-PB31 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently received a RAVPower 7800mAh Power Bank ( Model RP-PB31 ) for a product review.  In addition to the charger itself, a USB to microUSB cable was included.

Charger and USB to microUSB cable

The charger was pretty small compared to what I have recently tested, but that was expected since my recent tests were higher capacity (over 10000 mAh) units.  This one was small, and actually felt pretty light.  I was able to carry it in my pocket without really noticing it.

Size Comparison
Top : 7800 mAh battery pack
Bottom : 18200 mAh battery pack

The charger is rated to support 2.4A output, so I used my DROK testers and loads to see what it could handle.  Here is what I found:

- 2A load : Unit was able to handle it
- 3A load : Unit maxed out around 2.6A of output
- 4A load : Unit shut off, likely a built-in overload protection

So bottom line, it was able to handle just above the rated 2.4A rated max current.

For real world tests, I just used it from time to time to keep my devices charged and never ran into any problems.

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Compact: The battery pack is fairly small and not too heavy, so carrying it in a pocket or purse shouldn't be a problem.

Ease of Use: Like most USB battery packs, the use is very simple.  It has 4 LEDs to show 25% increments of remaining capacity.

Bottom line: If you need a USB battery pack that is good for daily use, enough to keep your devices topped off, then this 7800 mAh unit is a great option.

Amazon Product Page: http://amzn.com/B00UV9OXNU

RAVPower Portable Power Bank 12000 mAh Car Jump Starter Review ( Model RP-PB27 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

Carrying case with handle

I recently received a RAVPower Portable Power Bank 12000 mAh Car Jump Starter Review ( Model RP-PB27 ) for a product review.  This definitely was different than the standard USB battery packs I have tested.  The package included:

- Plastic carrying case with handle
- 12V cigarette lighter adapter to charge the power pack in the car
- AC power adapter to charge the power pack in the house
- USB to microUSB cable to charge devices
- Cable to jump start your car

Inside the carrying case

First, I focused on the normal function of a USB battery pack and noticed the following differences based on other high capacity packs:

- The pack was a bit larger than a 18200 mAh RAVPower pack, but this one has 12000 mAh capacity which still isn't bad.
- While this does have a LED flashlight, it is definitely not the same as other packs I have tested (I will explain the difference later).
- It has two USB outputs which is common
- It has uses 4 LEDs to represent increments of 25% of remaining capacity which is common

RP-PB27 (Left) and RP-PB27 (Right)

The first difference is the LED flashlight.  It is definitely brighter, and has three modes:

- Normal: On like any other light
- SOS Mode: Blinks SOS in morse code (3 short 3 long 3 short)

- Flash: Just what you would expect, it flashes on and off

The flash mode isn't a fast "strobe" type of light that an emergency vehicle would have, but I would imagine if you are changing a flat tire at night and put this on your trunk it would help make sure you are seen.

Blue LEDs showing full charge, USB output ports, charging port and jump start plug

To test the battery pack, I used two DROK USB volt/amp meters and two load devices (switchable 1A/2A load).  From testing the devices, the volt/amp meters are not super accurate but they are a great way to perform some quick tests.

Here is what I found during my tests:

- Output 1 (Rated 1A): Was able to handle over the 1A rated capacity.
- Output 2 (Rated 2.1A): Was able to handle over the 2.1A rated capacity.

I was actually able to get each ports up to about 2.8A, but when I tried to push it to 3A and 4A the port actually shut-off which I believe was due to internal safety mechanism the pack has.  The pack was actually able to support a 2A load on each port at the same time, but that is over the rated capacity so I wouldn't recommend doing it.

From real world tests, the smartphones and Nexus 7 tablet I have tested never went over 2A so I think this battery pack can easily handle 2 devices without any problem.

Jump Start Cables

While I was looking forward to testing the ability to jump start a car, I was not able to test that feature out.  Initially my plan was to just remove the battery from my car completely, and try to jump it using this pack but once I read the instruction manual for the RAVPower pack it clearly stated that you should not try to jump start a car with a completely flat/dead battery so I figured a missing battery was also a bad idea.  It wouldn't be fair (or smart) to test the device for a situation it wasn't designed to handle.

I am going to try to think up a way to test it, and will keep the pack in my car in case I run across someone who needs a jump.  Either way, I will update this review if/when I am able to actually test the feature out properly.

Update to review : I just use the power bank to jump start a Chevy Tahoe (large SUV) with no problem, two times and the power bank still showed full charge - very impressed!

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Car Jump Starter: While I wasn't able to test this feature, I have to say this is pretty much the main unique feature of this pack.  I have seen other portable devices to jump start a car but they are usually much larger.  As a gift, this has that extra "oh wow that is neat" aspect that anyone who is into cars and technology would love.  It would also be good for anyone who just wants the peace of mind of having the ability to not only charge their phone in an emergency but also jump start the car.

LED Flashlight: Recently we have had a power outage or two on our street, and I quickly found my LED flashlight to be useful - not only to get around the house at night, but also to leave on as a night light for my youngest.  This light is actually much brighter than the normal packs, but as an emergency light for both the house and car it works great.  The flash function would be useful in situations where you need to make sure you are seen (such as a broken down car on the side of the road) and while I hope I never need the SOS function I would imagine if someone does need it they will be happy the feature is there.

High Capacity Battery Pack: At the end of the day, even if you never need to use the jump starter function or LED flashlight this is still a portable battery pack.  The 12000 mAh capacity is still enough to keep multiple devices charged.

Bottom line: This portable power bank is the perfect "just in case" / emergency use device.  The ability to charge USB devices, act as a LED flashlight and jump start a car are useful capabilities of any emergency kit and you get them all in one device.  Of course a gadget geek would love something like this, but even the average person could keep it in their car just in case they need it.

Amazon Product Page: http://amzn.com/B00SH1SN6C

RAVPower Xtreme Series 18200 mAh External Battery Pack Review ( Model RP-PB26 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

Battery pack and packaging

I recently received a RAVPower Xtreme Series 18200 mAh external battery pack ( model RP-PB26 ) for a product review. In addition to the battery pack itself, the package also included 2 USB to microUSB cables (one short, one long).

NOTE: My test unit was part of the first batch of this new product, I have been advised that future units will come with a carrying bag.

Battery pack and two USB-to-microUSB cables

I noticed the following things in comparison to some of the recently battery packs I have tested of similar (but less) capacity:

- The pack is a bit larger and slightly heavier than other battery packs I have that are high capacity (15000~16000 mAh range) but none are 18000+ mAh.
- Built-in LED flashlight which has been a common feature
- 3 USB outputs (instead of the common 2 USB outputs)
- LCD screen which displays the remaining capacity on a 0-100% scale when most other packs just use 4 LEDs to represent increments of 25%.

Normally once you get into the higher capacity battery packs, you aren't really worried about size and weight so I think those are not really major issues especially when you consider the extra features this unit has.

To test the battery pack, I used two DROK USB volt/amp meters and two load devices (switchable 1A/2A load).  From testing the devices, the volt/amp meters are not super accurate but they are a great way to perform some quick tests.

3 USB outputs.  The charging input is on the right, and the LED is below it.

Here is what I found during my tests:

- Output 1 ( Rated 1A ): Was able to handle over the 1A rated capacity.
- Output 2 ( Rated 1.5A ): Was able to handle over the 1.5A rated capacity.
- Output 3 ( Rated 2.4A ): Was able to handle over the 2.4A rated capacity.

Using Output 2 and Output 3, I was able to handle both 2A loads (total of 4A, measure at about 3.8A).  I even connected my Moto X on Output 1, and was able to charge it at 0.5A with both 2A loads going - total of 4.5A which isn't bad at all.

From real world tests, the smartphones and Nexus 7 tablet I have tested never went over 2A so I think this battery pack can easily handle 3 devices without any problem.

Fully charged and ready to go
"IN" shows up on the screen when charging

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

High Capacity: Bottom line, this pack has 18200 mAh of capacity.  In theory, I could charge my Moto X and Nexus 7 tablet 3 times each before this pack runs out.  I know that is just based on simple math, but this should work great for a power user or family of tech users.

3 USB Outputs: Most of the packs I have tested only have 2 USB outputs, but this one has 3.  This is definitely a plus for a power user who may have multiple devices.  If you consider some people carry multiple devices (phones, tablets, speakers, even cellular hotspots) the extra port could come in handy.

LCD Display: I consider this more of a neat feature than a required one but for some users knowing how much capacity they have left may be important and the simple 4 LED approach many other packs use may not be enough.

Bottom line: If you need a high capacity battery pack with the ability to handle multiple devices at the same time, or need the ability to keep an eye on the capacity to a greater degree of accuracy then this external battery pack is a great option to consider.

Amazon Product Page: http://amzn.com/B00RYHVFXI

RAVPower 36W 4-Port USB Wall Charger Review ( Model RP-UC07 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently received a RAVPower 36W 4-Port USB Wall Charger (Model RP-UC07) for a product review. The packing included the charger itself, power cable and the normal other paperwork (manual and warranty info).

Original box, instruction manual, charger and power cord.

NOTE: This seems to be an upgrade of the RP-UC07.  The original and this model are both 4-port, but this new revision seems smaller and handles more current ( 7.2A vs 6A of the original ).

I recently tested a USB 3.0 hub that also had charging capability, but the hub takes up space on my nightstand so I immediately appreciated the smaller size of this charger.  To test this charger out, connected multiple devices ( Moto X phone, wireless charger for my Nexus 7 and a LG G Watch ) and it worked without a problem.  I wasn't going to do any test using my DROK USB testers, since I didn't have enough testers or load to max out the rated 7.2A.  However, based on my own tests I know that other RAVPower products meet their rated specs and 7.2A should be more than enough for multiple devices.

Quarter next to the adapter so you get an idea of the size and thickness

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Design: The adapter is a small black box, great for putting on your desk or night stand without taking up a bunch of space.  The bottom has rubber to keep it from sliding around.  They also have this charger available in white if you prefer.

Portability: For the traveling power user, the idea of taking one adapter that can handle multiple devices is a great way to avoid hauling around multiple chargers.  At a hotel, many times the power outlets already have one device connected (alarm or lamp for example) leaving a power user in a situation where they have to spread their devices around the room.  Using a single power outlet and this charger allows a traveler to keep all devices in the same area for charging.

Bottom line: A 4-port charger like this RAVPower product is a great way to keep multiple devices charged while avoiding the headache of multiple chargers.  This is even more important for the traveling power user, especially when you consider the lack of available places to plug into the wall at a hotel or even at the airport.

RAVPower Product Page: http://www.ravpower.com/36w-4-port-usb-wall-charger-black.html
Amazon Product Page: http://amzn.com/B00OT6YUIY

RAVPower Qi Enabled Wireless Charger Review ( Model RP-WCN13 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently received a RAVPower Qi enabled wireless charger ( model RP-WCN13 ) for a product review.   The first thing I noticed was the size - the box it came in seemed tiny, and the charger itself was small also.

Size Comparison ( Left to Right ) : Charger, Blank CD, Box the product came in

I decided to not use my DROK USB testers on this product because it would only measure the current going to the adapter not the actual amount going into the device being charged.  Instead, I decided to ensure the charger worked in various situations with my Nexus 7 tablet as a test device.

I tested the charger in my car using a cigarette lighter USB power adapter and it worked fine.  I tried it with a USB A/C adapter and using a USB battery pack, and again it worked both times.  It even worked on my computer, but I would recommend caution before testing it on your own computer since the input is rated at 1.5A which is above what USB 2 and USB 3 are rated for.

The only issue I noticed was that the LEDs are very hard to see, but honestly once you put your device over the charger you will know if it is charging or not since most devices will show it is charging and my Nexus 7 actually made a noise to let you know it was charging on the wireless charger.

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Design: The adapter is very small, which is good for travel and the cable is long so can have flexibility regarding where you place the charger.

Multiple Power Options: Since this adapter uses a standard USB cable, you can connect it to various devices.  I successfully tested it on a regular A/C adapter, car adapter, and a power pack.

Ease of use: This to me is the biggest selling point for any Qi charger.  The fact it is easy to use (set it down to charge, grab it when you want to use it) means you are more likely to keep your device charged.  If you pair this with a high capacity USB battery pack, you literally can set it anywhere for convenience.

Bottom line: If you have a Qi enabled device (or can obtain an adapter) you definitely shoulder consider this product.  I have another Qi charger, but it does not use standard USB connector so I must pair it with the A/C adapter that it comes with.  With this devices, all I need is a standard USB port that can handle the current requirement.

Product Link : http://www.ravpower.com/mini-qi-wireless-charger.html

RAVPower 15W Solar Charger Review ( Model RP-SC02 )

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.

I recently received a RAVPower Solar Charger for a product review.  The package included the solar charger itself and 4 clips.  Although I never used the clips, there are 4 holes in the panel assembly so you can use the clips to mount it in the right position.

Solar Charger and 4 clips

When you fully open the charger, you will notice 3 solar panels, and then on a 4th section it has a pouch with two USB connectors in at (and directions written on the pouch itself which is useful).

The section with directions and the 2 USB plugs pulled out.

To give the solar panel a good test, I hooked up two of my DROK USB testers and a few devices to provide a load.  I tested it early afternoon, so the sun was not directly above me.

• When I had the panel laying flat, I was getting about 1.6A across both USB ports which is pretty good.  
• When I tilted the panels so they were "pointed" at the sun, I was getting about 2.5A across both USB ports.  While this is just under the max rated 3A, the devices I was using as a load test may have been the limiting factor not the panel itself. 

RAVPower Solar Charger fully unfolded

Even if 2.5A was the max I was able to get with that sunlight, that is still enough to easily handle two devices.  From my own prior tests I know that  Nexus 7 table pulls about 1A and a Moto X pulls just under 1A, so the 2.5A would have been enough to charge a Nexus 7 tablet and Moto X smartphone.

If you are going to be using this devices in situations where it would not be convenient to keep your devices connected during the day, you may want to consider pairing this with a RAVPower USB battery pack so that you can keep the pack charged (during the day) with this solar panel and at night you can use the USB battery pack to charge your devices.

Here are the main points I noticed about this product:

Ease of use: The panel is very easy to use, just unfold it and plug in your device.  For better performance, you can ensure it is pointed directly at the sun by putting something under it to tilt it the right way.

Performance: As I mentioned earlier, in direct sunlight this charger was able to put out between 1.6A and 2.5A depending on how you point the panels.  This should be enough for one or two devices, of course you have to be realistic and remember that anything less than direct sunlight will impact performance.

Design: The panel assembly folds down to a portable size, and the pouch at the end for the two USB cables (and to place your device to keep it out of direct sunlight) is a nice touch.  As I mentioned, I didn't use the 4 clips but I can see the value in the clips and holes in the panel assembly to help with placement.

Other considerations: This gadget is not as common as a normal USB battery pack.  For someone who likes having unique gadgets or is into "green" technology like solar panels this would make a great gift.

Bottom Line: This solar panel works as expected, is well designed, and would make a great tool for anyone that has a need and a great toy for anyone who likes to have unique gadgets.

Product Page : http://www.ravpower.com/15w-foldable-solor-charger.html

DROK USB Output Tester Review

I recently purchased two DROK Dual-USB output charging testers, and I figured I would test out a few devices I had (make sure you read the disclaimer at the end about the RAVPower and Maxboost items).

I decided to use smartphones and tablets I had available for the USB load, however in the future I may actually purchase a 1A/2A USB load device to ensure a consistent load for testing.

Load Devices with load rating based on a quick test

Nexus 7 (2013) LTE: Approx 1A
Nexus 7 (2012) WiFi: Approx 0.6A
Verizon Motorola Moto X: Approx 0.7A~0.8A
Republic Wireless Motorola Defy XT: Approx 0.5A

RAVPower Deluxe 15000 mAh battery pack with two DROK testers and 3 devices

In the picture above you see a rough idea of how the test hardware was setup.  Essentially I connected the phones/tablets (two devices) to each DROK, and then either one or two of the DROKs to each power source being tested.  In the picture below you will see the two testers, and devices tested.

Two of the DROK testers, and the various A/C adapters or USB battery packs

Overall, it was pretty interesting testing all the devices and seeing that in most cases they met or exceeded their rated capacity.  The test was only for a few minutes, not a longer test to see how the devices performed under a heavy consistent load.  Of course, I would not recommend exceeding the capacity of your charging devices.  See below for the results of each test.

RAVPower Two Port A/C Adapter (Model RP-UC02)

Rated : 2.1A

- Port 1: Both Nexus 7s, measured at 1.6A
- Port 2: Both Motorola's, measured at 1A

Results: The adapter was able to exceed the rated capacity, supporting 2.6A total.

Motorola Two port A/C Adapter (White one, from the Moto X I believe)

Rated 1.15A

- Port 1: Both Nexus 7s, measured at 1.1A
- Port 2: Nothing connected, not enough space between plugs to connected 2nd DROK tester

Results: The adapter was able to support just below the rated capacity.

RAVPower FileHub 6000 mAh (Model RP-WD02)

Rated 1A (only 1 USB port)

- Both Nexus 7s measure at 1.12A

Results: The battery pack was able to support just above rated capacity.  Note, this device can also has other capabilities ( file hub and router ) but those were not turned on at the time of my test.

RAVPower Deluxe 15000 mAh (Model RP-PB19)

Rated at 4.5A total (two ports)

- Port 1 (2.4A port): Both Nexus 7s, measure at 2A
- Port 2 (2.1A port): Both Motorola's, measured at 1.3A

Results: The adapter was able to support a total of 3.3A across two phones and two tablets.  I believe the devices were pulling their full load, so I don't think I hit the limit of the battery pack.

Maxboost Electron Mini 5600 mAh (Model MBP-5200B)

Rated 1A (only 1 USB port)

- Both Nexus 7s measured at 2A

Results : The battery back was able to exceed the rated capacity.

RAVPower Savior 9000 mAh (Model RP-PB23)

This device has a built-in microUSB cable (which I can't measure without some adapters) and a built-in USB port which is rated at 1A.

- Both Nexus 7s measure at 1.1A

Results: Device was able to support just over the rated capacity, and which I connected the Moto X to the microUSB port the rating on the USB port did not change so overall the battery pack was able to support 2 tablets and 1 smartphone and seemed to be within rated capacity.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the RAVPower and Maxboost products for free so that I could provide product feedback to the company and post a product review. I was not required to write a positive review and I do not rate products higher than they should have been. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's requirements.