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Power Bank for Raspberry Pi 4 w/ Stellarmate OS

Ikarus Technologies StellarMate OS Raspberry Pi 4 Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Equipment Power Supply
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nickastrobin avatar
nickastrobin avatar
Hi All,

I would be setting up my RPi 4 with Stellarmate OS soon and was wondering if someone can advise on a power bank and what all considerations (Voltage and Amperes, mAH etc.) I need to consider while selecting a power bank to power my RPi 4 in the field.

I also have a Star Adventurer so if I can power both using the same power bank or getting a couple of them to power each of these units, then that would do the job for me.

Looking forward to hearing suggestions from you all.

Regards,
Nick
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Turix avatar
Turix avatar
The RPi 4 recommends a power supply that can provide around 3A of continuous current at 5v (calculated as 2.5A for the Pi + 500mA for USB devices) - this works out as 15 watts, which is sometimes used on power bank advertising instead of the amperage.

I actually ended up making the mistake myself of buying a power bank that could only provide 1.5A per USB port and, while everything appeared to mostly work, I was having a number of strange issues like random reboots and strange patterns in subs that wouldn't calibrate out. These all went away when I switched to a higher amperage power bank.

I've found a capacity of 20,000mAh works fairly well for a full night with power to spare, when I worked it out for my particular set of accessories the next size down (10k) was cutting it fine for winter nights (although YMMV). I use a pair of Anker PowerCore 20K power banks, one for the RPi + accessories (20W USB-C PD) and the other (the aforementioned low power one) to run a USB dew heater band and cooling fan (via a USB to 12V adapter).

I wouldn't worry too much about the Star Adventurer, it's power consumption whilst running (at least at 1x speed) is fairly negligible.
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nickastrobin avatar
nickastrobin avatar
The RPi 4 recommends a power supply that can provide around 3A of continuous current at 5v (calculated as 2.5A for the Pi + 500mA for USB devices) - this works out as 15 watts, which is sometimes used on power bank advertising instead of the amperage.

I actually ended up making the mistake myself of buying a power bank that could only provide 1.5A per USB port and, while everything appeared to mostly work, I was having a number of strange issues like random reboots and strange patterns in subs that wouldn't calibrate out. These all went away when I switched to a higher amperage power bank.

I've found a capacity of 20,000mAh works fairly well for a full night with power to spare, when I worked it out for my particular set of accessories the next size down (10k) was cutting it fine for winter nights (although YMMV). I use a pair of Anker PowerCore 20K power banks, one for the RPi + accessories (20W USB-C PD) and the other (the aforementioned low power one) to run a USB dew heater band and cooling fan (via a USB to 12V adapter).

I wouldn't worry too much about the Star Adventurer, it's power consumption whilst running (at least at 1x speed) is fairly negligible.

This is so helpful Turix! Thank you so very much for sharing your experience and recommendations. Much appreciated
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Turix avatar
Turix avatar
No worries smile

Whilst trying to work out my issues with the original power bank I ended up buying one of those USB power testers and checking everything one-by-one whilst the Pi was connected to a mains power supply. Don't have the numbers to hand but I ended up working out the average / peak draw of everything, which was when I figured out the issue.

Another thing that just sprung to mind whilst writing this; I'd recommend using a USB C to C cable opposed to a USB A to C one. At least on the power bank I've got the USB A port can only output 13W or so rather than the full 20W of the USB C port.
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nickastrobin avatar
nickastrobin avatar
No worries

Whilst trying to work out my issues with the original power bank I ended up buying one of those USB power testers and checking everything one-by-one whilst the Pi was connected to a mains power supply. Don't have the numbers to hand but I ended up working out the average / peak draw of everything, which was when I figured out the issue.

Another thing that just sprung to mind whilst writing this; I'd recommend using a USB C to C cable opposed to a USB A to C one. At least on the power bank I've got the USB A port can only output 13W or so rather than the full 20W of the USB C port.

Wow! You really did some work there Sometimes, I too end up spending a lot of time trying to figure out the actual issue and I think it's totally worth every time! Thanks for that pointed about using the USC-C port instead of USB-A!
nickastrobin avatar
nickastrobin avatar
The RPi 4 recommends a power supply that can provide around 3A of continuous current at 5v (calculated as 2.5A for the Pi + 500mA for USB devices) - this works out as 15 watts, which is sometimes used on power bank advertising instead of the amperage.

I actually ended up making the mistake myself of buying a power bank that could only provide 1.5A per USB port and, while everything appeared to mostly work, I was having a number of strange issues like random reboots and strange patterns in subs that wouldn't calibrate out. These all went away when I switched to a higher amperage power bank.

I've found a capacity of 20,000mAh works fairly well for a full night with power to spare, when I worked it out for my particular set of accessories the next size down (10k) was cutting it fine for winter nights (although YMMV). I use a pair of Anker PowerCore 20K power banks, one for the RPi + accessories (20W USB-C PD) and the other (the aforementioned low power one) to run a USB dew heater band and cooling fan (via a USB to 12V adapter).

I wouldn't worry too much about the Star Adventurer, it's power consumption whilst running (at least at 1x speed) is fairly negligible.

Anker PowerCore 20K power banks are Lithium Polymer, if I am not wrong. Is it good enough investment or should I go for Lithium-Ion ones?
nickastrobin avatar
nickastrobin avatar
The RPi 4 recommends a power supply that can provide around 3A of continuous current at 5v (calculated as 2.5A for the Pi + 500mA for USB devices) - this works out as 15 watts, which is sometimes used on power bank advertising instead of the amperage.

I actually ended up making the mistake myself of buying a power bank that could only provide 1.5A per USB port and, while everything appeared to mostly work, I was having a number of strange issues like random reboots and strange patterns in subs that wouldn't calibrate out. These all went away when I switched to a higher amperage power bank.

I've found a capacity of 20,000mAh works fairly well for a full night with power to spare, when I worked it out for my particular set of accessories the next size down (10k) was cutting it fine for winter nights (although YMMV). I use a pair of Anker PowerCore 20K power banks, one for the RPi + accessories (20W USB-C PD) and the other (the aforementioned low power one) to run a USB dew heater band and cooling fan (via a USB to 12V adapter).

I wouldn't worry too much about the Star Adventurer, it's power consumption whilst running (at least at 1x speed) is fairly negligible.

Anker PowerCore 20K power banks are Lithium Polymer, if I am not wrong. Is it good enough investment or should I go for Lithium-Ion ones?

You are referring to this one right?

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Portable-PowerCore-Essential-Compatible/dp/B08LG2X98F/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Anker+PowerCore+20K&qid=1655980488&sr=8-4

Does this one looks good too?

https://www.amazon.in/20000mAh-Sandstone-Triple-Charging-Delivery/dp/B08HV83HL3/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=usb-c%2Bpd%2Bpower%2Bbank&qid=1655980271&sprefix=usb-c%2Bpd%2B%2Caps%2C780&sr=8-3&th=1
kuechlew avatar
kuechlew avatar
Hi,

in general I have good experiences with the Anker Powerbank but I only use it for charging my phone or on occasion for the dew heaters. For my mini PC I use this Omegon Pro Powerbank 48k LiFePO4 154Wh 12V in combination with a Pegasus Astro Powerbox. Not a cheap solution but very reliable so far. My experiment with a Raspberry PI didn't turn out well in the past, I didn't manage to get it to run reliably in the field - in particular wifi issues were rather annoying. Others seem to have more success. My Raspberry PI connected to the Anker Powerbank occasionally complained about loo low power - one of my reasons to switch to the solution above. 

Clear skies
Wolfgang
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nickastrobin avatar
nickastrobin avatar
Hi,

in general I have good experiences with the Anker Powerbank but I only use it for charging my phone or on occasion for the dew heaters. For my mini PC I use this Omegon Pro Powerbank 48k LiFePO4 154Wh 12V in combination with a Pegasus Astro Powerbox. Not a cheap solution but very reliable so far. My experiment with a Raspberry PI didn't turn out well in the past, I didn't manage to get it to run reliably in the field - in particular wifi issues were rather annoying. Others seem to have more success. My Raspberry PI connected to the Anker Powerbank occasionally complained about loo low power - one of my reasons to switch to the solution above. 

Clear skies
Wolfgang

Interesting! Thank you sharing your experience and ideas. Much appreciated
Tim Hutchison avatar
Tim Hutchison avatar
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Daniel DeSclafani avatar
Daniel DeSclafani avatar
So I know you are asking for a power bank, but I ended up going with a Pegasus power box advanced. It poses the rpi and all of my equipment and dew heaters. Keeps it really compact and I enjoy the setup. Just a  consideration if you can save up the money. All I have is one cord running up to the mount, and that’s to send power to PPBA and then it sends it out from there. Very nice and tidy.
Aaron Hakala avatar
Aaron Hakala avatar
I found this on Amazon.  This lets me plug into the Pegasus power box (I had to add the 12v plug) then I connect it to my stick computer (not the raspberry pi). But same voltage and amp requirements.   This helped me out using the 12v battery for all power running through the power box.
kuechlew avatar
kuechlew avatar
Aaron Hakala:
I found this on Amazon.  This lets me plug into the Pegasus power box (I had to add the 12v plug) then I connect it to my stick computer (not the raspberry pi). But same voltage and amp requirements.   This helped me out using the 12v battery for all power running through the power box.

Hi,

Pegasus Power Box Advanced USB Port 1 can deliver 5V / 3A directly. In addition there is an adjustable output plug which you may use for 5V / 3A too, in case you need two of these. 

Clear skies
Wolfgang