Did you recently purchase a Travelpro Smart Luggage, and you want to know how you can charge it so that it can charge your devices when you travel? You’ve come to the right place, for we have researched this question, and we have the answer for you.
The quick answer is that you do not actually charge the luggage. Instead, you need to charge the power bank that you will use with your Travelpro Smart Luggage.
This might sound confusing to some, so we will talk more about it in the succeeding sections. Read on!
What is smart luggage?
Smart luggage is a suitcase that has electronic components that provide a specific function. Some smart suitcases have a built-in scale or the ability to transmit their location through GPS and a cellular network.
Even simple electronic features like a TSA lock or USB charging ports make a suitcase smart luggage.
How do I charge my Travelpro?
Travelpro has a dedicated pocket for power banks or batteries. The power bank pocket is accessible through an external zipper. There is a USB cable inside the pocket that you can connect to your power bank before you secure it inside the pocket.
There is also a USB port with a cover just below the retractable handle. This port is connected to the USB cable that you connect to your power bank.
You can connect your charger cable to this port and charge your phone or any other device that can accept a charge through USB.
Instead of charging your Travelpro carry-on or checked suitcase, you need to remember to charge its power bank once you get to your hotel. Then you also have to remember to put the power bank back into the pocket before you leave with your Travelpro.
There is currently no way to charge the power bank directly while inside Travelpro.
One way to remind yourself is to take out your power bank as soon as you arrive at your hotel. Replace it with something large or bulky like a baseball. When you see that object bulging inside the power bank pocket, you’d know that the power bank is not yet in there.
Keep in mind that purchasing a Travelpro with USB charging ports does not include the power bank. You need to purchase a separate power bank for your Travelpro.
How to choose the right power bank for travel?
Now that you understand how the charging feature of your Travelpro works, all you need is a power bank for your suitcase. How do you pick one that is right for you? Here are some guidelines that will help you choose the right power bank that is also FAA-approved.
What is a power bank?
A power bank or an external battery pack is a portable and compact device that serves as storage for electrical energy. You charge it like a normal mobile device, storing the electrical energy from charging. You can later use it to charge another device because it can give up the stored electrical energy to charge another device.
And power banks can hold that charge for a long time, just waiting for the next time that your gadgets need a charge once more.
The development of the power bank started around 2001, but it was not until 2011 that it was ready for public use. The power bank ended the era when the battery of your device will suddenly run out at the worst possible moment.
Power Bank Capacity
The first thing that you need to consider is the capacity of the power bank.
It would be pointless to get a power bank that has a lower capacity than the battery of your phone. A power bank with a lower capacity will not be able to charge your phone fully because it has a lower capacity than the battery of your phone, to begin with.
As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to get a power bank that has at least three times the capacity of your phone battery.
It is always better to have the extra capacity and not need it than not have the capacity and need it.
How do I know the battery capacity of my phone?
The capacity of your phone’s battery is measured in milliampere hours or mAh. Check with the device’s manufacturer to find out the battery capacity. An average phone has a battery with a capacity between 2000 mAh and 3500 mAh.
Keep in mind that the usable capacity of a power bank is only 75% to 85% of the total. Thus, a 10,000 mAh power bank will have only 7,500 mAh usable capacity.
The missing capacity is lost through voltage conversion. Some of that capacity is also lost when your power bank rapidly charges your device.
Moreover, you cannot bring an infinite number of power banks on the plane. Most airlines have a limit to the number of batteries that you can carry with you, including power banks. Thus it is important to bring a power bank that has enough capacity for the needs of all your devices than bring multiple power banks.
Anker 10000 mAh Battery Pack is available on Amazon through this link.
Do lithium-ion batteries explode?
Any object that stores energy has the potential to explode. Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most common energy storage device in the world. And like any other energy storage device, it has the potential to explode under the wrong circumstances.
It is because of this potential to explode that the US banned lithium-ion batteries from getting transported through checked luggage. Any lithium-ion batteries that you need to bring with you on a flight will have to be in your carry-on bag.
In addition to this, any bag or suitcase with a non-removable lithium-ion battery cannot be used for air travel.
Power Bank Weight
Weight is always an important factor to consider whenever you travel. Airlines have weight limits for luggage, and the weight of the power bank can significantly contribute to this.
Capacity and weight are two attributes that you need to carefully consider. The weight of the power bank goes up as the capacity increases. You will need to determine the sweet spot that gives you the capacity you need and the weight that you are willing to carry with you.
Look out for abnormally light power banks. This usually means that the internal components are substandard and could be hazardous to carry with you when you travel.
Power Bank Size
Considering the weight of your power bank will also affect its size. This is also important because the power bank must fit into the power bank pocket of your Travelpro.
Power Bank Ports
You will need to consider the number of available ports on your power bank if you plan to use it outside of your Travelpro luggage to charge more than one device at the same time.
However, if you’re going to use the power bank exclusively for your Travelpro, then one port will be enough.
It is a good idea to get a power bank with a charging port that is the same as your phone. This way, you don’t have to worry about carrying a different cable to charge your phone and another cable to charge your power bank.
Alternatively, carry a cable with multiple plugs that can you can use for multiple devices.
Nylon Braided 3 in 1 Charging Cable is available on Amazon through this link.
Power Bank Power Output
The standard for power banks is 2A or 2 amperes. However, there are power banks that have less than 2A.
Lower power output will cause your device to charge slower.
If your phone or device supports fast charging, look for power banks that can output up to 2.4A.
Don’t worry about having too much current from your power bank. Modern phones will only take the current that they can handle.
What is a TSA lock?
TSA stands for Transport Security Administration. And a TSA lock is one that you can use to secure your suitcase with a special feature.
If the TSA decides to inspect your bag, they can use a master key to unlock the TSA lock to inspect your bag without breaking the lock.
Unfortunately, the blueprints of some of the master keys that TSA agents use to open TSA locks are circulating on the web. Anyone can make their own copy of a master key and access any suitcase that has a TSA lock.
Conclusion
You will need to provide your Travelpro with a fully charged power bank before it can supply your devices with a charge when you travel.
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