Renogy 15000mAh Solar Power Bank

Power bank did not demonstrate the capacity advertised, did not charge at all in sun, and failed at critical point in wilderness.

When I received it, charge level was indicated as 3 out of 4 LEDs. It did not indicate 4/4 LEDs charge level even after plugged into a wall outlet for an additional 8 hours and a car outlet for 3 hours.

During an 8-day summer backpacking trip, it only charged a 3000mAH phone to full once, and then from 12% to 35% three times (removed to save power) before unexpectedly dying (LED had shown 2 of 3 LEDs). Right before we climbed Mt Whitney, the place where we most wanted pictures! Nothing close to the five full charges promised.

The power bank was strapped to the outside of the backpack, in mostly unshaded, sunny, exposed conditions, for 7 days. It was placed in the sun at every campsite and break. The charge never increased. In the 2 days after it died, never did solar increase battery to the point that my phone could even charge 1%.

Customer service...Each time I called (for purchase question, or to request the shipment tracking info they failed to send), wait for phone assistance was over an hour. Upon return from the trip, I placed a ticket on the Renogy website for a return. A week later, I tried to call—I was on hold for an hour and a half before Renogy dropped the call.

More than a month after that, they replied to my electronic ticket with a notice that they'd mailed me a replacement product...which would be amazing, except that I was at a different address with no links to the old, and there was more negotiation to get a second replacement mailed to my real address. 

So, good on them for going the extra effort to make good. I look forward to seeing if my original unit was the odd defective and the new unit operates great. The old unit was one of the bigger gear fails I've experienced.

Background

I used this product on an 86-mile Sierra backpacking trip.

A creative, multi-function solar power bank.

Renogy Solar Power Bank 15000mAh

PROS

• Small  
• Lightweight 
• Versatile
• 2 USB ports
• Integrated LED light
• Additional detached light

CONS

• No instructions
• Finicky USB ports

The Renogy Solar Power Bank is a relatively small portable 15000mAh source of energy for handheld personal devices. Boasting a 2W solar panel with two USB outputs of 5.0V each.

As a member of another website, I am given products to test from time to time in exchange for a review. The Renogy Solar Power Bank was provided by the company for testing and review.

Box contents: 

• Renogy Solar Power Bank
• USB charging cord
• Carabiner clip
• Flexible USB reading light

The unit itself has a short lanyard attached to a plastic tab on the backside “top.” The tab does not appear too robust so I suspect this will be the first area of failure if attached to a backpack and bounces against the pack during hikes. However, there is a duplicate plastic attachment tab on the backside “bottom,” also. I will likely always secure the solar power bank to my pack utilizing both tabs with para cord.

On the “bottom” end of the case are two (2) USB ports, the charging port for AC charging of the power bank and four (4) LED lights that indicate what the current charge level is. As the power bank’s charge capacity diminishes, one or more blue LED lights will blink.

On the opposite side of the solar panel is an integrated six (6) LED light. An “on/off” button is located on the side of the case. A quick double tap activates the light, an additional tap activates the strobe function. I am uncertain of the exact lumens, but it is bright, lighting up an entire room.

The additional and separate light is 7” long, plugs into a USB port and has a flexible rubber shaft for adjusting the light where you desire it. I would describe the illumination more for reading, as it does not project a beam, but rather a soft glow.

At 15000 mAh, there should be plenty of juice to power up several handheld devices before needing recharged itself.
At a single full charge from an electrical outlet, the Renogy Solar Power Bank charged an iPhone 7 

• First charge 23% to 100% in 1:35. 
• Second charge 19% to 100% in 1:40
• Third charge 14% to 100% in 2:00
• Fourth charge 17% to 100% in 1:30
• Fifth charge iPad 41% to 65% (when the Solar Power Bank ran out of charging power)

Interestingly, the integrated LED lights still illuminated brightly, but it would not charge any devices after five heavy power outputs.

Charging in direct sunlight for 18 hours failed to yield positive results on this unit. Only producing one flashing indicating light of available power. Uncertain what the problem may be.

With continued usage, it appears that direct sunlight charging works, the blue LED charge indicator lights may be the issue. With one intermittent flashing indicator light a full charge on an iPhone 7 was complete in 1:15 from 11%. Upon calling Renogy tech support, they were unaware of any problems as this a new product.

I plugged the Renogy Solar Bank into an outlet shortly after and it fully charged displaying four solid LED indicator lights.

Final Thoughts

When fully charged from an AC outlet, the Renogy Solar Power Bank performs well, charging several handheld devices. When in direct sunlight, it produces a slower, but consistent charge. However, as previously noted, it does not utilize the solar panel to charge itself sufficiently in direct, consistent sunshine to be useful in that way.

On this Renogy Solar Power Bank, the USB ports felt a bit sloppy...as if there is not always positive contact. I found myself unplugging the USB cable and reinserting to receive a positive charge reading.

If used solely as a power bank that I powered up via an outlet and took into the field to get half dozen power-ups on my handheld devices it’s worth consideration, as it was very effective. The jury is out on relying on its solar charging capabilities in the backcountry.