Powerbank for Varia RTL515

Rone69 19 days ago

Since I go on long rides, I often need to charge the Vaia RTL515, I used to use a power bank that was stolen from me, it managed to complete the charge correctly, but unfortunately this model is no longer on the market, I have tried 3 others, of good brands, but none complete the charge, after about 45' the charge stops, as if a protection system intervenes to prevent damage to the device.

I would like to ask you if you can tell me what are the specifications of the charging voltages (V/mAh) that a power bank must have in order to fully charge the Varia 515.

Thank you in advance.

0 BeneGi 19 days ago

I think the Varias charge on only a small current. It take ages to charge them even on the most powerful chargers.
I have a few Powerbanks wich shut of after some time if the power drawn isn’t high enough.

My Nitecore doesn’t do it, it has a special mode for smart watches etc wich draw only low power.

Don’t look for high power charging, but for the other end of the scale.

0 Rone69 18 days ago in reply to BeneGi

Thanks for the advice, I was thinking the same thing, can you tell me which power bank models you use successfully to charge the Varia?

I also contacted Garmin technical support and received the following reply:

" ... We do not have any technical specifications for charging the product with a power bank, as it is designed to be charged from a wall socket. The only advice we can give you is that if you use a wall socket, it should not exceed 2 A ... ".

0 BeneGi 10 days ago in reply to Rone69

The wall socket can provide 100A, if the Varia only draws 2, it will only give two.
Its like a faucet on a 100mm pipe: if you open it only for dripping 2l/min, it doesn’t matter how big the pipe is.

I first had to empty a Varia and am now trying my Nitecore NB 10000 with an 510. It started charging without enabling low draw mode. This powerbank also handles Garmin Watches and my Edge 1040 and the Inreach fine, so i think it will only stop when the light is full.

I will report back when i know more.

0 Rone69 10 days ago in reply to BeneGi

Thanks for the feedback.

What version of the NB10000 do you have? It is currently up to Gen3.

0 BeneGi 10 days ago in reply to Rone69

The Nitecore NB 10000 charged both my 510 and my 515.

0 Rone69 10 days ago in reply to BeneGi

Thank you very much.

What version of the NB10000 do you have? It is currently up to Gen3.

All the NB10000 version are very expensive.

0 BeneGi 10 days ago in reply to Rone69

I bought it last summer, it still has a usb-a port. I believe its Gen 2.

I know they are expensive, but i trust the flashlights from that brand for about 10 years now. The powerbanks are always good in tests and comparisons and it holds up for me in the Alps and in normal use. I would say the money was well spend.

0 Rone69 9 days ago in reply to BeneGi

Please verify which is the model of your NB10000

gen1

gen2

gen3