We use power banks for charging our phones but we can use power banks to run many gadgets. We can use power banks to run LED lights, electronic hair trimmers, etc.
Also, we can use power banks for Electronic project testing. I always use a power bank for my Robotics & Arduino-based project testing.
But the problem is that all new design power banks now have a protection circuit for overcharging, over-discharging, power bank auto cut off, etc.
Those are all excellent features for power banks’ health but the power bank auto-off feature is a problem for some users who use power banks for other work except phone charging.
the power bank turns off automatically when an input load minimum of 100mah is not detected.
If you turn on your power bank manually it will automatically turn off after a few seconds. The time is vary from 10 sec. To 30 sec. & it depends on the power bank.
It is a good feature of the power bank to save energy & backup time.
Power bank disable auto power off
We will make a simple electronic circuit to temporarily disable the power bank auto power off feature. It is a USB Type-A plug when we insert it into a power bank it stays awake.
How does it work
To stop power bank turning off we are using a timer ic 555. This circuit will give to power bank a 100 mAh load using 33 ohms for 3 sec. In every 6sec. You can see the LED indicator. The LED glows for 3 sec after every 6 sec.
You need to make
- Small perfboard
- USB A type male & female
- IC 555 & 8 pin IC base
- 10 mfd / 25 volt electrolytic capacitor
- Transistor BC 548B
- Resistor – 33 ohms, 1M, 270K, 220 ohms, 1K
- Diode IN 4148
- LED
Video tutorial
Circuit Diagram
Download circuit diagram
Make this circuit on a perf board. You can use a bigger perf board if you are a beginner. You can use a USB cable if you have a problem arranging a USB male connector.
My powerbank turned off automaticaly after 10 sec. i wanted to drive a small old 70’s transistor radio which can run on an old 4,5 v battery and only using between 10 – 70 mA. So using a modern powerbank seemed like a fine idea until it powered off ( again and again ). Finally i found out it had to use 100 mA as a minimum to not power off …so now i’ve added a 47 Ohm 1 W resistor to the +/- terminals input. Now it works fine with a total consumption between 110 – 180 mA.
Just an idea for all you guys out there who wants a cheap and easy solution 😉