5 Unexpected Uses For Your Old Power Banks - bgr.com

5 Smart, Surprising Ways to Reuse Your Old Power Banks

Upgraded your daily charger? Don’t toss the old pack. Repurpose it with these practical ideas that extend battery life, add convenience, and cut e-waste.

1. Keep one with your portable speaker
   Give older Bluetooth speakers all-day power by running them directly via USB. Perfect for patios, picnics, and beach days. Tip: use a short cable and a small strap or Velcro to keep the pack attached to the speaker.

2. Power an emergency lantern or flashlight
   Pair a power bank with a USB LED lamp, clip-on torch, or light strip for reliable blackout lighting. Charge it quarterly and store around 50–80% to help preserve battery health.

3. Stash one in your camping or travel kit
   Dedicate an old pack to headlamps, e-readers, action cams, or GPS trackers. Label the bank and cables, keep it in your carry-on for flights, and choose a rugged case for outdoor trips.

4. Jump-start your car—with compatible power banks only
   Some power banks are built as jump starters with clamp leads and high peak amps for 12V engines. Standard USB-only banks cannot jump-start a car. If yours supports it, follow the manual: connect positive (+) to the battery, negative (–) to a metal ground, and keep the pack well charged before use.

5. Rebuild it into a newer, better power bank
   If you’re experienced with electronics, you can replace worn 18650/21700 cells and upgrade to a modern USB‑C PD board. Always work safely and recycle old cells properly. If you’re unsure, leave it to a repair shop or e‑waste recycler.

Before you repurpose

• Inspect for swelling, heat, or damage; recycle if compromised.
• Capacity-test and label the remaining mAh so you know what it can reliably power.
• Top up every 3–6 months to keep cells healthy.

Don’t toss a tired pack—reuse it for everyday convenience and emergency readiness.

Source: https://www.bgr.com/2053604/uses-for-your-old-power-banks/