USB power banks are very popular these days because they are a convenient, pocket-sized
USB power banks are very popular these days because they are a convenient, pocket-sized

portable way to power or recharge your mobile devices.
portable way to power or recharge your mobile devices.

But the basic concept of a portable, pocket-sized, rechargeable power bank has been around a
But the basic concept of a portable, pocket-sized, rechargeable power bank has been around a

lot longer than you might think, because here I have the 1980s equivalent to a USB power
lot longer than you might think, because here I have the 1980s equivalent to a USB power

bank: It's the RCA Pocket Power Pack.
bank: It's the RCA Pocket Power Pack.

Obviously USB didn't exist back then, so what do you think is the next most common way of
Obviously USB didn't exist back then, so what do you think is the next most common way of

powering mobile devices?
powering mobile devices?

Yes, the cigarette lighter outlet, or what is now better known as simply a 12-volt power
Yes, the cigarette lighter outlet, or what is now better known as simply a 12-volt power

outlet.
outlet.

It has a connector like this, which you can plug into your car, or into this portable
It has a connector like this, which you can plug into your car, or into this portable

power bank.
power bank.

And there you have it: 12 volts DC, coming out of this pocket power pack from RCA.
And there you have it: 12 volts DC, coming out of this pocket power pack from RCA.

And you can use it just like a modern power bank, with one of these cigarette lighter
And you can use it just like a modern power bank, with one of these cigarette lighter

to USB adapters.
to USB adapters.

So, I'll plug in my USB cable going to my tablet, I'll plug that into the power pack,
So, I'll plug in my USB cable going to my tablet, I'll plug that into the power pack,

and now it's charging.
and now it's charging.

It has a shoulder strap attached, for a handy way of carrying it around, or on the back
It has a shoulder strap attached, for a handy way of carrying it around, or on the back

it has a belt clip.
it has a belt clip.

But that belt better be securely fastened to your waist, otherwise if you put this thing
But that belt better be securely fastened to your waist, otherwise if you put this thing

on it, you're gonna be sagging like a 1990s skater.
on it, you're gonna be sagging like a 1990s skater.

That's because it tips the scales at almost 2 pounds (0.9 kg).
That's because it tips the scales at almost 2 pounds (0.9 kg).

But if you're thinking this contains lithium-ion cells, Pfft!
But if you're thinking this contains lithium-ion cells, Pfft!

No, this uses the real stuff: nickel cadmium batteries.
No, this uses the real stuff: nickel cadmium batteries.

It's the model AV020 from RCA, nominal rating 12 volts, 2.2 amp-hours.
It's the model AV020 from RCA, nominal rating 12 volts, 2.2 amp-hours.

Maximum power output 36 watts, or 3 amps.
Maximum power output 36 watts, or 3 amps.

And as indicated here, it has LEDs to tell you what's going on: the green LED on under
And as indicated here, it has LEDs to tell you what's going on: the green LED on under

load indicates the battery is discharging.
load indicates the battery is discharging.

If the green LED goes off when it's under load, that means the battery needs to be recharged.
If the green LED goes off when it's under load, that means the battery needs to be recharged.

And if the red LED is on, that means the battery is charging.
And if the red LED is on, that means the battery is charging.

And there are those red and green LEDs.
And there are those red and green LEDs.

And just like USB power banks where you use the same port for charging and output, the
And just like USB power banks where you use the same port for charging and output, the

same is true here.
same is true here.

You charge it with one of these.
You charge it with one of these.

This one is not RCA-branded, but it's pretty much the same thing: it's the Ni-Pak charger,
This one is not RCA-branded, but it's pretty much the same thing: it's the Ni-Pak charger,

from Port Orange, Florida.
from Port Orange, Florida.

It puts out 14.7 volts DC at 5.9 watts, through a cigarette lighter-style plug.
It puts out 14.7 volts DC at 5.9 watts, through a cigarette lighter-style plug.

You just plug that in, you plug this into the wall, and you charge your power bank.
You just plug that in, you plug this into the wall, and you charge your power bank.

Like that... and now you see the red LED is illuminated, indicating it is charging.
Like that... and now you see the red LED is illuminated, indicating it is charging.

And since it uses nicad cells, they typically take around 12 to 14 hours to charge.
And since it uses nicad cells, they typically take around 12 to 14 hours to charge.

So RCA said to charge it overnight, and that's the most convenient way to do it.
So RCA said to charge it overnight, and that's the most convenient way to do it.

As for exactly how old this thing is, I don't know.
As for exactly how old this thing is, I don't know.

I found a reference to a newer model, the AV046, with more rounded styling and a higher-capacity
I found a reference to a newer model, the AV046, with more rounded styling and a higher-capacity

output of 4.5 amp-hours being on the market in 1989.
output of 4.5 amp-hours being on the market in 1989.

So this is some time older than that, maybe 1987, perhaps?
So this is some time older than that, maybe 1987, perhaps?

Which would make it 35 years old.
Which would make it 35 years old.

So what do you think the chances are of the 35-year-old nicad batteries in this still
So what do you think the chances are of the 35-year-old nicad batteries in this still

working?
working?

To test it, I have a Quartz Fire 42-watt, 12-volt halogen work light.
To test it, I have a Quartz Fire 42-watt, 12-volt halogen work light.

This is basically a low-beam headlamp bulb in a portable package with a cigarette-lighter
This is basically a low-beam headlamp bulb in a portable package with a cigarette-lighter

style plug.
style plug.

To figure out how much current that 42-watt light bulb is going to be drawing from the
To figure out how much current that 42-watt light bulb is going to be drawing from the

battery pack, let's have some pie.
battery pack, let's have some pie.

Power in watts equals intensity, or current in amps, times electromotive force in volts.
Power in watts equals intensity, or current in amps, times electromotive force in volts.

So we know it's a 42-watt light bulb.
So we know it's a 42-watt light bulb.

We don't know the current, so I'll put an X there, and we know it's 12 volts.
We don't know the current, so I'll put an X there, and we know it's 12 volts.

So if we divide by 12, we can figure out how much current it's going to be drawing in amps.
So if we divide by 12, we can figure out how much current it's going to be drawing in amps.

So 42 divided by 12 is 3.5 amps.
So 42 divided by 12 is 3.5 amps.

That's actually above this thing's maximum rated power output of 3 amps, or 36 watts.
That's actually above this thing's maximum rated power output of 3 amps, or 36 watts.

So we're really gonna be putting this pocket power pack to the test.
So we're really gonna be putting this pocket power pack to the test.

Now I have it plugged into the pocket power pack, and I'll switch it on.
Now I have it plugged into the pocket power pack, and I'll switch it on.

And nada!
And nada!

It's working.
It's working.

The green LED is illuminated, and it's putting out copious amounts of light.
The green LED is illuminated, and it's putting out copious amounts of light.

And there we have some tests subjects illuminated by a 35 or so-year-old pocket power pack from
And there we have some tests subjects illuminated by a 35 or so-year-old pocket power pack from

RCA, containing nickel cadmium batteries.
RCA, containing nickel cadmium batteries.

Now I don't want to run this too long at more than its maximum rated current capacity, plus
Now I don't want to run this too long at more than its maximum rated current capacity, plus

it's not very entertaining just looking at a light bulb.
it's not very entertaining just looking at a light bulb.

So how about using it to power a radio?
So how about using it to power a radio?

This radio runs on 12 volts DC, and at a decently loud volume level it draws about 200 milliamps.
This radio runs on 12 volts DC, and at a decently loud volume level it draws about 200 milliamps.

So I have it connected to the pocket power pack and I'll turn it on.
So I have it connected to the pocket power pack and I'll turn it on.

"Looks like rain for New Year's Eve, a daytime high of 54, maybe around 50 at midnight in
"Looks like rain for New Year's Eve, a daytime high of 54, maybe around 50 at midnight in

Times Square.
Times Square.

Accuweather will have four-day forecast in two minutes.
Accuweather will have four-day forecast in two minutes.

I'm Donna Vaughan, WINS news time at the tone 9:30.
I'm Donna Vaughan, WINS news time at the tone 9:30.

*Beep* Good evening, I'm Suzanne Colucci.
*Beep* Good evening, I'm Suzanne Colucci.

After an epic meltdown that stranded 15,000 travelers in the past week, Southwest Airlines
After an epic meltdown that stranded 15,000 travelers in the past week, Southwest Airlines

says it expects to have normal service tomorrow.
says it expects to have normal service tomorrow.

This comes with another holiday weekend and many still stuck from..."
This comes with another holiday weekend and many still stuck from..."

So yes, it does work to power a radio.
So yes, it does work to power a radio.

Now how about a television?
Now how about a television?

This little LCD TV runs on 12 volts DC, and draws right around 1 amp when using its built-in
This little LCD TV runs on 12 volts DC, and draws right around 1 amp when using its built-in

digital tuner.
digital tuner.

So I'll plug it into the pocket power pack, and the red standby indicator came on.
So I'll plug it into the pocket power pack, and the red standby indicator came on.

Now let me turn on the power, and that LED illuminated and the TV is turning on.
Now let me turn on the power, and that LED illuminated and the TV is turning on.

"...always obviously is seaweed, and I know you're a fan of both."
"...always obviously is seaweed, and I know you're a fan of both."

"I am a big fan of both.
"I am a big fan of both.

And as you probably know, Japanese food has always been very popular."
And as you probably know, Japanese food has always been very popular."

And we're watching TV, on the 35-year-old or so RCA pocket power pack.
And we're watching TV, on the 35-year-old or so RCA pocket power pack.

Another common use of a power bank today is to recharge another mobile device.
Another common use of a power bank today is to recharge another mobile device.

Which is sort of like pouring water from one bucket into another and spilling some of it
Which is sort of like pouring water from one bucket into another and spilling some of it

on the ground, because obviously there is some loss involved in that process.
on the ground, because obviously there is some loss involved in that process.

But if you really can't live without your smartphone, being able to add some charge
But if you really can't live without your smartphone, being able to add some charge

to it is better than not being able to charge it at all.
to it is better than not being able to charge it at all.

And of course we can do that with the RCA pocket power pack too.
And of course we can do that with the RCA pocket power pack too.

In this case I'm going to try using it to charge this 12-volt gel cell battery.
In this case I'm going to try using it to charge this 12-volt gel cell battery.

But to make things more interesting, I actually just charged this on a separate charger.
But to make things more interesting, I actually just charged this on a separate charger.

And this actually has a higher capacity than the power pack.
And this actually has a higher capacity than the power pack.

This puts out 5 amp-hours, or at least it did when it was new.
This puts out 5 amp-hours, or at least it did when it was new.

This is probably at least 20 years old.
This is probably at least 20 years old.

It did add some water to it not too long ago to try to rejuvenate it, but it's still an
It did add some water to it not too long ago to try to rejuvenate it, but it's still an

old battery -- just not as old as the power pack.
old battery -- just not as old as the power pack.

So the thing I'm curious to see is, will the power pack end up charging the gel cell battery,
So the thing I'm curious to see is, will the power pack end up charging the gel cell battery,

or will the gel cell battery end up charging the power pack?
or will the gel cell battery end up charging the power pack?

This is sort of like putting a humidifier and a dehumidifier in the same room and seeing
This is sort of like putting a humidifier and a dehumidifier in the same room and seeing

which one wins.
which one wins.

Now I'm going to complete the connection, and we'll see which LED illuminates: if the
Now I'm going to complete the connection, and we'll see which LED illuminates: if the

green one illuminates, that means this power pack is charging the gel cell battery, and
green one illuminates, that means this power pack is charging the gel cell battery, and

if the red LED illuminates, that means the gel cell battery is recharging the power pack.
if the red LED illuminates, that means the gel cell battery is recharging the power pack.

And if neither illuminates, I guess it's a draw.
And if neither illuminates, I guess it's a draw.

So here we go.
So here we go.

Aha!
Aha!

Green LED.
Green LED.

so the power pack is actually charging the gel cell battery.
so the power pack is actually charging the gel cell battery.

Now how about using the vintage RCA pocket power pack to power a computer?
Now how about using the vintage RCA pocket power pack to power a computer?

Most laptop computers run on 18 to 20 volts, so this would not be able to power it.
Most laptop computers run on 18 to 20 volts, so this would not be able to power it.

But I have this Brother GeoBook laptop from the late '90s, which does run on 12 volts,
But I have this Brother GeoBook laptop from the late '90s, which does run on 12 volts,

so it's a perfect candidate.
so it's a perfect candidate.

You notice this symbol here?
You notice this symbol here?

That indicates this computer runs on center negative on this power jack, instead of center
That indicates this computer runs on center negative on this power jack, instead of center

positive.
positive.

So I have my pre-made cable going from the cigarette lighter-style plug, which will go
So I have my pre-made cable going from the cigarette lighter-style plug, which will go

into the pocket power pack, to a standard center positive barrel plug, but luckily I
into the pocket power pack, to a standard center positive barrel plug, but luckily I

have an adapter here, which you may remember from my Orphan Turntables video, which will
have an adapter here, which you may remember from my Orphan Turntables video, which will

convert it to center negative.
convert it to center negative.

I checked it with my multimeter, and with the backlight at full brightness it draws
I checked it with my multimeter, and with the backlight at full brightness it draws

about 700 milliamps.
about 700 milliamps.

And when the floppy disk drive is in use, that adds another 200 milliamps.
And when the floppy disk drive is in use, that adds another 200 milliamps.

Now I'm going to power the Brother GeoBook laptop with the RCA pocket power pack, and
Now I'm going to power the Brother GeoBook laptop with the RCA pocket power pack, and

see how long it lasts.
see how long it lasts.

Which means it's time for a time lapse!
Which means it's time for a time lapse!

[Music]
[Music]

How did we go so wrong?
How did we go so wrong?

I constantly struggle to get more than a few years of use out of modern lithium ion battery
I constantly struggle to get more than a few years of use out of modern lithium ion battery

packs, before their runtime declines so much that they're no longer usable, or they fail
packs, before their runtime declines so much that they're no longer usable, or they fail

entirely.
entirely.

I even had one that nearly caught on fire!
I even had one that nearly caught on fire!

While this 35-year-old RCA pocket power pack with nickel cadmium batteries was able to
While this 35-year-old RCA pocket power pack with nickel cadmium batteries was able to

power this laptop computer for over an hour and a half.
power this laptop computer for over an hour and a half.

In reviewing the footage, I could see that the power pack's green LED went out at one
In reviewing the footage, I could see that the power pack's green LED went out at one

hour and nine minutes, indicating that it was starting to go low on charge, but the
hour and nine minutes, indicating that it was starting to go low on charge, but the

computer's own low power light didn't come on until one hour and 34 minutes.
computer's own low power light didn't come on until one hour and 34 minutes.

And on this computer, that's not messing around.
And on this computer, that's not messing around.

That means you better save your work and shut it off pretty quick, because only two minutes
That means you better save your work and shut it off pretty quick, because only two minutes

later, the computer shut down, but the LCD panel kept going with some strange lines on
later, the computer shut down, but the LCD panel kept going with some strange lines on

it, so I shut off the computer shortly thereafter.
it, so I shut off the computer shortly thereafter.

Oops!
Oops!

I just made a dumb mistake.
I just made a dumb mistake.

I wanted to measure what kind of voltage is coming out of this, now that it's discharged.
I wanted to measure what kind of voltage is coming out of this, now that it's discharged.

So I plugged in my connector, and I went to measure it with my multimeter, but I forgot
So I plugged in my connector, and I went to measure it with my multimeter, but I forgot

I had the leads set to measure current.
I had the leads set to measure current.

So can you guess what happened next?
So can you guess what happened next?

Yes, it blew the fuse in the end of this cigarette lighter style plug.
Yes, it blew the fuse in the end of this cigarette lighter style plug.

There is a little fuse in there, and it's popped.
There is a little fuse in there, and it's popped.

So evidently, even though this was discharged and could no longer run the computer, it did
So evidently, even though this was discharged and could no longer run the computer, it did

still have enough power left to blow a fuse.
still have enough power left to blow a fuse.

You can even see a little burn mark on the glass.
You can even see a little burn mark on the glass.

And I know you probably want to have a look inside at those nickel cadmium cells, but
And I know you probably want to have a look inside at those nickel cadmium cells, but

I tried prying this thing open, and it's not budging.
I tried prying this thing open, and it's not budging.

This thing must be glued shut, so I highly doubt anyone else was in here before me, since
This thing must be glued shut, so I highly doubt anyone else was in here before me, since

this thing was made in the 1980s.
this thing was made in the 1980s.

I replaced the fuse, I recharged the power pack, and now we're back in business.
I replaced the fuse, I recharged the power pack, and now we're back in business.

[Music]
[Music]