Whats the most efficient; Using a fully charged SD when plugged into a 20,000 mah battery bank, or depleting the SD battery then plugging into the bank to continue play?
I have an Anker Powercore that has enough output to charge the SD while playing, so just wondering what is the most efficient method to get the most out of both power sources for long haul flights.
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Many wrong answers here. Most devices have what's called a power path. When a device is powered via a cable and the battery is full, the device battery is bypassed and the electronics powered via the charging port directly.
There are always losses in both charging and discharging a battery. Discharging the power bank first and the SD battery second avoids the charging loss from the SD battery.
You should avoid keeping either battery at sub 20% state-of-charge for long periods, if possible.
Thanks for the in depth response! So if I understand correctly, it's better for battery health to use the bank first then the steam deck.
However if for arguments sake I want to get the maximum amount of play time, would bank first then SD still be the right way to go? I'm asking as perhaps the steam deck uses more power when plugged in as it doesn't believe it should be preserving charge?
Bank first, then SD is good for both max play time and battery health, as the charging of the SD battery results in both energy loss as heat and minute degradation of the battery.
Plus then you can recharge the bank, usually at much higher rate than the deck charge rate, and plug it back in before the deck dies with more than 100% of the deck's capacity.