miniSpinners are 12 volt devices, and many owners run them from rechargeable batteries. Because a miniSpinner only draws an average of 0.5 to 1.0 amp, a relatively small battery can easily run it all day long.
We sell a small device that allows a miniSpinner to run from a suitable USB-C battery.
Not all batteries support this feature, so you need to carefully check the battery specifications. The photo below is typical.
What you're looking for is highlighted in yellow. You need to have USB-C Port Output of 12 volts. Note that this particular battery also offers USB-A output of 12 volts, but USB-A will not work! You need USB-C.
Batteries that work:
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From Amazon:
From Anker:
Anker Zolo Power Bank model 1688
Anker Nano Power Bank model 1259
There are many other batteries that will work, but you need to carefully read the specifications to be certain that they offer USB-C Port Output of 12 volts. The USB-C Power Delivery specification doesn't require 12 volts, and many of these batteries offer 5, 9, 15, and 20 volts but not 12 volts. These won't work.
Batteries that do NOT work:
No USB-C Port Output of 12 volts
USB-A Port Output of 12 volts
Other battery solutions, not recommended:
An older and less desirable battery solution we have used in the past is a source that will supply 12 volts directly:
- 12 volt output (CAUTION: if your battery has multiple outputs, be certain to set it to 12 volts!);
- Power connector is 5.5mm x 2.1mm, center positive (most common configuration);
- Recommended capacity 5,000 - 20,000 mAh (figure about 1-2 hours of run time for each 1,000 mAh of capacity).
- More capacity in mAh (milliamp-hours) will give more spinning time.
This type of battery has been problematic sometimes because:
- Some batteries turn off after a period of non-use so you need to turn them on again;
- Some batteries offer various voltages so they need to be set to the correct voltage, and the method of setting the voltage is not always obvious;
- The cables tend to be battery-specific, so if cables are lost it can be a challenge to replace them;
- The batteries tend to be larger than the newer USB-C solutions.
If you have one of the batteries that turns itself off when not in use, try one of these lights! We love them!