After introducing its PowerTrekk portable fuel cell charger several years ago, Swedish company myFC is readying the 2.0 version. The new model is close to three times more powerful than the original, offering enough juice to charge tablets, along with smaller devices like smartphones and GPS units.
The PowerTrekk 2.0 gets its extra capacity from a more potent, efficient fuel cell, upgraded electronics and a larger 3,800 mAh lithium-ion battery (up from 1,500 mAh) that can be recharged via the fuel cell or grid. The new charger delivers 6.5 W of power and is able to charge gadgets up to tablet-size via its 5-volt USB output, unlike the original PowerTrekk, which isn't designed for tablets.
In addition to everyday electronics, it can be useful in keeping USB-equipped, outdoor-specific gadgets like GPS handhelds, action cameras and headlamps powered up when adventuring off the grid.
"The feedback we have received from customers using PowerTrekk 1.0 gave us the insight that we needed to develop a product for all kind of devices,” says myFC CEO Björn Westerholm. "People want to charge not only their smartphones, but also tablets, action cameras and so on. Today, we can offer the most advanced charging device on the market, and it offers environmentally friendly charging leaving only water vapor as a byproduct."
The recyclable aluminum fuel puck offers 1,400 mAh of electrical output, up from the 1,200 mAh of the original PowerTrekk's fuel puck. To use the charger, you simply add water to the bowl, pop the fuel puck in and use the energy to charge a connected device or the internal battery. There's no need to wait for the right weather conditions, as with portable solar and wind chargers.
The PowerTrekk 2.0 is slightly larger than the original, weighing in at 270 g (9.5 oz) vs the original's 240 g (8.5 oz) and measuring 5 x 2.6 x 1.9 in (128 x 66 x 47 mm). The fuel puck has the same weight and dimensions as its predecessor.
MyFC will launch the PowerTrekk 2.0 in October. Pricing details are yet to be revealed, but the original PowerTrekk is still available for US$150.
"This step was only a facelift," Westerholm teases. "You can expect much more from this very exciting technology."
Source: myFC
