Contributor ⭐

Membership Gift Doesn't Work - Power Bank SKU #AARP42944

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
July 18, 2025
44 replies
15539 views

Update - I found that the device came fully charged, and it didn't need to be charged up.

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Has anyone else received the Power Bank as the free membership gift - and did you get it working?

Mine does not work. The red light never comes on to indicate that it's charging. The instructions are no help.

Wondering if any of you out there have gotten this to work successfully?

I have tried Googling, calling AARP, and chatting with them. No one has any information on this particular item.

Thanks for any tips you can offer!

membership gift power bank

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AARPConsumerCare

Community Champion ⭐

I understand how frustrating that must be, NathanNJ. Can you send us a private message with your name and mailing address, so we may locate your account to check the specific model you have? Visit https://aarp.info/47hWcl7 for directions on how to enable private messages. - Brandon C.

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RichardS119434

Contributor ⭐

THERE ARE NO INSTRUCHONS ON HOW TO CONNECT MY PHONE TO POWER BACK UP PLEASE SEND ME INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO CONNECT MY PHONE TO POWER SOURCE

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AARPConsumerCare

Community Champion ⭐

I'm sorry to hear you didn't receive the instructions for the power bank, @RichardS119434. Visit https://aarp.info/3epCObA to contact us by chat, text, or phone, so we may check on the instructions for you. Thanks for being a member! - Brandon C.

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ChristopherS297796

Contributor ⭐

I am having the same problem. There is no red light that comes on when you plug it in to charge. However, I plugged it in to my cell phone and a blue light comes on and is charging my phone. I'm wondering if it came already charged. I am going to use it for a full charge and the try again.

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p29971h

Contributor ⭐

That is what mine did

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p29971h

Contributor ⭐

Mine does not work either. Directions are not the best

A

AARPConsumerCare

Community Champion ⭐

I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your power bank, @p29971h. Can you send us a private message with your name and mailing address, so we may locate your account and help you with the power bank? Visit https://aarp.info/47hWcl7 for directions on how to enable private messages. You can also visit https://aarp.info/3epCObA to contact us by chat, text, or phone. - Brandon C.

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p276965m

Contributor ⭐

I now understand that the flexible strip of plastic at the top of the charger is actually an output wire. I therefore understand that the lightning adaptor attaches to the micro usb on that plastic strip to charge my iPhone.

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zivaspoppa

Contributor ⭐

Received mine yesterday. I agree, like most instructions from Asian sources, they were next to worthless. I did manage to figure out enough to use one of the adapters to fit my Android phone's charging port (type C), and the back (male) plug on the end of the black cable tucked in at one end. The LED lit up blue but the battery only took the phone up to 37% and quit. This morning I took the included white cable Type A to whatever type small connector and plugged that small one into the charging port on the side of the battery. The A size connector went into a 5-volt charging unit and plugged it into the wall (120 v ac). The led on the front lit up with an intermittent red light, which turned solid red once the charging finished. (about 6 hours) I went from being disgusted to being quit pleased with this unit.

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davidn336044

Contributor ⭐

Zivaspoppa, you may have solved my problem with the charging. The instructions should have said to insert the Micro-USB into the side female socket to the RIGHT of the LED Charging Light. It's now blinking red and I assume charging. Will try out the phone charger tomorrow. Thanks, Zivaspoppa!

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KennethK362304

Contributor ⭐

Ah, yes. The instructions are confusing as the "left" and "right" are opposite of the figures. The figures' labeling does not correspond well to the instructions.

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davidn336044

Contributor ⭐

Same here with my new charger. It will not charge, and the charging port will not hold a charging Micro-USB adapter. Very poorly made.

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SharonS700777

Contributor ⭐

THESE COME FULLY CHARGE. STILL WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECHARGE IT.

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sfchew

Contributor ⭐

Hello , what is the power bank rating it would be a number like 38800mAh

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FredS482053

Contributor ⭐

38800mAh is far higher in power (watts) than needed for these capacities for cell phone singular users. My typical AC/DC power adapters for standard household uses are 120 VAC to 5 VDC using 2400 mAh (which is current) or 2.4 Amp Hr. rating and develops 12 watts (of power used).

Higher the volts times (x) amps is more power out (watts used). Higher those numbers, the faster the charging time is, up to the limitations of the electrical equipment (phone/battery/charger). https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/charge/mah-to-ah.html = This web site link is very helpful and explanatory on this subject matter of milli-amp hours usage.

These adapters, changing from AC to DC, replace a small size power bank battery. If you will note in the diagram presented in this thread, the physical size power bank AARP is gifting, its about 1/4" thick by 2.44" by 3.77" (which is about 2 1/2" by 3 3/4"). That is much smaller than most i-Phone or Android cell phones.

So your not packing around much extra DC power My older and newer Androids would hold many hrs of DC current of just phone call conversation time.

I read about power bank battery manufacturers specs as they relate to time to recharge the power bank from AC, it's time to recharge the cell phone's DC battery compared to cell phone conversation time, just talking; not video playing or gaming or searching the NET. That uses more current stored in the batteries.

Hopefully this is helpful for you and other members reading this thread. 😉