I got an Anker as a gift recently and when I use it to charge my phone and tablet at the same time it gets really hot. Is that normal or could it be dangerous? Should I stop using it that way?
A power bank that gets too hot when it's charging at full capacity is something you need to take seriously. It's normal for it to heat up a bit, of course, but if it's actually "burning," that's not ideal. When you're charging two devices at the same time from a 10000mAh power bank, you're drawing quite a bit of current, and that generates heat. The problem is that if the internal heat dissipation isn't very good (and some of the cheaper Anker models have that issue) the temperature goes up more than it should. Excessive heat can degrade the internal battery and, in rare cases, even create safety issues.
What I'd do is stop charging both at the same time for now. Try charging one first, then the other, and see if it heats up less. If even charging just one device still gets really hot, or if you notice the power bank smells weird or warps a little bit, that would be a red flag and you should stop using it. Also make sure it's not exposed to direct sunlight while it's charging, because that adds more heat. If it's a new gift, Anker usually has good warranty coverage, so if you're really having issues with it, consider claiming it. For now use it carefully, but don't panic.
How much heat are we talking about - can you touch it for a second or literally can't even grab it? Because there's a difference, see. It's normal for it to get warm, but if it's actually burning your hand then something's not right. Charging two devices simultaneously on a 10000mAh is quite a load, yeah, but a decent Anker should handle it without turning into a frying pan. If I were you I'd stop using it like that for now, especially if it's recent and could still be under warranty; better to have someone check it out before it breaks down completely or worse, something bad happens!
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