Anker Prime 250W GaN Charger
Charging Your Devices
The Anker Prime 250W GaN charger features four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, enabling simultaneous charging of multiple devices.
It supports high-power delivery, capable of providing up to 140W from a single USB-C1 port when connected to a compatible device like a 2021 Apple MacBook Pro (16") using a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. Other USB-C ports (C2/C3/C4) can deliver up to 100W each.
Visuals depict the charger's ports (labeled USB-C1-C4, USB-A1-A2) and illustrate connections for devices such as laptops, smartphones, and earbuds.
Knob Controls
The charger is operated using a control knob for navigation and selection:
- Rotate: Toggles options between left/right or up/down.
- Press [1]: Selects or confirms an option.
- Press [2s]: Manually turns off the display.
- Press [6]: Accesses the reset option.
Display Screen Guide
The charger's LCD screen displays key information including total power output, single-port power, Wi-Fi connection status, power timer, ActiveShield (real-time temperature monitoring), and priority port status.
It also shows port names, maximum output power, port priority settings (On/Off), and detailed output voltage, current, and power for each port.
The screen facilitates navigation through settings such as Brightness, Screen Timeout, Mode (including AI Power Mode, Port Priority Mode, Low Current Mode, Dual-Laptop Mode), Wi-Fi configuration, Screensaver options, and Knob Orientation. Users navigate by selecting options and confirming with the knob, with a 'Back' option to return to previous menus.
Connecting to Anker App & Settings
To enhance the user experience, download and open the Anker app. Connect the charger to a power source, then enable Wi-Fi for the charger via the 'Settings' > 'Wi-Fi' menu. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Add the charger within the app and follow the on-screen instructions for setup.
Key configurable settings include:
- Brightness: Adjustable from 20% to 100%.
- Screen Timeout: Options include Always On, 30 Min, 5 Min, 1 Min, 30s.
- AI Power Mode: Automatically detects device power requirements (high, medium, low) and adjusts power distribution for optimal charging efficiency.
- Port Priority Mode: Allows prioritization of up to two ports for higher power output.
- Low Current Mode: Ideal for overnight charging to prevent overcharging.
- Dual-Laptop Mode: Enables simultaneous charging of two laptops.
- Wi-Fi: On/Off toggle for Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Screensaver: Options include Clock Screensaver (requires Wi-Fi connection) and Turn Off Screen.
- Knob Orientation: Can be set to Forward or Backward.
- Reset: Option to return all settings to factory defaults.
Output Power Distribution
The charger intelligently distributes power based on the number of connected devices and selected modes, optimizing charging performance.
AI Power Mode: Automatically detects connected devices and allocates optimal power based on their requirements.
Port Priority Mode: Allows users to designate up to two ports for prioritized higher power output.
Detailed diagrams illustrate power distribution for various charging scenarios, including:
- Single-Port Charging: Demonstrates maximum power delivery when only one port is used. For example, USB-C1 can deliver 140W, while USB-C2/C3/C4 can deliver up to 100W. USB-A ports support up to 22.5W.
- Two-Port Charging: Shows various combinations of power distribution when two ports are active, balancing output based on port type and device needs.
- Three-Port Charging: Details how power is shared across three active ports, with examples of different wattage allocations.
- Four-Port Charging: Depicts power distribution scenarios for four connected devices, illustrating how the total 250W capacity is managed across ports.
- Five-Port Charging: Outlines power sharing when five ports are in use.
- Six-Port Charging: Shows power distribution when all six ports are utilized simultaneously.
- Dual-Laptop Mode: Provides specific configurations for charging two laptops concurrently, often utilizing higher wattage ports.
- Low Current Mode: Highlights scenarios where lower, consistent current is supplied, suitable for overnight charging of sensitive devices.
These diagrams specify power outputs (in Watts) for different port combinations and device types (e.g., High Power Devices, Medium Power Devices, Low Power Devices).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How do I set the mode for intelligent power distribution? What are the benefits?
A: Select "Settings" > "Mode" > "AI Power Mode" on the charger screen. In AI Power Mode, the charger automatically detects device power requirements (high, medium, or low) and adjusts power distribution accordingly for optimal charging efficiency.
Q2: How do I connect the charger to Wi-Fi and the Anker app?
A: On the charger screen, select "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" and turn on Wi-Fi using the knob. On the phone used to log in to the app, make sure Bluetooth has been enabled. Then add the charger to the app and follow the in-app instructions to complete the setup.
Q3: What if the network configuration fails?
A: To solve this problem: a. Check whether the Wi-Fi name and password configured in the app are correct (case-sensitive and space-sensitive). b. Ensure the network is 2.4GHz, as the charger only supports 2.4GHz networks. c. Check whether the network signal is normal. d. Verify that Bluetooth is enabled on the phone, as connection is required first. e. After connecting to Wi-Fi, do not select "Wi-Fi" in the "Settings" menu again, as this may cause disconnection.
Q4: Why are the power, voltage, and current readings on the charger screen different from those in the app?
A: The power, voltage, and current on the app are obtained from the cloud, which may result in data inconsistencies due to time variance compared to the charger's real-time display.
Q5: Why are the current and voltage readings on the charger screen different from those on other screens (e.g., POWER-Z tester)?
A: The charger's sampling occurs internally, while external testers sample at the output or device input, which can account for power loss. Additionally, the charger's readings have one decimal place, while testers may show four.
Q6: Why can't the clock screensaver be displayed?
A: The clock screensaver is displayed when the charger is connected to Wi-Fi, the screen timeout is not set to "Always On," the screensaver is set to "Clock Screensaver" and the timeout time is reached, and the charger screen is not manually turned off.
Q7: Why can't the charger be added again after being deleted?
A: The charger might not have received the deletion command due to network errors. To resolve this, reconnect the charger's power cord and access "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" to connect to Wi-Fi again.
Q8: Why cannot my charger's single-port power output reach 140W?
A: Possible causes include connecting to ports other than C1 (only C1 supports 140W), using cables with a power rating below 140W, or incorrect cable types for specific devices like the Apple MacBook Pro (16"). Charging power may also be reduced if the device's battery level is nearly full.
Q9: Why is the charger's power cord not 3-pin for the 250W total power?
A: Desktop charger products do not require grounding. The charger's power cord features double insulation protection, and the entire product is UL and CB certified for safe use.
Troubleshooting
If the charger is not working properly:
- Let the charger sit for 5 minutes without being plugged into a power outlet or having any other devices connected.
- Reconnect the charger's power cord.
- Try replacing the charging cables or using different devices for charging.
- Reset the charger to factory settings.
Specifications
Input | 100-240V~, 4.0-2.5A, 50-60Hz |
---|---|
Output | Sequence from Left to Right (C1-C4, A1-A2): Single Port Output: - USB-C1: 9.0V = 3.0A, 27.0W / 15.0V = 3.0A, 45.0W / 20.0V = 5.0A, 100.0W / 28.0V = 5.0A, 140.0W (140.0W Max) - USB-C2 / C3 / C4: 9.0V = 3.0A, 27.0W / 15.0V = 3.0A, 45.0W / 20.0V = 5.0A, 100.0W (100.0W Max) - USB-A1 / A2: 5.0V = 3.0A, 15.0W / 9.0V = 2.0A, 18.0W / 10.0V = 2.25A, 22.5W / 12.0V = 1.5A, 18.0W (22.5W Max) Multiple Ports Output: - Two Ports in Use: Up to 240.0W Max - Three Ports in Use: Up to 250.0W Max - Four Ports in Use: Up to 250.0W Max - Five Ports in Use: Up to 250.0W Max - Six Ports in Use: Up to 250.0W Max Total Output: Up to 250.0W Max |
Average Active Efficiency | 86.81% |
Efficiency at Low Load (10%) | 74.01% |
No-Load Power Consumption | 0.20W |
PPS | Yes |
Operating Temperature | 0-25°C / 32-77°F |