is there any portable power source that will power/charge a P17 Gen 2 ThinkPad while it is powered on and being used?

[dsmith1]

Hello,

The power supply for the charger that plugs into the wall that came with the laptop is 170 Watts and works well. I have a 185Wh/50000mAh(Max.130W) portable power bank. This power bank will only charge the laptop when the laptop is is off, or in sleep or hibernation mode, never while I'm acually using the laptop. The power banks I've looked at that claim to output > 170W can only do so through multiple ports charging multiple devices, not a through a single port. Is there any portable power source in existence that will charge a Lenovo P17 Gen2 laptop while it is being used or keep it charged so that I can use it longer than 3 hours without having to plug it into a wall? Thanks for any responses!

[independent]

Hi, this is my jam.. I run all my computing and everything from solar power. Although I don't own a P17. I don't know if the P17 also charges from USB-C as well but I'd stay away from USB-C charging of workstation laptops and just adapt the venerable slim tip. I've tried the 135watt USB slim tip adapters and they don't do anything while my p53 is running and will charge while sleeping. Ir works connected to a ryobi battery USB adapter. So your mileage will vary. You need a USB C output that provides 100W output and then some. A lot of exeperimenting is required as well monitoring currents.

You can buy the bare cables pre-configured to your correct wattage with a slim tip on the end. And you can buy small efficient 20v potted power converters from Aliexpress as well. If you can I would do this and then run off a small battery. You're better off downconverting a battery so, running of a 24v -> 20v battery rather than going up to 20v (what the slim tip takes) from 12v -> 20v.

The reality is to run a workstation off a battery you're going to need a decent battery anyway. I've configured my hex core p53 to run at 4-5w without the dGPU and it goes at about 20-60w when running resolve. I use a self made lithium Ion 24v battery and I've found my 20v converter runs on a 36v escooter battery pretty nicely too if I keep the charged voltage under 40v (which I do anyway).

There are at least two really cool resources or more for adapting slim tips from solar. Have a look. Running a workstation laptop off-grid is awesome but it also requires decent gear (properly size battery) and a bit of know-how. You won't be running one off an 8 cell battery block box. I wouldn't bother with anything less than a ebike battery in size.