r/flashlight • u/Hakataku • 14h ago
Loop Gear SK-06 Bidirectional Charging Confusion
Hello r/flashlight !
Having seen some recent glowing reviews and already having a good experience with the SK-03 I just picked up an SK-06 which is already proving itself useful, but I'm really struggling with the charging.
In short, when using the provided USB-C to C cable, it always seems to default to discharging, regardless of if I have it plugged into power bank, wall socket or computer. This makes bringing a power bank along to charge it completely pointless as it always ends up just draining itself back into the bank - before we even consider the concern that it's dumping power into things that are not designed to receive it.
On the other hand if using the SK-03's USB-A to C cable, it seems to default to charging regardless of what it's plugged into.
Since Loop didn't provide any means to tell the flashlight which mode to enter when plugged in, I was hoping perhaps other SK-06 owners, or owners of any other bidirectionally charging flashlights may be able to clarify why this happens or if there's a way to change it since it feels not only redundant having to carry round an A to C cable just for the SK-06, but also somewhat dangerous given that plugging the C to C cable into the wrong device could end up frying a port.
1
u/SJTG1993 14h ago
Just done some experimenting with mine. The only "powerbanks" I have to hand are all flashlights.
I've tried:
- Wurkkos TS27
- Wurkkos TS28
- Acebeam X75 battery pack
- Loopgear SK05 Pro (gen 1)
- Convoy 3x21D
All of them charged my phone perfectly fine, all of them the SK06 blinked ice blue to indicate it was trying to charge them back.
Maybe using a USB-C to A adapter with a C to C cable in your powerbank may work but I don't have one of those to hand to try. Seems the SK06 won't charge from a powerbank on a C to C cable.
1
u/Hakataku 13h ago
Thank you for going to the effort to try out a few different variables there! This also seems to be my experience where using a C to C just doesn't let the SK-06 charge. As with the other post I may need to try other cables but for now the A to C seems to be the go to. Out of interest how are you charging your SK-06, or did you not have to charge it up to this point?
1
u/SJTG1993 13h ago
I've had a test unit since August. I have several type-C chargers dotted around the house and it charges fine from them, including an A to C cable plugged into my PC which works just fine also.
I occasionally will charge the battery externally and use a flat-top with a convoy spacer if it's running low and I need light straight away but that's not very often given my collection lol.
1
u/TimMcMahon 13h ago
I tried connecting the LOOP SK06 with a USB-C to USB-C 6A e-marker cable to a CUKTECH 15 Air powerbank.
SK06 charged while I used USB-C port 2 with the powerbank only providing output on that port.
SK06 discharged while I used USB-C port 1 with it set to input only.
SK06 didn't do anything when I used USB-C port 1 with it set to input/output mode.
It would be cool if the SK06 had some kind of IN, OUT, IN/OUT setting like the CUKTECH 15 Air so that it charges or discharges when you want it to and you're not left waiting for two devices fighting over who wants to charge or discharge.
2
u/Hakataku 12h ago
Big thank you for testing this thoroughly. Interesting behaviour on the in/out mode, I have an Anker bank that doesn't allow selection of a mode, bidirectional on both USB-C ports, and while the SK-06 was always discharging on one attempt it was reading as discharging on the bank but the percentage wasn't going up.
There's clearly some internal logic deciding which to use on the flashlight end that's not consistent, but regardless looks like I'll have to stick to the A to C cable if I'm out of the house.
1
u/macomako 14h ago
Here the post that might shed some light.