We've all been there: deep into an intense gaming session on our beloved handhelds, only to see that dreaded low-battery icon blink. For ASUS ROG Ally owners, maximizing playtime often means hunting for outlets or lugging around hefty power banks. But one resourceful Redditor has taken portable power to an extreme – and potentially revolutionary – level by repurposing a massive eBike battery into a monstrous 24-hour power source for their Ally.
The ingenious project, detailed by Reddit user u/No-Communication-636, started with a common frustration: the limited runtime of even the best power banks when feeding the demanding ROG Ally. Instead of settling, they looked towards a far more potent energy source gathering dust in their garage – a 504Wh (Watt-hour) battery salvaged from an old electric bicycle.
From Two Wheels to Handheld Powerhouse
Standard power banks designed for laptops or handhelds typically range from 20,000mAh to 50,000mAh (roughly 74Wh to 185Wh). The ROG Ally's internal battery is a modest 40Wh. An eBike battery, however, is a different beast entirely. Designed to propel a heavy bicycle for miles, it packs a serious punch. This particular 504Wh unit holds over twelve times the energy of the Ally's own battery.
The conversion wasn't as simple as just plugging in a USB-C cable, though. eBike batteries usually output higher voltages (like 36V or 48V) than the 20V the ROG Ally expects via its XG Mobile port (used for high-wattage input). u/No-Communication-636 employed a crucial intermediary: a DC-DC buck converter. This device efficiently steps down the eBike battery's voltage to the precise 20V required by the Ally, acting as a sophisticated voltage translator.
The Build and The Results
The user documented their process, showcasing the substantial eBike battery alongside the relatively tiny buck converter and cabling. The setup connects:
- The eBike battery (outputting ~48V) to the buck converter.
- The buck converter (stepped down to 20V) to the ROG Ally via a compatible DC barrel plug cable designed for the XG Mobile port.
The outcome? Pure, unadulterated gaming endurance. u/No-Communication-636 reports achieving a staggering 24 hours of continuous gameplay on their ROG Ally, powered solely by this repurposed eBike battery. This dwarfs even the largest commercially available USB-C power banks.
Community Reaction and Important Caveats
The project quickly gained massive traction on the r/ROGAlly subreddit, sparking awe, amusement, and serious discussion:
- "This is unhinged. I love it."
- "The mad lad actually did it."
- "That's not a power bank, that's a power station."
- "The ultimate 'I don't care about portability, I care about uptime' solution."
You can see the full build details, components used, and the vibrant discussion right here on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ROGAlly/comments/1m3y5zi/ever_need_the_perfect_power_bank_to_game_24_hours/
However, alongside the enthusiasm, many users rightly pointed out significant considerations:
- Safety First: Lithium-ion batteries, especially large, high-capacity packs like eBike batteries, can be dangerous if mishandled, damaged, or short-circuited. Improper charging, discharging, or modification carries fire risk. This project requires a solid understanding of electronics and battery safety.
- Portability? While technically "portable," a 504Wh eBike battery is heavy and bulky – far from the sleek power banks gamers usually carry. This is more of a "camping trip or long-haul travel" solution than an everyday carry.
- Regulation & Efficiency: Using a quality buck converter is essential not just for voltage, but for providing stable, clean power to protect the sensitive Ally. Efficiency losses in the conversion are present but minimal with a good converter.
- Cost & Availability: A new eBike battery of this capacity is expensive ($300+), though sourcing a used/old one makes the project more feasible.
Beyond the Ally: A Proof of Concept
While focused on the ROG Ally, this hack highlights a broader point: the massive energy density available in repurposed eBike batteries. For users of other power-hungry devices – high-end laptops, other gaming handhelds, or even camping equipment – where extreme runtime outweighs the need for ultra-portability, this approach offers a compelling, if unconventional, solution.
u/No-Communication-636's project is a brilliant example of DIY ingenuity solving a real-world problem. It pushes the boundaries of what "portable power" can mean for demanding devices like the ROG Ally, offering a glimpse into a potential future of ultra-high-capacity, repurposed energy solutions – all while reminding us that with great power (capacity) comes great responsibility (and a sore back from carrying it). Whether you'd actually lug this beast around is another question, but its 24-hour promise is undeniably impressive.
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