This Power Bank Can Run Your Entire Mobile Office

When a techie packs their bag for a trip, it looks quite different from the average traveler's neatly folded stack of clothes. First, they load up the essentials — you know, like a laptop, tablet, travel router, handheld game console, and all their power supplies and cables. After the important things have been loaded, the remaining space can be stuffed with clothing to cushion the electronics. You’ve got to keep your priorities straight.

Something that is often taken for granted is a good power bank — emphasis on the word good. A cheap, no-name power bank may look great on paper, but if you open up the enclosure, you might find shoddy workmanship or even dirty tricks like hunks of metal used to weigh it down and give the false impression that it is of high quality. When the rubber meets the road, this type of power bank is going to let you down.

If you’re looking for a better solution, you’ll want to check out a DIY power bank called the Omnibus 4X8 that was designed by an engineer who goes by the handle Luq1308. It was built with high-quality components, it can power just about any type of device, and it can store as much as 414 Wh of energy. The Omnibus 4X8 is reasonably compact as well — it will only cost you about a pair of pants worth of space in your suitcase.

The Omnibus 4X8 uses a 4S8P array of 18650 lithium-ion cells (up to 3,500 mAh each) paired with an ESP32-C3 microcontroller for automation and system management. A built-in OLED display and three-way navigation button provide real-time information and menu control, while Wi-Fi connectivity allows over-the-air firmware updates.

The device is equipped with plenty of output options. There is a 100 W bidirectional USB-C port, four additional 36 W USB-C outputs, a programmable DC port capable of operating in both input and output modes, and a 150 W AC inverter for powering mains-powered devices. For users with more demanding hardware, the design also exposes direct battery access through an XT60 connector capable of handling more than 400 W.

Luq1308’s build isn’t a shoddy DIY project. The device includes a 30 A BMS, temperature monitoring through multiple DS18B20 sensors, overload protection on all outputs, and dual cooling fans integrated into the enclosure. The custom aluminum heatsink and carefully designed airflow system help keep the densely packed electronics safe under high loads.

The entire system is housed inside a custom enclosure made from 3D-printed ABS parts, G10 fiberglass plates, and machined aluminum components.

Rather than trying to compete with ultra-thin commercial power banks, the Omnibus 4X8 instead focuses on maximum flexibility, repairability, and capability. For travelers, makers, and hardware enthusiasts who routinely carry enough electronics to start a small LAN party in an airport lounge, that tradeoff may be more than worth it.