Battery box with Inverter & charger
Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 18:51
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MartyB
Hi all,
Can anyone recommend a good battery box with an inverter & charger built in?
I don't need large output as I am only running a low power 240v device off it.
I have seen the Engel Smart battery box, but they look like they would be fairly heavy and was looking for something a bit lighter. Hopefully with a lithium battery.
thanks
from Marty.
Reply By: Nutta - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 20:45
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 20:45
I've got one of these, it was on special here for $139 a couple of weeks ago, then I had to buy the $400 gel battery to go with it!
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Ark-Powerpack-Battery-Box-Smart-Charger.aspx?pid=165815#Cross
They're not the best charger and may drain but the next one up is around $400 to $500, I just bolted an old CTEK on the side and it seems to be running my 40 litre engel ok.
Actually I don't think it has an inverter either, again probably big bucks.
Maybe cheaper to also pick up a cheap inverter to go with it.
With lithium the $$ may start to climb again too.
Others will have much better knowledge than I thankfully.
Cheers.
AnswerID:
525342
Follow Up By: MartyB - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 20:55
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 20:55
Thanks Nutta,
I was hoping for one with a built in inverter to make it one piece and hopefully fool proof as I won't be the one operating it.
Marty.
FollowupID:
807291
Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 22:18
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 22:18
Yeah there is also a fancier Ark battery box with an inverter, i'll see if I can find a link
FollowupID:
807296
Follow Up By: MartyB - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 22:27
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 22:27
Thanks Road Warrior, I will google it.
Marty.
FollowupID:
807302
Reply By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 21:49
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 21:49
Perhaps if you tell us exactly what you are trying to do.
cheers
AnswerID:
525345
Follow Up By: MartyB - Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 22:26
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2014 at 22:26
Hi Batman,
I am wanting to run a laptop plus a Mylaps Decoder off 240v without using a generator.
I have previously run 2 decoders off a 17ah battery for about a week without flattening it (but apparently I void the warranty if I don't use the provided 240v power pack). So the decoder does not draw much power. I only need to run it for about 3 hours between charges.
As my power requirements are only small I probably only need approx 50ah battery where as the Engel one is designed for a 130ah battery and I am trying to reduce the weight.
from Marty.
FollowupID:
807300
Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 00:40
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 00:40
How about this...
Kit
Regards
Derek
AnswerID:
525353
Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 15:26
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 15:26
I have this box from Derek and it works a treat.
FollowupID:
807354
Follow Up By: MartyB - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 18:39
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 18:39
Thanks Derek,
I see yours has a larger inverter than the rest, but I will probably stick with an all in one version with the inverter built in. Mainly to make it easier to cart around and setup.
Marty.
FollowupID:
807367
Reply By: Nutta - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 07:55
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 07:55
This one prolly has the lot.
"It does this by via a powerful built-in 6 amp 7 stage smart charger, that charges, conditions & prolongs the life of your battery, plus a built-in 150 watt inverter – giving you up to 3 days of 240V power or up to 7 days of 12V power*."
http://www.arkcorp.com.auhttp://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/ArkPak-Battery-Box.aspx?pid=339141#Cross
Think theyre around $500- ish, maybe a bit bulky though.
cheers.
AnswerID:
525357
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:35
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:35
"giving you up to 3 days of 240V power or up to 7 days of 12V power"
I don't think so.........
150W 240V 6-8 hours max.
12V Waeco CF80 40 hours max. No lights, ipods, TV's pumps etc.
Based on 100ah Battery.
Regards
Derek
FollowupID:
807326
Follow Up By: Nutta - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:52
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:52
I wouldn't have a clue, just trying to help the op out.
FollowupID:
807327
Reply By: Janos K - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:22
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:22
Once of the bets Inverter chargers i have seen is this one , It has the remote and displays the load and usage. Its not the compact all in one as most people preferr however if you are fitting out a camper trailer or a caravan then its the best solution. You wont have to worry about change over switches and complex wiring. " Plug and Play"
http://performanceshop.com.au/1000W-12V-Pure-Sine-Wave-UPS-Inverter-Charger-15Amp-with-Remote-Control-8Zed_3689.html
AnswerID:
525362
Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:29
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 09:29
I think that one is too heavy to use as a portable inverter.
Dimensions:
•Dimensions: 390 x 226 x 87 (mm)
•Weight: 4.9kgs
Regards
Derek
FollowupID:
807325
Reply By: MartyB - Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 18:41
Thursday, Jan 30, 2014 at 18:41
Thanks everyone for your replies, looks like I will go with either the Engel or ARK brand with only a medium size battery to reduce the weight.
Marty.
AnswerID:
525416