Arkpak Charger

Thanks Les, I wondered how something that puts out the same bulk and float levels ( according to specs. ) would harm a battery, perhaps it is the longer period of time on charge you have to consider ( heat build up ? ) that damages the battery over time.

Must be a valid reason why they say 15 amps minimum, after all if you have access to 240 v whilst away in your travels like a caravan park you would hook fridge up to mains along with everything else and leave your low output charger to refresh the battery in its own time. Qouted at approx. 18 hrs if discharged to a low level. That is of course that having already driven a while to get there where the alternator has already given it a boost.

There is must be something I am missing here, otherwise why bother outlaying X amount for a big ass 240 v charger if you don't really need it.

I bought the Arkpak with the idea of portability but since have purchased a s/hand camper trailer wired up with a 90 ah which works well for what it has to power SFA at the moment but have been looking at fridges hence my interest.

All I think I have to do is wire an Anderson plug to the towbar ( the vehicle has a redarc isolator already and 12 v to a 12 pin plug must have towed a caravan at some point ) I also have a 120 w folding panel which is yet to be put to any serious test.

The fridge is the next quandary after I work out what I can run, was thinking max 60 ltr. We don't require a t.v or a hairdryer nor washing machine or a microwave afterall it is called camping and all that defeats the purpose. I love the K.I.S.S principle but after 25 years of living out of eskies and gas lights and dreaded mantles we deserve to spoil ourselves.

There's two Ark items in the gear collection - a gas bottle holder and a ratchet jockey wheel. They're both rubbish. Poor design and manufacture. I'll never buy Ark again.

Mate that sounds like a Colgate ad lol.

Seriously though thanks for making the effort explaining it in laymans terms.

Cheers

Great idea to grab a battery charger that desulfphates the battery properly, and give it a good hit now and then at home.
I have seen them in various auto outlets at reasonable prices.
Most people do this with a normal charger to keep the battery in good cond, but desulphating restores a lot of batteries that people would just think are past their used by date, and replace.

If you have a lead acid older style battery the charge rate is set at about 10% of battery capacity.
If you go over this it wont accept the extra charge even when dead flat.

If you have AGM the will accept a lot larger charge .