Weaco portable power pacs...

G'day Boopa,
Only know one bloke who had one, he wasn't averly satisfied with it. He was using The Thumper with an 80l. He went back to a dual batt system. I guess it depends on your needs. Others may have had more encouraging experience with smaller fridges.
Blue

I believe rather costly.....compared to any sort of fairly decent deep cycle battery which can be easily fitted into your own home made or designed carrier....just my little input...cheers

Boopa,

At around $500 for a 48 amp power supply they're a pretty expensive bit of kit. I found a better alternative, see post 15195.

Cheers,

Cool post that one Jimbo....and a great alternative.

As I already have a redarc isolator and dual batts set up, I guess I could just charge this type of system from one of the rear outlets.

I was more loking for the portability of this etc...

thanks for the heads up mate....

Hi Boopa,

I bought one of these (Urban) when i got my 40 litre Weaco fridge. It will do until I can get a full dual batt kit in the prado. It is ok for overnight stops but not much more than that.

However it is very handy for running things in camp like lights and airbed pumps so even after getting a proper dual batt system it will still be going on trips.

Compared to just buying a normal battery, they are quite expensive for what is really just a flash casing and built in connections and a handle! I don't know if I would be replacing it with another one once it wears out.

Muddy 'doe

Hi Boopa,

I have the Waeco "Thumper" and a 42lt Bushman fridge. I bought the unit beacuse of its portabaility - I use it for lighting at night etc.

Have just returned from a 7 week trip to Cape York - had no problems at all & when we got home the Thumper was still showing "full charge". I have a decicated outlet at the rear (direct from the battery with a switching system to ensure I dont flatten the main battery) which goes to the Thumper and the fridge connects to the Thumper. You can also charge it from 240v - which I did once at Cape York to make sure I had full charge.

I like its flexability,

Willy

as someone has probably said above get your local auto elec bloke to make you one....cheap-as-chips..

Heya,

I bought a sealed 40 Amp battery for $100 and a couple of alligator clips attached to a 12v plug fo $10. Use it the same way. Charged by 240v inverter and stnd charger. Not the most efficent way of charging I know, but when ya driving...

It's just as potable as a waeco too.

Cheers

An optima AGM yellow top can be bought for $450-500 with a 70 Ah rating, but the charge rate is the thing you should look at.
If you want to stay in one spot for the weekend, youll have to run your car for 6 hours per day with your waeco thumper as it has a cheaper deep cycle battery fitted into a plastic box.
With an optima, odyssey or other AGM batteries, its only a matter of only 1-2 hours recharge, as they will accept a fast recharge, and the thumpers will only accept a small trickle charge.
It all depends on how youll be travelling.
If your on the move every day and get a good 6-8 hours recharge back into the waeco thumper, then it'll be ok, but staying in one spot, then your in trouble.
Price wise, your only buying a smaller battery in a nicely marketed plastic box with some outlets attached and a sticker.
Look around and ask other peoples advice.

I built my own using one of those black battery boxes from Supercheap and an NZ70 battery. I know it may not last as long as a deep cycle but I can swap it with the cranking battery if required.
Made up a 4mm lead for charging that plugs into a fitting at the back of the console. I fitted the box with a cigarette lighter type plug to run a light etc if required and an Engel type screw plug.
I use it to run a 50lt Weaco and had the Weaco/Engel dealer in Cairns make up a lead to suit (i.e. Weaco to the fridge... Engel to the battery). I did this because the screw in type fitting reduces voltage drop and doesn't shake loose on corrugations. The battery is charged through a solenoid that only provides power when the ignition is on and also isolates it when cranking. Been running this set-up for nearly 3 years without any problems.
The whole thing cost less than $250 including about $150 for the battery (but not counting the extra fridge lead).