Battery Pack Advice

Submitted: Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 09:17
ThreadID: 23552 Views:3070 Replies:5 FollowUps:0
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I am looking to buy a rechargeable battery pack to power (1) Engel fridge, (2) camp lighting, and/or (3) kick start a vehicle if needed. I would like the facility to recharge it via 240v and 12v when needed.

I'd appreciate advice and recommendations on which is the best. I have searched the Net and all the "techno-speak" has me totally confused.

Keep it simple - watts, volts, amps etc etc just makes my head spin. Thanks in advance.

Jack
The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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Reply By: dazza0503 - Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 11:42

Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 11:42
Jack

Get a good quality powertank. I use the bushranger maxi 4000 will run fridge, lights etc all night. Then simply charge in car. Excellent robust unit not cheap but lasts for years and has got me out of trouble (flat battery) a few times. Like a portable duel battery system. I also have a cheap one under $100.00 one but would not trust it in an emergency.

Dazza
AnswerID: 114219

Reply By: dazza0503 - Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 11:44

Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 11:44
go to www.bushranger.com.au

Dazza
AnswerID: 114220

Reply By: scott111 - Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 11:58

Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 11:58
If you live in WA you can get a cheap portable one from gentronics they are on special for $99 most of the time. They have a 36amp hr battery in them battery is the same size as one in a falcon.No not the little ones like at super cheap,and when the battery stuffs up you can go buy a better quality battery and put it in.Mine will run fridge for 24 hours approx on hot day and for 2-3 days in winter.Ive had mine for 2 years and battery still strong.They come with 240 and 12 volt chargers but it is very slow to charge so i charge mine sometimes with my battery charger just hook to jumper cables for a couple of hours.
AnswerID: 114221

Reply By: Member - Paul P (Bris) - Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 14:31

Friday, Jun 03, 2005 at 14:31
Jack

You need to work out your potential power consumption and how long you want to stay without charging.

Here is my setup

1. Dual batteries in the vehicle. The fridge stays in the vehicle ( engel 39 litre)
2. 1x24 amp hour Waeco fridgepower battery. (currently on Special in the Waeco fridge shop) to run 2 x 1amp flouro camp lights.
3. Busranger Maxi 4000 jump start pack. This I treat as emergency power for jump starting. I also run my air pump off of it on occassion to give the battery pack some excersise.

The fridge power drain is the big issue. Providing I drive the truck for 2-3 hours every 3-4 days all is fine. The lights can be run for a long time (at least a week) from the 24 amp hour battery.

All batteries are 12/240 volt rechargeable. You need a seperate 240volt charger for the Waeco battey. I have power to the rear area of my vehicle from the second battery (heavey cable and quality plugs).

Regards

Paul
AnswerID: 114233

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Jun 04, 2005 at 23:26

Saturday, Jun 04, 2005 at 23:26
My son and I share an Optima blue top gel cell 55Ah battery that cost us about $300. He uses it to charge battery packs for for electric car racing, I use it as an additional vehicle battery. It has all the herbs needed to start a diesel, run the Engel for 24-48 hours etc etc

It has a nice plastic carry handle. I suppose my question is: Why bother with a low power battery pack thats covered in plastic??? Its very portable just as it is, and we pop it on our regulated power supply when we get it home to recharge it.

Cheers
Phil
AnswerID: 114395

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