Power pack advice

When will people realise that AGMs are the bees knees.

I certainly learnt the hard way with the stupid Thumpers from Waeco. fridges are perfect but the battery pack is a pure rip off. AGM's any time , they are toys for boys.

prado-wolf,

Can't agree with your views on the "Thumper" mate.
Maybe you were using more power than the rated capacity of the unit? (There are several models)

I have a 75a/h "Thumper" (which is AGM technology by the way) manufactured and distributed by "The Home of 12 Volt" (Blue Apple) and it's the "Ducks Nuts", the "Bees Knees" for a flexible, portable power source when camping.
It also doubles as a backup jump starter should I require it.

My unit has run the 40 watt Engel and two fluro lights for three consecutive days and nights, albeit with a little help from a 40 watt solar panel and I believe I have a good, practical solution that suits my needs.

Just thought I'd give a balanced view of the product for other readers.

Hi Sand Man,

i am always happy to see that there is not a ONE SOLUTION fit EVERBODY.
The 75a/H is the newer model as far as i know and if you are happy with the unit , the price you paid for the 75 a/H , fantastic but i have 2 Thumpers in the shed that are useless and i paid a lot of money for them.
I have to admit that the use it or loose it policy obviously does apply so i might have contributed to the disaster but i still believe that 300 .00 for 120 a/H is very economical and it suits me.

If i do see you on the track and your beer is getting warm , you are most welcome to hook into my batteries.

prado-wolf,

Little chance of my booze going warm mate.

I also have a dual battery system so the fridge is connected to the auxiliary battery whilst travelling. The thumper can be charged whilst on the move and I use this at camp as it gives me the flexibility to move the fridge out of the vehicle and into the camper. The fridge is an Engel so we'll say no more about that.

Just a thought for you.
Are you aware that the Thumper can be repacked?
They actually contain a number of smaller batteries inside the case.
Perhaps a word to the boys at Blue Apple may see a revival of your Thumpers for use or resale.

Now if we meet on the track and I should be unlucky enough to run out of my favourite beverage, well I would be only too happy to share your coldies with you:-)

Hi Sand Man,

I think you have got it made. Pretty much my set up , went for the Fullriver AGM's 120 aH to keep the freezer and the fridge cold. Have thought about taking the fridge out when we stay for a few days and run on the Thumper but i think i stuffed the Thumpers.
Had them checked and yes , opened the case up and it has the little AGM's in it. At Battery World they sell the replacement once but the 120 was 300.00 so pretty economical.
I still charge up the thumper and it still does a good job for the Fluro light at the campsite so i still get something out of them.

If you do get into this predicament with the booze , i would only be too happy to share a few cold once with you next to a nice campfire and we can discuss the Power arrangements further.

Happy traveling.

Hi all,
I purchased a 'Flyer' setup just before christmas with a 100ah battery. It worked fantastically. Kept my 110l Waeco running solid as! hmm... Icy beer!

Gday Jason

I purchased a portable 100ah sidewinder battery pack from Derek last year, I use it as a dual battery system in the 4by, but can also use it in the boat, car to car , camp site etc.

Although they are a little heavy for a portable battery (30kgs), they are easy to install (2 wires to main battery) very versatile and will run a 40 litre fridge and camp lights for 2 1/2 to 3 days "easy" without charging.

They are a much cheaper option than a fixed in car dual battery system and also charge very quickly.

IMHO highly recomended

How much is it?

paid around 500-600 from memory Des, that was including freight to Sydney

Cheers

Good news and bad news - On the road for 6 months without a fridge would be pretty demanding on the good will of your companion/s! So good news you've got a fridge. Now the other news - unless you are travelling big distances every day you MUST have a second battery to run it.

It's like this - charging the camera every few days will take maybe an hour at a fraction of an amp, a negligible amount. For the laptop, you will need to budget about 5 amps for the length of time it's used, guess an hour each day, so that's about 5 amp hours per day. Add at least another amp for inefficencies in the inverter if you use one. Camp lighting, maybe 2 amps for 2 hours, that's another 4 amp hours per day. All up that's about 10 amp hours per day, which is not an unreasonable demand on your cranking battery, especially if the laptop is charged while the engine is running.

BUT
The fridge will draw say 3 amps while it's running, which will be maybe 1/3 of the time, so that's about 24 amp hours per day, and more if you run it colder or the weather is hot. Our 39 litre Waeko actually draws about 3.6 amps, i.e. 20% more than 3 amps.

A 100 Ah deep cycle battery, preferably an AGM one, will run the fridge for about 3 days without being discharged excessively. A cranking battery will not last nearly this long - it's intended to give short bursts of power for a few seconds to get the engine started so the alternator can then do all the electrical work. Unless you're doing a lot of driving you will require an extra battery. Also, be aware that all deep cycle batteries charge more slowly than cranking batteries ( and have a lot more charge to make up too). It will take a few hours running to make up the charge used by the fridge each day. Good idea to carry a charger (at least 5 or 6 amp size) and expect to connect to a power point overnight at least once a week.

Sorry, but that's how it is

John