Ark Power Pack
Submitted: Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 18:54
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Carlo Ferraro
I recently bough an Arc Power Pack and put inside a deep cycle 100 Ah battery.
I charge with the small smart charge it came with (12 hr) and at last it says it has 100% charge. I put a very small thermoelectric cooler (about 5 lt) and 12 hors later the batt is down to 11 volts.
Is this normal?
Is it worth to get a 100W solar panel?
Any experience with this unit is welcome.
Thanks
Reply By: guzzi - Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 19:55
Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 19:55
Normal? with a thermoelectric cooler, probably.
Thermoelectrics are designed to run from a constant power supply ie a running vehicle and as a result can suck a fair few amps.
The ark is an ok unit and as long as the battery isnt faulty will work
well.
I would relace the cooler with a known brand 12v fridge, ie engle, bushman, waeco etc.
Even then a hundred amp hour will probably only give a little over 2 days so if you need power after then, by all means get the solar panel, it will extend your stay.
Do a search on solar on this site and read the technical burst, most of your questions will be answered.
Cheers
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Reply By: Mark C - Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 19:58
Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 19:58
Hi Carlo your problem is the thermo electric cooler, it draws heaps of current about 5amps/hour from what you have said, a compressor unit draws an average of 1amp/hour and keeps stuff cold. The solar panel will not keep the battery charged with that sort of draw, you need to ditch the cooler, even a 3 way (gas, 12v, 240v absorption) would be better and more economical.
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Follow Up By: Carlo Ferraro - Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 20:25
Monday, Jun 13, 2011 at 20:25
Guzzi/Mark C:
Thanks, now the facts are clear to me.
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