Hello, I have just bought a 95 litre fridge freezer Waco brand.I need a portable power station and I am looking at 2 brands . I need some feed back on the ARKPAK AP 730 or the more expensive BAINTECH 100 AH. Being a solo female free camper with Caravan I need to power laptop phone and large portable fridge freezer and do not want to die paying for something top shelf when I can get away with the cheaper version. Id love to hear any comments you pro,s have.
1) they not so portable. weight >30k
2) go to jaycar and purchase a cigarrette lighter laptop charger, if no usb charger in car then buy a cigarette lighter one.then you can charge as you travel.
3) go to auto electrician get AGM Battery, DcDc charger( which can cater for solar input as well as car), and couple of solar panels fitted. You say freecamper so you will need solar to keep AGM charged.(you can also run ubeaut led lights in van. You should only run an AGM down to 50%.
I am about to go lifepo4 battery but they cost heaps :) but i will be running hot plate,lights,toaster, freezer,lights, laptop,bread maker, blender etc.
Hi Beehive
Before ANYONE can give you the BEST answer, we need more details
[1]Make & model of fridge -freezer?
[2]Does the van have 12V wring & a location for a battery?
What is your tow car?
What other 12V do you hope to use?
How long do you hope to free camp at anyone time ,without going for a good long drive?
Arkpaks &similar are very unlikely to be the best way
Sherri, what type of van do you have? we may be able to suggest some alternatives. You can put the details of your rig in the biography section of your profile or add it to a signature block.
Where are you going to stow the battery pack and fridge when it is in use?
I need some feed back on the ARKPAK AP 730 or the more expensive BAINTECH 100 AH. The Arkpak is not really cheaper, it is just a box with smarts built in When you add the battery you will probably shell out over $800.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Hello I have a Baily 430 and tow with Nissan navara duel cab ute. the fridge will sit in the back of the ute alond with the battery as both are too heavy for me to lift off. Cheers Beehive.
Hello I have a waco 95 ltr twin compressor fridge freezer. I only free camp 2 days at a time then drive to next stop.On road 4 to 6 hrs.I want to rev up my laptop iphone and ipad.
Yes I have a battery in my caravan which charges from my vehicle.
The fridge freezer has to stay in the back of my Nissan ute as will the battery to run it. Does this help you.
Last month caught up with brother inlaw at a camp he uses a Arkpak 85amp hour battery to run his portable frig. To my surprise this wonderful bit of gear uses a 12dcto12dc charger to keep it going. Charger stopped working for the second time in 12 months.
Interesting thing is the wiring is very light and the chargers are small and not lasting all that long. The standard cig type plugs and wiring is a bit light for camping.
I thought they were a bit expensive to purchase and I believe you can do better buying your needs from retail parts suppliers.
I personally would look at a battery case from a retail outlet with a few plug types in it, reasonable size battery and purchase a 2nd battery switch for under the bonnet, hook it all up with good size cable though a anderson plug for portability, simplicity and versatility.
Hope this throws some light on what you are doing.
Hi and thanks for the info. the one I am looking at is 130 amp hour does this make things any better. Yes I am having heavy wire set up from my car battery with Anderson plug.
Hi and thanks for the info. the one I am looking at is 130 amp hour does this make things any better. Yes I am having heavy wire set up from my car battery with Anderson plug.
