Portable Battery Box Ideas?

JKJenn

JKJenn

Adventurer
I am going to tackle my battery box for my trailer this weekend. Ideally, I would have a scenario where I could bring the batteries inside to charge, so, if I was staying in a hotel or cabin, i could charge the battery overnight.

I have the following already:

  • 6 way marine panel
  • Master on/off switch
  • 12v accessory and USB outlets (marine grade)
  • Marinco battery charger

What I am hoping to power:
  • laptop via 12v Igo adapter
  • camera batteries via 12v
  • Brinkman spotlights via 12v
  • Smartphone/tablet
  • Eventually, add some LED lights.
  • Flashights/headlamps (rechargeable)

I am hoping to have the battery last for 3-5 days.

I have different thoughts about ways to accomplish this. I could somehow rig the battery and battery charger so that it was not complicated to remove them or I would make the entire battery box removable. I would be happy mounting either to my tongue or in the trailer tub (M416.) there are already holes drilled on the the tongue from the previous owner, so a tongue box is pretty easy.

I would also be open to charging the battery while I drive my JK, as I will be often driving several hours at a time. Right now, I am running a 7 pin adapter, tapped into my rear turn signal. I don't want to get into anything too complicated here at the moment, however, as I am readying for a trip.

Lastly, I need a battery that would be good for 3-5 days at a time. I prefer an AGM, even if it means less power to keep it affordable, because I envision a vented box intaking a ton of dust when I drive dirt roads (thinking of my drive in Cathedral Valley last year.) The battery would not get used all that often....probably be months between uses.

So, who has suggestions?
 
edlaffoon

edlaffoon

Adventure Every Day
I've been working on this as well but my ideas differ from yours a bit so I'm not sure I will be much help. I plan on using a variation of these two designs plus my own needs:

http://wesleycatig.blogspot.com/2011/02/pelican-power-pack-writeup.html

http://www.astro-nut.com/gel-cell.html

I'm going to use this battery: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221237797105

It will be inside of a pelican 1510 case. It will have a 1500+ watt inverter and DC ammeter/voltmeter LCD readout, 2-4 120v AC outlets, 2 12v DC outlets and 4 5v USB outlets. My unit will be very heavy but will also be very useable for long durations.

That is about as far as I have got. You can scale it down obviously, but I figured why not get the biggest SLA battery I can then I won't have to worry about it dying. That's why I wanted something 100 Ah plus.
 
McZippie

McZippie

Walmart Adventure Camper
Based on your list, the watt draw is light and except for the LED lights you are charging up other batteries.
Consider not adding a second battery and instead up-grade the JK staring battery to the largest AGM that will fit.
.
From the Jeep Starting Battery, run fused wires to an Automatic Low Voltage Discounted switch and then to the other components you already have:
The LVD switch will disconnect the power from the components to allow enough voltage/amps to start the JK and also protect the battery from low voltage damage.
•6 way marine panel
•Master on/off switch
•12v accessory and USB outlets (marine grade)
I would put all of the above, inside the JK not the M416, so everything can be charged while driving and protected from weather etc.
.
AGM batteries are fast charging and your JK alternator has a lot higher output than most 120 volt chargers.
Plus your alternator will charge up your other battery items faster too:
•laptop via 12v Igo adapter
•camera batteries via 12v
•Brinkman spotlights via 12v
•Smartphone/tablet
•Flashights/headlamps (rechargeable)
.
If want LED lights for RTT/M416, portable LED lights work great and AA or AAA batteries last a very long time in them.
.
Link your Marinco charger spec's and I'll list it's pros and cons for your intended usage :)

If by design or happenstance you are a head of the game, by only powering 12 DC volt and DC components.
I try to run everything possible in our Rig from DC only.
.
.
 
Last edited:
JKJenn

JKJenn

Adventurer
edlaffoon said:
I've been working on this as well but my ideas differ from yours a bit so I'm not sure I will be much help. I plan on using a variation of these two designs plus my own needs:

http://wesleycatig.blogspot.com/2011/02/pelican-power-pack-writeup.html

http://www.astro-nut.com/gel-cell.html

I'm going to use this battery: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221237797105

It will be inside of a pelican 1510 case. It will have a 1500+ watt inverter and DC ammeter/voltmeter LCD readout, 2-4 120v AC outlets, 2 12v DC outlets and 4 5v USB outlets. My unit will be very heavy but will also be very useable for long durations.

That is about as far as I have got. You can scale it down obviously, but I figured why not get the biggest SLA battery I can then I won't have to worry about it dying. That's why I wanted something 100 Ah plus.
Click to expand...

This is actually something I considered. I have a small 12v used for a rangefinder for a boat that really does a good job. Maybe I should just pick up a second one for this year, and replace the battery as needed.

McZippie said:
Based on your list, the watt draw is light and except for the LED lights you are charging up other batteries.
Consider not adding a second battery and instead up-grade the JK staring battery to the largest AGM that will fit.
.
From the Jeep Starting Battery, run fused wires to an Automatic Low Voltage Discounted switch and then to the other components you already have:
The LVD switch will disconnect the power from the components to allow enough voltage/amps to start the JK and also protect the battery from low voltage damage.
•6 way marine panel
•Master on/off switch
•12v accessory and USB outlets (marine grade)
I would put all of the above, inside the JK not the M416, so everything can be charged while driving and protected from weather etc.
.
AGM batteries are fast charging and your JK alternator has a lot higher output than most 120 volt chargers.
Plus your alternator will charge up your other battery items faster too:
•laptop via 12v Igo adapter
•camera batteries via 12v
•Brinkman spotlights via 12v
•Smartphone/tablet
•Flashights/headlamps (rechargeable)
.
If want LED lights for RTT/M416, portable LED lights work great and AA or AAA batteries last a very long time in them.
.
Link your Marinco charger spec's and I'll list it's pros and cons for your intended usage :)

If by design or happenstance you are a head of the game, by only powering 12 DC volt and DC components.
I try to run everything possible in our Rig from DC only.
.
.
Click to expand...

I have thought about this, too, and I might eventually go this route, but I think it is more than I can tackle before my trip (doing all the wiring to the Jeep.)

This is the Marinco I picked up: Marinco Battery Charger 2608A Marine

Yes, charging everything thing via DC was by design, to lessen power consumption. I have a small 300watt inverter, but it overheats easily.

Thanks for the ideas....I think I need to look at both a short-term solution and then think again about the long term one.
 
codename607

codename607

Adventurer
I'm thinking about doing something similar but this power system will act as my secondary battery for my rig. I like the idea of having something portable like the ArkPak and since it's out of my price range I'll just build one.

As I continue my research I do have one question for you guys. The battery charger that you provide the link for...does this allow the battery to be charged from the truck battery?
 
codename607

codename607

Adventurer
Rock-Eater said:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PTHKMG...e=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001PTHKMG

I went with one of these, had every thing i needed. Can connect a solar charger with out removing the lid, its portable, has 12v outlets, has battery charge indicator, its fused and i can attach a trickle charger when i have a wall outlet handy again without removing the lid of the box.

Corey

if the link does not work its a trolling motor battery box.
Click to expand...

Cool! What battery did you use for this box? I was hoping to use a group 31 but it seems to big for this box.
 
Power Wagon Family

Power Wagon Family

I Hate Off Camber
I think it was a group 27 I took it to sears and got a die hard platinum that fit. Does everything I need and only 60$. It is really well built :)
 
JKJenn

JKJenn

Adventurer
So, after taking everything out west for a couple of weeks, I really like the portable idea. It worked well in my tent. I am going to hold off with the marine/automotive battery for now. My 2 12v batteries work great. I totally shredded the plastic ammo box when I was trying to cut holes for outlets and the marine panel, so I will need to try something else. GRanted, my skill is not great, but the box had these plastic reinforcements that made cutting impossible. I have time to think about the container. I like the battery box idea, but not enough room for my panel and accessory outlets. I think instead of cutting a hole in a box I could get a pice of thinner wood to inlay at the top of a box for the panel and outlets...I will have to give it more thought, though.
 
W

WAYNE1998JEEP

New member
My power pack is "cooler" than yours

I have seen this and will be doing a project along this line. I dont have a picture but will be a write up when I am done. Take a cooler that has wheels, I have seen a Igloo " Ice Cube" cooler it has a handle that extends like luggage. Mount you batteries in the bottom, depending on what type you might have to set up some sort of ventilation. Then mount your accessories to the top, sides inside / outside. I have seen a car amp mounted inside and rca cable ran outside to plug in your phone/ ipod device. Cut holes in the side of the cooler and mount marine speakers and Voila you have a portable DJ. If that is not for you loose the car amp and speakers. Mound your solar charge controller, 12v switch bus, drill holes to mount the standered 12v cig. plug and and plugs that your other devices might need. Mound some external terminals so if you want to recharge it quickly use jumper cables and charge it using your vehicle. A friend took his protable DJ "cooler" on a kayak trip. It had a single standard car battery, amp and marine speakers. That thing ran for 18 hours a day for the durations of the three day camping trip. It is portable, or can be left in the vehicle / tent / trailer. Can be sealed up with not much effort for water proofing or hydrogen gas management. if it is only occasionally being moved one might even be able to mount LED lights to the handle for area lumination. IF one wants to charge it from 110v you could mount a small charger inside or hook it to your external treminals. It could even be used as a jump box if you car battery needs a jump.
And the list goes on, anyway. O the cooler is just thin plastic and foam so relatively easy to cut aswell. I though it was a good idea and wanted to pass it along.
 
S

SwampMonster

Observer
I started doing one this am with a pelican1400 series box with a odysee battery, battery buddy and a solar charger controller. Thinking how to have a way to charge it from the rover. The battery buddy is for charging inside off of 120. Plan on using to to power my Microsoft surface, led lights and phones when at the bird camp. I'm trying to keep it all inside the case for water resistance.

Sent from my C811 4G using Tapatalk
 
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