Any 12V power packs like this in the US?

[rctr03]

i have the minkota type box, three years use in my trailer. i have a trickle charger mounted to the top that is attached to shore power, it has a battery meter on the top. i have a 2000 honda for charging if the battery drops. usually two days with the engel 35 on 2 is when it needs a charge. mine has held up with alot of offroad travel. i like the luna box, but i did not have access to it when i was building my trailer. i think it depends on your budget. i would also agree that you get what you pay for.

jimmy

 

[spikemd]

Reviving an old thread...

I am also tossing up ideas to power my ARB fridge (its being ship as I type). I was thinking about two scenarios... run the fridge off my main battery and have a PowerStation jumpstart unit ready if I ever need a boost (I know the ARB has an automatic cut-off for low voltage, but I am still paranoid) or try and run the ARB directly off the Powerstation.

I am going to try and run the ARB off the PowerStation when it gets here and see how long it lasts.

The nice thing about the Minn Kota box, is that you can put in a true deep cycle battery made for extended service. The PowerStation has a sealed lead battery with only 18Ah of power in a standard (non-deep cycle) battery. The marine battery Group 27 battery has 90Ah and is deep cycle.
You also have to consider wiring the MinnKota in to be charged up and then you may loose some of the portability. The PowerStation can be charged from 120V AC or the 12V in the truck.

Costs: $65 for the MinnKota box, $70 for the deep cycle battery vs $65 for the PowerStation from Costco.

Yes, the Luna is great, but at $500 for just the box, its out of the budget. I blew my load on the fridge!

 

[saburai]

One way or another, you'll dig having a fridge!

Reviving an old thread...

I am also tossing up ideas to power my ARB fridge (its being ship as I type). I was thinking about two scenarios... run the fridge off my main battery and have a PowerStation jumpstart unit ready if I ever need a boost (I know the ARB has an automatic cut-off for low voltage, but I am still paranoid) or try and run the ARB directly off the Powerstation.

I am going to try and run the ARB off the PowerStation when it gets here and see how long it lasts.

The nice thing about the Minn Kota box, is that you can put in a true deep cycle battery made for extended service. The PowerStation has a sealed lead battery with only 18Ah of power in a standard (non-deep cycle) battery. The marine battery Group 27 battery has 90Ah and is deep cycle.
You also have to consider wiring the MinnKota in to be charged up and then you may loose some of the portability. The PowerStation can be charged from 120V AC or the 12V in the truck.

Costs: $65 for the MinnKota box, $70 for the deep cycle battery vs $65 for the PowerStation from Costco.

Yes, the Luna is great, but at $500 for just the box, its out of the budget. I blew my load on the fridge!

I don't think that the PowerStation is up to the task of powering the fridge for anything more than a short time. I didn't do the math - just my gut talking.
On another note, some time ago I spoke with a NL dealer - a forum member, about the NL PP box. I had some questions about different applications. He never followed up...

 

[spikemd]

I agree, I don't think the Powerstation will power the fridge for long. Its a small lead-acid starting battery not meant for deep cycling. I will let you know how long it lasts when the fridge arrives. (It should be here Tuesday.)

I still have the original battery in my 2003 4Runner. Its coming on 6 years, so it is nearing the end of its lifespan. I am considering switching to an AGM deep cycle battery as my main battery to have the extra juice to power the ARB. I then will have the Powerstation in case I need an extra boost. The AGMs are $$$, but I think worth it for the extra power.

I won't be putting in a dual-battery set-up for awhile.

 

[Oni]

How about one of these:

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/63/p/1/pt/24/product.asp

Golf cart battery, built in inverter, charges by AC or DC.

 

[spikemd]

PowerStation works

The good news, the PSX PowerStation bought at Costco for $65 powered the ARB freezer for 2 nights. This was great when we were traveling seeing as though my stock battery is at the end of its life. The bad news, my stock battery (6 years old) wouldn't power the freezer for more than a few hours before the 'low voltage' warning shut it off. This was a big clue that my battery is about dead. I am searching for a replacement now.

Sure glad I had the PowerStation in Death Valley to keep our freezer running.

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

I have the Minn Kota battery box and it works great in the back of my truck; Since I have a topper and sleep in the back of the truck, it used to power 2 lights, a small fan, lights that are wired for rear facing lights/or used as backup lights when the trucks in reverse or off, and several 12v outlets. Also works for the electric blanket. Bought the box at Walmart for about $50 and has a 90amp/hr. series 27 deep-cycle battery. I found it to be better built than the ones I saw at Bass Pro Shops which cost about $10 more.

Pete Wilson

 

[saburai]

Hey

I have the Minn Kota battery box and it works great in the back of my truck; Since I have a topper and sleep in the back of the truck, it used to power 2 lights, a small fan, lights that are wired for rear facing lights/or used as backup lights when the trucks in reverse or off, and several 12v outlets. Also works for the electric blanket. Bought the box at Walmart for about $50 and has a 90amp/hr. series 27 deep-cycle battery. I found it to be better built than the ones I saw at Bass Pro Shops which cost about $10 more.

Pete Wilson

I'm thinking of that one as well!

How do you charge it?

I'm assuming it would be possible to trickle charge it via one of the 12v lighter ports...

 

[Superu]

Yes, the Luna is great, but at $500 for just the box, its out of the budget. I blew my load on the fridge!

The Luna is more than a box. It includes the box, isolator, low voltage alarm, charging status, battery monitor and heavy gauge cables, fuses and connectors.

I went back and forth on the cost until I ran the actual numbers of buying the individual components necessary for a dual battery setup with all the features of the National Luna box versus the cost and time savings of the NL PPP. The Luna is still a bit higher on the cash outlay, but the convenience and time savings easily outweighed it for me.

The PPP worked flawlessly as expected on our trips this summer and I expect to have many years ahead with it. I'm not positive, but am pretty sure you can fit a much larger battery in the Luna than in the Minn Kota box. Just something to consider when determining how many days of power you'll need.

p.s. While saving for the Luna, we used a 2nd AGM battery that we topped up with a Sunsei solar panel. Worked well with the Engel MT45 on fridge setting. Freeze likely would've taken more out than the panel could put back in over the course of a day.

 

[tremors834]

Heres my "portable" dual battery setup. I decided to mount a 1500/3000 watt inverter on the battery box. The battery box uses a sealed spill-proof AGM deep cycle battery and mounts in the cargo area. The whole setup is controlled by a switch on the dash.
All the wire terminal connectors are soldered and heat shrinked.
Only things left to do is design a way the mount the box in the rear. I have a couple of ideas I have to work with. Also I want to put some wiring loom over the wires in the engine compartment.

Here is the completed battery box.

Besides the inverter I also added a 12volt power outlet and a voltage meter.

Inside the box with a Diehard Platnium AGM Deep Cycle Battery

The Andersen Power Pole Disconnects

The heavy duty battery wiring is 2ga. The Positive runs along the edge inside the X under the molding, then goes through the firewall.

The isolation solenoid

the 150 amp manual reset breaker

Battery connections

With the engine running the voltage drop through the 2ga wiring is almost non-existant.

continued next......

 

[tremors834]

The control switch operates as follows.
Up-green LED on, the aux battery is charged only when the engine is running. If the engine is not running then the aux battery is automatically isolated from the system because it gets its power from an engine running wire in the steering column.
Switch in the middle position, No LED lit, the the system is "off". Aux battery does not charge and is isolated from the system and main batt.
Switch Down - red LED on, "emergency jump start" the aux battery can jump start the main battery if needed.

Here is a wiring diagram of the setup.

Gene

 

[saburai]

Very Nice!

Super cool set up! I'd love to build some thing like that.
Could you please tell us where you sourced the parts? I'm especially intrested the batt box, where did you get it?

Many Thanks...

 

[tremors834]

The box is a utility dry box made by MTM.

Their website is http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/camping/dry_boxes.html#atv

The rest of the parts are from waytekwire.com and other various online suppliers.

 

[saburai]

Thanks andwelcome to EXPO!

The box is a utility dry box made by MTM.

Their website is http://www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/camping/dry_boxes.html#atv

The rest of the parts are from waytekwire.com and other various online suppliers.

Thanks for the link! Which model box did you use? What size battery?

I saw you post on the Xtera site! If the offer stand here as well, a parts list with suppliers would be wonderful. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would be thankful

Many thanks...

 

[Yudda]

I dont know how... but...i (no electrical experience) actually understand that diagram ! Excellent work !

I would love a list as well. Thats a great idea.

rob