Does anyone know about ARK Portable battery boxes and where to buy them

[Corey]

You could wire up the automotive charger that comes with it to only turn on when the engine is running.

 

[Corey]

If you want to see the 100 watt solar panel that just arrived at my place a half hour ago, here it is.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/114484-100W-Portable-kit-on-ebay?p=1448548#post1448548

 

[Colonal Angus]

You could wire up the automotive charger that comes with it to only turn on when the engine is running.

It's really that simple? Thanks, Corey!

 

[Brett From Ark]

Okay guys, I've read the 20 page thread to try and wrap my head around this ArkPak. I've been considering a dual battery system but when I saw this and it's portability, it made me really consider it instead.

I need some clarification though. I really don't understand 12v systems (I've read so many threads and articles to try and understand it better but...). So, here it goes....towards the end of this thread there began to be a lot of questions regarding proper charging. Such as, when to plug it in, where to plug in to, LCD on/off, etc. With a true tied in dual battery system, don't you just set it and forget it? Connect all of your accessories wired to the secondary battery source and just start your truck every couple days to recharge the draining second battery. Isn't that how it works? Can we just plug the Ark Pak into the 12v socket in the rear of the truck and just leave it there, as if it were tied in?

My goal is to run an ArkPak and a fridge in my 4runner 24/7. I'd like the fridge to run only off the ArkPak and not ever interfere (or draw) from my main battery...I guess, an isolated system. BUT I want the ArkPak to charge off the trucks alternator/main battery everytime the truck engine is running. Is this possible?

Sorry in advance if this has already been covered or if this is the exact way ArkPak works right out of the box.

Thanks guys! I got plenty more dumb questions

Hi Colonal Angus

this is an excellent question to ask and yes you can run the Ark Pak as per your question in paragraph 3

My goal is to run an ArkPak and a fridge in my 4runner 24/7. I'd like the fridge to run only off the ArkPak and not ever interfere (or draw) from my main battery...I guess, an isolated system. BUT I want the ArkPak to charge off the trucks alternator/main battery everytime the truck engine is running. Is this possible?

the answer to the above question is yes you can in a very simple way you would get the DC to DC car charger and plug it into your 12V cig socket, the only thing you would need to make sure of is that when you turn your car off that the 12v cig socket is also off as Corey mentioned in his post you wire your cig socket up so that it cuts in when engine is on and cuts out when the engine is off.

if you have any more questions please ask away

Regards

Brett from Ark

 

[andrewh]

I just received mine a few weeks ago, I wired it up like the above suggestion, no fridge yet but that is the plan. So far it has been very convenient and am very happy with the purchase. Even brought it inside when we lost power to run a fan and some lights. Id like some more info on that 100 watt solar panel. How does it connect to the arkpak?

 

[Colonal Angus]

Hi Colonal Angus

this is an excellent question to ask and yes you can run the Ark Pak as per your question in paragraph 3

My goal is to run an ArkPak and a fridge in my 4runner 24/7. I'd like the fridge to run only off the ArkPak and not ever interfere (or draw) from my main battery...I guess, an isolated system. BUT I want the ArkPak to charge off the trucks alternator/main battery everytime the truck engine is running. Is this possible?

the answer to the above question is yes you can in a very simple way you would get the DC to DC car charger and plug it into your 12V cig socket, the only thing you would need to make sure of is that when you turn your car off that the 12v cig socket is also off as Corey mentioned in his post you wire your cig socket up so that it cuts in when engine is on and cuts out when the engine is off.

if you have any more questions please ask away

Regards

Brett from Ark

Fantastic. Thank you, Brett! I hope to place an order shortly. First order of business was to purchase a capable roof rack to handle all equipment that the fridge/ArkPak will displace.

Thanks again!

CA

 

[Corey]

CA, glad that will work with the 12V socket only wired to be hot when the acc. switch is on.

Andrew, you use use the terminals on the left side of the case that have the plastic covers over them.
The isolator switch on the ArkPak must be set to on when using those two terminals, and for charging.

That new solar panel I just bought is good to run right out of the box/bag, no having to wire up anything extra light some kits.
Just plug the cable that has the + - clamps on it to the charge controller on the solar panel, and the battery clamps go to the ArkPak.

The pic below is of my older solar panel and the Goal Zero charge controller, but used the same way.

 

[madmax718]

there are limits of power for smaller charge controllers- usually no more than 100-120 watts, especially if your trying to go after a truly portable plug and play cigarette lighter system.

After much searching, I am adapting a notebook computer power brick (for cars) into the goal zero charge controller (guardian). The one they sell only provides a max of 30 watts of power when from a cigarette lighter, and a max of about 65 I think from an outlet. The charge controller can take up to 90. Just gotta wait for the damn adapter to arrive.

 

[Corey]

My ArkPak has been in float and test cycle and plugged in to 110V to charge since I received my new one awhile back.
Did a small test this morning, as a member over at the blue room (FJ owners know this site) had built his own setup, but thought it discharged way too fast using two 75 watt bulbs for three hours, then his system needed to be recharged again.
He is considering getting the ArkPak setup as I have a thread on the ArkPak over there, and several have thought about getting the setup too.

I did not plug in a power strip to try and run two separate lights, but I tested mine with a bankers lamp that had a 60 watt bulb in it.
Starting voltage was 13.2, and after I plugged in the lamps it went into discharge cycle and jumped down to 12.7V.
I ran the lamp for exactly four hours, and afterwards the ArkPak showed the battery at 12.3V and a 90% charge.
Is this pretty good?

Now after I turned off the inverter and put the charge cable back on, it then showed charging mode, but the voltage jumped up to 13.V, 58% charge, and ten hours to full charge.
Why the big difference from 90% when the lamp was on, and now 58%?

Anyways, I thought running the 60 watt lamp for four hours straight it did pretty good.
The ArkPak will mainly be used in the field to run five or more of Goal Zeros LED lanterns which consume I think three watts each.

Wanted to test my new solar panel to charge the ArkPak up, but there is no sun out today.
We may not see any until Monday and Tuesday next week, as we have have been socked in with heavy fog and low clouds all week long.

 

[madmax718]

according to these guys:

http://www.energymatters.com.au/renewable-energy/batteries/battery-voltage-discharge.php

12.3v on an AGM would indicate 50% charge. Which means the value when charging is accurate, and the voltage after 4 hours was accurate, but the percent charge was way off. (before charging).

 

[mcieplinski]

Hi All,

I just pulled the trigger on the ARK box with DieHard battery. I just have one question: I have PowerFilm f16-3600 (60w) portable solar panel. I used it before to charge my GoalZero 350 and I was told that I do not need charge controller. Would I require a charge controller to charge the Ark battery pack and if so any recommendations?

Best,

Michal

 

[madmax718]

If I am looking at corey's setup correctly, yes. You will need a charge controller.

 

[madmax718]

there are limits of power for smaller charge controllers- usually no more than 100-120 watts, especially if your trying to go after a truly portable plug and play cigarette lighter system.

After much searching, I am adapting a notebook computer power brick (for cars) into the goal zero charge controller (guardian). The one they sell only provides a max of 30 watts of power when from a cigarette lighter, and a max of about 65 I think from an outlet. The charge controller can take up to 90. Just gotta wait for the damn adapter to arrive.

Ok, for some reason, this failed. Im not sure why, I am getting power, but it seems to be unable to sense anything being fully charged. Odd.

 

[Corey]

Michal, with the Powerfilm you will need one.
Take a look at the Goal Zero controller I bought, it is inside this thread.

With the new solar panel I got a few weeks back, it has one attached already.

 

[mcieplinski]

Michal, with the Powerfilm you will need one.
Take a look at the Goal Zero controller I bought, it is inside this thread.

With the new solar panel I got a few weeks back, it has one attached already.

Thanks Corey. I ordered the controller.