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

dstock

Explorer
It seems like the Powerpak would be good for the tongue box on my trailer build. Is it possible to hook up to the terminals on the top that are used for recharging via solar to re-charge the battery with vehicle power?
 
And here I was happy with stealing my boat's MinnKota Power Center to serve this purpose... After seeing this however I am clearly going to have to upgrade to an ArkPak, I like how everything including the charging, inverter and a USB port are included.

However is the charging still a 24V input? I read that on the first few pages and didn't see any updates to that in the other pages I read through so if that is the case how are people integrating it with their Renogy solar panels? Hooking up via the optional charger? I do like the convenience of charging in the vehicle on those trips where you are on the move most of the day but it seems silly to have two charge controllers when charging via solar.
 

Ivan Agerton

New member
Just placed an order! Super stoked as I can't have a dual battery set up with my LX 470 as I have AHC. Im a cinematographer and have batteries for my camera that are at the 240Wh strength HAHA! Ill let you know how this bad boy performs. Leaving late Jan for bout two weeks in north central NV.. no power but this..

Ivan
 

Brett From Ark

Supporting Sponsor - ARK
It seems like the Powerpak would be good for the tongue box on my trailer build. Is it possible to hook up to the terminals on the top that are used for recharging via solar to re-charge the battery with vehicle power?

Hi Dstock

yes you can charge it by solar panels this is no problem at all, you just need to make sure your solar panels have a charge controller or voltage regulator, this is to protect your battery from being overcharged.

if you have any more questions please post them up.

Regards

Brett from Ark
 

dstock

Explorer
Hi Dstock

yes you can charge it by solar panels this is no problem at all, you just need to make sure your solar panels have a charge controller or voltage regulator, this is to protect your battery from being overcharged.

if you have any more questions please post them up.

Regards

Brett from Ark

I should have worded this better. Can I hook up vehicle power to the terminals on the top of the PowerPak to charge the battery.

Thanks.
-Dave
 

Brett From Ark

Supporting Sponsor - ARK
And here I was happy with stealing my boat's MinnKota Power Center to serve this purpose... After seeing this however I am clearly going to have to upgrade to an ArkPak, I like how everything including the charging, inverter and a USB port are included.

However is the charging still a 24V input? I read that on the first few pages and didn't see any updates to that in the other pages I read through so if that is the case how are people integrating it with their Renogy solar panels? Hooking up via the optional charger? I do like the convenience of charging in the vehicle on those trips where you are on the move most of the day but it seems silly to have two charge controllers when charging via solar.

Hi WhileInTheWild

the Ark Pak will charge via your normal 110volt power supply at home and also via your 12 volt cig socket in your car, the 24 volts is the OUtPUT not the input.

if you have more questions please ask.

Regards

Brett from Ark
 

Brett From Ark

Supporting Sponsor - ARK
Just placed an order! Super stoked as I can't have a dual battery set up with my LX 470 as I have AHC. Im a cinematographer and have batteries for my camera that are at the 240Wh strength HAHA! Ill let you know how this bad boy performs. Leaving late Jan for bout two weeks in north central NV.. no power but this..

Ivan

Hi Iivan

congrats on your purchase of the Ark Pak, if you have any questions about it please post them up here

Regards

Brett from Ark
 

Brett From Ark

Supporting Sponsor - ARK
I should have worded this better. Can I hook up vehicle power to the terminals on the top of the PowerPak to charge the battery.

Thanks.
-Dave

Hi Dave

yes you can do this but there a few things you need to be aware of, by doing this it is called an unregulated charge (unless you put in a smart solenoid) and is no good for the battery if left like this for more then 2 or 3 hours you leave yourself open to over charging the battery which is not a good thing.

best option is to use the DC to DC car charger as it is a regulated charge that uses the smart charging system in the Ark Pak.

if you have any more questions please ask.

Regards

Brett from Ark
 

Brett From Ark

Supporting Sponsor - ARK
I should have worded this better. Can I hook up vehicle power to the terminals on the top of the PowerPak to charge the battery.

Thanks.
-Dave

Hi Dave

just a follow up you may also want to look at post number 353 it was done by myself and does relate to your question it may also be an option to consider, let me know your thoughts on post 353 and if it was helpful.

Regards

Brett from Ark
 

dstock

Explorer
Thanks for the response Brett.

I already have a National Luna split charge system and dual batteries in my Jeep. I can add an additional aux battery to this system, so I was thinking of going with the PowerPak in the trailer as I don't really need all the bells and whistles of the Arkpak. Basically, I would be running through the NL solenoid, so I don't think overcharging would be an issue, and I would make a harness to run from the Jeep to attach to the terminals on the top of the Powerpak. From what you I am reading in the posts, it seems this is doable.
 

Brett From Ark

Supporting Sponsor - ARK
Thanks for the response Brett.

I already have a National Luna split charge system and dual batteries in my Jeep. I can add an additional aux battery to this system, so I was thinking of going with the PowerPak in the trailer as I don't really need all the bells and whistles of the Arkpak. Basically, I would be running through the NL solenoid, so I don't think overcharging would be an issue, and I would make a harness to run from the Jeep to attach to the terminals on the top of the Powerpak. From what you I am reading in the posts, it seems this is doable.

Hi Dave

yes it is possible the only other thing to keep in mind is when you want the power pack to charge you must have the red isolator key in the on position, this is really important as if you have it off the battery inside the power pack will not charge.

Regards

Brett from Ark
 

dstock

Explorer
Hi Dave

yes it is possible the only other thing to keep in mind is when you want the power pack to charge you must have the red isolator key in the on position, this is really important as if you have it off the battery inside the power pack will not charge.

Regards

Brett from Ark

Great, thanks Brett for all the info!
 

austintaco

Explorer
I earlier reported an issue with the DC to DC plug shorting out. Other members that had similar problems chose to wire in a different plug. We did a 5 day trip out to Big Bend Ranch last weekend and I chose to try this out. I rewired a few things that I have been putting off. The first being a Blue Sea aux fuse block. That just made it easy to start running wires for additional equipment. I installed a blue sea 12 volt receptacle to the flip out plastic ashtray at the back of the center console. This allowed easy access behind the receptacle for later repairs or changes. I cut the plug off of the DC charger and then spliced and ran these wires to the Blue Sea plug. While installed, I had no problems with the plug coming out and shorting out the connection. However, in my haste, I wired it as always hot, and I need to have it ignition switched. It was never an issue, but it did scare me a few times when I left it connected.
On another note, something to consider, after you find the spot where you will install or mount your ArkPak, measure the distance from the terminals to your starting battery.Why? Purchase a pair of Jumper cables that can make that run if needed. If you do run the starting battery down by not having it ignition switched, you can jump yourself without moving the Arkpak.
 

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