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

[CoastieLFS]

New ArkPak Question

Brett, received my ArkPak a few days ago & installed an older RV battery I had charging in my garage. At the point where you are asked if this is a new battery, I answered no. I get the feeling that isn't the real question ArkPak is asking. My gut tells me the ArkPak wants to know if you are using a battery that is NEW to the ArkPak (regardless of it's condition), not necessarily a brand new battery? I have a hunch I should have selected yes.

By the way, thanks for sending me a copy of the User Guide. Hopefully you will put the american version on the web site soon.

 

[Corey]

Yes, you need to tell the Ark each time you boot up if it is the same one before the last shut down, or a different battery.
Just reboot and tell it how many amps and what battery type it is.
Then next time you reboot it, tell it is not a new battery, and it reloads the stored info.

 

[Brett From Ark]

Brett, received my ArkPak a few days ago & installed an older RV battery I had charging in my garage. At the point where you are asked if this is a new battery, I answered no. I get the feeling that isn't the real question ArkPak is asking. My gut tells me the ArkPak wants to know if you are using a battery that is NEW to the ArkPak (regardless of it's condition), not necessarily a brand new battery? I have a hunch I should have selected yes.

By the way, thanks for sending me a copy of the User Guide. Hopefully you will put the american version on the web site soon.

Hi Coasties LFS

Corey's explanation is spot on.

THANK YOU Corey for chipping in and helping Coasties LFS out it really is so great to see everyone helping each other out when questions come.

best regards

Brett from Ark

 

[austintaco]

Just wanted to report my recent jump starting experience. I have had the ARK pak hooked up in the garage for a few months now, and it's just been doing it's thing on float mode for the most part and operating flawlessly.
I noticed that my driver's side door was ajar on my Supra and the interior light was on. Oh NO! yup. Dead battery. My truck was pulled apart so I couldn't jump start it. My 4runner was in the garage without an alternator. That left my ARK pak to get me running.
I switched the isolator off, hooked up the side terminals to my car's battery and stepped back. The battery being jumped is an Autozone special. It was right at 12 volts to start with.
The manual stated that you might have to leave the two hooked up for an hour to get the dead battery to start. Impatiently, I tried immediately. Nothing.
After 15 minutes, the battery was at 12.4, nothing
30 minutes, 12.6, tried to crank
1 hour, 12.7, VROOOOOM

The battery in the ARK pak never dropped below 12.9 volts, if I recall.

Peace of mind to know that a tool works like it should.

 

[shibubba]

Just ordered mine on friday! Havent gotten a shipping confirmation but hope to get it this week

 

[Corey]

Hi Coasties LFS

Corey's explanation is spot on.

THANK YOU Corey for chipping in and helping Coasties LFS out it really is so great to see everyone helping each other out when questions come.

best regards

Brett from Ark

Brett you are welcome.

 

[shibubba]

Got mine today. For the record, anyone in canada that ordered one. The shipment comes out of surrey from north shore off-road.

Now I need to find a good battery.

 

[Brett From Ark]

Got mine today. For the record, anyone in canada that ordered one. The shipment comes out of surrey from north shore off-road.

Now I need to find a good battery.

Hi Shibubba

i am sure you have read a few pages in this thread but just to give some feedback and AGM or GEL battery is best suited to the Ark Pak.

Regards

Brett from Ark.

 

[Dusty Grin]

I've been using my Arkpak heavily for a couple months. I'm happy with it and here's my impressions.

My first unit arrived and wouldn't go into charge mode. Brett walked me through some tests and eventually had me send it back. I had a new unit at my door in around
2- 3 days. I was impressed with the service and fast turn around on my faulty unit. Brett checked in later to make sure my new unit worked properly which was nice.

A couple people have expressed concern over the box strength. Mine seems strong enough just like a regular battery box with that slightly flexible black plastic. The latch is not so strong and reminds me of a tackle box latch of which all of mine are broken. I broke the latch on the arkpak the first week by bumping it.

Plugging the cord into the 12v cigarette lighter works fine but I wore out my plug quickly by bumping it and bouncing around on dirt roads. A better solution is to find those elusive Anderson Plugs for a solid connection.

The readout is great and if you don't stare at every fluctuation on the charge, it makes sense. Mine powers my ARB 60qt fridge for two days with a smaller 60ah deep cell. (upgrading to a 100ah agm soon).

So aside from the latch and 12v plug, I love it. I leave my fridge on 24/7 now and just plug in the arkpak to my outlet in the garage at night. Easy peasy.

 

[shibubba]

Hi Shibubba

i am sure you have read a few pages in this thread but just to give some feedback and AGM or GEL battery is best suited to the Ark Pak.

Regards

Brett from Ark.

Brett... Figured as much. Ended up going with a battery suited for deep cycle solar applications. It's a group 31 agm 110Ah
. It's charging up as we speak, hope to get it out in the next few weeks

Question. Is it supposed to jump from boost to testing a lot while plugged in?. Figure it does but just want to make sure.

And where can we find Anderson plugs in North America? Anyone know. I'd like to run as much 12v load though that so I can keep the plastic doors closed

 

[Raul B]

sorry for not reading all 30 pages yet but i wanted to see what brand/ model battery is everyone using in their Arkpak here in the states? i currently have a lead acid CC duralast marine type battery in mine and im not getting the greatest life out of it.

 

[dave1014]

If I buy an arkpak this is the battery I will use
http://www.batteriesplus.com/produc...atteries/108186-Deep-Cycle/BCI-Group-31M.aspx

Ive got the group 65s in my truck and theyre amazing. Left the dome light on for about 18 hours the other day. Truck started right up didnt miss a beat

Sent from my SCH-I925 using Tapatalk

 

[Corey]

I am running the same battery that Ark uses pretty much.
Exide XMC-31 MEGACYCLE AGM-200 Sealed Maintenance Free (AGM) Marine Battery
Bought mine from Amazon.

 

[nickmimi]

I am running the same one as Corey listed above. Also ordered from Amazon.

 

[CoastieLFS]

What Would Happen If You Used a 150AH Battery Or Higher?

Brett, I've been searching high & low to find a 140AH battery (or as close to it) that will fit in my new ArkPak. Interstate battery thinks they found one that may physically fit, but it's rated at 150AH @ 20hr's (12VGCUTL). I've found aTrojan T-1275 Deep-Cycle Flooded battery which is also 150AH @ 20hrs. Setting aside the physical dimensions for a moment, what would happen if you connected a 150AH battery or greater to the ArkPak? Is it as simple as the remaining AH display will be off or are there more significant issues? For example the multistage charger wouldn't be able to fully charge the battery or the battery could be damaged?