got my ammo can power supply complete. Youtube content

[TacomaAustin]

The advantage of using an old military ammo can is that it's essentially a dry box. This particular set up uses an ammo can for 20mm rockets - which means you chose a big one. With regards to the build, if 99 people were to make a portable battery pack from scratch, the result would be 99 configurations.

I lucked out and bought a lightly used ArkPak 715 for a 1/4 what the sell for new. I bought it to power my 40L fridge over night. So, I will say this, my 75 AH deep cycle AGM is about as small I'd like to go.

When powering a fridge overnight at the campsite, a 100 AH battery is an excellent choice, even if the battery alone weighs approximately 60 to 70 lbs of weight. If you are able to replenish the charge during the day, then the battery will only see a shallow discharge after 12 to 15 hours of use.

 

[Cult Hero]

yup, the parts we use are all pretty much the same, just how we configure them is different. I had a couple of these ammo cans lying around so this was perfect and like you said, it is a dry box and super durable.

 

[dvas]

I just came back from camping. The ARB 47l fridge was connected to 100Ah 8 years old AGP battery. The fridge was set to -2C. Outside temp was even above 35C. The fridge was mostly in shade but not always. The battery lasted exactly 72 hours but: during the first night i connected it via extended cable that i made but the wire was not wide enough so the fridge got to 7C.
So this old 100Ah can for sure hold full two days.
I hope this helps.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Bear in NM]

I have the ARB 62q fridge, and have been able to run successfully with a 135 watt panel, and two 35ah batteries in parallel, for a total of 75ah. On my last trip to Colorado, I had pretty poor sun, being camped in tall trees. So yes, you can get by with a smaller battery bank. But, there are so many variables that can affect this, no way to say that yes, it will work. By the 2nd day of 4 on this Colorado trip, I pretty much realized that I did not need to worry about moving my panel, and chasing sun during the day.

I am a newbie at this, so for what it's worth. I think my arb factory cover is very important. I also constructed a cover that goes over the fridge and factory cover from the silver reflective rolled material. I keep my fridge in the shade, usually under my tailgate. A simple amp meter on the solar side so you can actually see what the panel is producing, will let you see how important panel positioning can be. Obviously calculating your consumption is critical, but knowing what you can harvest is just as important.

Craig

 

[Cult Hero]

hooked my fridge up to the battery last night and let it run. In 12 hours according to my watt / amp meter I had used 8ah. That is pretty sweet.

 

[JPShooter]

hooked my fridge up to the battery last night and let it run. In 12 hours according to my watt / amp meter I had used 8ah. That is pretty sweet.

That would mean that you burned 96 watts in that period. Which means you probably ran for about 2 hours (I'm guessing). I'm basing that on what I see my 64QT ARB using in terms of watts (my ArkPak reads in watts only) when the fridge is running.

Of course ambient temp, what's in the fridge, how cold it's set to, did it get opened during that period or not, will all effect the power consumption of the unit.

But yes, they seem to be rather economical considering what they are capable of. I love mine so far!

Having a dry compartment and not having to worry about ice is a real benefit, but of course you could buy a ton of ice for what we put into the fridge, the battery and the battery support /charging equipment!

 

[Cult Hero]

The advantage for me cost wise has been the savings in food. We did a week long trip to Baja with a cooler and threw away prob $200 in food when we got home as it was NASTY. The fridge just keeps food better

But yea they aren't cheap.

 

[Bear in NM]

Cult,

Yes the Arb's are pretty easy on the power, but short of running an actual trip, you will probably see much more draw during the 12 hour daylight period. For obvious reasons.

Yes, really digging mine. As I do a lot of short trips, it is really nice to be able to shop earlier in the week. No more having to get food and ice, right before I leave. As a matter of fact, with the basket I never even have to bring in the cooler, or haul multi trips back and forth. Pull out the basket, load it up from the fridge, haul it outside. When back, reverse and repeat. I just have to remember that I can do the same thing in camp, when I need to move the fridge. Pull out the basket and move separately......duh.......

Craig

 

[Cult Hero]

I have updated my website to include the parts I used for the build.

solar powered ammo can parts build/