|
06-13-2011, 05:00 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
|
Portable Power Pack - A campers friend!
This is one of those items that I can not live without. I purchased this particular pack just over 4 years ago. These packs have features such as -
- Jump Start a Car (actually works well, even with a totally dead battery)
- Air Compressor
- Flashlight
- 400 Watt power inverter
- 12 volt plug
I keep it charged and ready to go at all times and use it at home when there are power outages. I have used the compressor and jump start numerous times both for myself and assisting other.
But -- I take it with me camping every time because it can do so much more --
- I can attach the jumper cables to my TT battery and use it as emergency power if my TT battery goes dead
- I can attach the jumper cables to my TT battery and extend my inverter run time on the rare occasion I might boondock and want TV (power flows both ways)
- I can attach the jumper cables to a battery and trickle charge it (if I plug the AC adapter in)
- I even used it last week at scout camp when it was in the 90s to power a small 12 volt fan. It ran 6 hours a night for 3 nights and I still had power to keep my cell phone charged.
- Great for charging cell phones when on the go
I can even use the double male ended cig adapter to charge it in my car when I am driving around. After 4 years the battery still worked ok, but did not have enough power to jump a car. $40 later I ordered and installed a new 20 Ah gel and am back in business.
I am sure there are a ton more uses for it, but I find it one of my most useful gadgets I carry along. Do you use one, and if so - have you found other good uses?
|
|
|
06-13-2011, 07:34 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Maplesville - Home Base
Posts: 3,059
|
I wouldn't leave home without mine.
__________________
Ed
KM4STL
2006 GMC 2500HD CCSB 4x4 Duramax/Allison, Titan 52 gallon fuel tank, Prodigy Controller, B&W Companion Hitch
2010 Jayco Designer 35RLTS, Cummins/Onan RV QG 5500 EVAP, Progressive Industries EMS-PT50X, TST Systems 507 TPMS, RV Flex Armor Roof
|
|
|
06-13-2011, 08:59 PM
|
#3
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
|
Don't have one myself, but I can see the merits of having one.
Bob
__________________
2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
|
|
|
06-14-2011, 06:50 AM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bainbridge in Southwest Ga.
Posts: 61
|
We had one at werk but I don't have one myself. Be a great addition though I just never though of it.
__________________
Dewayne & Judy
2006 Chev 2500 D/A, LBZ, CC, 4x4, SRW, SB
2008 Cedar Creek 30RKTS W/3 slide
PullRite 18k Superglide
Bainbridge, Ga. Extreme Southwest Georgia
Retired: Dewayne 04-22-2010, Judy 01-2011
Mudflaps Camping Club Website https://mudflaps.freeforums.org
A local camping club for S Al, S Ga, N Fl campers
|
|
|
06-14-2011, 10:27 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
|
Sounds like a great addition. May sound like an odd question, but do you know how much it weighs?
__________________
Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
|
|
|
06-14-2011, 10:35 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
|
Mine is around 25 lbs. They tend to vary I would guess from 15 to 30 lbs, but honestly this is one product where you might want a little heavy (ie - bigger battery).
|
|
|
07-30-2011, 08:42 AM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 3
|
Jump Box
I have just the basic "jump box" with light and 12 volt outlet.
One day surfing Northern tool , found a brief case size Solar charger that one could use to charge up small items ( cell phone , Ipods etc) it also had two LED trouble lights.
I used the two ( jump box and solar charger ) to keep the following working when boon docking
cell phone / Ipod
recharge batterys ( radio , flashlights , camera, scanner etc)
and with an inverter plugged into the jump box I can run / and charge up an laptop that I use to down load pictures , internet , and doubles as a TV
The LED lights are great to hung up for out side lighting.
Added a Solar panel to trailer to keep battery charged.
Been out for a week and have been able to use all the toys that use batterys
1982 J 1750
03 f150
Boyd
|
|
|
07-31-2011, 02:05 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 13
|
I use mine to power my Flojet macerator pump.
Mark
|
|
|
08-01-2011, 07:19 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Schertz TEXAS
Posts: 154
|
Warning!
Do not get the 5-in-1 Portable Power Pack from Harbor Freight( http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-...ack-96157.html )
I purchased this one this past weekend. Charged it up and ran my truck battery down. Per the Ford technician i spoke with i need 500 Amps to start my truck. This one lists 600 amps. After several tries and letting it sit for aver 10 min it tried but would not start my truck. Hooked up my wifes little car battery and less than 3 min later started right up! Not worth the money IMHO.
__________________
2011 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 264BH
2008 XLT SCab 5.4L, FF, 4X4, 3.55 LS, Gotts Mod w/Drop in K&N, Holley Hooker Aerochamber Muffler, Edge Evolution, Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller,33.5" Nitto Terra Grapplers.
|
|
|
08-02-2011, 06:24 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southeast, NY
Posts: 1,113
|
I have a Diehard version and absolutely love it. It comes on every trip and is used almost every trip.
__________________
Karl - Southeast, NY
2020 377 RLBH
2018 Ram 3500 Mega Limited 6.7L Cummins w/ Aisin
|
|
|
08-02-2011, 08:40 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
|
What size battery does it have? I have an 18 Ah and it has had no problem starting my truck. Any smaller and I dont think it would get it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NACSKINS
Do not get the 5-in-1 Portable Power Pack from Harbor Freight( http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-...ack-96157.html )
I purchased this one this past weekend. Charged it up and ran my truck battery down. Per the Ford technician i spoke with i need 500 Amps to start my truck. This one lists 600 amps. After several tries and letting it sit for aver 10 min it tried but would not start my truck. Hooked up my wifes little car battery and less than 3 min later started right up! Not worth the money IMHO.
|
|
|
|
08-02-2011, 08:12 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Schertz TEXAS
Posts: 154
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tafische
What size battery does it have? I have an 18 Ah and it has had no problem starting my truck. Any smaller and I dont think it would get it.
|
The truck? sorry for the dumb question, these are new to me. Power packs that is.
__________________
2011 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 264BH
2008 XLT SCab 5.4L, FF, 4X4, 3.55 LS, Gotts Mod w/Drop in K&N, Holley Hooker Aerochamber Muffler, Edge Evolution, Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller,33.5" Nitto Terra Grapplers.
|
|
|
08-02-2011, 08:22 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
|
Sorry - I was not clear - I meant the power pack - what size battery? From what I have seen, the better ones look like they have an 18-20 Ah battery in them. I have seen some of those small little Black and Decker (an other) kits with little batteries and I don't understand how they do much.
I don't think they are supposed to start a totally dead or bad battery, but rather help boost a partially functioning battery that just needs a little help. It also works great on dead riding lawn mowers!
|
|
|
08-02-2011, 08:28 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Schertz TEXAS
Posts: 154
|
Not 100% sure, but i will keep that in mind. I did totally drain my battery maybe that was to much.
__________________
2011 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 264BH
2008 XLT SCab 5.4L, FF, 4X4, 3.55 LS, Gotts Mod w/Drop in K&N, Holley Hooker Aerochamber Muffler, Edge Evolution, Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller,33.5" Nitto Terra Grapplers.
|
|
|
08-02-2011, 08:31 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
|
Quite possible. I would use caution draining your truck battery like that. While your RV deep cycle/marine battery can tolerate it to some extent - it is really hard on a car battery to drain it down and will shorten its life.
I think an 18 Ah battery weights about 15 lbs -- so if your charge pack weighs 18-20 lbs, you probably have at least that size of a battery (yes, I know that is not too scientific)
|
|
|
08-03-2011, 08:16 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Schertz TEXAS
Posts: 154
|
Thanks for the advice
i took it back so im not sure what it had....
I ended up getting http://www.batterychargers.com/Produ...tName=94026989
i will test it out and see how it goes.
I like the fact that this one has a inflator/deflator along with the compressor. This one also has a built in maintainer so no worries of overcharging as the Harbor freight does not. Also has a USB charger.
has 22 AH battery.
__________________
2011 Jayco Jay Flight Swift 264BH
2008 XLT SCab 5.4L, FF, 4X4, 3.55 LS, Gotts Mod w/Drop in K&N, Holley Hooker Aerochamber Muffler, Edge Evolution, Tekonsha P-3 Trailer Brake Controller,33.5" Nitto Terra Grapplers.
|
|
|
08-03-2011, 09:07 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
|
That one looks pretty nice, I think you will be happy with it! My big thing is I want one with a replaceable battery....I hate throwing stuff like that away....the whole "do not open - shock risk" stickers are over rated :0
As far as Harbor - I like them when I need a cheap nitch tool...but anything I use on a regular basis, I am willing to pay a little extra for good quality.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|