Portable Power Pack - A campers friend!

Terry · 06-13-2011, 05:00 PM

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?

edatlanta · 06-13-2011, 07:34 PM

I wouldn't leave home without mine.

Rustic Eagle · 06-13-2011, 08:59 PM

Don't have one myself, but I can see the merits of having one.

Bob

ldlogue · 06-14-2011, 06:50 AM

We had one at werk but I don't have one myself. Be a great addition though I just never though of it.

Denise · 06-14-2011, 10:27 AM

Sounds like a great addition. May sound like an odd question, but do you know how much it weighs?

Terry · 06-14-2011, 10:35 AM

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).

fairlane62 · 07-30-2011, 08:42 AM

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

mlinder1958 · 07-31-2011, 02:05 PM

I use mine to power my Flojet macerator pump.

Mark

NACSKINS · 08-01-2011, 07:19 PM

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.

nylyon · 08-02-2011, 06:24 AM

I have a Diehard version and absolutely love it. It comes on every trip and is used almost every trip.

Terry · 08-02-2011, 08:40 AM

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.

NACSKINS · 08-02-2011, 08:12 PM

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.

Terry · 08-02-2011, 08:22 PM

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!

NACSKINS · 08-02-2011, 08:28 PM

Not 100% sure, but i will keep that in mind. I did totally drain my battery maybe that was to much.

Terry · 08-02-2011, 08:31 PM

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)

NACSKINS · 08-03-2011, 08:16 PM

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.

Terry · 08-03-2011, 09:07 PM

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.

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