ArkPak 715

[woytovich]

Leaning strongly towards an ArkPak 715 instead of building my own. I sourced some Powerwerx stuff to get started and I'm already $100 in... add fusebox, switches, DC-DC charger and I think it is not worth it from a $ point of view not even considering what my time might be worth.

THOUGHTS?

Anyone using an ArkPak that can comment?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[CarolinaFJ]

Maybe you could do something like a Minnkota power center, rigrunner and pwrgate. Would be $250ish. Minnkota has 12v plugs w/ circuit breakers and a battery meter. The versility and ease of the powerpole connections is also a nice option for DC applications.

 

[woytovich]

Looks like that would be a path to a "better" ArkPak... but by the time I add a box, meter, an Andersen connector and a few switches/wires/fuses etc I'll be back up to $300 +/-... not to mention my time.

BUT I DO like all of these components... that rigrunner is cool.

Now I have to continue THINKING!? (Thanks)

 

[titanpat57]

I guess my question would be what group size battery do you want to use to start off with? I think you could put together something simplified (and it's that age old problem of tech vs. simplicity) I think the Arkpak has some really, really cool features, but also seems like a lot that could go wrong. It's got the buzzers and bells, but it seems pretty pricey for want you want to use it for.

Personally I would get a good box, size it big enough to roll up a set of charging cables , throw in a couple of 12v/USB outlets, find a slick meter on amazon and call it a day.

Amazon.com : Newport Vessels Trolling Motor Smart Battery Box Power Center black : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center : Electric Trolling Motors : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Unified Marine 50090682 Deluxe Power Station Battery Box, : Powersports Batteries : Sports & Outdoors

 

[CarolinaFJ]

I agree as long as you can charge it at home. Gets a little more involved if you want to charge it off your starter battery. Solar chargers also aren't that expensive but the cost of the panels would have to be factored in.

 

[woytovich]

I was going down the simplified DIY path but when you add in a DC-DC smart charger and all the little bits and pieces things add up fast.

Amazon.com: NOCO Genius GEN1 10 Amp 1-Bank Waterproof Smart On-Board Battery Charger: NOCO: Automotive

 

[woytovich]

Part of me really wants to build this but park of me wants to just be done so I can have it to use.

 

[CarolinaFJ]

If you have access to an outlet, like the noco, and that is your means of charging, then you can get a cheaper Battery Tender charger and a battery box power center and you should pretty much be good to go. There aren't really any other bits required.

 

[woytovich]

I would want 120v and 12v charging options.
UNFORTUNATELY I just found out that the USB port on the ArkPak is part of the inverter and as such the inverter needs to be turned on in order to power the USB port. In standby mode - nothing on the inverter or USB there is a 3-9w draw on the battery.

I'm going to look elsewhere... and may just end up building my own anyway.

 

[CarolinaFJ]

Yeah, 12v charging adds $100 or so to the equation. Some good options out there, just nothing cheap.

 

[bonestock]

Bump! Looking for an option for a group 31 battery.