National Luna's Power Pack DC25 - thoughts (1 Viewer)

[TheIcemanCometh]

I have been researching different options for a second battery for run a frig and smaller electronics. I looked at rolling my own via Victron components but after installing a drawer system in my LC200 there is not really enough working room along the side. And no room for a battery.

I started looking at portable systems, especially after driving a friend's van with a Goal Zero (though mounted). The GZ system does not quite hit a warm spot for me. As I have been looking at a National Luna frig and the distributor showroom is 10 minutes from my home I learned about their Power Pack DC25. At first it seemed a bit more than what I wanted but as I looked more I think it hits the right balance for my needs. I plan to have the frig and battery in place of the second row.

I see many places selling them but very few posts about them here and on other forums. I am curious if others have looked at them and their thoughts.

The optional monitor is pretty simple with dated graphics. The ignition sense seems required. The AC charging option plug is an NL5 (home grown plug) so a bit funky.

Anyone else research this system?

 

[peesalot]

They look good but no batt, which batt are you thinking ? My Goal Zero worked once then the batt was garbage, not a fan either.
That site shows another unit with cables that is a bit less intricate and does not support lithium but I imagine its cheaper. I like the fact the one you linked is wired to accept charge from solar, ac, or alt, thats nice. 100w of solar and you will be happy. How big is your fridge ? Depending on batt size and other acc plugged in will determine how long you can go standalone without sun or engine running to recharge.

 

[e9999]

that thing looks a bit odd to me. More a DIY than a sleek commercial product look to it.

Anyway, it's always the same question: do you buy a complete unit with everything built-in like this or do you put together your own? I think that generally, you end up with something better, more tailored to your needs, and at a better cost if you build your own, but the convenience and much more streamlined packaging is also a big plus for buying a complete unit, of course.

Realistically, spacewise, for a fridge all you need is a shoebox size container to put in a solar charge controller or a DC-DC charger, maybe a small inverter, and a couple of switches and fuses. A battery on the side, some wires and you're set. Or get a bigger container, and put it all -including the battery- in there. Not that obvious to me that you'd save a lot of room with the unit above, especially if you go for a smaller volume battery. The newer 100Ah LiFeP ones are surprisingly small. And keeping the electronics and the battery separate can also be easier to work with if space is tight.



added: I sorta knew National Luna stuff was not cheap, but I just saw that that box above is usually around $1300. Not including the battery... Yikes! With something like $300 worth of electronic components I can put something nice together for a fridge, and have fun doing it too... And then spend the extra $1K on tools I'll never use !

 

[peesalot]

OMG, thats way to much for that with no batt. I agree with e9999, get a batt, a solar charger and a Moroso cut off switch. Wire batts together with a cut off switch so you can protect your eng batt against a no start. You can spend the coin on a unit that will do that automatically for you but IMO the manual version is way, way cheaper and servicable/reliable. One thing I can not find in the Luna specs is if the Alt charge has a one way dealio, otherwise it's alot of money and zero benefits over buidling your own set up.

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

Thanks for the thoughts they are helpful. The price of the unit was one issue but recently found out there is a mud member who is selling one for $500.

My plan is to run a battery with alt/solar charging. It's main purpose will be for running the frig with the occasional charging of phones and smaller lights. I have not decided on a frig/freezer yet but looking at a 50 liter. So my needs are modest overall.

Another friend redid his trailer with Victron components. He is a real gadget head so I am sure he would be keen to help me build a system.

An update: after looking at other options, I decided that this system is long in the tooth compared most all others.