3rd / Portable Battery
Submitted: Friday, May 25, 2007 at 06:00
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pt_nomad
I am considering using a 3rd battery that is portable – a battery pack. My intended use is on those free standing light poles, running a shower pump and running the fridge if it is out of the vehicle. The primary use would be the first two and it would be used in the interim as a 2nd battery during an impending vehicle change over. I plan to house the battery pack in the vehicle and have it charge from the vehicle all the time.
I have read some bad press
forum archives about the Waeco RAPS and others, the comments seem to mostly be related batteries being lost in a short period of time – I wonder if this is due to lack of charge maintenance.
I know the RAPS units are a tad expensive, but I am chasing something that has been
well productised, rather then a wet cell thrown into a placky battery box, held together with a strap and a plug or two for good measure (I could build this myself). Suggestions on Waeco RAPS alternatives most welcome.
Does any one have good experience with such items? If so please elaborate on usage / charging methods/ regimes.
Thanks
Paul.
Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 06:34
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 06:34
Hi Pal,
I don't know if this is the sort of info you're after, but we use a Projecta battery pack for the
camp lighting and shower pump etc. Here is a link to the web page for the one we use
I haven't run the fridge off it, as we haven't had the need to but for lighting and the shower pump it's pretty good. It is able to recharge off the cars ciggy lighter, but I haven't had to as we usually find a power point somewhere along the way to charge it. Running a light every night for 3-4 hours will get about 4 nights out of the battery.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Brian
AnswerID:
242210
Reply By: guzzi - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 07:34
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 07:34
pt,
have a look here www.sidewinder.com.au/ for some good ideas.
Yes a version of the battery in a plastic box but a
well thought out one, and you will probably get a greater capacity depending on your battery choice than the waeco for similar dollars.
I think Derek also advertises on here as
well.
Pete
AnswerID:
242213
Reply By: Robin Miller - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 08:42
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 08:42
Hi Paul
The prime factor in your post is that you require no heavy currents.
As such the low cost GEL cells are probably your best choice E.G.
Jaycar SB 2490 and similar. At 18ah and about $40 they are very versatile.
Each would run your lights etc at night but only run fridge for 3-4 hours.
Often see 2 or more held together with double sided tape. And 2 of them
equal the capacity of Waeco unit.
Charging - The issue these batteries have is that you can't charge them to fast
(more than about 4-5 amps) and they like about 14-15 charging volts
They can be permanently mounted at rear of car connected via cable of only 1mm
sq copper wire (2mm if two batteries), which protects them.
However this straight connection to car voltage doesn't keep them at 100% charge
and you ideally need small step up voltage charger.
Many though don't worry about fact they are not held at max charge.
I and friends use these, generally not connected to car , and to charge use cheap
laptop stepup supply, current limited, works
well - more details if interested.
Robin Miller
AnswerID:
242231
Reply By: Wizard1 - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 14:57
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 14:57
Get a battery box fitted with extenal plugs, terminals and LCD battery charge indicator for $50 and get a deep cycle battery. More punch for your $ and versatile. You can get the everything at Battery World, Repco or Supercheap.
Most of those 12V power packs have small motorcycle type batteries and don't have as much capacity as a deep cycle.
AnswerID:
242324
Follow Up By: Big Mike - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 19:46
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 19:46
Dumb question but how do you charge. Do you have to run a set of leads from your original bettery? Can you overcharge?
FollowupID:
503337
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 17:32
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 17:32
Hi Pt
Our new 'FLYER' packs are here and you can fit a 130 a/h battery into it. The Projecta type ones are good for low power use. (Lights,, pump and radio).
When there is a fridge in use you need big amps. You can make your own pack with a marine box or have a look at our 'FLYER'.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
242354
Reply By: CraigB - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 20:07
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 20:07
G'day, I have been running a Waeco battery for nearly 4 years now under the similar conditions as you are contemplating. I must admit I have had no trouble at all. Probably the only niggle is that the battery doesn't appear to 100% charge when using the cig lighter socket. But hey it's more than enough to do what you are looking for and it has been know to run my Waeco 50ltr for nearly 3 days non stop without charging. Plus when it comes time to pumping up air beds, kids footy balls etc. it's a lot easier than having to plug into the car.
AnswerID:
242386
Follow Up By: Member - Kingsley N (SA) - Friday, May 25, 2007 at 22:03
Friday, May 25, 2007 at 22:03
I have been running a WAECO Outback 24AH RAPS as an auxilliary third battery for over three years in a variety of situations. Initially in a Pathfinder it was our Fridge battery, using the 6mm WAECO wiring and switch. It worked aexactly as advertised and would run the CF50 on a 1-2 light (low) setting for about two days with care. In the Patrol I have dual batteries but I carry the RAPS in a drawer for emergency use and occasional use around the campfire. It recharges OK using the rear 12v outlet (standard cable - not 6mm). Once I loaned it to a mate who was travelling with us and had battery problems overnight. He was running an Engel as a freezer and flattened his auxilliary due to a two night
camp. The RAPS came back to me almost completely flat according to the
test lights, but it charged up after five hours of driving.
I have just purchased a WAECO 6mm wire set with the two sockets and switch to mount in the rear of the Patrol. I believe that this will give the RAPS a better charge on the run. The 12 Volt
Shop at
Strathalbyn tested the RAPS under load and it is still in excellent condition.They said it should last for years because I use the Projecta Charge and Maintain" charger when not touring. I also take this neat little charger with me in case we are near 240V for a top up. Altogether the RAPS gets a good amount of use and I am very pleased with it. The current model Outback RAPS is a 30AH version and it retails for less than what I paid three years ago.
Kingo
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503372