The ArkPak now comes with both the 12V car charger/adapter and mounting bracket. The ArkPak is a battery box that turns a standard 12V deep-cycle battery into a portable power pack. Using the built-in 150 watt inverter, USB charging port, and 12V accessory ports, the ArkPak can be used to power a camp site, recharge your electronics during a power outage, or even power a LCD television at your next tailgating party. When used with a high capacity deep-cycle battery, the ArkPak can provide 120V and 12V power anytime, anywhere, for days (depending on what you're powering of course). The ArkPak can be recharged from a standard 120V power outlet or (with the included 12V car charger) a standard 12V vehicle accessory port. The ArkPak can also be recharged with solar panels. The ArkPak includes a 50amp Anderson plug for recharging as well. About the battery: The ArkPak does not come with a proprietary battery pack. You are free to use almost any standard 12V lead-acid battery group 31 or smaller in your ArkPak. Gel, AGM, Calcium, or "wet" lead-acid batteries are all compatible. To maximize the life of your battery, Ark recommends that you use a zero maintenance deep-cycle marine or RV battery with the ArkPak. About solar charging: The ArkPak can be recharged with a solar panel (or a series of solar panels), but they must be used in conjunction with a charging controller. Depending upon the size of your battery and your solar panel(s), you may be able to completely recharge your ArkPak daily, making the ArkPak an environmentally-friendly portable power source that's ideal for hunting trips or longer camping trips. Finally, using the 12V car charger (included), the ArkPak can serve as the second battery in a portable dual battery system, providing additional power for vehicles with electric winches or other powerful electronics.
D**N
I just didn't feel like taking the time to do it and didn't think ...
I was originally planning on building a homemade version of one of these for camping. I just didn't feel like taking the time to do it and didn't think my homemade one would be very compact so I Googled up some premade options. The ArkPak seemed like the the clear choice.I compared it to a Goal Zero Yeti 400 Solar Generator and a Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar Generator. $459.99 and $1,399.99 and 33 AH and 100 AH respectively.What won me over was I could put in any group 31 or smaller 12 volt battery in the ArkPak and replace it as necessary. The Goal Zeros had non-replaceable batteries. I ended up purchasing a 120 AH group 31 AGM deep cell battery for $230 for the ArkPak. That made my total cost to buy at $630 so more then the Yeti 400 and less than the Yeti 1250.I've used it camping two times now. I am able to run a 12 volt Fantastic fan for 72 hours straight mostly on low but occasionally on medium and high, recharge a 15" Macbook Pro and two iPhones several times while only dropping the output voltage from 12.7 to 12.3 volts. The ArkPak has more then enough power ports for me. Two 12 volt DC, one USB, and one 110 volt receptacle. Several times I had something plugged into all of the ports. It also has the two posts you can connect to directly.Pros:1. Simple to use2. Number of ports3. Charge/Discharge electric display4. My order came with the 12 volt DC charger thrown in for free (I haven't had a chance to use this yet)5. Flexibility of the types of batteries you can use6. Simple to replace batteries7. Clean design8. Mounting brackets are availableCons:1. Expensive for something you can make yourself much cheaper if you just have time and a smidgen of skill2. 150 Watt inverter seems pretty light but will work for my purposes3. Plastic seems kind thin4. When you turn on the display it always prompts if you have a different battery5. Can't charge directly off solar, you have to purchase a solar charge controller to make sure you don't overcharge the batteryEven though I think the price is pretty steep I think it's worth it for the battery flexibility and having to deal with building your own. I've been very happy with it's performance so far.
C**M
Great product if just using for a weekend camping trip
Great product if just using for a weekend camping trip. Pricey, and could being made in my garage much cheaper but I was lazy. Be forewarned it takes a significant amount of time to charge through the 12-volt while driving. Really not meant for extended use while boondocking.
C**I
using it for sole power source on 21 foot sailboat ...
using it for sole power source on 21 foot sailboat (for day sailing) and it works really well. I charge it with an ECO-WORTHY 80watts Photovoltaic portable solar panel
M**.
Excellent and practical
I did not expect this product like this quality the product first class and that what i needs and fast shipping and excellent Packaging.Product is extremely useful and I used as a dual battery system in my Ford Raptor. thank you
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
2 months ago
