Portable power pack ?

[markpageant]

I've an electric free boat and thinking of going away for aweek on her. I may want to charge the VHF radio, iPhone and torch. Can anyone recommend one of those powerpacks you see advertised from time to time for re starting flat car batteries ? The ones I've seen you charge up at home and they have a cigarette lighter socket. Some also have a torch which I guess would be handy.

 

[sarabande]

What sort of engine do you have ? Is there a boat battery ?

For the small amounts of charge for those items, would a solar panel be worth it ?

 

[markpageant]

Engine

The engine is one of those gaff rig types.

 

[MASH]

The power pack is only a battery, but your mains chargers aren't going to work off 14v dc. A cigar socket charger is what you need.

 

[sarabande]

ah, I see, the single cylinder, compressed air Shrimper.

In which case a small but good fully charged battery, plus a 15w panel should see you through the week.

I had not realised the booster batteries had become so sophisticated, with torches and adapters, till I started looking at capacity.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Decker-Battery-Booster-Starter/dp/tech-data/B000VWQXJO/ref=de_a_smtd

(I can see how to get 12v from 3 6v batteries, but ....)

I am now quite converted to the idea of a portable power source for the week's travel you propose.

 

[jon_bailey]

Ring 210 battery pack

I've an electric free boat and thinking of going away for aweek on her. I may want to charge the VHF radio, iPhone and torch. Can anyone recommend one of those powerpacks you see advertised from time to time for re starting flat car batteries ? The ones I've seen you charge up at home and they have a cigarette lighter socket. Some also have a torch which I guess would be handy.

I have just purchased one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automo...BW46/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297462613&sr=1-1 from e-bay for £30.00 and very happy with purchase. You will not need to carry the removable leads but because it is 40 Ah capacity, it is still a good few kgs. It has a 230v inverter 12V socket and a light but I would suggest you buy a 12V LED or wind-up LED lantern.

To charge VHF radio and iphone just be aware that inverters are notoriously inefficient so calculate number of charges carefully.

 

[davidej]

Does any one know the capacity of the batteries in these cheap boosters. I assume is is quite small (5-10Ah?) but the retailers seem very coy about revealing this.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

They are usually in the 20 to 40Ah range, but if it isn't shown on the product than walk away.
Other than the fact that they are convenient to carry and have a few arguably useful gizmos the boosters are no better than an ordinary battery of the same capacity.

If the OP only wants to charge a phone and a VHF then, for that very modest reguirement, he will be able to get a simple solar panel arrangement from Maplin. It will be cheaper and it avoids lugging a hefty weight around which he then has to stow securely.

 

[BlueChip]

I've an electric free boat and thinking of going away for aweek on her. I may want to charge the VHF radio, iPhone and torch. Can anyone recommend one of those powerpacks you see advertised from time to time for re starting flat car batteries ? The ones I've seen you charge up at home and they have a cigarette lighter socket. Some also have a torch which I guess would be handy.

I got one of those chinese made yellow ones, with lamp, air compressor, jump leads and cigar lighter socket.
Its a load of rubbish, I've had it 6 months and already its knackered. It doesnt hold a charge, I have no idea what the battery capacity is but even when new was useless for jump starting.
In your shoes I would just buy a portable battery box with carry handle and a new 12v battery to go with it. Fit a fused 12V socket, take it home to charge it up or get a solar panel.

 

[jakeroyd]

i've got one of those cheap chinese jobs like the poster above. Mine seems ok. But put it this way it would not start a big diesel.
They are about 15ah but are designed for high current short time , not low current long time.
Just as a guide mine can run my laptop for about 3 hours,

 

[pikeyrm]

Power pack is ok if you are only going to use it for smaller items, just see it as a 20amp/h battery, spend a bit more and get a battery and panel to charge it.

 

[markpageant]

Power pack solution

Thanks all. Joiner is knocking up a box to fit a 12vmotor bike battery which is half the weight and size of a car battery( and capacity ) Will fit a cigarette lighter socket in the box. This gives me exactly what in need, good quality and contributes a little less additional junk to the world. Thanks all for you advice.
Mark