Anyone use a Satellite Phone when in the boonies?

[Finlayforprez]

David:

Can you post some pictures of how that fits in the back of your LR4? Maybe even over in my Fridge Thread? We are looking at getting the same model for our long commutes to cut down on throwing away soo much food.

Thanks!

Sorry for the delay. I am still working on a tie down/sliding design for the fridge, as well as a better mount for the ArkPak. Below is a photo of both in the cargo area. They take up a lot of room, but I'm working on some options. You can see it a little, but I have a huge pelican case behind the ArkPak and there is still room behind the fridge.

 

[danrhiggins]

They take up a lot of room, but I'm working on some options.

Now I see why you need a different vehicle to take the family on vacation!

 

[epiclr4]

Sorry for the delay. I am still working on a tie down/sliding design for the fridge, as well as a better mount for the ArkPak. Below is a photo of both in the cargo area. They take up a lot of room, but I'm working on some options. You can see it a little, but I have a huge pelican case behind the ArkPak and there is still room behind the fridge.

Thanks David for posting. Ill ask another off topic question. Why did you decide on the Ark Pack vs say the GoalZero equivalent? What made you want the Ark Pack over competitors? Price seems to be relatively the same.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Thanks David for posting. Ill ask another off topic question. Why did you decide on the Ark Pack vs say the GoalZero equivalent? What made you want the Ark Pack over competitors? Price seems to be relatively the same.

To be honest, I really did not do a lot of research except that I know two guys who have the ArkPak and they have had great luck. They did a lot of research and decided on the ArkPak, so I went with it.

 

[Finlayforprez]

Now I see why you need a different vehicle to take the family on vacation!

With everyone (and the dogs) we need the Tahoe. Thank goodness we don't go on vacation. ;-)

 

[epiclr4]

To be honest, I really did not do a lot of research except that I know two guys who have the ArkPak and they have had great luck. They did a lot of research and decided on the ArkPak, so I went with it.

So I have now started to seriously consider the ArkPak over other equivalents. It is slightly more costly than some of the other systems that are more complete but I think it gives ability for the future if the battery dies. Assuming the battery dies before the electronics.

I am mostly considering this the best method as the more I dig in the 2014 engine compartment the less room I see for a sound 2nd battery location.

David: How do you plan on charging the ArkPak in the vehicle?

Maybe we should start a new thread?

 

[Finlayforprez]

So I have now started to seriously consider the ArkPak over other equivalents. It is slightly more costly than some of the other systems that are more complete but I think it gives ability for the future if the battery dies. Assuming the battery dies before the electronics.

I am mostly considering this the best method as the more I dig in the 2014 engine compartment the less room I see for a sound 2nd battery location.

David: How do you plan on charging the ArkPak in the vehicle?

Maybe we should start a new thread?

Hello,

So far I really like the versatility of the ArkPak. It's a bit bigger/heavier than some other options, but has the ability for a really long charge and lots of ports. I have a home charger, 12V car charger, and also going to eventually get a solar panel charger. I actually haven't had to recharge the pack in a few months, but I tried plugging into the car 12V port in the back cargo area and it seems to charge just fine. I think for quicker charging, you can use the home charger - it fully charges overnight.

Sure, feel free to start a new thread - I can offer my experience. Thanks!

Regards, David

 

[umbertob]

I have a second battery with a Traxide controller in the LR4, so I don't worry much anymore about having enough juice to power all my stuff in the car, but for long trips in the boonies I still take a JNC660 Jump-N-Carry with me, you never know. So far, I have lent it to plenty of local club members when their own batteries died . It does have a 12v socket for auxiliary DC power, but its main job is to jump start a dead vehicle. The JNC660 will revive the most stiff of dead batteries. On our last outing in Death Valley it repeatedly started a 1969 Series with a bad alternator and a battery so flat as a result, that even turning on the taillights for a split second with the engine running was sufficient to **** the car instantly.

If you are simply looking for a lifeline to start your vehicle with a completely spent battery that even a jump from another car will not resuscitate, I highly recommend the JNC660. It doesn't do half of what an ArkPak portable power unit can do of course, but it costs only $150 or so, and takes very little room in the car. You charge it at home and it is good for several jump starts before you need to recharge it again.

 

[Finlayforprez]

I have a second battery with a Traxide controller in the LR4, so I don't worry much anymore about having enough juice to power all my stuff in the car, but for long trips in the boonies I still take a JNC660 Jump-N-Carry with me, you never know. So far, I have lent it to plenty of local club members when their own batteries died . It does have a 12v socket for auxiliary power, but its main job is to jump start a dead vehicle. The JNC660 will revive the most stiff of dead batteries. On our last outing in Death Valley it repeatedly started a 1969 Series with a bad alternator and a battery so flat as a result, that even turning on the taillights for a split second with the engine running was sufficient to **** the car instantly.

If you are simply looking for a lifeline to start your vehicle with a completely spent battery that even a jump from another car will not resuscitate, I highly recommend the JNC660. It doesn't do half of what an ArkPak portable power unit can do of course, but it costs only $150 or so, and takes very little room in the car. You charge it at home and it is good for several jump starts before you need to recharge it again.

Thanks, Umberto! I actually was looking for something like that, as the ArkPak can be used to start a dead battery, but it all depends on the type of battery used. I would prefer a unit that is small and only for those purposes. Thanks!

-David

 

[epiclr4]

I have a second battery with a Traxide controller in the LR4, so I don't worry much anymore about having enough juice to power all my stuff in the car, but for long trips in the boonies I still take a JNC660 Jump-N-Carry with me, you never know. So far, I have lent it to plenty of local club members when their own batteries died . It does have a 12v socket for auxiliary DC power, but its main job is to jump start a dead vehicle. The JNC660 will revive the most stiff of dead batteries. On our last outing in Death Valley it repeatedly started a 1969 Series with a bad alternator and a battery so flat as a result, that even turning on the taillights for a split second with the engine running was sufficient to **** the car instantly.

If you are simply looking for a lifeline to start your vehicle with a completely spent battery that even a jump from another car will not resuscitate, I highly recommend the JNC660. It doesn't do half of what an ArkPak portable power unit can do of course, but it costs only $150 or so, and takes very little room in the car. You charge it at home and it is good for several jump starts before you need to recharge it again.

I definitely think this is a great accessory to add to the emergency kit but I am really looking for a 2nd battery replacement. If I had to choose today I think I would go with the ArkPak but would wire in an Anderson Plug to the back of the vehicle.

Granted I am still researching everything, I know David paves the way for quite a few of us so I wanted to plant some ideas and see what he would come up with!