bonscott
Michigan
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Joined: 05/02/2006
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Anybody use one of these things?
5-in-1 Power Station
I'm not quite ready to step up to a full generator as we plan to do some dry camping but for only a weekend. What I'm looking for is something that can run a fan at night when it's hot and nothing else really. These things look pretty cool in that not only can it do that but it can be used to jump start a car, pump up your tires and run 12v stuff as well.
Thoughts?
Scott
TV: 2004 Kia Sorento
Popup: 2004 Flagstaff (by Forest River) 227
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Tvov
CT
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Joined: 07/19/2003
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Just remember that they do have to be recharged. They are real nice to have...I have seen a few times where someone who had a similar thing was able to help fellow campers jump start their engines.
Sometimes running just a fan can run down a battery surprisingly fast (especially running all night). Just remember to check the "charge condition" of the battery regularly, and you should be fine. Friends with a pop-up run fans using a 12-volt battery and have no problems, usually just for long weekends. They just make sure to recharge the battery when they get home.
_________________________________________________________
2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
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pdvandusen
Snow Hill, NC USA
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While this may do a fair job for what it was intended, you wouldn't be happy with it. It wouldn't take much more to get one of those yellow generators. You may have to paint it red to keep the noise down (from those that love the color red).
Doug & Mary Ann Van Dusen and Phoebe (the dog)
2008 Chevy 1500 Silverado 5.3L LTZ 3.73, HD Trailer Pkg.
2008 JayFeather LGT 31E
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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The main thing to remember on these jump packs is the battery size/capacity. On this one there is only an 18 amp battery.
Just a 100 watt application will drain the battery is a short time.
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beemerphile1
NE Ohio
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It depends on what you are wanting to do with it. It is simply a small 12 volt AGM battery inside a plastic case with some other features also added. It certainly will NOT replace a generator.
Don't you already have a 12 volt battery in your trailer? Maybe it is enough or you can add a second battery for half the price of the power station.
Tim
"Okay, I admit it, the only thing I'm really good at is being me."
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david_42
Oregon
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I have something similar, about the same size battery. It has its uses, but it isn't a replacement for a real generator. It won't start even a small RV and is marginal for a car. It could run a small (6") fan over-night, but that's about it.
I've used mine as an emergency light & to jump my motor cycle. It has a 400 watt inverter, but that is good for about 25-30 minutes at max.
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trxcr
elko nv
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Joined: 11/17/2007
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I use mine for a lot of things, but not what you intend. It will run my little trolling motor for 25 min. Their great for working on trailer lights W/O the TV hooked up, charging cels,games etc...
Lord, grant me the senility to not recognize the people I don't like, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Most of those have amp-hour capacits in the 25 range, Not a lot of power there
Not a lot at all..I have owned a few of them over the years
They are, however, very handy so long as you remember they don't last long
I use them for E-power for this laptop. And jump starting cars.. Oh, yes, and for programming my TPMS receiver (Way easier than climbing in and out of the MH)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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bonscott
Michigan
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beemerphile1 wrote:It depends on what you are wanting to do with it. It is simply a small 12 volt AGM battery inside a plastic case with some other features also added. It certainly will NOT replace a generator.
Don't you already have a 12 volt battery in your trailer? Maybe it is enough or you can add a second battery for half the price of the power station.
Yep, battery on the PUP but it won't run a fan that plugs into 110v. This thing has 110v plugs and thus could sit inside and run a regular fan for air movement.
In research I've found some other kinds that are 600watt and 28amp battery inside so they would last longer.
I want to get a generator at some point but a generator doesn't help running a fan at night, which again needs a 110v plug.
All I'm looking for is simply something to run a fan at night that would last 2 nights. Later on when I get a Honda 1000i for longer trips I can recharge both my PUP and something like this during the day and then can use it at night again for a fan without the generator (which can't be run at night in most campgrounds).
Am I crazy with this idea?
By the way, I have seen some 12v fans for sale but they are all the 12v type plug that goes into the car, not the phono type jack that I have in my PUP lights. I've never seen an adapter for this, doesn't mean it doesn't exist though.
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symbasden
WI
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Joined: 07/29/2003
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If it were me I would buy another battery for your camper and a couple of the 12v lights. Cut off the 12V plug. Pop the cover off of your light and remove the screws that attach it to the ceiling. Should be two wires running into the light. Splice into those wires with the fan wires and you have your 12v fans..
You could probably do the above without adding the battery as well..
Jeff
2009 Rockwood Signature Ultra Light 8317SS
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DW Kelly and DD
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