battery charging question

[alanw]

I'm sure there's something available or you could rig up yourself. It seems almost pointless to spend a lot of money on something when you have a perfectly good 12v battery/charging system as part of your car.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by alanw

I'm sure there's something available or you could rig up yourself. It seems almost pointless to spend a lot of money on something when you have a perfectly good 12v battery/charging system as part of your car.

Id have to disagree. Pointless...not really, my batteries take hours to charge. They usually charge overnight, i dont think running my truck all night long until the next morning is very practical or smart. I also cant run my truck while im out fishing...so pointless?

Not to mention that you could charge any usb device such as your phone, tablet, laptop, gopros, radios....etc... Oh yeah it has an inverter, so you can plug any small home appliance/battery charger to it as well... Still pointless...?

As far as rigging something up yourself...now thats possible. Its not gonna be as pretty, but for the money that youll spend...if you spend a little more you can have the real thing...

[alanw]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Id have to disagree. Pointless...not really, my batteries take hours to charge. They usually charge overnight, i dont think running my truck all night long until the next morning is very practical or smart. I also cant run my truck while im out fishing...so pointless?

Not to mention that you could charge any usb device such as your phone, tablet, laptop, gopros, radios....etc... Oh yeah it has an inverter, so you can plug any small home appliance/battery charger to it as well... Still pointless...?

As far as rigging something up yourself...now thats possible. Its not gonna be as pretty, but for the money that youll spend...if you spend a little more you can have the real thing...

I'm sure that unit is useful (although incredibly overpriced) if you don't have a car with you, but my point is that if you are with your vehicle you can accomplish what that device does for much less.


JuiceBox: 30AH batteries, built in wall charger
Your Car: 40+AH battery, built in charger FREE (run car a few mins when needed)

JuiceBox: 450 watt inverter, USB ports
Amazon: 500 watt inverter with USB ports $33

JuiceBox: Voltmeter
Amazon: Voltmeter $2.61

Even if you don't want to use your car battery you could buy a spare battery(s) and charger to use, and still be hundreds less than the JuiceBox costs. You could even throw it in a surplus ammo can for an extra $15.

[walrus]

When you say keep it simple it depends on what your wants and needs are on a longer trip.

This is what I do on Baja trips and longer trips to the river, I keep it simple.
I run a go-pro and a small fish finder for 10 days, and them turn off water and sleep periods. That's simple enough for a small automotive battery (225CCA) to handle. This will cost about $32-$36. Just fully charge it before each trip and your all set. (weight 36 lbs)

If your idea of simple includes laptops, cellphones, tablets, and large powerful sonar systems, it does gets more complicated and expensive.
I have no experience to help you there.

[tsugg]

Just make sure someone on the trip is driving a 05 or later toyota tacoma and bring your home charger.The taco has a great 115 volt outlet is the bed! I'v charged everything with it in baja and the desert. Even ran a small microwave with it.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by alanw

I'm sure that unit is useful (although incredibly overpriced) if you don't have a car with you, but my point is that if you are with your vehicle you can accomplish what that device does for much less.


JuiceBox: 30AH batteries, built in wall charger
Your Car: 40+AH battery, built in charger FREE (run car a few mins when needed)

JuiceBox: 450 watt inverter, USB ports
Amazon: 500 watt inverter with USB ports $33

JuiceBox: Voltmeter
Amazon: Voltmeter $2.61

Even if you don't want to use your car battery you could buy a spare battery(s) and charger to use, and still be hundreds less than the JuiceBox costs. You could even throw it in a surplus ammo can for an extra $15.

You know what.. your absolutely right....Don't waste your money.