VE6AB Technical
DC Powerpack
Some of the capabilities of my powerpack are....
Power outlet receptacle
Binding post power outlet
30 amp powerpoles power outlet
12 Volt DC to 110V AC Power Inverter
Powerpole quick-disconnect for jump-start cables,
LED Power meter with charging jack for Genius smart charger
Master shut-off switch for powering down the powerpack
For some time I had this battery box with a fully sealed, multi-cell, rechargeable 80 amp-hr AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery sitting around in my shack.
At one time or another, I have designed and built variations of something similar, and I have seen portable 12 volt powerpacks put together by other hams..
Having said that, I always felt that the various powerpacks that I have put together, were lacking something,
For one thing, the last 12 volt powerpack that I built, was lacking in reserve power, as the battery that I had used, limiting the amount of time it could be used before the battery needed recharging, and I also realized that all of the previous portable powerpacks of this sort that I have seen in the past, were lacking another feature that I wanted to include in my next portable powerpack, that being the capability to be able to use the powerpack for jump starting a vehicle, or temporarily used as added capacity to my primary battery in my mobile.
A prime example of this, is a situation where you are using your HT conjunction with your mobile, that is being used in cross band repeat mode for extended lengths of time.
This may be due to being forced to operate out of a building that has reinforced concrete and steel construction. If your mobile does not have the added battery reserves required for extended operating time, you may end up with a dead battery in yoyr mobile, or be forced to take measures to charge the battery in the vehicle at the most inopportune time.
With my powerpack, and the jump-cable capability, you may temporarily attach it to the primary battery in your mobile for extended periods of time, allowing for usage of your HT, or even many HT's used by multiple users for extended operating time.
Still, I did not want the cables for jump starting permanently attached to the powerpack, as the cables would be a pain when the power pack was being used in the shack or in the field as a power source.
This powerpack allows DC powered devices to be run anywhere, from wilderness to urban environments, and will operate a wide variety of equipment - meaning that spare batteries and chargers don’t need to be carried individually. The 80 Ampere-hour battery capacity will keep equipment running for hours or even days, and when you find that the starting battery in your mobile is dead, this powerpack can be utilized to get your mobile started.
4 gage cables with a 350 amp-hr powerpole quick-disconnect for jump-start cables, and future capabilities requiring high amperage
Of course it goes without saying, that all outlets are fuse protected, other than the 4 gage cables.
Another cool feature, is the fact that If you are operating field day from your mobile, or maybe working DX from the camp-ground, or what have you, you can utilize this powerpack by running the jump-start cables into the engine-bay, and by temporarily attaching the powerpack to your primary battery with the jump-start cables, allowing for a increase in capacity of the battery in your mobile.
My powerpack is designed to be charged through various methods, that includes my Genius battery charger, or from my mobile, and also from my solar panel allowing me to be off grid indefinitely.
You can buy similar powerpacks from various sources, but all you really need is a in-expensive battery box, a battery, and bits and pieces from your electronics junk box, a couple of hours to assembly it, and you too can own a powerpack go box like this one.
Emergency Preparedness Bug Out Kit
http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/HamRadio/10282516_SCgV88#!i=2317977200&k=wWDqP3W
