Troubleshooting ArkPak 715 Draining Vehicle Start Battery

Question:

I have a Ark 715 and am expeiencing dischargedtow vehicle start battery. Have I connected it incorrectly. The instructions supplied are good. If I isolate with isolation switch does that turn off my powered accessories or just the towing vehicle start battery. I connect via the cigaret socket with the supplied charger. I am powering a very small between the seats frig and at night a small array of led lighting for about three hours. I run the frig all night then drive most of the day. When not driving I connect via the anderson socket on the Ark. Should I physically remove the charger from the lighter socket?

asked by: Rob

Expert Reply:

Thanks for reaching out, Rob!

Have you been using your ArkPak 715 Portable Power Station w/ 150 Watt Inverter # AP715US like this for a while? Usually when something starts acting weird it's because something in the equation has changed.

If your ArkPak is consistently plugged into the cigarette socket then that would be a contributing factor as to why your battery is being drained, and it would be beneficial to disconnect this when your vehicle isn't running. Basically if your vehicle isn't running then the alternator won't be charging the battery while the ArkPak and fridge are pulling power from it.

To avoid having to physically unplug the 12V plug every time your vehicle is turned off you can either tie in a disconnect switch like part # 277-000096, or what I recommend doing is installing a solenoid like part # PK5231201 and running a 12V outlet like the kit # RM-9332 on it so power is automatically cut to this outlet whenever your vehicle is shut off.