make-shift dual battery system using lion battery booster pack?

[VagabondExpedition]

I'm contemplating a dual battery system in my Jeep.. but for a plug n play system, I'm looking at about $1200 for new batteries and the kit.

Considering my dual battery system is really for only charging cameras/phones and night lighting around camp, I got to thinking about those portable booster packs - not to mention, they can work as a car booster for drained batteries and also provide portable power - and transfer to a different vehicle easily.

A Canadian big box retailer, just listed a portable (28lbs) booster pack for $190 - with a 33Ah AGM battery, and 700w inverter.

I don't need the inverter - just ability to run 12V out and boost a drained battery on the Jeep (or other vehicle) if needed.

Now, what about those 'mini' booster packs? I have a 2800mAh booster pack I often carry for my cell phone and see on Amazon some battery packs with booster cables for the car and a 20Ah Lion battery. With that in mind, I could run 2 or 3 of my LED camp lights all night and still have power in the morning.
At a price of $150 or so per unit, I could get two or even three of these to charge devices and power area lights at night and be saving a lot of money on a fixed in place dual battery system. Plug in to to a 12V accessory outlet with the vehicle is running and charge the pack back up for the next night.

Anyone here tried this for a make-shift dual battery system and have good results? Anyone hack these packs to run the batteries in parallel for even more mAh?

Thoughts and comments would be helpful!

 

[RubiconGeoff]

You shouldn't have to spend a lot of money for a typical dual battery kit. I shoved a Group 31 AGM battery under my JK's rear seat, wired up a solenoid to allow me to control when to recharge it, and it works great for exactly the uses you describe.

 

[spikemd]

Look at Goal Zero Yeti 150 for small electronics or Yeti 400 for heavier loads and portable fridges. Good plug N play systems much cheaper than $1200 and you can add solar at a later date. Portable, easy to charge, very useful and they have awesome lights that connect for camping.

 

[BigSwede]

I run a single large battery, and carry a LiFePO4 jump starter as backup. Much simpler than a dual battery system, and I haven't had to even use the jump starter yet.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ke-a-cheap-isolated-dual-battery-setup-for-50

I plan on something similar for my trailer battery. When I don't need/want trailer I have my jump pack, which I always carry.

 

[Clintnz]

I was looking at those little Li-ion battery packs too, thinking maybe one of them at 20Ah would be enough for my needs, light & compact.... could add another couple if I want to run a fridge in the future... then I realised that their Ah capacities are at 5V not 12 :squint:

I just bought one of the 6 in one booster packs, I don't expect the compressor to be good for much but the price was less than buying an 18Ah AGM battery & a 400W inverter separately. Off to try it out this weekend

Cheers
Clint