Off-grid trips rarely run out of power at the start. It happens a few days in, when the fridge, lights and phones have drained the only battery on board and the choice is idling the truck or packing up early. ARK's ArkPak range fixes that with a portable battery box: you drop in a 12V battery and the pack handles charging, protection and outputs. It suits weekend campers, overlanders and trailer owners who want a second battery they can charge while driving, carry to camp, or leave on charge in the garage. Below is what each pack does per our product listings, which parts go with which pack, and how to choose.
How the ArkPak range is organized
There are three packs, and two of them are also sold as bundles:
- ArkPak 715 (AP715US): the entry pack.
- ArkPak 730 (AP730US): same case as the 715, faster AC charging, a bigger inverter and LiFePO4 support. Also sold as the 730 30W Solar Bundle (30SABCU).
- ArkPak DC20 (APDC20US): the larger system with a 1000W pure sine inverter. Also sold as the DC20 AC Bundle.
Accessories split the same way: some suit the 715 and 730, others are DC20-only, so check fitment before you order.
ArkPak 715
The ArkPak 715 Portable Power Pack takes a 12V battery of your choice (battery not included) and turns it into a battery charger, a portable power station, a battery management system and a dual-battery system in one box. Its 7-stage smart charger charges at 4 amps on AC and 7 amps on DC, and you can recharge it four ways: 110V mains, vehicle DC, the Anderson socket or solar.
A 150W inverter and 110V socket handle small AC loads, while two 10A 12V accessory ports, a 5V USB port and a 50A Anderson plug cover fridges, lights and phones. It also has an isolator switch, an LCD time tracker and a carry handle.
The listing names gel, AGM and lead acid batteries up to 130 Ah (approx. Group 31). Lithium is not mentioned. The pack weighs 10.2 lb, and the internal space is 7.08" W x 13" L x 9.37" H, so measure your battery first. A 12V DC-DC charger and the ArkPak mounting bracket are in the box.
Who it fits: campers with an AGM, gel or lead acid battery who mainly run 12V gear and a little AC.
ArkPak 730
The ArkPak 730 Portable Power Pack uses the same 10.2 lb case (9.45" W x 17.32" L x 12.87" H outside). What changes:
- Battery choice: the listing adds LiFePO4 and calcium to gel, AGM and lead acid, up to 130 Ah.
- Charging: 7A on both AC and DC through a 7-stage smart charger, with DC-DC charging from the vehicle.
- Inverter: 300 watts, for several devices or one high-power device.
Outputs are a 5V 2.1A USB socket, two 12V accessory sockets and a 50A Anderson socket, plus a low-voltage cut-out and manual isolator switch. The box matches the 715's.
Who it fits: LiFePO4 owners, and anyone who charges on shore power often enough that the faster AC rate helps.
ArkPak DC20 Portable Power System
The ArkPak DC20 is built around the 12V battery type of your choice: LiFePO4, AGM, lead acid, gel or calcium. A 20A DC-DC charger with a built-in MPPT solar regulator keeps the battery topped up from the vehicle or a solar panel, and the smart charging system protects the battery.
A 1000W pure sine inverter runs 110V AC household appliances, alongside two 10A cigarette sockets, three USB-A, one USB-C, one USB-A QC and one USB-C QC port and a 50A Anderson-style connector. The listing gives no weight, dimensions or maximum battery size, so ask us to confirm your battery fits.
To charge at home or on shore power, the ArkPak DC20 AC Bundle adds a 20A AC charger.
Who it fits: campers who want household AC, built-in MPPT solar, or a permanent install in a canopy or camper.
Charging and solar
Mains and vehicle charging
The ArkPak AC & DC 7 Amp Smart Battery Charger (ACDC7) is a standalone charger for the auxiliary battery in your camper, truck or trailer. It runs from 110V household power or the vehicle's 12V socket, charges at 7 A on AC and 5 A on DC, and suits 12V AGM, calcium, gel and lead-acid batteries from 60 Ah to 200 Ah (up to group 4D). It weighs 1 lb.
DC20 owners can add the APDC20 AC Charge Cable to charge the pack from household AC between trips.
Folding amorphous panels (12V)
Both include a 4.5A solar charge controller and a 9.8 ft cord with alligator clips, charge an ArkPak or any standard 12V lead-acid battery, and keep working in partial shade.
- ArkPak 30W Amorphous Foldable Solar Panel: 30W (max 2A, 15V), 3.3 lb, opens to 31.5" x 35.4". Lay it on the ArkPak or hang it from poles.
- ArkPak 60W Foldable Amorphous Solar Panel: max 4.2 A at 15 V, 5.5 lb, opens to 31.5 x 60 in. ARK says one panel with an ArkPak can sustain most essential needs for days, depending on usage.
Freedom USB panels
These small USB-output panels start charging automatically when unfolded. The Freedom 14W Folding Solar Panel gives a 2 A USB output and folds to 160 x 160 mm; the Freedom 7W USB Solar Panel gives 1 A and folds to 160 x 230 mm. Their listings name the ArkPak APPB112US and APPBUS as compatible, not the 715, 730 or DC20, so treat them as a top-up for phones and small devices.
The 730 solar bundle
The ArkPak 730 30W Solar Bundle puts the ArkPak 730, the 30W amorphous panel, a 12V DC-to-DC car charger, the mounting bracket and a USB LED light in one box: charge while you drive, top up from the panel at camp.
Mounting and add-ons
- ArkPak Mounting Bracket (APB20BUS): attaches to the screw holes in the ArkPak's base and quick-releases so you can lift the pack out. It comes in the box with the 715 and 730.
- ArkPak DC20 Mounting Bracket Kit (APDC20MB): secures the DC20 by its handles with aluminum brackets, straps and stainless cam buckles; no drilling into the pack.
- ArkPak DC20 Remote Lid Mount Kit (APDC20RM): turns the DC20 into a fixed power system for a canopy or camper, with an aluminum base, thru-panel battery terminals and a 50 A Anderson-style connector.
- Replacement DC-DC Charger (APDCL2): order it if your pack has stopped charging from the vehicle. It suits the AP730 and AP715 only.
- ArkPak One-Touch USB LED Light (APLED): a bendable-neck light that runs from any USB port. It gives 12 lumens at 180 mA, and ARK rates it at 1000 hours from an ArkPak fitted with a 130 Ah deep cycle battery.
- XO Tech Power Distribution Hub 12V 50A (XOTPDH504): replaces a control box, rocker switches and fuse box in a camper or canopy fit-out, with Bluetooth app control, four 10 A relays and a 50 A Anderson-style input (inline fuse required). It is listed for LiFePO4 and AGM batteries. The listing doesn't mention the ArkPak, so plan it as part of a hard-wired auxiliary battery setup.
Which ArkPak should you buy?
- AGM, gel or lead acid battery, mostly 12V loads: the ArkPak 715.
- LiFePO4 battery, faster AC charging or a 300W inverter: the ArkPak 730.
- The 730 plus solar and a light, in one order: the 730 30W Solar Bundle.
- 110V household appliances, MPPT solar or a permanent install: the ArkPak DC20, or the DC20 AC Bundle if you'll charge on shore power.
- A battery already installed that just needs charging: the AC & DC 7 Amp charger instead of a pack.
ArkPak comparison
| Pack | Part no. | Inverter | Built-in charging | Batteries listed | Max battery | Weight | Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArkPak 715 | AP715US | 150W, 110V socket | 7-stage, 4A AC / 7A DC | Gel, AGM, lead acid | 130 Ah (approx. Group 31) | 10.2 lb | — |
| ArkPak 730 | AP730US | 300W | 7-stage, 7A AC and DC | LiFePO4, gel, calcium, AGM, lead acid | 130 Ah | 10.2 lb | 30W Solar Bundle (30SABCU) |
| ArkPak DC20 | APDC20US | 1000W pure sine, 110V AC | 20A DC-DC with built-in MPPT solar regulator | LiFePO4, AGM, lead acid, gel, calcium | — | — | AC Bundle with 20A AC charger |