BALANCE OF POWER

Camping technology has evolved radically over the years, but nothing has revolutionised the outdoor life quite like the portable fridge/freezer. The ability to keep food cold for an indefinite period has not only changed our camping experience, but has also given us the option of travelling further, for longer. However, with the introduction of the portable fridge/freezer came the need for additional battery power. This need opened the door to another form of important camping technology: dual-battery systems. Generally speaking, dual-battery systems come in two forms: on-board units, (typically mounted within a vehicle’s engine bay), and those packaged in a portable-power pack. The problem lies in deciding which solution is best. To be clear, there’s no right or wrong answer, as both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. The trick is to figure out which auxiliary battery system best suits your needs. While the table on the next page may seem to favour the portable-power pack, you need only run out of boot space to realise the true value of an onboard dual-battery system.

SPACE VERSUS MOBILITY

That said, the two most significant features of these two systems are space and mobility. What you need is to decide which aspect of these systems is more important to you. There are various dual-battery systems available on the market, but in National Luna’s case, we’ve opted for the tried-and-trusted durability of an intelligent solenoid system. In fact, 18 years ago, we were one of the first companies to develop such a setup. This unit is designed to be a compact, fully-automated split-isolator system that piggy-backs off your vehicle’s main battery. In other words, the dual-battery isolator runs parallel to your vehicle’s OE wiring and features zero interference. What’s more, the isolator is designed as a low-loss, high-current system that places particular emphasis on simplicity, rate of recharge, and long-term reliability. Some of the competing, more electronic-savvy dual-battery systems (such as an intelligent DC to DC charger), are often three times the price. Even more important is that while these so-called intelligent chargers are great at prolonging battery life (due to their trickle-charge feature), in reality they often recharge your battery at a much slower rate, in some cases requiring up to 48 hours to replenish a deep-cycle battery. In comparison, a high-current solenoid system (when paired with the right battery type), can restore full battery power within six hours or less. In terms of price, you can expect to pay approximately R2 945 for a National Luna Portable Power Pack, while the National Luna On-Board System typically retails for R1 999 (excluding the battery itself). Both of these products can be found at all major outdoor and 4x4 stores.