Bushranger Powertank

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Bushranger Powertank

Just what to buy the caravanning enthusiast at Christmas time could be solved thanks to specialist accessory supplier Bushranger Auto Gear and the Multi-Function Power Tank. This fully sealed, maintenance free battery pack which has traditionally provided 12 volt power for emergency jump starting and running small accessories around a camp site has now "come of age" with an impressive range of add-on options. So if you have solar and your battery in your tow vehicle goes flat it is impossible to get stranded as the Powertank will start your vehicle. Remember the deep cycle battery in your camper should NOT be used to start your vehicle as the cranking amperage is too low and there is a real risk of buckling the plates. So here are all the configurations - costs are at the end of this article. With the fluoro you could of course use a Versalight or similar.

Option One is a very bright and highly versatile, swivel head fluorescent lamp that mounts on top of the Power Tank. It can become an integral part of the unit or can be used with the three-metre extension lead supplied. It can also be mounted by the vertical or horizontal hook or magnetic clamps provided. For those not in the know, fluorescent lamps are even more efficient than the Halogen globes fitted to your A'van reading lights.

Option Two is a 20cm diameter oscillating fan.

Option Three is a powerful halogen globe mini-spot light.

Option Four is a rotating amber lens warning lamp for emergency situations. All mount on top of the Power Tank.

Option Five will appreciated by the growing band of us running computers, the Uninterrupted Power Supply Unit (UPS). Used in conjunction with the Multi-Function Power Tank, the UPS senses power loss, switches over within milliseconds and can maintain 240V AC power at a 50 Watt output for approximately five hours.

Option Six is for those whose power needs are simply for 240-Volt AC availability from a 12 Volt DC supply then , a Power Inverter is the answer. Available in outputs of 150 Watts, 300 Watts and 600 Watts, these plug onto the side of the Power Tank with each unit capable of handling double their rated continuous outputs in peak capacity. We assume that these are ordinary square wave units as no mention is made of the type. As a general guide, the 150W inverter is suitable to power portable radios, laptop computers, cordless drills and mobile phone rechargers while the medium sized 300W unit will power TVs and VCRs and small power tools. The largest unit at 600W provides sufficient 240V AC power for many power tools and appliances. Therese and Ian bought the 600 watt unit and advise that it is a modified square wave type.

Option Seven is ideal for those requiring an abundance of DC power at various voltage levels. Eliminating costly dry cell batteries, this 8-Step Voltage Selector provides DC current in selectable outputs of 1.2V, 2V, 3V, 4.5V, 6V, 7.5V, 9V and 12V outputs, all at the touch of a button, with the choice of polarity. It's a shame they didn't go to the next step to provide 19 volts for laptop computers. Anyone got the vaguest idea why laptops need 19 volts when everything works on 5 volts? Enlighten us please!

Option Eight is actually standard with all Power Tanks and enables electrical work to be completed on a vehicle while the main battery is disconnected without destroying the memory of equipment such as radios and hi-fi systems. A special adaptor plug feeds power into the vehicle to maintain these ancillary operations.

The Bushranger Multi-Function Power Tank recharges from any 240V supply or through a 12V cigarette lighter accessory socket in a vehicle when driving. Overcharging protection is built in so you cannot damage the unit. The completely maintenance-free lead acid battery in the Power Tank can be re-charged over 700 times and is capable of providing a 900 Amp boost peak rate and280 amps cold cranking from the jumper cables and a fuse protected, 25 Amp output from the four power outlets, one of which is a standard cigarette lighter socket. The Multi-Function Power Tank Unit sells for around $265 and the accessory items start at $55 each - see list below. They are available across Australia and New Zealand from most auto accessory stores, 4WD stores, camping stores and Battery World outlets. They carry a "No-Fuss" warranty for a full 12 months against any material or manufacturing defect or malfunction.

Special thanks to Ian and Therese Goodwin for putting us on to this wonderful product - we believe Therese found it in Santa's sack last Christmas! What a thoughtful Santa!

There is lots of info on Australian websites for this product. Try this one for starters:-

http://www.autoweb.com.au/start_105/showall_/id_MSC/doc_msc0012141/article.html (this site is a bit iffy and doesn't always come in) So in case you are all fired up and can't get on there is another review on:- http://travel.ninemsn.com.au/getaway/traveltips/2000/27/traveltips9.asp.

To buy online/enquire go to email@kingsleyenterprises.com.au. Kingsley Enterprises, the agents, oddly enough don't appear to have a website. They are very fast responding to emails and gave us the following accessory prices - good pricing - the fluoro runs for 20 hours.

Oscillating Fan: $59.40

Mini Spotlight: $59.40

Fluoro light: $79.20

150 watt inverter (12 v to 240 v AC modified square wave): $148.50

300 watt inverter (12 v to 240 v AC modified square wave): $199.10

600 watt inverter (12 v to 240 v AC modified square wave): $365.20