For residing off the grid, overlanding, household tenting, RVing, and the depraved hip “van life” craze, moveable energy is a necessity. From having the ability to cost your cellphone, to lighting up your campsite at night time, or mixing margaritas, like it or hate it, moveable energy is not relegated to glamping. It’s now a full-spectrum residing within the open air accent.
That mentioned, bringing energy to the outside will be an funding. And similar to each different consumable good on the market right now, there are completely different product ranges to select from. You may simply spend slightly or rather a lot relying on what you anticipate that product to do. Conserving that in thoughts, high quality and dependability must be your important focus. And, ease of use and flexibility must be up there in your decision-making course of as properly.
Dakota Lithium was cool sufficient to ship me a Powerbox+ 60 in addition to its 180W Folding Photo voltaic Panel. With the addition of a photo voltaic cost controller, there was little question in my thoughts that I had some of the progressive, well-thought-out, and dependable moveable energy options on the planet. The one factor I used to be left to seek out out was if it was well worth the $1,600 funding.
In brief: Dakota Lithium’s Powerbox+ 60 is a field-maintainable, upgradable, moveable energy answer that’s optimized for photo voltaic. Its merchandise, in addition to its superior lithium battery know-how, bridge the hole between a number of the mainstream moveable energy options we’ve come to know and luxuriate in within the outside world, and the true-grit residing of somebody who’s determined to go fully off-the-grid full-time.
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Dimensions
11.6” x 12.1” x 12.8” -
Weight
27 lbs. -
Battery capability
720Wh -
Energy output
300W (Peak surge: 600W) -
Engine beginning energy
1,000 CCA -
Battery life
2,000 cycles at 80% capability -
Charging ports
110V AC (x2) / USB-A (x5) / USB-C (x1) -
Charging time
AC adapter 6 hrs. / 180W photo voltaic panel (elective) 7 hrs. -
Waterproof
Sure, IP67 (submersible) -
Worth
$900
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The battery, normally -
Powerbox will be maintained within the area -
Upgradeable -
11-year guarantee on all merchandise and elements -
Construct high quality
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Photo voltaic cost controller not included
Dakota Lithium Powerbox+ 60 Powerstation Evaluation
Seattle-based Dakota Lithium is a deep-cycle battery manufacturing firm. It noticed a possibility to take its developments in deep-cycle lithium battery growth and adapt them to the outside world.
Boasting batteries with an 11-year guarantee, Dakota guarantees to ship twice the ability of a conventional battery at half the load. Its batteries will cost as much as 5 occasions sooner and final 4 occasions longer. Dakota additionally ensures them to be protected and dependable.
Dakota developed the Powerbox Sequence for people who can’t get sufficient of life within the open air. Out there in a 10Ah, 60Ah, and 135Ah package, every 12V Powerbox is IP67-rated and incorporates quite a lot of plug sorts — from 12V to USB to AC. That lets you recharge or run quite a lot of electronics .
However, what’s distinctive about these Powerboxes is Dakota’s inclusion of exterior battery terminals. You may leap a useless automotive battery or run a trolling motor. Moreover, these bins help each wall cost and photo voltaic cost, making them adaptable to any surroundings.
Photo voltaic Cost Controller
I received’t declare to be an skilled in solar energy. However in the entire photo voltaic purposes I’ve ever labored with, there’s been a cost controller concerned within the setup.
The cost controller retains batteries from overcharging. In the event you join a photo voltaic panel on to a battery, there’s nothing regulating the voltage and present. This lack of communication between the 2 units is what can result in overcharging. That may smash a battery altogether, or, at minimal, shorten its lifespan.
Dakota does supply its personal photo voltaic cost controller. However I wished one thing that was constructed to be used and abuse within the parts. After performing some analysis, I picked up a conveyable, waterproof, and sturdy cost controller from Amazon.
Geek speak: I ended up swapping out the SAE connectors on the controller I purchased for MC4 connectors. This eliminates the necessity to use additional adaptors to get every little thing linked, which may affect efficiency. In comparison with the SAE connectors, the MC4 connectors are safer, and so they have the additional advantage of being waterproof.
Dakota Powerbox+ 60: First Impressions
At slightly over 12 inches in size, width, and top, the Powerbox+ 60 is smaller than I anticipated. I confirmed that it weighs 27 kilos. This isn’t one thing you’re going to throw in your backpack, however you may not thoughts mountain climbing quick distances with it. It has a handy carry deal with.
Opening the field, you get slightly little bit of a homegrown really feel. However it’s not like somebody constructed it of their storage. A specialised bracket holds the DC-to-AC inverter in place. A branded anti-static electronics tray proves that is the actual deal.
The battery fills a lot of the field. It nestles into the field on its entrance so the battery terminals can protrude for simple entry. The lid incorporates the inverter, a cable pouch, and an empty spot the place I retailer the jumper cables.
That panel is very large. Folded, you could possibly strap it in your pack or go away it tucked behind your automobile. Unfolded, the panel is over 6 toes tall. This makes it nice for laying throughout the roof of your automobile, hanging off an awning, or draping over the aspect of your tent.
General, each the powerstation field and the folding panels are high-quality and properly thought out — proper all the way down to the amp gauge and further USB retailers on the entrance of the field, in addition to the huge storage pouch on the panel. I exploit that pocket to retailer the photo voltaic cost controller in addition to the ring terminal adapter. This retains every little thing collectively of their respective locations.
Watt-Hours
The world of moveable energy options goes off of watt-hours. A watt-hour (Wh) is what number of hours you should use the battery primarily based on the watts getting used. Within the case of the Powerbox+ 60, its battery is rated for 720 Wh. This implies should you use one thing that pulls 1 watt of energy, the battery will final for 720 hours.
Most smartphones sometimes require 5W to cost. If it takes 1 hour to cost that telephone, you’ll have the ability to cost that telephone 144 occasions. However the Powerbox+ 60 isn’t only for smartphones. You would run one thing just like the Dometic CFX3 45 moveable electrical cooler for 3 to five days.
In comparison with the Competitors
With manufacturers like Aim Zero and Jackery closely established within the outside product world, and considerably extra reasonably priced, Dakota has work to do. Each Aim Zero and Jackery do a terrific job of wrapping batteries in a casing with built-in controls and retailers.
The place I can admire that — and have appreciated that on quite a few campsites and outings — Dakota takes a extra field-maintainable method. You may simply exchange the entire main elements — battery, inverter, charger — if one thing goes sideways. That’s going to be slightly tougher with the opposite manufacturers. In reality, from the entire fashions I’ve seen from Aim Zero and Jackery, solely the battery appears replaceable.
On the opposite aspect are the myriad DIY options for overlanding rigs, vans, and RVs. These methods use the identical bits and items that go into the Powerbox+ 60 in a homegrown vogue.
I believe Dakota has discovered a pleasant middle-ground answer. The Powerbox 60+ is simply as simple to make use of as every other energy station, however it’s simpler to keep up.
In my thoughts, the additional advantage of it being maintainable and even upgradable with out having to purchase a complete new unit is well worth the $1,500 funding. Moreover, the elements included are high quality elements. The battery alone, which may additionally slot in your automobile as your major battery, is a standout by way of battery innovation.
I will even add that although Aim Zero, Jackery, and quite a few different manufacturers do supply equipment designed that can assist you leap a useless battery — they’re add-ons that that you must purchase individually.
I believe together with this selection within the Powerbox+ 60 provides Dakota an edge. It additionally provides them extra publicity. One thing about uncovered battery terminals isn’t simply aimed on the outside crowd. It appeals to folks from all walks of life.
Powerbox+ 60: Out within the Area
Once I first opened every little thing up and browse the included documentation, I charged the Powerbox+ 60 with the included 10A battery charger. It took about an hour to get it totally charged, because the battery was solely half full.
The 12V 60Ah Twin Goal 1,000 CCA battery is a subtype of lithium batteries referred to as LiFePO4 batteries. They’re the general alternative for purposes like this as a result of they’re protected, sturdy, have a protracted lifespan, and are environment friendly. This effectivity helps lower down on the cost time whether or not you utilize a battery charger or a photo voltaic panel.
I’m one of many many individuals nonetheless utilizing a cooler once I resolve to flee society and stay off-grid. Powering a moveable fridge was by no means a priority of mine. I typically camp with my daughters and canine, so my important necessities are powering electronics, inflating air mattresses, and conserving issues cool and comfy through the summer time.
It’s additionally good to know that, on the off-chance the battery dies in my 4Runner, we received’t be stranded. As I mentioned beforehand, if push got here to shove — I may exchange the battery within the truck with the battery within the Powerbox+ 60. That 12V 60Ah Twin Goal 1,000 CCA Battery equates to a measurement 24 battery, which is what a 4Runner takes.
Energy at Dwelling
The place I’ll actually push the boundaries of the Powerbox+ 60 is again dwelling and at our cabin. At dwelling, we lose energy a few times a month. That’s the trade-off whenever you resolve to stay exterior of the town limits in the course of the woods.
When that does occur, I merely plug within the fridge, the pellet range, and quite a few electronics together with our modem and router. On this state of affairs, the Powerbox+ 60 is a “good to have”. Nevertheless, on the cabin, it’s a necessity.
Up in Vermont, particularly this time of yr, it could possibly get all the way down to -20 levels Fahrenheit at night time. With temps that chilly, a wooden range is simply going to maintain an uninsulated off-grid cabin so heat for thus lengthy. The Powerbox+ 60 permits us to make use of a conveyable heater, preserve the lights on, preserve our electronics charged, and preserve our heads on straight. It eliminates the sensation of being stranded, even in case you are for a couple of days.
I’m not going to try to flip this right into a psychological well being PSA, however a significant a part of getting by robust and inconvenient occasions is staying constructive. You may solely play playing cards for thus lengthy in your lengthy johns earlier than you begin to get slightly cagey. Having the distraction of contemporary facilities goes a great distance.
I’ll add that I’m trying ahead to working some string lights from the cabin out to the outhouse. Operating them off of a timer will preserve them up and illuminated all through the night time however save on watt-hours if certainly one of us forgets to unplug them very first thing within the morning.
Even with the power to recharge the battery with the ability of the solar, it’s necessary to get within the mindset of being conservative and aware whenever you’re residing off of one thing just like the Powerbox+ 60, or any distant, off-the-grid, energy provide.
Bridging the Hole
In the midst of first researching moveable energy options after which testing, utilizing, and counting on the Powerbox+ 60, there’s no denying that it’s only a few elements shy of being the identical setup that folks residing completely off the grid use. And by that, I imply that each one it might want is a pair extra batteries, panels, and an upgraded inverter.
In reality, Dakota presents a handful of off-grid energy methods which you could decide up all collectively or piece collectively. With its batteries optimized for photo voltaic, Dakota is discovering its foothold inside the off-the-grid group.
In distinction, manufacturers like Aim Zero appear centered on backup energy for properties on the grid and household tenting journeys. Possibly that’s the divide? For greater than a decade, I’ve relied on Aim Zero merchandise at dwelling and tenting with family and friends. I’ve at all times had good luck with them and so they match proper in, in that setting.
A model like Dakota Lithium, being that its merchandise are simpler to keep up and improve, appears like extra of a common answer. Even with solely a few months of expertise in utilizing the Powerbox+ 60, I really feel like they’re very versatile and sturdy.
Dakota Lithium Powerbox+ 60 Powerstation: In Conclusion
With the entire moveable energy choices obtainable on the market right now, Dakota Lithium gives a line of dependable, field-maintainable merchandise. That’s necessary as a result of the final place you need the one piece of drugs you depend on to energy and recharge the remainder of your gear to die is out in the course of nowhere.
Additional contemplating the 11-year guarantee that covers the Powerbox+ 60, all of its elements, and the 180W folding photo voltaic panel, I believe Dakota Lithium has created a conveyable energy answer for a mess of settings and conditions. It’s properly price its $1,500 price ticket.
In the event you don’t stay off the grid, overland journey, go RVing, or get up in a tricked-out van each morning, $1,500 is some huge cash for peace of thoughts. There are different, extra reasonably priced, choices on the market for somebody trying to energy the necessities within the off probability that the ability goes out. Dakota Lithium’s merchandise are for the individuals who must depend on them as a rule.
General, I’m pleased that Dakota Lithium reached out to me. I had seen its merchandise right here and there on Instagram, however I by no means thought of utilizing them or needing them.
As a tinkerer who loves dependable devices and gizmos, the Powerbox+ 60 wasn’t simply a possibility for me to “preserve the lights on.” It additionally grew to become a possibility for me to study extra about how these methods work, the right way to restore them in the event that they cease working, and the right way to broaden their capabilities within the probability that I broaden mine.
