FAQ

A. The % charge of battery value on the lower right hand side of the main data screen will read 100%.

The battery is faulty or the 10A “main” fuse is blown, also check battery cables are firmly tightened to battery terminals.

The battery charging cycle is indicated on the lower left hand side of the main data screen.

An “amp hour” (abbreviation Ahr) is a unit of electrical charge and refers to the battery’s capacity. A power source rated at one amp hour can deliver one amp continuously for one hour or two amps for half an hour or sixty amps for one minute etc.

The ArkPak AP730 can charge lithium iron phosphate batteries and most types of rechargeable 12V lead-acid type battery from 60 Ahr capacity up to 140Ahr. There are four main types of 12V lead acid battery – conventional wet lead-acid battery, calcium, AGM and gel. The ArkPak can charge both cold cranking type car batteries and deep cycle batteries.

Normally the battery type and Ahr rating is marked on the battery by the manufacturer. If you are not sure contact your battery retailer. It is very important that the correct battery type is selected since the charger uses a different charge technique for each battery type.

Yes you can, as long as the main isolator switch is in the “on” position. This type of charging is not controlled by the on-board microprocessor since the charge current will flow direct to the battery via the main isolator switch. If an external voltage regulator is not used there is a risk of overcharging and damaging the battery. Please also consider the accessory sockets are fused at 10A so a current flow higher than this will blow the fuse.

Yes the ArkPak will go into float cycle.

Yes that is normal, it can reach 75°C.

Yes, the ArkPak is designed to do this.

AC adaptor could be blown and needs replacing.

For some laptop adaptors the in-rush current can trigger the alarm and the internal inverter will protect itself. The issue can be overcome by turning the Arkpak AC outlet on first (so green LED is lit), then turning on the laptop and finally connecting the laptop adaptor to the laptop and Arkpak AC outlet.

The device you have plugged into the 240V outlet is unsuitable (could be too powerful) and has damaged the internal inverter.

Yes you can however, you will need a dual battery wiring kit installed into your vehicle. We recommend you get this kit installed by a qualified auto electrician. You can connect the dual battery wiring loom to the ArkPak either via the external terminals or the Anderson socket. Please remember the main isolator switch must be in the “on” position. The ArkPak can be fixed into your vehicle using the accessory mounting kit (Part no. APB20B – not included). The ArkPak cannot be mounted into the vehicle’s engine bay.

Yes you can, as long as the main isolator switch is in the “on” position. This type of charging is not controlled by the on-board microprocessor since the charge current will flow direct to the battery via the main isolator switch. If an external voltage regulator is not used there is a risk of overcharging and damaging the battery.

The predicted time remaining value is an estimate only. The time prediction is affected by many variables such as temperature, battery age and battery type and it is impossible for it to be completely accurate but it is a useful guide.

Yes, it is, since the various output socket are connected direct to the battery via the main isolator switch and not via the smart charger. However it will not be possible to determine the battery voltage or the time remaining if this is done.

There are several possible reasons. If you are charging the battery and running a device at the same time the screen will show discharge cycle if the output current is higher than the charge input current. This is normal. Another reason could be the AC adaptor has failed. You can check the AC adaptor by trying to turn the screen on with the AC adaptor connected but the battery disconnected. If the screen won’t turn on the AC adaptor is not working. A replacement can be sourced by contacting Ark Corporation. Another reason could be that the built-in charger PCB has failed. This is the case if the AC adaptor black box makes a faint beeping sound when you try to charge from mains power. Also the DC car lead will continuously blow the plug 10A fuse. In this case the Arkpak will need to be returned to Ark Corporation for repair.

The device you originally plugged into the 240V outlet is unsuitable (could be too powerful for the maximum rating) and has damaged the internal inverter. Another sign of a damaged inverter is that the fuse is OK but the over temperature alarm sounds as soon as you turn the inverter on. The inverter will need to be replaced.

The fuse in the Arkpak DC car lead cigarette plug or the vehicle side fuse for the 12V socket could be blown. If both these fuses are OK then in some instances the Arkpak will not charge if there is a large voltage drop between the start battery and the vehicle 12V socket (can occur if an aftermarket 12V socket is fitted at the back of the vehicle). The Arkpak low voltage charge cutout has activated in this case.

Either the battery is flat (under 10.5 volts) or the main isolator switch has a fault and wont connect to the battery in the “on” position. If the isolator has a fault the Arkpak will need to be returned to Ark Corporation for repair.

Why throw your old trailer away when you can easily rebuild it with a bit of work. This guide, originally published in Modern Boating magazine, will show how to do rebuild your trailer the right way.

Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Read Part 3
Read Part 4

You’ll find a wide range of high quality cast iron trailer hubs in galvanised and plain steel finish in our shop. Our selection includes non-braked lazy hubs and braked hubs in the form of Disc Rotors and Hub Drums. Every hub kit purchase comes complete with seals, dust caps, stud nuts, bearings, pre-pressed studs and bearing cups. 

It’s important that you use the proper size replacement parts. Whether you’re replacing your entire hub or rebuilding an old one, Ark has got you covered.

Here are some key points to consider when replacing your hub:

1. Determine the number and size of studs.
2. Figure out the stud pattern. You can do that by measuring the PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) on your hub. 
3. Determine the inner and outer bearing size. You’ll find that most bearings are stamped with a reference number that makes it easier to identify its diameter. Alternatively, you can measure your axle’s size.

Hubs can run quite a few bearing combinations, so make sure you get your bearing size right. Below are just a few of these combinations:

• Tapered Hub – The most common hub utilised where the hub will run on the axle with a small outer and large inner bearing.
• Parallel Hub – Utilised where a larger carrying capacity is needed for that specific axle setup. Runs on the axle with a large inner and outer bearing.

Here is what you must do when rebuilding or servicing your existing hub body:

• Make sure all your studs and nuts are intact with clean thread free from burs.
• Check that all your bearing are well-maintained. Remember to replace the inner and outer races or cups even if they don’t show signs of wear. Grease the bearings thoroughly by working grease around the rollers. Pack the hub interior before installing a new grease seal in the back of the hub.
• Make sure that all the rubbers on the grease seals are intact. These play an integral role and should not be neglected.
• Ensure that the dust is intact. This will prevent water and dust from getting into your bearings. It’s good practice to utilise a pair of bearing buddies as these units maintain a good level of grease in your bearings.
• Double check the axle and make sure it’s free from burs, cracks and any sign of deformation.
• Bearing grease quality is extremely important. Special marine bearing grease provides outstanding water washout and perfect corrosion protection.

On our shop, you’ll find a wide range of beam axles, stub axles and axle accessories in varying sizes, ratings and finishes.

When you’re fitting or replacing an axle, it’s vital to consider your trailer’s GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass). This is the maximum weight of the trailer, including its load. Fitting the wrong axle to your trailer may cause stress and fatigue to the axle, with fatal consequences on the road.

Once you know your trailer’s GVM, you can easily tell whether you need to run a single, dual or tri axle setup. Working out your axle capacities is easy: just divide the GVM over the amount of axles.

If you’re building a new trailer or refurbishing an old one, these measurements are necessary to correctly measure the axle required for your trailer

You’ll find a wide range of leaf springs and accessories on our shop. Our range includes slipper springs and shackle springs with various ratings, either galvanised or black-painted.

When you’re fitting or replacing your existing springs, you should keep track of your trailer’s GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass). Fitting the wrong spring to your trailer can lead to overloading, sagging and poor vehicle handling, as well as stress and fatigue to the spring steel. Metal failure can lead to fatal consequences on the road.

Once you know your trailer’s GVM, you can easily tell whether you need to run a single, dual or tri axle setup. Working out your axle capacities is easy: just divide the GVM by the amount of axles.

Start by matching your existing spring (e.g. shackle spring or slipper spring). Once you have matched your spring type, you’ll also have to consider:

• The number of leaves. Each layer of spring metal is considered a leaf.
• The thickness of leaves.
• The inside diameter of the bushing. For example, our slipper springs use a ½’’ bush while the shacke springs use a 9/16’’ bush.
• The length of the spring – For shackle springs, measure from the centre of the front bushing in a straight line to the centre of the rear bushing. For slipper springs, measure from the centre of the front bushing in a straight line to the end of the spring.
• Spring camber — Simply rest the spring on the floor upside down and measure the distance between the foot and the centre spring bolt.
• For dual and tri-axle setups, you’ll have to determine the axle spacing to accommodate your wheel sizes. Once you’ve got that figured out, you can work out your spring centres to determine whether you need to utilise centre or off-centre spring bolts or a combination of the two.

Trailer Brake recommended maximum load table:

1. All loadings based on GTM of trailer.
2. Consideration must be given to the vehicle tow rating, road surface conditions,
trailer tyre size and condition, trailer rim size and weather conditions.

Drum Brakes

Part numbers for hub drums that are covered by this table

Tyre sizes covered by this table

Trailer Disc Brake – recommended maximum load table

1. All loadings based on GTM of trailer.
2. Consideration must be given to the vehicle tow rating, road surface conditions,
trailer tyre size and condition, trailer rim size and weather conditions.

Disc Brakes
Hydraulic with 260mm disc hub

Mechanical with 260mm disc hub

Part numbers for disc hubs that are covered by this table

Tyre sizes covered by this table

eziguide self loading boat roller
Fitting instructions compatible with Ezi-guide models EG10, EG11 and EG13.

Tools required:

1. Marker

2. 19mm socket or spanner

Ezi-guide suits both 50mm and 75mm trailer cross members. U-bolts supplied suit 50mm x 50mm cross members only, additional U-bolts need to be purchased for larger 75mm cross members.

1.) Begin with the Ezi-guide LEFT side.
Remove split pin, washer, spring and mounting bracket from the roller arm (refer Diagram. 1)

2.) Reassemble the Ezi-guide without the spring.

3.) Place mounting bracket against trailer cross member as close to the keel roller and align the roller arm against the bottom of the hull (refer Diagram. 2)

4.) Ensure that the distance from the roller arm and the back of the boat is minimum 25mm (refer Diagram. 3)

5.) Minimum distance between the LEFT and RIGHT mounting bracket is 200mm (refer Diagram. 4) the mounting brackets can be adjusted further outward based on the hull design or strake locations. Note: Mounting the brackets too far apart will lose the effectiveness of the Ezi-guide system.

6.) At the outer edge of the mounting bracket, mark a vertical line against the trailer cross member then mark an arrow > against this line on the cross member and another arrow < on the mounting bracket for alignment reference when fitting the Ezi-guide at the boat ramp (refer Diagram. 5)

7.) Reassemble the Ezi-guide LEFT side with the spring.

8.) Repeat step 1 – 7 for the Ezi-guide RIGHT side.

9.) Install the Ezi-guide at a boat ramp as the boat should be off the trailer. Using the vertical line and arrows marked previously, align Ezi-guide mounting brackets with marks and mount with U-bolts and tighten nuts utilising a 19mm socket or spanner (refer Diagram. 6)

10.) Make a test run and ensure roller arms are against the bottom of the hull as originally set and the top roller not resting on any strakes or chines.

11.) Adjustments can be made when the boat is off the trailer again, mounting brackets can be adjusted in all directions.

Retrieving your Boat

Ezi-guides are a self-aligning boat loading system and can be used in either winch on or drive on retrievals.

Tide direction and wind speed should be taken into consideration and extra care should always be taken when loading the boat in these conditions. When driving the boat onto the trailer, boat entrance speed and direction of travel are important factors to consider, misaligning the hull with the centre of the Ezi-guides can cause damage to both the Ezi-guide and the hull of the boat.

(ARK Corporation is not liable for any damage sustained to the boat hull on improper use, excessive boat speed, misalignment or poor mounting of the eziguide systems)

For maximum efficiency when loading the boat

– Reverse the trailer into the water until the keel roller is level with the water, any deeper will lose the effectiveness of the Ezi-guide system.

– Drive the boat towards the trailer, recommended approach is IDLING* speed

– Align the bow with the centre of the Ezi-guide systems and drive boat onto trailer

– Fit winch strap and safety chain

*IDLING speed is when the throttle is just clicked forward of Neutral

Enjoy boating and your new Eziguide.

Our range covers everything you need for safe and reliable towing. We have products and accessories including Brake Controllers, Cable Accessories, Cargo Carriers, Connectors, ECU Harnesses, Hitch Covers, Hitch Pins & Locks, Recovery Gear, Shin Protectors, Tow Balls, Tow Ball Mounts, Tow Ball Covers, Towing Kits, Tow Lamp Kits, and Weight Distribution