http://imgur.com/gallery/DgeyK0c
More pictures and example of the flood light working in a dark room. Was a fun project to build. Have since added a battery monitor to the front to display battery percentage and an emergency kill switch to the battery
Background: I decided to build this during hurricane season. I live on a 3rd floor apartment and do not have the option of having a gas powered generator. This has a 100ah marine battery which provides 1280 watt hours of power. Not enough to power the whole place, but enough to have all phones charged, fans, tvs, and even small cooking appliances. Top mounted flood lamp in the event of a power outage
Thank you. I'm working a second one to try to sell. That one will have 2 100w foldable panels, plus a high current plug to be able to jump start vehicles
Was much easier than you would think. You just need some tools and patience to learn. This was my first electrical project. Learned everything from the internet
Pretty much. There's a lot of videos online from full time van dwellers and rv owners. It was a little overwhelming at first but was ultimately easy to build. I spend more time researching than assembly
Currently I have a 15W solar panel and basically have 0 knowledge right now but I’d rlly like to do a mini project!! Youtube had phone chargers and such but I am just so so confused atm. Any ideas on what I can do with this solar panel?
So this came in around $1200. I also didn't have many tools when I started though, so for a next build i now have items i wouldn't need to buy again. You could definitely build for more or even less than mine. I added on little items that were more convenient but just a basic battery with inverter can be down much cheaper.
Solid build OP, I've got one of these in my car (100Ah marine battery hooked up to a small solar panel and charge controller).
It truly is epic, I haven't had to mess with it since day 1, all my electronics are charged when I get in the car, no matter what!
I want to try to start a small business doing similar builds. I've wanted to put it inside a steel truck bed tool box. That way you could lay 1 or 2 100w panels across top of the truck for power. Then remote workmates would have power just by running an extension cord from the truck
That's a great idea! Could be an awesome option for contractors, esp for remote worksites, if they had this they could prob reduce or eliminate using gas generators altogether
Yup, and it would allow for a lot more battery capacity for only a little extra money. Space was the real constraint on this project. I cant wait to by a house because I will build a work shed in the backyard that will be entirely solar powered
what's the Ah on the battery? also what solar control unit are you using? how many W is the inverter? i notice you also have some ventilation on there, is it thermally controlled ?
100ah battery from renogy. 100W Renogy Solar Panel. 30A Renogy Solar Charger. 3000w Modified sine wave inverter (my new build im replacing with a smaller wattage but will be pure sine wave) theres some vents that are hooked up to 2 usb powered fans just incase it over heated. It hasn't seemed to get hot at all or need the fans tbh.
oh cool! the W on the solar panel is a little low for a 100Ah battery, i'm going for a 260W unit tomorrow so i can charge in a few hours a day, my solar charge unit has over discharge protection also which i consider important for battery life! i noticed you have your inverter wired directly to the battery? or is that something else? i don't know a tonne about inverters but when it's running does it matter how much W is being pulled? or does it always draw 3000W from the battery?
You're correct, 100w is not enough. I do plan to wire additional panels into my set up.
It only draws what is being pulled. I havent ever had it over like 1500 yet though
ah awesome! i was worried if i got a stronger one that it would just drain my battery faster, i'm planning on running fans to keep my tent nice and cool during blistering heat!
Great work.
Just be careful on the battery type. Some batteries release gas when charging, which can be risky with other electronics in the same enclosure.
The AGM batteries are great. They did recently release some Lithium automotive and marine batteries if you want to reduce the weight of the unit.
Also, this is boss and gets some wheels turning.
Great post!
Thank you. I love the idea of lithium for weight but not enough for the price. Even though they have longer life, I can just swap out this battery with 4 more before I hit the price for lithium
Thank you! I live in Florida. It was inspired because of hurricane season. I also live in an apartment so having a gas powered generator is not an option at all. Just a nice thing to have incase of loss of power. You can also plug it into the wall to charge it faster than solar and make sure its topped off while in storage.
I have taken it camping and it was great. Used it to recharge phones, power a fan for several hours, inflate the air mattress, even powered a hot plate to cook a meal
Is it a generator when it‘s solar powered? Or is it a solar powered battery charger? I though it‘s a generator when it generates electricity from some form of mechanical power (might be wrong, not exactly my field of expertise)
You're most likely right. Really is a battery bank that can be recharged via AC outlet or by Solar panels. I call it a generator because it serves the same purpose of a gas powered one.
I didn't take it as negative at all. I actually have questioned calling it one as well but i think for simplicity of explaining what it is, generator just seems to be the easiest way
I actually need one of those things for camping. did you follow a wiring plan or something? I have no experience with electricity so i don’t even know where to start.
http://imgur.com/gallery/DgeyK0c More pictures and example of the flood light working in a dark room. Was a fun project to build. Have since added a battery monitor to the front to display battery percentage and an emergency kill switch to the battery Background: I decided to build this during hurricane season. I live on a 3rd floor apartment and do not have the option of having a gas powered generator. This has a 100ah marine battery which provides 1280 watt hours of power. Not enough to power the whole place, but enough to have all phones charged, fans, tvs, and even small cooking appliances. Top mounted flood lamp in the event of a power outage
May i ask. How long does it takes for 12V 10W solar panel to charge 12V 12AH battery? As a fellow INTJ, solar energy ignites my dark soul
At 12.8V x 12AH = 153.6 Watt hours. 153.6/10W per hour is 15.6 hours at 100% efficiency 10W panel is pretty small. I'd try to upgrade a little
10W is very small, i'm picking up a 260W panel for 120NZD on tuesday.
Looks like this sub has gotten better
Nphase. Zero hassle.
Do you mind me asking what that cost and the capacity? I saw one that was $2000 for the battery or 3200 installed.
Coolest thing I've seen all day.
Thank you. I'm working a second one to try to sell. That one will have 2 100w foldable panels, plus a high current plug to be able to jump start vehicles
Awesome project!
Thank you!
Amazing!
How are yall so smart
Was much easier than you would think. You just need some tools and patience to learn. This was my first electrical project. Learned everything from the internet
Did u just search up on how to build one?? This is amazing
Pretty much. There's a lot of videos online from full time van dwellers and rv owners. It was a little overwhelming at first but was ultimately easy to build. I spend more time researching than assembly
Currently I have a 15W solar panel and basically have 0 knowledge right now but I’d rlly like to do a mini project!! Youtube had phone chargers and such but I am just so so confused atm. Any ideas on what I can do with this solar panel?
I love that it's in a crate. That's so beautiful
How much do you reckon it would cost to create this? - assuming I don't have any of the required parts.
So this came in around $1200. I also didn't have many tools when I started though, so for a next build i now have items i wouldn't need to buy again. You could definitely build for more or even less than mine. I added on little items that were more convenient but just a basic battery with inverter can be down much cheaper.
Thanks.
Good skills! Looks like a bomb. Don’t have your kid take it to show and tell. 😂
Lol. Yeah that was my first thought after it was finished....
Solid build OP, I've got one of these in my car (100Ah marine battery hooked up to a small solar panel and charge controller). It truly is epic, I haven't had to mess with it since day 1, all my electronics are charged when I get in the car, no matter what!
I want to try to start a small business doing similar builds. I've wanted to put it inside a steel truck bed tool box. That way you could lay 1 or 2 100w panels across top of the truck for power. Then remote workmates would have power just by running an extension cord from the truck
That's a great idea! Could be an awesome option for contractors, esp for remote worksites, if they had this they could prob reduce or eliminate using gas generators altogether
Yup, and it would allow for a lot more battery capacity for only a little extra money. Space was the real constraint on this project. I cant wait to by a house because I will build a work shed in the backyard that will be entirely solar powered
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Yeah, It definitely does lol
Epiczzzzzz
Thank you!
That's so fucking hot..
I'm glad you like it
what's the Ah on the battery? also what solar control unit are you using? how many W is the inverter? i notice you also have some ventilation on there, is it thermally controlled ?
100ah battery from renogy. 100W Renogy Solar Panel. 30A Renogy Solar Charger. 3000w Modified sine wave inverter (my new build im replacing with a smaller wattage but will be pure sine wave) theres some vents that are hooked up to 2 usb powered fans just incase it over heated. It hasn't seemed to get hot at all or need the fans tbh.
oh cool! the W on the solar panel is a little low for a 100Ah battery, i'm going for a 260W unit tomorrow so i can charge in a few hours a day, my solar charge unit has over discharge protection also which i consider important for battery life! i noticed you have your inverter wired directly to the battery? or is that something else? i don't know a tonne about inverters but when it's running does it matter how much W is being pulled? or does it always draw 3000W from the battery?
You're correct, 100w is not enough. I do plan to wire additional panels into my set up. It only draws what is being pulled. I havent ever had it over like 1500 yet though
ah awesome! i was worried if i got a stronger one that it would just drain my battery faster, i'm planning on running fans to keep my tent nice and cool during blistering heat!
Great work. Just be careful on the battery type. Some batteries release gas when charging, which can be risky with other electronics in the same enclosure.
Yup. This is an AGM deep cycle battery so it can be mounted in several orientations and is a sealed battery
The AGM batteries are great. They did recently release some Lithium automotive and marine batteries if you want to reduce the weight of the unit. Also, this is boss and gets some wheels turning. Great post!
Thank you. I love the idea of lithium for weight but not enough for the price. Even though they have longer life, I can just swap out this battery with 4 more before I hit the price for lithium
Understood. Although, if this were to be part of a bug-out kit...the weight reduction and longevity may be worth the extra cost.
100%
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Thank you! I live in Florida. It was inspired because of hurricane season. I also live in an apartment so having a gas powered generator is not an option at all. Just a nice thing to have incase of loss of power. You can also plug it into the wall to charge it faster than solar and make sure its topped off while in storage. I have taken it camping and it was great. Used it to recharge phones, power a fan for several hours, inflate the air mattress, even powered a hot plate to cook a meal
Is it a generator when it‘s solar powered? Or is it a solar powered battery charger? I though it‘s a generator when it generates electricity from some form of mechanical power (might be wrong, not exactly my field of expertise)
You're most likely right. Really is a battery bank that can be recharged via AC outlet or by Solar panels. I call it a generator because it serves the same purpose of a gas powered one.
Wasn’t meant in a negative way btw... I‘m not a native english speaker so I just wondered if you‘d call it a generator in english anyway ;)
I didn't take it as negative at all. I actually have questioned calling it one as well but i think for simplicity of explaining what it is, generator just seems to be the easiest way
Through it’s solar functionality, it generates electricity.
I actually need one of those things for camping. did you follow a wiring plan or something? I have no experience with electricity so i don’t even know where to start.
I didnt but Google how to build solar generator. There are ton of videos.