DIY "SOLAR GENERATOR" with Victron Mppt

[Boreal Overland]

Hi all!

Just wanted to share a little diy project i did earlier this year.
Made a portable battery pack or solar generator as some like to call them.
A small one, just to charge all our electronic goodies whilst on the road or camping.
( I'll build a bigger one soon for next year so i can power a small fridge for a day)

I used quality Victron components, that made this build somewhat more expensive than it has to be.
Yes, for the money i could have bought an off the shelf one,
but i love making / building stuff and because i made it myself i like to think this makes it somewhat easier to fix on the road if it breaks.

Here are just a photos i took while making the "solar generator":


Securing the battery in place with brackets I made.


Drilling holes for the usb outlets

Testing before final fitting



Custom little volt display I made from plexiglass



Looking slick




Getting live data via the VictronConnect app




I am happy how it all worked out.. it was a tight fit and a lot of measuring but got everything in there somehow.

Here are some of the components used:

- Pelicase 1400
- Victron Super Cycle AGM 38AH
- Victron Mppt 75/15
- Victron bluetooth module
- Main power switch
- 4 USB ports
- 1 12V port
- Custom voltage display
- DC Relais, powers all outputs from battery
(relais is powered by the Victron mppt output so i can have bigger output loads but still let the Victron swith off when low on voltage)
- 1 Neutrik power INPUT, for charging via solar or mains
- 1 Neutrik power OUTPUT, 12V 30A, for fridge or inverter

- SUAOKI 60W foldable solar panel.

We used it every day on our recent 2 week trip throug Norway and Zweden and did a nice job keeping all our small electric goodies running.
The SUAOKI 60W did very good also, used it a couple times to charge the AGM battery.
For the money (about €120,-) i think it's a nice little foldable solar panel.

So.. there it is.. my diy "Solar Generator", a very fun build, can't wait to build a bigger version!

Take care,
Steve

 

[CurrentlyRockhoundin]

What do you think the cost of this project was?

 

[RoarinRow]

Very cool!

 

[Boreal Overland]

What do you think the cost of this project was?

Hi, i would say somewhere round the €400-450,- (euro's)..
I could have bought a Goal Zero Yeti 400 or something for that kind of money.. or just used cheaper components.
But i love doing these projects and i dare to say the Victron Energy components gives me higher quality and more solar options and such for my money.
Also like the fact that you can customize everything via the bluetooth dongle and VictronConnect app.

Steve

 

[Kardolf]

This is great! I've got a basic setup that is similar to yours, although not as well built or thought out. I'm working now on my 2.0 version to be more functional and more efficient.

 

[Boreal Overland]

This is great! I've got a basic setup that is similar to yours, although not as well built or thought out. I'm working now on my 2.0 version to be more functional and more efficient.

That's awesome! Yes i like to build a version 2.0 myself as well soon,
bigger and with Lifepo4 cells, to have enough AH to power a fridge for 24 ours.

 

[Kardolf]

Please do a write up of that!

 

[lukes3415]

very cool mate can not wait for the 2.0 build keep us posted.

 

[CBWARE]

Very nicely done! I will be attempting my portable solar power pack soon.

 

[DaleRF]

Hi all!

Just wanted to share a little diy project i did earlier this year.
Made a portable battery pack or solar generator as some like to call them.
A small one, just to charge all our electronic goodies whilst on the road or camping.
( I'll build a bigger one soon for next year so i can power a small fridge for a day)

I used quality Victron components, that made this build somewhat more expensive than it has to be.
Yes, for the money i could have bought an off the shelf one,
but i love making / building stuff and because i made it myself i like to think this makes it somewhat easier to fix on the road if it breaks.

Here are just a photos i took while making the "solar generator":

View attachment 122850
Securing the battery in place with brackets I made.

View attachment 122852
Drilling holes for the usb outlets

View attachment 122854Testing before final fitting


View attachment 122855
Custom little volt display I made from plexiglass


View attachment 122856
Looking slick



View attachment 122857
Getting live data via the VictronConnect app


View attachment 122858

I am happy how it all worked out.. it was a tight fit and a lot of measuring but got everything in there somehow.

Here are some of the components used:

- Pelicase 1400
- Victron Super Cycle AGM 38AH
- Victron Mppt 75/15
- Victron bluetooth module
- Main power switch
- 4 USB ports
- 1 12V port
- Custom voltage display
- DC Relais, powers all outputs from battery
(relais is powered by the Victron mppt output so i can have bigger output loads but still let the Victron swith off when low on voltage)
- 1 Neutrik power INPUT, for charging via solar or mains
- 1 Neutrik power OUTPUT, 12V 30A, for fridge or inverter

- SUAOKI 60W foldable solar panel.

We used it every day on our recent 2 week trip throug Norway and Zweden and did a nice job keeping all our small electric goodies running.
The SUAOKI 60W did very good also, used it a couple times to charge the AGM battery.
For the money (about €120,-) i think it's a nice little foldable solar panel.

So.. there it is.. my diy "Solar Generator", a very fun build, can't wait to build a bigger version!

Take care,
Steve

That is OUTSTANDING!
I really like the Custom voltage display - not to mention everything else!
Well done!
Such a great idea!

 

[Downs]

Very nice. I built one as well a few years ago. Not nearly as refined though. I did wind up buying a Jackery 300 earlier today as I'm wanting to move into a 12v fridge and didn't think my box was refined enouigh to get the job done as my 12v outputs are unregulated.

 

[lhoffm4]

Ya, I like to think I'm clever with some of the diy projects I do, then someone comes along and shows what talent looks like... Nicely executed.

 

[Boreal Overland]

Ya, I like to think I'm clever with some of the diy projects I do, then someone comes along and shows what talent looks like... Nicely executed.

Thanks for the compliment…
But I often feel the same way seeing some diy projects guys here on the forum do.
I guess there’s always something or skill level to lookup to or strive to..

 

[Boreal Overland]

Please have a look at version 2.0 guys!
Since that build last year I did a recent upgrade to the BMS, I switched from the simple Daly BMS to the Overkill Solar 120A Bluetooth BMS..

DIY: 105 AH LITHIUM POWERBANK with VICTRON MPPT and SMART BATTERY PROTECT

Hi all! Wanted to share my latest DIY project with you guys.. Yes, yes i know.. another one of those "solar generators" that does not generate any solar.. LOL. Last year i made my first so called "Solar Generator" with a 38AH VICTRON AGM battery and that worked out great on our road-trip last...

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