Advocate I
I’ve been slowly acquiring various components to build my solar generator and now it’s coming together. The plan is to install it in a modular set of boxes so it can break down for ease of transport or need. I found this Craftsman Versa-Stack tool box set at a local Lowe’s. There are several brands of these types of stackable tool boxes, but the Craftsman were, for me, the best bang for the buck.
My plan for now is to build a two box 12V generator around a 200 ah Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack. I ordered the cells off AliExpress for a deep cost savings but the trade off was waiting 3 Months for delivery (S.L.O.W. boat form China). I could have bought the cells here, but they literally all come from China, just get assembled here, so...why not?
For now, it will run off the one 12v pack, eventually I will order another set of cells and decide then if I want to stay with 12v in parallel for double amp hours (working time) or in series at 24v (more power). I plan to use it (for now) for the tent trailer, to power what I need in camp.
The next step will be to introduce a grid-tie-inverter and more solar panels (I currently have 2x 230 W panels set up in parallel that charge the bank) so that will allow me to back feed the house with solar, when not out in the bush, allowing the investment to start making (saving) me $$ by lowering my electricity bill at home. Over time I will continue to scale up the set up to have the ability to operate completely independent of the grid.
If I had money, I’d be dangerous... lol
In these pics I have begun to work out the generator wiring based on some schematics I printed off the Will Prowse DIYsolar site. Very bright young fellow. In the pics I have a Bluetti EB70 sitting there for both Inspiration as well as to help charge the new bank while I test/play with it during the build phase. It has pass thru charging so it can be plugged into the wall outlet or solar panels while simultaneously charging my bank or powering another tool. This is something I want my bank to do as well.
Any-who, I will add more pics and keep posting as I get more done.
Cheers!
My plan for now is to build a two box 12V generator around a 200 ah Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack. I ordered the cells off AliExpress for a deep cost savings but the trade off was waiting 3 Months for delivery (S.L.O.W. boat form China). I could have bought the cells here, but they literally all come from China, just get assembled here, so...why not?
For now, it will run off the one 12v pack, eventually I will order another set of cells and decide then if I want to stay with 12v in parallel for double amp hours (working time) or in series at 24v (more power). I plan to use it (for now) for the tent trailer, to power what I need in camp.
The next step will be to introduce a grid-tie-inverter and more solar panels (I currently have 2x 230 W panels set up in parallel that charge the bank) so that will allow me to back feed the house with solar, when not out in the bush, allowing the investment to start making (saving) me $$ by lowering my electricity bill at home. Over time I will continue to scale up the set up to have the ability to operate completely independent of the grid.
If I had money, I’d be dangerous... lol
In these pics I have begun to work out the generator wiring based on some schematics I printed off the Will Prowse DIYsolar site. Very bright young fellow. In the pics I have a Bluetti EB70 sitting there for both Inspiration as well as to help charge the new bank while I test/play with it during the build phase. It has pass thru charging so it can be plugged into the wall outlet or solar panels while simultaneously charging my bank or powering another tool. This is something I want my bank to do as well.
Any-who, I will add more pics and keep posting as I get more done.
Cheers!
