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How To Build A DIY Portable Solar Power Generator (For Under $200)
How To Build A DIY Portable Solar Power Generator (For Under $200)
Have you ever gone on a camping trip with non preppers?
This project was born from a camping with my better half and a group of friends. These friends are not of our prepper mindset and as such had no way to recharge their phones, batteries or run any kind of device that required power.
(Personally, I welcome the screen-free days.)
We were camping for 5 days so it wasn’t long before they started to come to me to use my inverter. I normally have a small 150w stashed in the trunk for emergencies, or times like these.
On the last day of camping, we got into a discussion on the number of batteries we had all gone through over the 5 days and how much it had cost us…needless to say I wasn’t happy at the final figure and decided that for the next trip, I would have something that would save us all money and would preferably be free.
The idea for a portable solar generator was born!
This was my first foray into solar power, and I wanted to share this with you to show how easy it can be done, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to get your hands dirty with solar power.
My Requirements
First up I made a list of my requirements;
- Has to be portable – large deep cycle batteries were out unless I wanted to drag a trolly with me and that would pose a problem fitting it into the car.
- Has to power anything that requires a USB and/or DC connection – I didn’t need to power any A/C appliances such as a refrigerator or a television.
- Should look inconspicuous and not out of place in a home, car or tent – this project was also for post SHTF moments and I wanted to have it to hand without guests asking questions.
Here is what I came up with – the finished product.
What follows is a list of materials and tools used to construct. (note – all of the products were purchased via Ebay UK, the same or similar can be had from Ebay.com)
Materials List
- 4x Power Sonic 12v 7ah Deep Cycle Batteries
- 36x A Grade Solar Cells (inc Flux Pen, Tabbing Wire & Bus Wire)
- 20″ Tool Box
- Hella Socket & Plug
- 12v DC Socket
- 12 AWG Wire Black (2m)
- 12 AWG Wire Red (2m)
- Inline Fuse Holder
- 10amp PWM Charge Controller
- Digital Watt Meter (Battery Power Analyser)
- 100x Male & Female Spade Connectors
- 4m 5mm Wide Bus Wire
- 8m Tabbing Wire
- 2x Blue LED Rocker Switch
- 2x Red Rocker Switch
- Chocolate Block Connector
- 2.4w 12v Trickle Charger
Tools Required
- Digital Multimeter
- 80w Soldering Iron
The total cost for the project so far is around $200, including the 30 watt solar panel I am in the process of making. You can save money buying from the online auction sites such as Ebay.
The Build
Here we have all of the major elements that will be going into or onto the tool box.
Next a shot of 1 of the 4 batteries I used, these are 12v 7ah batteries, normally used to power electric bikes, scooters and toy cars.
One for scale!
You can see the terminals used on the top which make connecting wires very easy with female spade connectors
Here is a close up of the digital battery power meter I picked up for around $25 on Ebay
It didn’t come with any connectors so I had to add spade connectors and heat shrink to make it look nice!
Here is the second charge controller I bought as the first didn’t work 
Charge Controller – Controls the power to and from the batteries and solar panel
Next up we have the Hella socket and plug
The 2v DC sockets and switches installed in the lid (which has the orange cover) My Dremel tool made this so easy!
My master power switch and power analyzer under the lid on the opposite side to the 12v DC plugs
Here’s how it looked underneath
Then I wired the 4 batteries in parallel (which keeps the voltage the same at 12v but multiply the amp hours (ah). 4x 7ah gives me 28ah…simples!
I also added a 12v inline fuse which you can see in the image above, this is between the battery bank and the master power switch.
Here is a close up of the Hella socket installed
And one of the 2x 12v DC sockets along with blue LED switches to show me they are on and working!
Here is my second charge controller (working this time)
The Power Analyser installed next to the master switch…we have power!
Checking the power output
Here is the trickle charger and it plugged in (only a 2.4w panel)
Here is where the solar panel connects using the Hella Socket.
And the battery power analyzer telling me we’re good to go
The finished products….looking very unobtrusive….OPSEC!
The next stage will be to complete my solar panel which I have already started working on tabbing the cells together etc. I will share that with you all once completed.
Hope you enjoyed reading about my project as much as I have enjoyed building it.
If you’re thinking about making your own I would encourage you to do so, you will learn a lot and if you have any question please ask in the comments below.
Other useful resources:
Survival MD (Best Post Collapse First Aid Survival Guide Ever)
Backyard Innovator (A Self Sustaining Source Of Fresh Meat,Vegetables And Clean Drinking Water)
Blackout USA (EMP survival and preparedness)
Conquering the coming collapse (Financial advice and preparedness )
Liberty Generator (Build and make your own energy source)
Backyard Liberty (Easy and cheap DIY Aquaponic system to grow your organic and living food bank)
Bullet Proof Home (A Prepper’s Guide in Safeguarding a Home )
Family Self Defense (Best Self Defense Strategies For You And Your Family)
Sold Out After Crisis (Best 37 Items To Hoard For A Long Term Crisis)
http://www.prepperfortress.com/how-to-build-a-diy-portable-solar-power-generator-for-under-200/
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wow…awesome good to know
This is it, I have looked and looked for this, I going to make the same, But i want to add a few things, I want to make my own panels as well, Just waiting on the different parts coming from all round the world and then i good to go, But thank you kindly in sharing your story as it helps me big time.