Power goes out at my place all the time so it’s been very handy. Before I built the Packout version I would use this little guy to run my computer setup. The power goes out but the cable still works so I just sit there next to the fireplace happily oblivious to the power outage surfing the interweb.
Very slick! I like that you used the reinforcement braces to your advantage, as the switches are protected from accidentally being turned on. I have two of these exact same boxes, as well as the matching big bottom one with handle and wheels. Planning on using mine for Ham radio go-kits. Thanks for all the details, and you did a fine job!
Nice build. Clean install and use of space. The only thing missing might be some cooling fan(s) hooked up in conjunction with your thermistors! About the time you finished this project, everybody was changing from USB A/B to the New USB C plugs. I was also impressed with how clean your work shop appeared! Great job! That will provide years of fun and emergency power.
Funny, I was just thinking that same thing last month when I was using this a lot. I need to swap out a couple of those A’s for USB-C. Thanks for watching.
It would be awesome if during this build you showed where each wire is connected and how it's run and how all the components are wired up bc so far this and one other build I've seen are the best on UA-cam
Thanks, I hear what you’re saying. When I was building this I never intended it to be a tutorial. And I really didn’t know what I was doing as far as the camera work goes, I was kind of new at the UA-cam thing. I was more concentrating on what I was doing actually building the thing then documenting the work with the camera. If you check out my Milwaukee packout build, I go into a lot more detail with that build. Thanks for watching.
@@i.b.lancer yes sir I will and like I said your videos on explaining what your putting but as far as builds your and maybe 2 more other guys have the best builds I've seen so far
A good little powerbank you have there, I have 24v / 1000w inverter for my powerbank but still used. My diy powerbank is based on an electric bike battery (36v / 15A) I use a small converter from 36v to 12-24v / 500w most cigar usb for cars can handle 24v, I have the option to make 12v, I have put a cigar 12v and a usb with two connectors next to each other in the same box as the converter, which then goes a wire from the bicycle battery to the box.
Now that the litime 100ah mini is out, it might fit better than the two you currently have. I plan on fitting mine in the milwaukee ammo can to do similar things.
I checked them out. The Li Time battery is a little bigger then what I used and won't lay down in the case that I used without cutting the lid or taking the lid right out. But it would definitely be the way to go in a different case. Thanks for sharing that.
🤔 SAFETY FIRST! Was there a Mains/Catastrophe Fuse or Breaker on the wire at the Battery POS post? The BMS is to protect the battery. If there were to be a short between your fuse box and the battery? Every DC or AC panel has a Mains/Catastrophe Fuse or Breaker. Awesome build. Thanks!
Noted. I’m currently building a 100ah 3000w version in a Milwaukee packout box. I’ll include that information in that video. It’s comments like yours that help me get better at making these videos. Thanks for your input. 👍
300 watt is plenty for when the power goes out and all you wanna do is power is a fan or 2 because summer time power outages suck because it gets hot in the house lol
Gracias por tus comentarios. No pude encontrar la caja exacta que usé en Amazon. Le sugiero que encuentre una caja con las dimensiones de 56x34x17 cm localmente. Incluiré un enlace a una caja de Dewalt que también funcionará amzn.to/3Oi3hZy si no puede encontrar una cerca de usted. Gracias de nuevo, y buena suerte con tu construcción. (Canadá)
Thats a hell of a nice build - i noticed theres a fuse block - is the 12v port fused and what fuse did u end up using ( if you have ) and are the usb ports fused ? ..... my only concern is the mains voltage - it wont be earthed so be carefull there but apart from that - Well done
12v in and out port doesn’t go through the fuse block. It’s on its own 20A blade fuse. I chose 20A based on the external chargers output to this box…20’s lots. It’s also on the main switch circuit so power will only flow when the main switch is closed. Just an added safety feature with the help of a 40A relay. All the usb ports get their power from the fuse block. Probably 5A fuses. Thanks for watching!
I got them off of Amazon. The main is… Starter Relay WM686 12VDC 200A. Amperage wise it’s total overkill but it’s a good looking relay And the inverter relay is a MGI SpeedWare 40 Amp Relay Harness Set SPDT with 5-Pin Socket
cool build love it 🥰🥰🥰🥰 am building my own 3000 watts 48 volt 120 AC 60Hz pure sine wave i have water proof tool box same tool box you have but much bigger i have 4 110AC out and 2 15A and 20A breaker for my out let them i used wire that wire house with for my out let and going to my inverter and ihave switch between positive of my batter and to positive of my inverter i going put solar charger and usb and cool fan but water proof so my out let them have breaker for each one so nothing with happend to my inverter
@@i.b.lancer thanks when I finish I will show you but not finish yet I have the same tool box you have but the bigger one I going buy that same tool box here in Toronto keep up good work brother
Great video! I'm working on on one of these myself and you've given me some ideas. For charging the batteries.. Should they be charged by either solar or a plug in charger.. Or could you charge using both at the same time?
While I wouldn't charge them at the same time using both inputs, you could have two charging inputs. One going to the charge controller and the other going directly to the batteries. It depends on your charge controller. In my case my charge controller is only good for 10 amps and the external (plug in) charger I have puts out way more than that. So I opted to have separate inputs. Hope that helps.
Don’t throw out the soldering gun! If you leave them on too long it pops the thermal fuse for the unit…it’s an easy fix! When soldering, turn it off after making your connections. Then fire it back up when needed…they heat up fast.
Just received the Genasun charge controller. Novice question: How did you connect the shunt to the battery side of the charge controller to measure amps?
The shunt runs in line with the negative wire. And where you hook it up will depend on which current you want to read. In my case I wanted to monitor the amperage going into the charge controller so I put my shunt just before the charge controller
REALLY cool battery solution you got there!!! Great work man! :) Hats off!! Hats off!!! Don't forget about being able to use a gas powered generator in case the sun does not shine - and you REALLY gotta have that POWA!!! :P Do YOu have the powa?!?! He-man has it.. :P
Most switches can’t pass through the amperage that’s needed for certain things. So a relay is used so the switch just turns on the relay, which handles the large current.
Well, I do have a larger one that I use more then this one but since this one powers the lights out in my back shed, I would say every other day it gets used. For me these are more of an emergency back up. In the winter the power goes out around here quite often. Last winter I used it tons. Now I have the larger one so we’ll see. Thanks for watching.
That was something that I didn't think of before building it but it didn't take long to find the sweet spot on the handle I just have to grab it at the end that's over the batteries and it's totally in the centre of gravity and nice and comfortable to hold. Even if you grab the handle in the middle it's really not too bad but feels better if you grab it at the one end. Thanks for watching! #5 all the way.
I've watched your video 5 times and I wish I had half your talent and patience. I'm determined to make a similar solar generator. I'll let you know when I finish it.
Yes, I would be interested in checking it out. I’m working on a larger one now too. It’ll be made in a Milwaukee Pack-Out box with a 2000 watt inverter and 200ah battery. Thanks for watching my video…. 5 times, bwahahaha!!
You build to sell brother I wish I was good 😊 like you I make one just not like your brother hope one ☝️ day I can build one ☝️ like yours good video great job 👏
why do people want to turn 12V dc power into 120V ac, then back into 12V dc to power things? why not just go 12V dc "supply' to 12V dc "use"? or another dc power. like 5V dc to charge a phone.
Sometimes it's because of how voltage control works or not. For example in some of the commercially offered solar generators / potable power systems, the internal battery is NMC and they are actually 10.9 volt batteries. They read 12 volt when 100% state of charge, but then drop into the 11s under load. This often trips off 12 volt refrigerators and diesel heater igniter. The other time is when used in cold weather, such as 0 F. Li batteries won't function at 0F, so you have to use AGMs or similar. Under cold conditions the battery voltage of these drops as well. So the choice is to either use a 24 or 48 volt battery pack and dc converter, or turn on the inverter to make 120 vac, then plug in a 120 vac to 13 volt dc converter.
@@harryniedecken5321 Most commercial power systems operate on 48v, not 12v, so that should never be a concern, regardless of what battery chemistry is used (These days, they're almost ALL some sort of Lithium chemistry). Even on a 12v system, if your battery voltage range is outside of whatever appliance you're using is happy with, that is easily resolved by a simple step-up buck converter. But, of course, those have some efficiency losses as well, but that's still better than not being able to run whatever you are trying to run. One correction though, LifePo4 batteries will work fine for SUPPLYING power in cold temps, they just can't be charged at those temps. The good news is that discharging the batteries a bit is typically enough to warm them back up enough to safe charging temps, and then charging them will also keep them warm enough to safely continue charging. It's pretty rare, indeed, that you'd ever be in a situation where cold weather would truly create a problem with being able to use them. And with portable battery packs like this one, it's a pretty trivial matter to simply bring the battery pack indoors to warm it up.
Cameras batteries charger. And the 300w inverter runs my computer system for hours. Those two things make this box priceless… to me. And that’s all that matters.
This is BY FAR the most attractive DIY solar generator I've seen. Well done sir!
Thanks so much. I’m gathering up the bits to do a larger one in a Milwaukee Pack-Out box. Watch for that one.
adding a fan to the top of the box controlled by the thermistors would be a cool addition.
This box doesn’t need it. Check out my Milwaukee pack out build, it has four fans.
great video...will be building the same soon...
Another cool build, would be nice for camp to keep cell phone charged. Thanks for the videos….
Power goes out at my place all the time so it’s been very handy. Before I built the Packout version I would use this little guy to run my computer setup. The power goes out but the cable still works so I just sit there next to the fireplace happily oblivious to the power outage surfing the interweb.
Very clean.
Looks to be a great build , doing it in steps would help a lot of people wanting to build something like this especially on the wiring
I’ll keep that in mind on the next one. I’m gathering the parts for a large one in a Milwaukee Packout box.
Very slick! I like that you used the reinforcement braces to your advantage, as the switches are protected from accidentally being turned on. I have two of these exact same boxes, as well as the matching big bottom one with handle and wheels. Planning on using mine for Ham radio go-kits. Thanks for all the details, and you did a fine job!
Well thank you very much. I’m glad you liked and thanks for watching.
Great video
Nice build. Clean install and use of space. The only thing missing might be some cooling fan(s) hooked up in conjunction with your thermistors! About the time you finished this project, everybody was changing from USB A/B to the New USB C plugs.
I was also impressed with how clean your work shop appeared!
Great job! That will provide years of fun and emergency power.
Funny, I was just thinking that same thing last month when I was using this a lot. I need to swap out a couple of those A’s for USB-C. Thanks for watching.
clean build
I only work a few blocks from No 5 Orange! I laughed when you mentioned that! Lol. Great build BTW. I've learned a lot from your vids!
That’s awesome. Thanks for watching. 👍
Well done!!
There’s no arguing with a curmudgeon. Thank you sir.
That’s awesome! Great build
Thank you.
really nice and well done
Right on. Thank you.
#5 and the stairway to heaven.
You know it my man!
Very clean build. Great job.
Thank you. 🙏
It would be awesome if during this build you showed where each wire is connected and how it's run and how all the components are wired up bc so far this and one other build I've seen are the best on UA-cam
Thanks, I hear what you’re saying. When I was building this I never intended it to be a tutorial. And I really didn’t know what I was doing as far as the camera work goes, I was kind of new at the UA-cam thing. I was more concentrating on what I was doing actually building the thing then documenting the work with the camera. If you check out my Milwaukee packout build, I go into a lot more detail with that build. Thanks for watching.
@@i.b.lancer yes sir I will and like I said your videos on explaining what your putting but as far as builds your and maybe 2 more other guys have the best builds I've seen so far
A good little powerbank you have there, I have 24v / 1000w inverter for my powerbank but still used. My diy powerbank is based on an electric bike battery (36v / 15A) I use a small converter from 36v to 12-24v / 500w most cigar usb for cars can handle 24v, I have the option to make 12v, I have put a cigar 12v and a usb with two connectors next to each other in the same box as the converter, which then goes a wire from the bicycle battery to the box.
Amazing work from Milton
Great technique, congratulations.
Thank you.
Great build! Thanks for making this video.
Thanks, and your very welcome. Thanks for stopping by. 👍
Now that the litime 100ah mini is out, it might fit better than the two you currently have. I plan on fitting mine in the milwaukee ammo can to do similar things.
I checked them out. The Li Time battery is a little bigger then what I used and won't lay down in the case that I used without cutting the lid or taking the lid right out. But it would definitely be the way to go in a different case. Thanks for sharing that.
🤔 SAFETY FIRST! Was there a Mains/Catastrophe Fuse or Breaker on the wire at the Battery POS post? The BMS is to protect the battery. If there were to be a short between your fuse box and the battery? Every DC or AC panel has a Mains/Catastrophe Fuse or Breaker. Awesome build. Thanks!
I gave a thumbs-up for the awesome music!
nice build too!!
Thanks so much.
Great Job!!!
Thanks.
Did you forget to post the parts you used?
This was excellent
Thanks. I’ll start working on a list.
I was thinking about relays also a easy way to use a campare operation device to turn itself off if under voltage to protect batteries.
The inverter has a low voltage shutoff at 10V. You're not going to hurt the batteries.
I used the aims 3000 watt inverter. It does exactly what it says it will do.
very good job dude!
Thank you.
I wish you had mentioned what all the components cost. How many hours it took to build would also be interesting.
Noted.
I’m currently building a 100ah 3000w version in a Milwaukee packout box. I’ll include that information in that video. It’s comments like yours that help me get better at making these videos. Thanks for your input. 👍
@@i.b.lancerI'm considering it as well. Thanks for sharing with us. Great video!
Good Job I really enjoyed the video. 👍
I very like this box you made. Would you make one to sell because I have no time and tools to make myself. Thank you.
I’m sorry, I just don’t have the time either. But thanks for watching. 👍🏻
300 watt is plenty for when the power goes out and all you wanna do is power is a fan or 2 because summer time power outages suck because it gets hot in the house lol
Runs my computer, speaker system and router. That’s all that really matters…. Oh., and a fan.
Awesome build. Do you have a wiring diagram or is it all in your head? I would love to have a wiring diagram.
I'm glad you like it but sorry, no plans.
Muy buen video estado viendo los enlazes de Amazon per no biene lo que es el recipiente o maleta vacia gracias desde valencia (España
Gracias por tus comentarios. No pude encontrar la caja exacta que usé en Amazon. Le sugiero que encuentre una caja con las dimensiones de 56x34x17 cm localmente. Incluiré un enlace a una caja de Dewalt que también funcionará amzn.to/3Oi3hZy si no puede encontrar una cerca de usted. Gracias de nuevo, y buena suerte con tu construcción. (Canadá)
@@i.b.lancer muchas gracias
Did I miss something? What box did you use? I don't see it mentioned in the video or available on the parts list. Nice video, Thanks.
Talked about it in the first 15 seconds of the video.
Thats a hell of a nice build - i noticed theres a fuse block - is the 12v port fused and what fuse did u end up using ( if you have ) and are the usb ports fused ? ..... my only concern is the mains voltage - it wont be earthed so be carefull there but apart from that - Well done
12v in and out port doesn’t go through the fuse block. It’s on its own 20A blade fuse. I chose 20A based on the external chargers output to this box…20’s lots. It’s also on the main switch circuit so power will only flow when the main switch is closed. Just an added safety feature with the help of a 40A relay. All the usb ports get their power from the fuse block. Probably 5A fuses. Thanks for watching!
Great project! What relays (AMPS) did you use for the master switch and for the inverter switch?
I got them off of Amazon.
The main is… Starter Relay WM686 12VDC 200A. Amperage wise it’s total overkill but it’s a good looking relay
And the inverter relay is a MGI SpeedWare 40 Amp Relay Harness Set SPDT with 5-Pin Socket
@@i.b.lancer Thanks so much for the assist. I just bought a large rolling and small Rigid box-I hope it comes out as good as yours!
cool build love it 🥰🥰🥰🥰 am building my own 3000 watts 48 volt 120 AC 60Hz pure sine wave i have water proof tool box same tool box you have but much bigger i have 4 110AC out and 2 15A and 20A breaker for my out let them i used wire that wire house with for my out let and going to my inverter and ihave switch between positive of my batter and to positive of my inverter i going put solar charger and usb and cool fan but water proof so my out let them have breaker for each one so nothing with happend to my inverter
That sounds awesome. 👍🏻
@@i.b.lancer thanks when I finish I will show you but not finish yet I have the same tool box you have but the bigger one I going buy that same tool box here in Toronto keep up good work brother
Awesome
Thanks
Great video! I'm working on on one of these myself and you've given me some ideas. For charging the batteries.. Should they be charged by either solar or a plug in charger.. Or could you charge using both at the same time?
While I wouldn't charge them at the same time using both inputs, you could have two charging inputs. One going to the charge controller and the other going directly to the batteries. It depends on your charge controller. In my case my charge controller is only good for 10 amps and the external (plug in) charger I have puts out way more than that. So I opted to have separate inputs. Hope that helps.
Any diod after the relay to supress inductive backflow?
No, doesn't need it.
Don’t throw out the soldering gun! If you leave them on too long it pops the thermal fuse for the unit…it’s an easy fix! When soldering, turn it off after making your connections. Then fire it back up when needed…they heat up fast.
Too late. I bought a new one.
You do great 😊 brother I see them on Amazon but not like yours I have 1100 watts looking for batteries 🔋 like yours to buy
No5 Orange is a strip club in Vancouver. Says on the Googler.
I wish you did a video that was a little more in-depth on how you wired it and why.
ua-cam.com/video/thvuh82wdms/v-deo.htmlsi=ijpUr1sWUAAlpU1M
You build much better than those off Amazon brother cool 😎 box thinking 🤔 you build for sell brother
No sorry, I just don’t have the time to build these. They’re very time consuming. Thanks for watching though. 👍
I built this power pack so I can charge my camera batteries while on the go, let me know what you think.
Orange #5 Vancouver
Nope. Never been. 🤐
😂
Just received the Genasun charge controller. Novice question: How did you connect the shunt to the battery side of the charge controller to measure amps?
The shunt runs in line with the negative wire. And where you hook it up will depend on which current you want to read. In my case I wanted to monitor the amperage going into the charge controller so I put my shunt just before the charge controller
@@i.b.lancer Just ran the wires and it all came together! Thanks a bunch!
@@roncolaninno5866Hey, great to hear 👍
REALLY cool battery solution you got there!!! Great work man! :) Hats off!! Hats off!!! Don't forget about being able to use a gas powered generator in case the sun does not shine - and you REALLY gotta have that POWA!!! :P Do YOu have the powa?!?! He-man has it.. :P
Alrighty then.
new to this why do you need a relay for the switches?
Most switches can’t pass through the amperage that’s needed for certain things. So a relay is used so the switch just turns on the relay, which handles the large current.
Neat!
Thanks👍🏻
NO.5 Orange in vancouver??! 😅
Ya man, I'm from Van
Very cool. But how much have you really used it since you built it?
Well, I do have a larger one that I use more then this one but since this one powers the lights out in my back shed, I would say every other day it gets used. For me these are more of an emergency back up. In the winter the power goes out around here quite often. Last winter I used it tons. Now I have the larger one so we’ll see. Thanks for watching.
Kinda like a heater.Yah turn it on when it’s cold.😅
zackly
Do you have plans for that
No sorry. I usually just sketch it out on a piece of paper and throw the paper away when I’m done I wouldn’t really call it a plan.
Cool project, you just need to slow it down, explain what you're doing and get better lighting.
ua-cam.com/video/thvuh82wdms/v-deo.htmlsi=pDpqvalAuPrQtgM6
Pretty Awesome!!! How well does it carry with the handle since the batteries are off-center? Nice work. And Yes I've been to #5 Orange 😆
That was something that I didn't think of before building it but it didn't take long to find the sweet spot on the handle I just have to grab it at the end that's over the batteries and it's totally in the centre of gravity and nice and comfortable to hold. Even if you grab the handle in the middle it's really not too bad but feels better if you grab it at the one end. Thanks for watching! #5 all the way.
I've watched your video 5 times and I wish I had half your talent and patience. I'm determined to make a similar solar generator. I'll let you know when I finish it.
Yes, I would be interested in checking it out. I’m working on a larger one now too. It’ll be made in a Milwaukee Pack-Out box with a 2000 watt inverter and 200ah battery. Thanks for watching my video…. 5 times, bwahahaha!!
You build to sell brother I wish I was good 😊 like you I make one just not like your brother hope one ☝️ day I can build one ☝️ like yours good video great job 👏
Coming down to the wire? You just could not "Resist" saying that, could you? LOL!
Bwhahahaha!!! Nope.
why do people want to turn 12V dc power into 120V ac, then back into 12V dc to power things?
why not just go 12V dc "supply' to 12V dc "use"? or another dc power. like 5V dc to charge a phone.
Sometimes it's because of how voltage control works or not.
For example in some of the commercially offered solar generators / potable power systems, the internal battery is NMC and they are actually 10.9 volt batteries. They read 12 volt when 100% state of charge, but then drop into the 11s under load. This often trips off 12 volt refrigerators and diesel heater igniter.
The other time is when used in cold weather, such as 0 F. Li batteries won't function at 0F, so you have to use AGMs or similar. Under cold conditions the battery voltage of these drops as well.
So the choice is to either use a 24 or 48 volt battery pack and dc converter, or turn on the inverter to make 120 vac, then plug in a 120 vac to 13 volt dc converter.
Harry’s explanation is excellent although at no time was DC turned into AC and then back to DC in this build.
@@harryniedecken5321 Most commercial power systems operate on 48v, not 12v, so that should never be a concern, regardless of what battery chemistry is used (These days, they're almost ALL some sort of Lithium chemistry).
Even on a 12v system, if your battery voltage range is outside of whatever appliance you're using is happy with, that is easily resolved by a simple step-up buck converter. But, of course, those have some efficiency losses as well, but that's still better than not being able to run whatever you are trying to run.
One correction though, LifePo4 batteries will work fine for SUPPLYING power in cold temps, they just can't be charged at those temps. The good news is that discharging the batteries a bit is typically enough to warm them back up enough to safe charging temps, and then charging them will also keep them warm enough to safely continue charging. It's pretty rare, indeed, that you'd ever be in a situation where cold weather would truly create a problem with being able to use them.
And with portable battery packs like this one, it's a pretty trivial matter to simply bring the battery pack indoors to warm it up.
Chunk of what? Aluminium...Read that again out loud...
?
300w ? .... all that investment for a large tool battery charger ....
Cameras batteries charger. And the 300w inverter runs my computer system for hours. Those two things make this box priceless… to me. And that’s all that matters.