DIY: Build a SUPER EASY BATTERY BOX and SOLAR SETUP for CAMPING / VANS / CARAVANS
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- This Video is a walkthrough of my homemade battery box. It runs our Waeco CFX65L for around 3 days off the battery box alone and indefinitely when connected to solar.
1x 120AH AGM Deep cycle battery
1x Thunder 20 A DC/DC Charger (highly recommend! good value for money and a great alternative to ctek and redarc units)
1x Dual USB charging ports
3x Ciga sockets for powering the waeco and camp lights
1x volt meter and push button switch to turn on and off.
2x Grey Anderson 50A Plugs (output but can also be used as input if using a regulated panel)
1x Red Anderson 50A Plug for unregulated solar input
note that red anderson plugs will only fit red, this prevents someone from connecting the solar to the wrong plug.
The box itself is made from 12mm structural ply and covered with marine ply for looks.
we are very happy with the Thunder 20A DC to DC Charger and could not recommend it enough. I have used both Redarc and CTEK units in the past and these are definitely better value for money.
Disclaimer: I am not an auto electrician but am more than happy to assist anyone trying to replicate this battery box, if there is enough interest in a more detailed video explaining all the components I will upload a second video.
This video has provided more information in regards to a solar setup than 90% of the info just googling has shown me. Thanks very much
So hard to find a decent video on a camping set up! Thank you so much
I think this will be a huge help to me…thank you.
Lengend has it the kid now runs a solar power c/o 🌞👍
This answered many questions Ive spent all night googling. Thanks!
I'm just getting into it and this has been super helpful, clear and concise. Thanks heaps for making it.
Literally the exact video I needed to see as I want to do exactly what you’ve done because I thought surely I could build one cheaper then what companies try to sting for
if you factor your time in, the ones you buy are well priced. I just wanted the flexibility to be able to change it up if i wanted and I enjoy making things so the time didn't worry me. This battery box has since been re-purposed and fitted permanently into a jack off canopy.
Thanks for the walk around of your solar set up.
This is very valuable info, I was looking at a battery box and astounded by the prices. This build will make it cheaper and I'll get more XP points by doing so. Thanks for sharing!
You are very clever. Great vid
Fantastic. Great for a newbie like me. Thanks!
This is awesome! I really appreciate you sharing!
Nice work! Thank you for sharing your experience
Awesome build and great vid! Thanks.
What a great informative video - extremely useful - well done!
You kid are awesome ! Thanks from Denmark
This beautiful, great job !!!
Great build it has helped me plan mine
Your video answered all my questions 👌
Thanks for sharing mate
Pls insulate the two wires on the back of the solar panels. I know the panels are relatively low voltage but to protect your panels its a must.
It was wrapped properly after I did the video
Good stuff. I'm preparing to build one similar for the 4wd so we can take a fridge camping
Well done
This is awesome! Thank you!
Only just stumbled across this and it's great well done
Mate, that was awesome, cheers.
Good one it's a beauty
Good job lad.👍
You're awesome 👍🏻
Your video is very informative. I am planning on doing something similar. Well done!
John Canete thanks man, lots of videos out there, very few to keep it simple and explain the whole system and what it runs. Glad it helped someone :)
I like it!
Great stuff
This is amazing 👏 looking to turn my honda fit into a road trip car this would probably fit under the back how did the test of time work would you modify anything some parts list would be amazing also
nice build
Good job
Good lad!!
WE NEED MORE VIDEO PLEASE, { NOW LET'S GO TO WORK...}
Super cool set up. Would be keen for a wiring diagram as i want to create a similar set up
As much as i love the idea, it could be better, e.g, you are very limited with those ciggy lighters, you have them all bridged together meaning that if you load them all with 16AMP, the poor wire running between the battery and the first lighter socket, might get abit hot/burn. I also suggest you maybe get a little 300watt pure sine wave inverter for running laptops and that? I recommend maybe you add a small DC computer fan too if you put inverter in?
Soon as you lifted the box, I got lost lol
Genius !
Thanks for the helpful video 🙏.
Haven't you thought of installing a peltier cooler on the box?
I did consider it when i first built it but heat hasn't been an issue, I kept an eye on it with a digital thermometer the first couple of times we used it and it never got hot enough to justify putting one in.
Do you have a link to those solar panels?
nice, you could almost fit a 240V invertor in there too
I've since re-purposed this box into a permanent fit out in our canopy and added a 240v inverter to run microwaves, kettles etc. that was the only thing missing but I didn't include it in the initial box because we were pretty new to camping and didn't really know what we wanted.
Awesome , I loved it.Can you please post the name of the solar panels,thx.
Ray Vilasuso they’re just the max Ray panels off eBay
I just posted this question on a forum and you have done what I asked!
So i assume the Thunder DCDC charger regulates the input you bypassed on the panel? Are there then limits to what kind of input (panel) you can connect? Was thinking of a second hand panel off my dying neighbours shed roof, he wont miss it.
Yep, the thunder unit regulates it. I wouldn’t use a household panel because the voltage is much higher.
Cool build, but are those wires straight out of the panel, where you removed the stock panel regulator still exposed? It looks like two soldered joints just begging to short.
yep these were heatshrinked later, which is still not ideal but still going strong 12 months later.
This video is awesome! I'm going to attempt this on my own... just wondering how much all up (minus the battery and solar panels) did this cost? So just the set up of the battery box? Also, the regulator on the solar panels, does this need to be removed so the DC charger will work or can this regulator remain? I have a fold out flat solar panel blanket 250w. Thanks again!
you need to bypass the solar panel regulator as the dc to dc charger has an in built MPPT regulator. im going to wire an anderson plug on the unregulated side of the solar panel regulator so i have the option to use both regulated and non regulated solar
Do you ground the portable battery box to the chassis or body?
Nice build. Get those wires covered up on the back of those panels and you're good. Remember solar panels don't need to be connected to anything to be putting out power, so having those joins not covered could end badly.
They've been heat wrapped since, still going strong after 12 months.
I've been watching this video to use as a guideline for my Battery box, as I just got my 100Ah Battle Born LiFEPO4 Battery to replace my old set of GC 6Vs... Main difference is in the Solar Controller I am using (Renogy Rover 20A w/ 2 x 100W Flexible solar Cells) vs your DC to DC Thunder unit, and a centralized Fuse panel for individual fuses per outlet.
Question: What style of joints were used on the plywood box? Its all covered with carpet, but was curious if you just did a butt joint, or some other form of joinery? I want the box to really protect the battery and hold together. I will also be using 1/2" or ~12mm ply as you have.
Also, What were you using the extra two Grey Anderson plugs for?
Thanks for the video!
Hey Adam, That's great I hope it has helped! I just used but joints and hinges to hold it together which worked well. You could also use a piano hinge here but I was happy to just use 2 heavy duty door hinges. The two grey Andersons are input/output plugs that I use solely for output. They can also be used to charge the battery direct with another regulated panel if need be.
@@TarrawingeeFarm Yes, it did. Definitely moved me towards building out if plywood as opposed to the modified Rubbermaid type bin I was using. I figured the Greys were essentially I/O for regulated sources, or out for other appliances; was just curious what you may have rewired to take advantage of the 2 Anderson "outlets".
Also, does the Thunder unit you use as a charge controller act as an mppt controller for your panels? Or more like a PWM? I would imagine it actually converts the 18v from the panel into a higher current 12v like an mppt controller would?
@@darkskyification I've since re-purposed the box into the electricals in a jack off canopy but I use the andersons to run mates fridges when we go camping, air compressor etc. the thunder from my understanding works more like a MPPT with the solar panel that we have.
How often do you give the battery a charge when it’s in storage ?
I normally just check the voltage on the battery but connecting the panels for a day once every 3 months does the trick.
Hey mate, great vid. how much in total did it cost you?
Hi mate, its been a while now so I can't remember the exact cost but it was cheaper than buying a pre-made one.
you should sell these, Great job
Btasty I’m not trying to be a hater but absolutely don’t attempt to sell these. Deep cycle batteries should never be stored in confined spaces. If it overheats, starts a fire, and kills someone it will be on him. He’s going against manufacturer’s specifications. That thing is a fire hazard waiting to happen!
@@mychanneltoletyouknow To avoid the fire hazard he could use a Lead Crystal Battery. Very safe batteries.
@@mychanneltoletyouknow The battery is an deep cycle AGM battery, there are vents on the side of the box under each handle for breath-ability. The battery box is now a few years old and has not had any issues, it has been on many camping rips and thrown around with not a single problem. AGM batteries
Hi, could you please build me a portable unit like yours with a 150ah or 200ah Lithium Ion battery and supporting solar panels but also to use it with 12v output so for charging 12v cordless tools and maybe running some household appliances if needed. Would also like 12V, cig socket and anderson inputs for charging as well. Cheers
Hi Mate, I'm not an auto electrician and given your specifics I'd suggest going to see one. I built one for my brother to charge his drill batteries, run a small microwave and 45L engel fridge using an 2x 120AH AGM batteries and 200W panel. lithium batteries are damn expensive for what you're trying to achieve.
Would love to see the wiring diagram
Boyfriend proof! LOL This is an impressive build. You have got some skills. Can you please clarify the 3 days without the solar charge draws down to ~75% of battery charge or is it more than that? Where you have "starred" your neutral wires there what kit have you used to fix them I can see the nut but is it something I can grab from a Supercheap or via eBay / electronics shop? If you posted up a list of components that would be great but if thats too much trouble just answers to my questions much appreciated.
yep 3 days without solar before the fridge shuts off (set to shut off before the battery draws down) the star is just a standard bolt from supercheap, runs back to the negative on the battery. having it like that just made it a bit easier to put together and switch things out down the track if I want to.
@@TarrawingeeFarm how did you fix the bolt to the lid? Does it go all the way through and you just covered it. Up with carpet?
I am currently researching battery boxes as I want to purchase one. This would have to be the best design I have seen. Over-engineered but that is exactly what I want. I am in no way handy enough to build one hence researching to purchase. Not interested in building me one?...
Beth Fletcher if you haven’t bought one yet, UA-cam or Google a company called Australian Direct. They build battery boxes and have everything else you’ll need to go off grid.
if you're not handy you could try getting a local auto electrician to build you one. Ill add a list of inclusions in my video description so you can take it straight to them. they should be able to build it.
alternatively depending on your needs these units are quite good value for money www.autoelec.com.au/thunder-battery-box-portable-powerpack-power-12v-d
So can you charge the battery from your car? In case of clouds? I think you said you could?
yes the empty pin on the dc to dc allows for a charge point from a car which is the same setup you use to run a dual battery setup, this way if you are traveling to or from your campsite you can still have your fridge etc. running whilst keeping the battery charged.
spot on!
Did you cover the box first or last?
last, after cutting through timber so there werent any rough holesaw marks left
Where abouts did you get the air vents?
The Golden Snitch from Bunnings
So the battery itself does not need earthing?
I haven't done so in the box, i have since re-purposed this battery box into a canopy and have earthed it
Hi, Any chance you did up a wiring diagram when building this? It would be great if you could upload and put a link to it. I'm planning to replicate this exact box - wiring wise. But I'm going to do the box a little different. Cheers
+1!
+2👍
+3 - this is great!
Would be great to get a wiring diagram and a list of the parts you used, similar to @Billies I am looking to have the same setup in a slightly different box configuration
Theres a list of products used in the description, but i will work on drawing up a wiring diagram.
just use Avasva Solutions :)))
Well done