How To Build A DIY Portable Solar Power Generator (For Under $200)

Generator

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.

diyhomeenergy-video-still

My Requirements

First up I made a list of my requirements;

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Portable Solar Power Generator

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.

 

The Build

Here we have all of the major elements that will be going into or onto the tool box.

Portable Solar Power Generator - Components

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.

Portable Solar Power Generator - Batteries

One for scale!

Portable Solar Power Generator - Scale

You can see the terminals used on the top which make connecting wires very easy with female spade connectors

Portable Solar Power Generator - Battery Spade Connectors

Here is a close up of the digital battery power meter I picked up for around $25 on Ebay

Portable Solar Power Generator - Digital Power Analyzer

It didn’t come with any connectors so I had to add spade connectors and heat shrink to make it look nice!

Portable Solar Power Generator - New Spade Connectors

Portable Solar Power Generator - Power Analyzer With Spade Connectors

Here is the second charge controller I bought as the first didn’t work

Portable Solar Power Generator - Charge Controller

Charge Controller – Controls the power to and from the batteries and solar panel

Next up we have the Hella socket and plug

Portable Solar Power Generator - Hella Socket

The 2v DC sockets and switches installed in the lid (which has the orange cover) My Dremel tool made this so easy!

Portable Solar Power Generator - DC Sockets Installed

My master power switch and power analyzer under the lid on the opposite side to the 12v DC plugs

Portable Solar Power Generator - Mains Switch & Power Analyzer

Here’s how it looked underneath

Portable Solar Power Generator - The Lid

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!

Portable Solar Power Generator - Batteries Wired In Parallel

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

Portable Solar Power Generator - Hella Socket Installed

 

Portable Solar Power Generator - Hella Socket Installed

And one of the 2x 12v DC sockets along with blue LED switches to show me they are on and working!

Portable Solar Power Generator - DC Sockets Working

Here is my second charge controller (working this time)

Portable Solar Power Generator - Working Charge Controller

The Power Analyser installed next to the master switch…we have power!

Portable Solar Power Generator - Master Swith and Power Analyzer

Checking the power output

Portable Solar Power Generator - Multimeter

Here is the trickle charger and it plugged in (only a 2.4w panel)

Portable Solar Power Generator - Trickle Charger

Here is where the solar panel connects using the Hella Socket.

Portable Solar Generator - Solar Panel Connection

And the battery power analyzer telling me we’re good to go

Portable Solar Generator - Power Analyzer On

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.

diyhomeenergybox-270x300

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SOURCE : prepperzine.com

‘Mountain Man’ John

‘Mountain Man’ John is a Survival and Preparedness enthusiast who loves everything outdoors. He has a passion for learning anything and everything to help sustain his and his families way of life post SHTF. He frequently shares his knowledge on a variety of topics from his hands on DIY projects, learning new skills such as hunting and trapping along with reviews on his Survival related purchases – Prepping has been in his family for generations, it’s in his blood. You can follow John by subscribing to his newsletter on the PrepperZine.com homepage, or by following him on Facebook.

 

10 thoughts on “How To Build A DIY Portable Solar Power Generator (For Under $200)

  1. Vagn Sorensen

    This is a power storage unit. It does not ‘generate’ any power…unfortunately!
    Connected to a 100 to 400 watt solar panel (power generator) it could be very useful.

    Reply
    1. Farmer

      Vagn – not sure I understand your objection. With the solar panel shown (albeit a small one) this unit does generate (and store) DC.

      Reply
    1. Myke

      Yes, a wiring diagram would be very helpful.
      I like the choice of that tool box. As they say, it is unobtrusive and should be quite robust.

      Reply
  2. Hank

    You showed but didn’t list or include the two cooling fans. Was there a plan, or found it not necessary (or no more room)?

    Reply
    1. ahjhrfhKL43746DDf

      Here are the numbers from our test:

      BMK Reading: 200 amp hours in 11 hours
      Kill-A-Watt Reading: 1.530 kwh in 11 hours
      If you do the math of converting kilowatts into 12v amp hours you’ll see our fridge only used about 130 amp hours of battery. My answer to this discrepancy: Power is always lost when using an inverter and there are parasitic draws from our battery we cannot control (such as vent fans, LED lights, radio, etc).

      I did run a separate test while plugged into shore power with the A/C set to 74° and the fridge pulled 2.392 kwh in 24 hours (1.097 kwh in 11 hours). This tells me when temperatures are a little cooler the fridge doesn’t have to work quite as hard.

      I personally think the conditions were perfect for our off the grid RV Fridge Test as it wasn’t too hot and we were in shade (or it was night) for half of the testing hours. The temperature was a mild 80 degrees and there was a slight breeze to keep the air moving inside the motorhome.

      It’s also good to note we spent the entire day outside of the RV as we wanted to test only the refrigerator power usage. Our TVs were still plugged in but they were off and the only other thing using electricity was the overhead LED lights for the few minutes while filming inside the coach. We did open the fridge a few times to get stuff for lunch and the occasional beverage, but that’s “real-life use”.

      Reply

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