Search results

Another inside view.

2 years update: Station had performed well until a recent low voltage disconnect. I believe my setup with lights and small inverter continuously connected caused a slow drain that the battery monitor did not pickup on. LVD occurred with monitor showing 80%. Currently, battery pack will not...

My AC outlets are also GFCI protected just in case. Some codes appear to permit GFCI in lieu of a wired ground for "portable job site power stations."

Both the charge controller and inverter have designated ground connects by the manufacturer. They’re connected with a single piece of solid 12g. Note that I’m using a single-phase inverter.

The two panel application is just for a small solar shed. I was wondering if I should pony up for about 4kw of matching panels now even with my primary residential application at least a year away. But it seems like I should be able to find a better deal if I hold out.

Typo! I meant 500wh — just enough to eek by in a no-sun situation for another half day or so. I assume most power tool batteries do have a basic BMS to prevent over discharge; 40v batteries have an SOC readout as well.

I have an Epever Tracer 40A charge controller on a 2.4kw 24v lifepo4 portable power station. I’d like to be able to use my 500kwh of 40v cordless mower/chainsaw batteries as backup in case of an emergency. If I use a battery adapter and run it to the solar-ins on my Tracer, will that work...

Is mono glass panel technology really at a point where I should just focus on price per watt and brand doesn’t make too much of a difference in performance or lifetime?

I have an opportunity to snag some new Grade A 300w Hyundai panels by driving a few hours away. I don’t really see enough reviews/prices on them to know if they’re worth the effort, but $180 +tax each seems pretty tempting. I have plans for future residential application. Anyone familiar with...

Space is a big consideration, and I want to stick with dry cells if at all possible. But I have some other projects where a good low-temp FLA could be ideal.

Appreciate the input, especially as we might relocate to a colder climate. I've heard LTO cell voltages can be tricky/unconventional— but also that if you do the math right for the operational ranges of your equipment there are usually no problems.

What is the best lithium battery chemistry for cold environments? I’m in northeastern Ohio, and our winters aren’t brutal, but every few years we end up with 3-5 days of sub-zero temps in a row. I want to setup an insulated solar shed with a grid-tie + battery bank of 5-10KW. Will lifepo4 with a...

Here’s a super lightweight and cheap adjustable stand design that I use for 100w flex panel pairs. Each unit costs <$15 to make and weighs <2 lbs. The tilt/kickstand adjusts with a wing nut and bolt — it can go from about 25-80 degrees and also fold in to lay the whole thing flat. All non-moving...

Very nice! Does it have any sort of grounding for the inverter or charge controller?

You might consider an all-in-one portable power station with built-in solar charging. That + a 50-100w panel could handle your lighting and device charging needs and maybe even a 12v refrigerator. Calculate your expected power consumption and then see reviews on YouTube.

My solar station is manual enough (no tie/ATS) that you wouldn’t miss something like that in an outage —you’d be around checking on it regularly. But I was planning to replace our main refrigerator outlet with a gfci because it’s box is in the floor and not the wall. It would not be great if...

I went right to a 24v lifepo4 golf cart battery pack via AliExpress for my first “solar generator” system. It was costly up-front compared to SLA and standard lithium, but it should last over a decade and longer if I baby it. If you buy a pre-made pack, many already have their own [cheap; not...

If you have a negative bus, you might put the shunt between it and the main battery connect so that all negative current going in/out passes through the shunt. Does the unit also require a separate positive wire in addition to the monitor cable? If so, keep that in mind, too — and yes, keep it...

Took me forever to get around to it, but here’s the setup I decided to go with: 12 gauge from charge controller & inverter to a 4mm jack > 4mm banana plug with 12g run tip to tip > grounding wall plug OR bare wire to pipe clamp.

Pics of the latest updates. Lights, grounding and more.

You’re welcome! I feel confident about it, but I would love to get a highly qualified opinion on the use of 4mm w/ bananas to ground. All the DIY videos for mobile setups w/ full sized components seem to skip grounding. I didn’t feel good about using a connection or cordage intended for multiple...

Thanks! Latest update >> https://diysolarforum.com/threads/portable-solar-power-station-update-lights-ventilation-grounding.11078/

Very nice. I didn’t realize that I was going to build my portable system into a finished box until after I got deep into connecting components, so I’m hugely envious of your detailed planning and clean finishes. Well done!

I got some great feedback on my first build of a 24v portable power station, so here are the updates: - Exterior AND interior 12v atv undercarriage lights run off a 5amp step-down w/ switches. Lights are fuse-protected and always ready for use regardless of how the breakers are set. The “show...

I bet they could have put 2 pieces of toast in there. Total sand-bagging... ;)

700w! It can be done ;)

A small hand crank flashlight unit can easily charge a phone or portable power bank for much longer than 20 minutes of use in an hour — close to 50% the last time I did it. I do agree that bike-powered alone doesn’t present a feasible solution for a prolonged emergency or off-grid situation, but...

It sounds like if nothing else, there is no way I’m going to generate enough energy to burn out a controller. The scenario I’m planning for is a lengthy power outage with no sun, which we have often in Ohio. Using outlet timers, I can stretch my 2.4 system to support 2 loaded...

There are plenty of videos of people using small bike generators to charge 12v batteries and power inverters to run small-mid watt devices. I think a full 1000w of pedal power would be a challenge, but I see no reason why a few hundred watts of steady charge power wouldn’t be easily possible...

I want to rig-up a bicycle generator as a backup charger for the 2.4kw/24v lifepo4 battery in my portable rig. If I use a mounted turbine of the appropriate voltage/wattage and don’t push for 100% SOC, is there any reason I can’t just plug into the SAE that connects to my Epever Tracer 40...

I bought a pair of cheap Chinese battery-maintaining panels w/ twin USB ports and put them in parallel w/ butt connectors and plenty of heat shrink. Rather than buying another 8mm connector, I just cut/reused the plug from the DC charger that came with the Jackery because I think charging solar...

I bought a 100ah 24v lifepo4 battery pack from AliExpress for about $800, and it has worked well in my portable application. If you really want data & advanced monitoring, setup your own w/ a good BMS. I also worry about running more than a few of them in parallel or series because they are...

Good setup — I was thinking of something just like that. But it makes me wonder why most commercial “portable solar generators” don’t have any sort of ground.

I have a similar portable setup. In my shop, I can tether it to existing grounding, but what can you run a grounding cable to in a mobile situation outside with no rod available and a non-conductive case?

I hope to do a heavy simultaneous load/charge test soon to really know what sort of heat this will output. I only have 400w of panels available at the moment. Internal paint is a great idea — had I not kind of built the box around the system mid-flight I definitely would have done that. Battery...