This 2000 watt, 12 volt, system was built using the Ridgid modular toolbox system as the foundation. The boxes are stackable, clamp together and are fairly rugged. The whole system can be stacked and rolled on a hard surface or moved individually for transport over rough terrain or placed in a vehicle.
The current version of this system will charge USB devices, power 12v devices from cigarette lighter outlets, run quite a few 120v devices including a Keurig coffee maker, toaster oven, air fryer, full size refrigerator and a chest freezer not all simultaneously of course.
Specifications:
- Battery capacity: 300ah 12v LiFePO4
- Inverter output: 2000 watts, 3 15A outlets
- USB outlets: three QC 3.0
- 12v outlets: 2 cigarette lighter sockets
- Charging: 400 watts solar using 30A PWM charge controller
- Monitoring: Battery capacity, solar panel output, charger output
- Upgrade to MPPT charger, add more panels
- Add a 120v charger to charge from shore power or generator
- Add control box cooling fans with filters and on/off/auto switch on top of control panel
- Add thumb screws to hold down control panel. Just resting on angle brackets right now
- Add 2 remaining 120v outlets
Parts list (May have missed a few things but these are the major items, connectors, tape, tools, etc. excluded):
| Qty | Description | Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ridgid boxes were bought as a set on sale for about $130. However, they are sold individually. Bottom and largest box with wheels and collapsible handle is used as the battery compartment. Ridgid 22 in. Pro Gear Cart Tool Box in Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Gear-Cart-Tool-Box-in-Black-221734/205441921 | $130 | $130 |
| 1 | Medium sized box used for electronics, control panel and houses the inverter: Ridgid 22 in. Pro Tool Box, Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Tool-Box-Black-221733/205440481 | ||
| 1 | Small box houses cables, extra fuses, tools and instruction manuals: Ridgid 22 in. Pro Organizer, Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Organizer-Black-221735/205440492 | ||
| 3 | Three sets of Battery Hookup 3.2V 100ah modules for a total of three independent LiFePO4 100ah batteries each with a BMS and connected in parallel. https://batteryhookup.com/products/new-battery-hookup-lifep04-32650-3-2v-5000mah-cells-1 | $225 | $675 |
| 3 | JDB 4s BMS 120a LiFePO4 with Bluetooth (Acquired from various sources but this link below is the most common source used in this forum. https://overkillsolar.com/product/bms-100a-8s-lifepo4-12-2/ | $75 | $225 |
| 3 | 100A ANL Fuse with Holder https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079ZL6WPD/ | $16 | $32 |
| 1 | Renogy 500A Battery Monitor (bought from a person) https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-500A-Battery-Monitor-Programmable/dp/B07RP5B5P7 | $65 | $65 |
| 1 | Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H9SXV61/ | $210 | $210 |
| 1 | Renogy Wanderer 30A 12V PWM Solar Charge Controller https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G1PL1B9/ | $28 | $28 |
| 1 | Renogy 30A Set w Holder ANL Fuse https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LY2PRWW | $12 | $12 |
| 4 | HQST 100 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SVXMK3V/ | $77 | $308 |
| 1 | Heavy Duty Chair Storage Bag for Folding Lounge Chair (for solar panel storage and transport) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VXGNWP2/ | $25 | $25 |
| 4 | 10AWG MC4 Solar Y Connector https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08K8YWYDH/ | $7 | $28 |
| 1 | 20 Foot 10AWG MC4 Solar Extension Cable https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XY5TR4Z/ | $30 | $30 |
| 1 | 10 Foot 10AWG MC4 Solar Extension Cable https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V3L4FQQ | $20 | $20 |
| 1 | 1ft/30cm 12AWG Solar Weatherproof SAE Power Socket Sidewall Port + 1.3ft/40cm SAE Connector Extension https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MZCHJ6R/ | $14 | $14 |
| 1 | Blue Sea Systems 300 Amp m-Series Battery Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00558LSJE/ | $30 | $30 |
| 1 | Blue Sea Systems ST Blade ATO/ATC Fuse Block w/cover https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K2MBPA/ | $32 | $32 |
| 2 | Anderson Power Pole type 2/0 AWG 350A Connectors https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09444JDYD/ | $35 | $70 |
| 1 | Windy Nation 2/0 AWG 10ft red and black welding wire (for battery cable) with 3/8 lugs and heat shrink tubing https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Battery-Flexible-Terminal-Connectors/dp/B01M35S1J2/ | $98 | $98 |
| 1 | Windy Nation 4 AWG 10ft red and black welding wire (for individual battery connections) with 3/8 lugs and heat shrink tubing https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Battery-Flexible-Terminal-Connectors/dp/B01MD21BCC/ | $47 | $47 |
| 3 | 15A 125v Weatherproof Outdoor Power Outlet by Journeyman-Pro https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XF5D8HK/ | $24 | $72 |
| 1 | *** I would not recommend these switches. I plan to replace them with something better. Pack of five LED Lighted Rocker Switch Toggle 12V 30A SPST 3 Pin On-Off Blue Round Dot Switch https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T5BT46G/ | $9 | $9 |
| 1 | 1 black/1 red 4 Post Power Distribution Block Bus Bar Pair with Cover 5/16" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07THLYYH3/ | $40 | $40 |
| 1 | 2 QC 3.0 USB and 12v outlet https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RHY97ZZ/ | $13 | $13 |
| 1 | 1 QC 1PD USB and 12v outlet https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0972BDD2Q/ | $15 | $15 |
| 2 | 100A LCD Display Digital Current Voltage Power Energy Meter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013PKYILS/ | $18 | $36 |
| 1 | 4 AWG-3/8"Copper Wire Lugs https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CXHY7V8/r | $13 | $13 |
| 1 | 2'x4'x1/8" marker board panel (used for control panel) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Marker-...180-in-x-23-75-in-x-47-75-in-151266/203408978 | $11 | $11 |
| 2 | 4-Inch Cabinet Hardware Handle Wire Pull https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YTT4HK/ | $1.5 | $3 |
| 1 | Black Carbon Fiber Wrap Roll (for control panel to cover blemishes from cutting holes for components) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L9J4JRG/ | $10 | $10 |
| 1 | 22AWG Stranded Wire, 6 Colors https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q3G1VG2/ | $17 | $17 |
| 1 | 10 AWG wire (red) https://www.autozone.com/miscellane...ite-red-8ft-10-gauge-primary-wire/1080860_0_0 | $10 | $10 |
| 1 | 10 AWG wire (black) https://www.autozone.com/miscellane...e-black-8ft-10-gauge-primary-wire/1080842_0_0 | $10 | $10 |
| 1 | 16 AWG wire (red) https://www.autozone.com/miscellane...te-red-30ft-16-gauge-primary-wire/1080825_0_0 | $10 | $10 |
| 1 | 16 AWG wire (black) https://www.autozone.com/miscellane...-black-30ft-16-gauge-primary-wire/1080828_0_0 | $10 | $10 |
| TOTAL (give or take some) | $2,358 |
Control Panel Top.
Inside view of control panel. Still needed to add the two other 120v outlets when this was taken. The protective cover for the Blue Sea battery switch is not installed because it bumps into the top of the charge controller. Should have engineered the locations better.
Inverter (still need to add cooling fans for box when running high current for extended period of time)
Renogy Battery Monitor shunt.
100A monitor shunts.
Small Box to store cables, etc.
Battery cable plugged in for use.
Solar Panels in carrying case.
Attachments
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