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BretS

BretS

New Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2021
Messages
171
I have lots of mechanical and carpentry tools, but really nothing as far as electrical (other than some cheap automotive stuff). So, I am trying to figure out what I need for my DIY project. I am not trying to build a complete workshop here, just build out the system in my 5th wheel and maintenance after that. And I need to be minimalistic, because I plan to full time for a couple of years and storage is a premium. That said, here is what I had planned to buy to build my battery when the cells/BMS arrive:
DMM
Power Supply
heat gun
Are those decent tools?
What are some good crimpers for various sized wire? I need to go from small to really big...
Anything else I have to have? Thanks for the help!
 
BretS said:
I have lots of mechanical and carpentry tools, but really nothing as far as electrical (other than some cheap automotive stuff). So, I am trying to figure out what I need for my DIY project. I am not trying to build a complete workshop here, just build out the system in my 5th wheel and maintenance after that. And I need to be minimalistic, because I plan to full time for a couple of years and storage is a premium. That said, here is what I had planned to buy to build my battery when the cells/BMS arrive:
DMM
Power Supply
heat gun
Are those decent tools?
What are some good crimpers for various sized wire? I need to go from small to really big...
Anything else I have to have? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Certainly the Fluke is a good choice.
The power supply really depends on what you will use it for, up to a 24v battery pack it's a solid choice (I reviewed it in the tools section).
Heat gun, I can't say, I just bought cheap (probably the one Will recommended).
Will recommends some crimpers, I have been quite happy with my Wirefly set, along with their assortment of connectors.



Or for only heatshrink connectors

The Klein wire stripper is an excellent choice, but use the link Will has so he gets a small cut.
 
Just John said:
Certainly the Fluke is a good choice.
The power supply really depends on what you will use it for, up to a 24v battery pack it's a solid choice (I reviewed it in the tools section).
Heat gun, I can't say, I just bought cheap (probably the one Will recommended).
Will recommends some crimpers, I have been quite happy with my Wirefly set, along with their assortment of connectors.



Or for only heatshrink connectors

The Klein wire stripper is an excellent choice, but use the link Will has so he gets a small cut.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Do you happen to know where the link is for the strippers? I've done searches, but I'm having a hard time finding his video's on here...
 
BretS said:
Thank you! Do you happen to know where the link is for the strippers? I've done searches, but I'm having a hard time finding his video's on here...
Click to expand...
Try here:
www.mobile-solarpower.com

Tools

Do not buy cheap tools. You will thank yourself for years, and building a system will be MUCH EASIER. ( I make a commission for purchases made through the links below)
www.mobile-solarpower.com

Will gives good advice, don't buy cheap tools. I still regularly use tools that are 40 years old because they are good quality, and don't try to "make it work", use the right tool for the job.
 
BretS said:
I have lots of mechanical and carpentry tools, but really nothing as far as electrical (other than some cheap automotive stuff). So, I am trying to figure out what I need for my DIY project. I am not trying to build a complete workshop here, just build out the system in my 5th wheel and maintenance after that. And I need to be minimalistic, because I plan to full time for a couple of years and storage is a premium. That said, here is what I had planned to buy to build my battery when the cells/BMS arrive:
DMM
Power Supply
heat gun
Are those decent tools?
What are some good crimpers for various sized wire? I need to go from small to really big...
Anything else I have to have? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
FYI, the review I did of the power supply:

Thread 'Cheap power supply for top balancing (tested and works well).' https://diysolarforum.com/threads/cheap-power-supply-for-top-balancing-tested-and-works-well.19846/
 
BretS said:
My savings for doing it myself are steadily going down here... ?
Click to expand...
I have found this meter perfectly acceptable, and that is comparing it to a Fluke 87.


If you need crimped 10 gauge connections for your power supply, I can make some and send them to you (I have done this for a couple of people, makes a big difference when trying to top balance or charge). Unfortunately I suspect that you will still need the stripper and crimper for other things.

Klein does make cheaper crimpers as well.

 
BretS said:
My savings for doing it myself are steadily going down here... ?
Click to expand...

I'd like to suggest that you determine exactly what components you have to put together, and what kinds of connections they require, before making a list of tools to purchase. In the case of battery cables, you may find that it makes financial sense to get them made to order rather than purchase the tools and materials needed to make them yourself.

I'm currently putting together a battery, inverter and AC outlet, and there's a detailed thread about it that is specific about tools. Might be worth reading: Setting Up a Lithium Battery (Lithium Werks Valence) for DC and AC Power.
 
Just John said:
I have found this meter perfectly acceptable, and that is comparing it to a Fluke 87.


If you need crimped 10 gauge connections for your power supply, I can make some and send them to you (I have done this for a couple of people, makes a big difference when trying to top balance or charge). Unfortunately I suspect that you will still need the stripper and crimper for other things.

Klein does make cheaper crimpers as well.

Click to expand...

I changed to the meter that Will suggested - it was much cheaper and seems good enough.

Thank you for the offer! But, like you said, I will need the stripper and crimper for other things - plus the smaller sizes I will use in my toolset for the camper. It is the bigger ones that seem a lot of money for only this project. I decided to get this one because Will said it would do an awesome job if you have the time... I can find time easier than I can find money, so...
 
BretS said:
I changed to the meter that Will suggested - it was much cheaper and seems good enough.

Thank you for the offer! But, like you said, I will need the stripper and crimper for other things - plus the smaller sizes I will use in my toolset for the camper. It is the bigger ones that seem a lot of money for only this project. I decided to get this one because Will said it would do an awesome job if you have the time... I can find time easier than I can find money, so...
Click to expand...
I bought that myself, and it does an excellent job.

I can say Powerwerx also will custom build cables, and they cater to hams, so you can trust them if you need some made. They sell great quality products, although you pay for it.

Will has good links, and I even agree with most of them.

One last suggestion, if you buy the Klein current clamp meter, you need not buy the cheaper meter.
 
Here's my recommendation to not buy a crimper; I'm posting this reference to a couple posts on the topic:

diysolarforum.com

Pre-charging with resistor.

look again... he is using the switch to hold the entire load also I see now. He can use high current battery selector switch instead. I myself use momentary switch for pre charge connected in parallel with the DC breaker.
diysolarforum.com diysolarforum.com
 
Zwy said:
I always said that if you use a tool twice, it has paid for itself, you just need to charge enough to cover the cost. :cool:

Buy quality tools, not cheap tools. Do I use some tools from Harbor Freight? Yes, I do. But for wire crimpers I use Snap On, Klein makes good ones too. Wire stripper I use is Klein. https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/...e-stripper-and-cutter-solid-and-stranded-wire
Click to expand...
I'm pretty good about buying quality tools for jobs that require precision, or that I will do frequently. The only thing I'm on the fence about is the large cables - those tools would only be used for this install, so I may end up with premade cables.
 
As mentioned, Will has a tool page. The links also help him maintain this forum. It’s worth supporting when you buy:

www.mobile-solarpower.com

Tools

Do not buy cheap tools. You will thank yourself for years, and building a system will be MUCH EASIER. ( I make a commission for purchases made through the links below)
www.mobile-solarpower.com

I try to look here first when shopping for a solar tool.
 
Last edited:
Seems a bit hypocritical to be promoting his affiliate links when this forum prohibits affiliate links. I think you should remove that.
 
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