How to guide - new and lost

[Remps]

Hi everyone.

New to the forum and the world of solar/power.

I was looking to buy a power box from one of the many manufacturers. Figured I could take a crack at it myself. Stumbled across this forum and been reading a bunch of threads.

I have been looking at a lot of how to videos. I do not have the knowledge to figure out which video are good and which are unsafe. Hoping someone can point me to a few good how to videos for a portable power box build.

I am looking to build a 100AH portable power box with option for solar. I will be using it to power a diesel heater during the ice fishing season up in Alberta.

Thanks everyone.

Regards.

 

[Rednecktek]

Sounds familiar...



Hit up Will's older videos on his YouTube channel, he's got some good "Solar for Beginners" videos in there that should get the basics into your head, then it's all about fine tuning from there for your exact desires.

 

[robbob2112]

small portable unit that is DIY

Post in thread 'Robbob2112 Answer thread'

May 24, 2024

#3 - My CPAP backup unit

Use this at your own risk just as an idea

This is my cpap backup. Add in a MPPT and a couple of panels for solar charging.

Have to figure the panel count to go from 20% to 100% in 4 hours sun. 4 x 200watt would probably do it.

Fits in a sewing box.

Total probably come in around $1100, basic box is $500

Downside, it will never grow beyond a small system.

I have a Resmed Aircurve 10 ASV unit - when using with heated humidifier and heated hose it consumes 250ish watt hours in 10 hours. With those turned off it consumes around 70wh.

So I have basically 4...

• robbob2112

Just add or subtract the connection you actually need.

 

[Jmhai3]

You could always buy this and a Bluetooth 12-volt battery to put in it. 100ah but they make 280ah that will fit also.
The solar charger is small, and many say too undersize to be useful, but it does work as advertised and one 100w folding solar panel should work fine and makes it easy.

Heavy Duty AC Battery Box - LICITTI

Specifications

www.licitti.com

I have one and it works great with a on sale 100ah lifpo4 battery from Amazon.
If I was to do it again, I would get the 280ah (-OR- buy the cells and make it) and Bluetooth, other than that I like it.

 

[robbob2112]

You could always buy this and a Bluetooth 12-volt battery to put in it. 100ah but they make 280ah that will fit also.
The solar charger is small, and many say too undersize to be useful, but it does work as advertised and one 100w folding solar panel should work fine and makes it easy.
View attachment 268706

Heavy Duty AC Battery Box - LICITTI

Specifications

www.licitti.com

I have one and it works great with a on sale 100ah lifpo4 battery from Amazon.
If I was to do it again, I would get the 280ah (-OR- buy the cells and make it) and Bluetooth, other than that I like it.

-- $168 before the cost of the battery to fill it? crazy.... I like the box and features but would have to price the options to see.

my cpap backup box was $500 for the whole thing - but prices have come down since then --

 

[Rednecktek]

You could always buy this and a Bluetooth 12-volt battery to put in it. 100ah but they make 280ah that will fit also.
The solar charger is small, and many say too undersize to be useful, but it does work as advertised and one 100w folding solar panel should work fine and makes it easy.
View attachment 268706

Heavy Duty AC Battery Box - LICITTI

Specifications

www.licitti.com

I have one and it works great with a on sale 100ah lifpo4 battery from Amazon.
If I was to do it again, I would get the 280ah (-OR- buy the cells and make it) and Bluetooth, other than that I like it.

I've built 2 of those, they don't start whining until about 1200w and the 10a SCC inside is a joke, but if you do raw cells I can tell you that 304's and a JBD BMS fit inside just fine.

 

[Jmhai3]

-- $168 before the cost of the battery to fill it? crazy.... I like the box and features but would have to price the options to see.

my cpap backup box was $500 for the whole thing - but prices have come down since then

I paid $120 for the battery so $300 total. Everything in it is replaceable and it works. There is versatility with all the Anderson connectors available. It just a recommendation on something that might meet his needs and it may have some feature that works for him better than other options.

 

[Jmhai3]

I've built 2 of those, they don't start whining until about 1200w and the 10a SCC inside is a joke, but if you do raw cells I can tell you that 304's and a JBD BMS fit inside just fine.

That would be nice capacity for a camping/fishing boat setup. I bet now with the 100ah minis you can fit a better SCC in the box. I remember reading your post and one of the many reasons I bought it.

 

[Remps]

thanks for the input.

The pre assembled box is appealing. I am looking at the 100ah mini so like Jmhai3 said, you can upgrade components.

Lots of research to do still.

 

[Remps]

I have a question regarding the charger that comes with LICITTI box. Is that charger suitable for a LiFePO4 battery? Or should I be looking at something else.

Thanks.

 

[Rednecktek]

I have a question regarding the charger that comes with LICITTI box. Is that charger suitable for a LiFePO4 battery? Or should I be looking at something else.

Thanks.

Yes, it's designed for LFP voltages out of the box.

One thing I recommend if you want to use solar and large cells is to get a decent external MPPT and wire it up with the 50a Anderson plug so you can run a realistic amount of solar on it.

 

[Jmhai3]

Yes, it's designed for LFP voltages out of the box.

One thing I recommend if you want to use solar and large cells is to get a decent external MPPT and wire it up with the 50a Anderson plug so you can run a realistic amount of solar on it.

Agree on the better solar charger if you plan to use the majority of the battery up during use and a short charge is desired (and usually is).

To @Remps.
With a 100Ah battery, a 10A charger would take about 10-12 hours to fully charge it from empty. If you need quicker, use a charger that outputs around 40-45% of the battery’s total Ah, allowing the same 100Ah battery to charge in just over 2 hours. A 20-30A setup would be a good all-around charger to have anyways as it could be used on any 12–24-volt battery.

My use is not so high for what I need, so the 10amp is fine. For now.

 

[Remps]

Great information guys. Thanks.

This stuff is very interesting.

 

[robbob2112]

yeah, the price is ballpark then - of the $500 for the cpap - $300 was the battery. $120 was the charger that now costs $90 - $67 was the battery monitor, but you can get equivalent for $25 now...

Balance that with not having to cut the holes or make the cables yourself... just hook up a battery and go.

Of course if you do it the easy way you might not develop an inventory of extra parts or catch the solar flu... once you get the bug for solar and all things like it you will spend thousands to get rid of it.

 

[Remps]

Jmhai3. Do you or anyone have a recommendation for an upgraded charger?

Thanks.

 

[Jmhai3]

Jmhai3. Do you or anyone have a recommendation for an upgraded charger?

Thanks.

I don't have any personal experience to quote. I have only used the EG4-3k AIO and the installed units in my small solar generators. I have not used a standalone unit yet. But with the right search here you should get a lot of opinions but should be helpful when choosing a winner.

 

[Rednecktek]

Jmhai3. Do you or anyone have a recommendation for an upgraded charger?

Thanks.

The charger that comes with the Licitti box works well, if you want to add in another charger or MPPT for real solar, the Anderson 50's are simple and there are 3 ports to jack into.

 

[Remps]

Just ordered the Licitti box. I guess they came out with a “new” model from the one that was shown in the post. Doesn’t look like much different, little smaller in size and wireless phone charging option.

I will build a box down the road right now I think this will fit my needs.

Thanks for the help fellas.

 

[robbob2112]

Be careful, you are dangerously close to crossing the line and ending up with the proliferation of solar equipment.... Once you hit the buy button there is no turning back.,

 

[Remps]

Be careful, you are dangerously close to crossing the line and ending up with the proliferation of solar equipment.... Once you hit the buy button there is no turning back.,

My addictive personality can’t afford another hobby. I am not really good at dipping my toe into anything. Usually headfirst…. Well wallet first.