Project Powerbox (picture heavy)

[Wales1]

Apoligies for the poor quality pictures. I was using a old mobile phone to take them with.
I decided I needed some kind of semi portable powerbox to charge and run devices such as phones/tablets/radios.


So its a sturdy toolbox with a car battery and everthing else packed in boxes for easy storage


Maplins 12V solar charge panel, Recahrgable battery charger (just so I know where it is), small mulitmeter, and a selaction of tools, connectors and fuses


Aldi inverter, selection of plugs, and the battery mounted and held securely.


Everything fits into the box and the solar panel is bubble wrapped and then sandwiched between a couple of old placemats for safety.



Box closed, showing strurdy carrying handle and solid metal clips.

[butterbean]

That's awesome, I'm putting this on my list of future projects.

[Wales1]

Oppps meant to say, the battery has been recondioned using the Epson Salt and Distilled rainwater trick. It seems to hold its charge well enough.
Its got its limitations, i'll not be running a washing machine from a 12v car battery but for low wattage devices it mat help if the power goes off.

[Kris369]

Fantastic idea and project, the portability is top notch solution!

Have a similar idea on the go, using a converted ups to provide 230, 24, 12 and 5v usb power will post when completed.

Have you considered swapping the plastic tool box or placing in a larger sealed metal container, for EMP proofing?

Love engineering DIY solutions. Keep up the great ideas.

[Hamradioop]

that panel is rated at 12v 2.4watts which is not doing much at all to charge a battery approximately at .2amps

[Wales1]

no it takes a fair while, its more for topping off charged batteries. Its better than nothing and a high power panel is on my future shopping list.