Portable Power Box

[CMARJEEP]

Hey guys I wanted to run something by you guys.

I go camping a lot out in National Forest land far from cities/roads and have been needing a 120v power source to power some small camp things. I was thinking about building a little portable power box. It would use the following-

-Some kind of weatherproof container (Rubbermaid Action Packer?)
-2x sealed 12v deep cycle batteries wired in parallell
-1000w Xantrex Power inverter
-1 120v outdoor outlet.

I want to make some kind of mounting system inside the box to secure the batteries and the inverter. I will then mount an outdoor outlet to the outside of the box for easy access. I would probably also add a switch and voltage meter on the outside so I could easily turn the system on and off and monitor the voltage.

If you have any comments or suggestions that would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Sounds like a fun project.

2 group 24 or group 27 deep cycle batteries are going to weigh from 105 to 140 lbs, So for a portablilty factor, I think that rules out a rubbermade type container.

I think a quality cooler, or even better one of those fiberglass lockable Dock boxes you see at Marinas might fit the bill nicely.

Keep in mind flooded type batteries should not be in an airtight box, especially something that potentially sparks, like an inverter.

AGM batteries are unlikely to offgass, but in should still be vented outside, or at least separated from the electronics. But they can be recharged much faster with a higher amp charger than flooded batteries, so keep that in mind.

I would also add that high amperage charger inside with the inverter, so you could just run an extension cord to the box when you have access to the grid.

I think I would make a box from some high quality plywood glued and screwed together with 2 sections. I'd paint multiple layers of penetrating epoxy on the insides and outsides of the box, and paint the outside. One section vented for the batteries, one for the electronics. The inverter is going to have the plugs built into it. I would just mount it with a little door similar to an outside electrical outlet.

I would also use some powerwerx: http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpoles/powerpole-sets/pp120-red-black-120-amp.html
connectors and run some 6 awg wiring to attach to my vehicle battery while underway for charging or jumpstarting.

 

[ldivinag]

check out tremor's idea:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27568

start at post #40. just supersize to your needs...