DONE! Building a battery box

[Martinjmpr]

I like it. I'm thinking I want to do something similar except that I personally see no need for an inverter. I can't think of any benefit I would gain by having a 120vAC output. Keeping everything 12v would simplify things, I think (I would still want some kind of ability to have a 120vAC input for charging though - that could be as simple as a Battery Tender SAE connector though.)

 

[hour]

I like it. I'm thinking I want to do something similar except that I personally see no need for an inverter. I can't think of any benefit I would gain by having a 120vAC output. Keeping everything 12v would simplify things, I think (I would still want some kind of ability to have a 120vAC input for charging though - that could be as simple as a Battery Tender SAE connector though.)

That's what I settled on. I built two identical lifepo4 packs in Apache cases and had barely enough room for the battery itself, an XT60 panel mount for charging, a cig lighter socket, and a panel-mount cigarette female-style USB-C+QC USB thing. Fitting an inverter would have required a much larger box and necessitated something other than passive ventilation. Carrying a tiny inverter in the off chance you need 120v for an air mattress or something was a no brainer in my case, and I have no qualms about plugging it in directly to a cigarette lighter socket for such minor needs.

If you build your box with at least one beefier inlet/outlet (in my case, the XT60 which was intended for mating to a solar charge controller) then you have the option to run a bigger inverter by lopping the end off and rewiring, and catch less flak than running off cig socket.

Also note I didn't even have room for a 6-fuse blue sea box. I just run a single 20 amp fuse on 12 gauge wire. If I had built this a few years ago I probably would have run multiple cigarette sockets, xt60s or andersons, and USB panel mounts, all individually fused. Feels good to not over-engineer something for once and build based on my real world experience and needs.

 

[AlumniCU]

I like it. I'm thinking I want to do something similar except that I personally see no need for an inverter. I can't think of any benefit I would gain by having a 120vAC output. Keeping everything 12v would simplify things, I think (I would still want some kind of ability to have a 120vAC input for charging though - that could be as simple as a Battery Tender SAE connector though.)

I’m interested to see how often I use the inverter. Used it today to charge an iPad Pro with USB C while on a work trip in the Rockies. I like the idea of everything in one place and ready to go. Do want to add a high power USB C charging port, and haven’t found one yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dreadlocks]

I used my lil 400w xantrex inverter mostly for charging my dewalt sawzall and laptops, some things I charged so infrequently I couldn't justify the cost of a DC charger.. just the dewalt car charger is $90, got my inverter used off ebay for like $60..

 

[Photobug]

I like it. I'm thinking I want to do something similar except that I personally see no need for an inverter. I can't think of any benefit I would gain by having a 120vAC output.

I have used mine for a vacuum, it came in handy to clean out a boat in a remote location. Someday I will pull out a blender and make frozen drinks in the desert just because I can. As mentioned it is cheaper than buying some of the tools in a DC version.

 

[Photobug]

Do want to add a high power USB C charging port, and haven’t found one yet.

I saw one the other day, not sure this was it but here is one. My phone needs an USB-C but not sure what you would use this style outlet for?

https://www.amazon.com/36W-Fast-USB...630&s=gateway&sprefix=usbc+ou,aps,184&sr=8-15

 

[john61ct]

Type C ports are always backward compatible with the previous USB standards.

Do not buy based on what you have now if built in.

Sure if occupying ciggie ports like Blue Sea or Merit type, can easily swap out.

 

[Photobug]

I saw one the other day, not sure this was it but here is one. My phone needs an USB-C but not sure what you would use this style outlet for?

I see it now. I did not know it was a new standard for anything but my Android based phone. What's interesting about it is it goes from C-C as opposed to old style USBs.

https://www.howtogeek.com/211843/usb-type-c-explained-what-it-is-and-why-youll-want-it/

 

[Photobug]

Type C ports are always backward compatible with the previous USB standards.

Do not buy based on what you have now if built in.

Sure if occupying ciggie ports like Blue Sea or Merit type, can easily swap out.

From what I am seeing all the Blue Sea and ciggie holes are 1 1/8"? Should make it easy for future upgrades.

 

[john61ct]

Yes, BSS' twistloc version is backward-compatible with the horrible standard design, but of course only has its superior connection reliability when used in combination with the proper twistloc plugs.

Again, I would not use the standard non-twistloc'd connection for anything important / expensive or used regularly.

And even the BSS system is good only up to what 8A continuous in practice?

So for Type C charging, or multiple old-USB ports, either hardwire, or adapt a pigtail using Andersons.

 

[Photobug]

Yes, BSS' twistloc version is backward-compatible with the horrible standard design, but of course only has its superior connection reliability when used in combination with the proper twistloc plugs.

Thanks for all your info. Most of my loads now are not important or high amperage. I will likely use at least one Ciggie outlet for them. What do you suggest for the most reliable outlet short of an Anderson?

 

[john61ct]

What possible reason would you have for not going Anderson.

Sure there are hundreds of less commonly used higher-amp connectors, but none are better, except for specialist use cases.

 

[Photobug]

As much as I dislike the internet fueled Anderson ********** for everything DC...
If you dont want locking or above IP2X, Its about the best connector for the money.

Thanks, I do plan on using a few Andersons where needed. I just want to put one or two lesser but reliable connectors on my build. My biggest drawback with Andersons is the bulk, seems overkill for most of my needs.

 

[john61ct]

I've seen XT60's embedded, XT30 even smaller. Buy genuine Amass. EC5 go up to 120.

 

[Photobug]

I've seen XT60's embedded, XT30 even smaller. Buy genuine Amass. EC5 go up to 120.

I got a bunch of both of those around. My problem with the XT60s and 30s are they are too small. Sometimes they are hard to open, I imagine even worse with gloves on. I feel like Goldilocks looking for just right.