V1 P8 DIY Portable Solar Power Generator

CLICK "SHOW MORE" BELOW FOR COMPLETE PARTS LIST & WIRING SCHEMATICS

I hope all of my viewers and subscribers are healthy and safe! During this period of voluntary isolation and social distancing I have taken the opportunity to replace the original PWM solar charge controller with an upgraded MPPT 20A Rover controller made by Renogy. Now equipped with a BlueTooth module that links to the MPPT charge controller, the system can be monitored remotely via use of a smartphone and Renogy's app.

LINKS TO PARTS
Leviton 3061-E Coverplate, Single-Gang, Flip-Lid, GFCI, Weather-Resistant, Black

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[jdrosario]

Built my first bank because of your videos a few years back. Took it out today to ....needed a fresher course to make sure everything was ok...glad you're doing well

[intuitiveempath]

Nice one Jim, it’s been a long time, I’ll be making a couple adjustments and upgrades to my systems to. I’ve got about 4 left out of ten DIY Portable Electric generators I’ve made in between all that time.. I’m still a big admirer of the quality of your work and the attention to detail and efficiency of you generators of witch I’ve never been able to duplicate. Instead I’v come up with bright original intuitive ideas to keep the cost down so my electric generators look completely deferent to yours but have similar functionality for what I use them for. The
Generators Lift in my house witch I use to change my electric Bikes, charge phones, runs my projector on movie Nights on day and night trips, camping, BBQs, and the list go’s on..
We are on a social Distancing/Partial Lockdown In The Uk, So now I have the time to Finally do this.
Nice to know your Keeping well..
✌️ Out.

[vintagespeedandperformance]

Glad to see your generator is still in service but not surprised since build quality is top notch. I will begin a build influenced by your design in the near future to use in my teardrop camper. Have not decided if it will be permanently installed or if i should keep it portable so it can be used elsewhere. Living in CA where high winds and fires may result in long term power outages, keeping it portable might make more since. Are you still using the original batteries and can you estimate how many charge cycles the batteries have seen over the past 5 years? Thanks for taking the time to make the videos and share your success.

[npike]

Could you link to the blackboard material you use? Is it the same material as chalk board? How are you attaching the external components to the case, machine screws? Rivets? Thanks in advance!

[andyearle]

Andy Earle: Dear Jim
I have run aground! I’m trying to wire the trickle charging circuit. Forgive me, but, I am at loss as to where to route the wires (8 AWG I think) to best charge the batteries. In addition, is there need for a specific fuse protection here?
Please, refer me to the the indicated video study to aid my personal clarification of this connection. I have been unable to do so. I was able to construct the MC-4 modification, but, the trickle charging circuit I must confess as yet alludes me.
Again, Jim, your tutelage is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I have a smile for you. My daughter is a social worker at the VA hospital in Salt Lake. She said, “Dad, hurry up and finish your construction of Jim Fisher’s solar generator, then build me the next one. I really need it! I will drive to Vegas to pick it up as soon as you finish, virus or not I will just mask when I get to your house!”

[davidlingelbach]

First of all I really like your videos and I watched all of them I like your wiring diagram in your parts list and I think I'm going to use some of the information that you have on yours online that I'm going to redo. I know yours works on the boat and you have a dolly that you transported on which I really like but for me to have that big of a box I really don't have the space for it and let me explain that I do a lot of camping and I live out of the back end of my SUV which I don't have a lot of space like I said and having that big box would wouldn't work there's an idea that I've got I hope to do something in the future with but right now I can't afford it. What would you think about doing a remote box like I can keep the battery inside my vehicle and then run a cable over to the remote box and plug everything in from there and also I know you went with a newer charge controller and I was thinking about going with the renogy inexpensive one. I have an 80 watt solar panel in the battery I'm using is an AGM 75 amp hour battery and the thing is real heavy and that's why I thought about doing a remote box or figure out some way to transport it to where I want it and keep it small

[andyearle]

Thank you for your response to my last inquiry, you are kind, patient and awesome. I am not surprised concerning your educational background. I, too, taught in the public school system. Third grade, junior high, high school, and a time in the State and Federal prison Systems. Teaching was the great engine that allowed me the most creative time in my life. Pardon my ramblings. 

I have carefully measured the vertical dimension of the Plano box. Previously, I placed the fan cutouts 1-7/8 in. below the rim of the box. Therefore, I must keep the lower 3/16 in. decking at the same vertical level as the top of both fans.Further, measurements allow me to install the new charge controller with but 5/16 in. clearance under the Plano lid if the ribs under the lid are completely removed above the controller.

1. Have you found a favorite technique to remove the Plano lid ribs?
2, If I remove the entire depth of lid ribbing above the controller will the lid strength, in your estimation, be excessively compromised?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated appreciated. Andy

[nutriland]

Awesome homemade generator! May you let me know the title of the Bluetooth module that's an awesome one I want to buy.

[andyjack]

that is very nice build cool i build my own in water proof tool box 48V 120AC 60hz 40A 3000 watts pure sine wave inverter i have 4 12 volt battery i have 250A DC Fused and switch with 125DC Switch between the positive of my inverter and positive of my battery turn it of i have 3 breaker 2 15A and 1 20A Breaker for my out let them i have 14 gauge wire to my out that wire house with 14gauge from my inverter to my breaker and i have cool fan i have put solar charger etc

[andyearle]

Dear Jim, I have been following your construction videos 1-8, with great interest. Very well executed, great didactic presentations. I recently purchased the new charge controller. I am ready to lower the mounting deck to accommodate the increased vertical dimension of the controller.. May I inquire as to your preferred deck hangers which you used to support your deck? My old deck hangers are somewhat clunky, over sized I believe.

I am going to attempt to remove my existing hangers. However, if need be, I will sacrifice the old hangers to save my Plano box. I used epoxy glue to mount the hangers to the Plano box. Hopefully, I can find a recommended chemical removal agent that will not harm the Plano box surface. Otherwise, I will attempt removal using a sharp edge example: window scraper, sharpened putty knife, or wood plane cutter blade.

Jim, I am confident, after watching your presentation part 8, there is sufficient battery head room under the bottom of the decking and, also, between the charge controller and underside of the Plano lid. It is my ability I am questioning, I propose to measure wood temples (shims) to give the batteries minimal, but, sufficient clearance under the deck. In conjunction I will cross my fingers that the Plano lid will clear the new charge controller! Then with careful technique I will mark and mount the six new deck hangers you recommend to the inside walls of the Plano box. Sir, any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jim, most sincerely you are a winner in every way, designer, inventor, planning engineer, electrician, structural engineer and more. But, most of all you are a very capable gifted patient teacher. Thank you for my many years of learning, TEACHER!
Andy