This power pack would be for emergency use, like when a storm knocks out the power, and would be very nice to have for camping.

Okay, Fat Cat saw this on youtube and thought we could do an instructable on it. We highly recommend that you check out the link to the video by KK's Boathouse. It is very well done and explains in great detail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tf3fngKA-c

We are showing you the power pack that Fat Cat made. We have been able to charge a phone, use the soldering iron, and have a shop light on all at the same time.

We are not responsible for any damage or injuries that may occur due to making and / or using the power pack. Be smart and be safe.

Step 1: Materials

Auxiliary Power Socket
Battery Box
-WalMart Marine Group 24-31
Butt Splice x2
Deep Cycle Battery
Drill
Drill Bit
-Or Hole Cutter
Fuse
Fuse Holder
Ring Terminal x2
Utility Knife
Wire Cutters

Inverter - We are using a Bestek 300 watt inverter

Step 2: Socket

Place battery into battery box. Make sure that there is enough space on one side to attach the auxiliary socket. Place the lid of the battery box on temporarily. There is a hangover lip on the lid that is an ideal spot to put the socket under. The idea is to help keep rain off the socket. Open the auxiliary power socket package and take out the parts. The socket will have an universal mount that can be used to mark the hole that we need to drill. Put the mount where you will want it on the box. Mark the hole and drill. BE CAREFUL OF THE BATTERY! Use a utility knife to clean up lose plastic and to help make the hole bigger, if needed. The socket will unscrew to two parts. Push the socket through the hole (from the outside) and connect the back of the socket from the inside on the box.

Step 3: Connecting

Take note of where your positive (red) and negative (black) wires are connected to the socket. Take the positive wire and butt splice it to the fuse holder. Take the ring terminal and connect it to the other end of the fuse holder. Take the negative wire and connect the terminal ring.

Step 4: Connect Battery

Make sure that the negative wire will make it to the terminal. If not, try to spin the battery around. Add fuse to the fuse holder. Connect the positive (red) wire to the positive terminal of the battery and the negative (black) wire to the negative terminal of the battery. Close lid.

Step 5: Connect

Connect an inverter to change the DC to AC and plug in properly rated devices. Our Bestek inverter has an USB and two plugs.

Step 6: Hmmm

We are not electronic experts. Please use caution when building.

Fat Cat said he wanted to build a back up power supply for the sump pump in the basement. When tested it blew the 20 amp fuse and with a 30 amp fuse the inverter would shut down when the pump would try to kick on. We think his 300w inverter is to small. What do you think?

The 300w Bestek inverter worked well with a soldering iron, shop light, and charging an iPhone all at the same time.

How to recharge? Battery charger is what we have for now. We are thinking about a trickle charge solar panel but we need to figure that out still.

Please check out KK's Boathouse at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tf3fngKA-c .