Portable Solar Generator

The following are instruction on how to build the portable solar generator.

Step 1: Step 1: Get Your Supplies

In order for this project to be completed, a number of items will be required: A large plastic case (big enough to fit all the supplies), a 200-400 watt inverter, 18 amp battery, charge control, volt meter, pliers, wire cutters, wire crimpers, wire, fuse connectors, electrical tape/zip ties, and a drill.

Step 2: Step 2: Get Your Inverter

To make this project work properly, a 300WT to 400WT inverter is needed. This is a 350WT inverter.

Step 3: Step 3: Battery

The best kind of battery for this project is an 18 amp battery.

Step 4: Step 4: Charge Control

A charge control is needed to make sure the battery does not get over charged. This charge control comes with a volt meter, they can be gotten separately but this one is a combination of the two things.

Step 5: Step 5: Velcro

Apply industrial grade Velcro to the battery, volt meter, inverter, and solar panel.

Step 6: Step 6: Setup for Inside the Case

The Velcro will stick into the case. This is the setup we used for our handgun case. A different case might need a different set up.

Step 7: Step 7: Begin Wiring the Charge Control to the Solar Panel

This is the wire from the charge control that will be connected to the solar panel.

Step 8: Step 8: Drill Case

Drill a hole in the back of the case so the charge control wire can connect to the solar panel.

Step 9: Step 9: Connecting the Charge Control to the Solar Panel

This is where the wires connect to the solar panel. Make sure to keep the wires close together so they don’t pull apart.

Step 10: Step 10: After Connection to the Solar Panel

After the solar panel is wired, connect it to the top of the case. This is what it should look like after it has been put on with Velcro.

Step 11: Step 11: Bolt Charge Control to the Battery and Clamp the Inverter

Once that is done, bolt the charge control to the battery, then use the clamps from the inverter to connect to the battery. The clamps can be removed and bolts put on the battery, but I feel it is safer to use clamps in case of an emergency.

Step 12: Step 12: Finished Project

This is the finished project, switch on the inverter, the volt meter should be measuring roughly 12 volts, if not put it under the sun to charge. Be sure to monitor it to make sure it is charging.