Very nice. I built one in a Craftsman rolling toolbox because I used two 50ah batteries. I’m getting ready to upgrade it to add 2 more 50ah batteries that can power my fridge and freezer and some lights in case the power goes out for a few days.
Thanks for the info on the meter. I was going to order a different one for my build but I like the one you have. Since I'm upgrading from 50ah to 100 in a short time I ordered the 300amp version for a couple bucks more. It gives me more room for expansion.
By the time you get to 2"x3" or larger, 3M's commercial grade hook and loop (vecro) becomes an incredible way to attach things. Give the adhesive 48 hours to really set up, and you will have to fight to pull the pieces apart.
Nice build Mike, I purchased a bunch of the same parts for a solar generator I am building good to know they work well. I will also have an inverter not sure how I am going to hook it to the battery yet probably direct to the battery, but may use the cigarette lighter plug so I can move it easy. Thanks for sharing.
I just got the "approval " from my xyl to build one. I have a few reasons for needing one.. I am on oxygen thanks to Covid-19... charger for my 02 concentrator, 2) Battery for a trolling motor for vacation in July and 3) for my radios.. we all know 3 is actually 1..lol.. I'm starting with 50ah Life4Po and adding another 50ah just before vacation. I may add a small inverter into the mix also (400w or less)
Clean install. I have a Droke brand, battery meter, with a "Hall Sensor". I have yet to install it, but you apparently just run your wires through a circular sensor ring, and it reads voltage. It works like a shunt, but is smaller. Have you tried using that style before?
I always wondered why the Bioenno destructions stated not use the load port on their charge controller. Well, as an engineer (sparky variety), I emailed and asked "why"? I got a response within 24 hours. The rep told me that if you exceed the ratings of the controller, then the unit will trip out. So, if my peak load is 20 amperes, then I could use the 30 ampere unit and hook the radio / other widgets to the load port. It always seemed odd to provide a gazouta (vs. a gazinta) and tell you NOT to use it. For safeties sake, please confirm yourself with Bioenno as YMMV depending on whom answers your email. I don't wanna be blamed for bad things; famine, thermonuclear war, or your favorite widget going up in a cloud of black smoke. This information may help simplify your wiring. The preceding assumes this a Bioenno controller.
I am really concerned your box has three 25A power pole input/outputs, and a 10A feeding the usb block, but the main positive and negative wires are 12ga… I would recommend you upgrade the battery leads to #8 so, everything can pull at the same time without voltage drop on them…
Nice box! One potential issue if I am seeing it correctly: it appears there is only a single #12 unfused wire from each battery post feeding the whole box. If so, that means you could have, say a 20 amp load on one powerpole, and a 15 amp load on each of the the other two circuits, putting a 50 amp total load on an unfused #12 wire. In day to day use that kind of load probably won't happen, but it could.....
So cool! Do your meters read the charge input current from your solar panel? I’m wanting to mount a panel meter that displays on the exterior (like yours) that also shows if the panels are pulling in current but without having to open the box and look at the controller. Nice work drilling perfect, measured holes for your switches! 👏
I thought you were making a battery, but instead I see you're using a ready made battery. If you make these often, I think you should really try buying cells and BMS. I'd expect the reduced mass or increased capacity to be worth it.
Building mine now. Using same box. Fantastic inspiration, although i am doing my wiring & layout a bit differently. This is my 2nd box build that your vids have motivated me to do. Take that! 😂 K0ATV
Nice. I've been building mine horizontally in Pelican cases instead of vertically in tool boxes. Much easier to do the wiring. Do you have the battery anchored to the bottom or is it just heavy enough to sit there?
No I don’t. It’s a good idea to anchor it though. I told Jason he needs to find something to do that though. In day to day activity it’s not really an issue, but I do use some heavy duty velcro on the bottoms of the batteries in the boxes I sell. Only because the throwers at the shipping companies don’t take care of stuff. In regular day to day life, it’s not a big deal. But if they get thrown around enough they can break some stuff.
If you use the toggle switches with the flip up covers = yes. My first box I used those, big mistake... These thumb switches, I agree, no issue unless toddlers around. 😂
Hey Mike, Can you email me the basic wiring diagram of that box. I am using two Dakota 24Ah Lithium batteries in my box I have the same meter I am going to be working on mine as soon as I can get my Ham station area cleaned up. I'm going to physical therapy to get stronger but it's a painful chore. I'm sore for 3 days between sessions. because I am also doing the exercises at home. I greatly thank you.
Damn, like going to a fine restaurant and asking the chef for an exact recipe. LOL Basic electronics. I'm sure there are thousands of how to videos out there.
Glad I found this one. Bought this same pack out box with the intention of doing exactly this with it. Now to source the rest of the bits and pieces.
Very nice. I built one in a Craftsman rolling toolbox because I used two 50ah batteries. I’m getting ready to upgrade it to add 2 more 50ah batteries that can power my fridge and freezer and some lights in case the power goes out for a few days.
Looks very neat! Nice job Mike!
You build some great boxes. Thanks for sharing what you use for parts. Tempted to try building one myself around the 15ah battery I have.
Hi Mike,
Well thought out. Jason is going to love it. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Thanks for the info on the meter. I was going to order a different one for my build but I like the one you have. Since I'm upgrading from 50ah to 100 in a short time I ordered the 300amp version for a couple bucks more. It gives me more room for expansion.
Looks awesome!
Booyah! Nice solar generator, it's so clean it makes Mama proud.
That's really cool. I have a 32aH LiFePO just sitting here waiting for a similar project.
By the time you get to 2"x3" or larger, 3M's commercial grade hook and loop (vecro) becomes an incredible way to attach things. Give the adhesive 48 hours to really set up, and you will have to fight to pull the pieces apart.
Nice build Mike, I purchased a bunch of the same parts for a solar generator I am building good to know they work well. I will also have an inverter not sure how I am going to hook it to the battery yet probably direct to the battery, but may use the cigarette lighter plug so I can move it easy. Thanks for sharing.
Power Pole all the things Chuck!
@@hamradiotube Ha ha it will have power poles but also XT60's for the heavy lifting.
Nice work man. Looks sharp . Nice and tidy..the way it should be.
OCD is the way to go lol!!
Nice work!!! it looks great
All hail MEGA GEEK! Nice work Mike! 73!
great job jettison 73
VERY nice build!
If you 3D print and have a large enough printer, you could print a drop in for any box you use. Just a suggestion.
I just got the "approval " from my xyl to build one. I have a few reasons for needing one.. I am on oxygen thanks to Covid-19... charger for my 02 concentrator, 2) Battery for a trolling motor for vacation in July and 3) for my radios.. we all know 3 is actually 1..lol.. I'm starting with 50ah Life4Po and adding another 50ah just before vacation. I may add a small inverter into the mix also (400w or less)
I’ve built a 70 & 100 amp in milk crates. It’s a challenge to make everything fit. Still fun.
Great Video Mike!
Nice build!
@ MIKE WHAT WOULD THE COST FOR JUST A BOX TO FIT A FIFTY AMPH BINO L/I lifepo battery COST
Clean install. I have a Droke brand, battery meter, with a "Hall Sensor". I have yet to install it, but you apparently just run your wires through a circular sensor ring, and it reads voltage. It works like a shunt, but is smaller. Have you tried using that style before?
Nice build.
Thanks for sharing.
W5KAL
Switches need to be protected. Flat pad switches will prevent things from hitting exposed switches. Could glue a plastic ring around them.
Mike are you going to have the Mega Geek or the Big Geek for sale anytime soon? I bought a big Geek from you already but I need another one or a Mega
would a small 100 ah battery fit in that box, and would your system support it?
That's awesome
I always wondered why the Bioenno destructions stated not use the load port on their charge controller. Well, as an engineer (sparky variety), I emailed and asked "why"? I got a response within 24 hours. The rep told me that if you exceed the ratings of the controller, then the unit will trip out. So, if my peak load is 20 amperes, then I could use the 30 ampere unit and hook the radio / other widgets to the load port. It always seemed odd to provide a gazouta (vs. a gazinta) and tell you NOT to use it. For safeties sake, please confirm yourself with Bioenno as YMMV depending on whom answers your email. I don't wanna be blamed for bad things; famine, thermonuclear war, or your favorite widget going up in a cloud of black smoke. This information may help simplify your wiring. The preceding assumes this a Bioenno controller.
That’s soooo awesome 👍👍👍
I Like it. I have thought about trying to do something similar.
I am really concerned your box has three 25A power pole input/outputs, and a 10A feeding the usb block, but the main positive and negative wires are 12ga… I would recommend you upgrade the battery leads to #8 so, everything can pull at the same time without voltage drop on them…
Thanks!
Hey thank you!!
Nice box!
One potential issue if I am seeing it correctly: it appears there is only a single #12 unfused wire from each battery post feeding the whole box. If so, that means you could have, say a 20 amp load on one powerpole, and a 15 amp load on each of the the other two circuits, putting a 50 amp total load on an unfused #12 wire. In day to day use that kind of load probably won't happen, but it could.....
The battery is rated for 50 amps continuous 100 amps burst.
Are you going to make a supermegamondogiagantic geek with that 300 AH bioenna?
I kinda already did. ruclips.net/video/GVE3Mgy5T2U/видео.html
Very nice!
Is it ok to store a LIPO battery on its back for an extended period of time?
It's not LIPO. It's LiFePO4, and yes you can store it however you want.
So cool! Do your meters read the charge input current from your solar panel? I’m wanting to mount a panel meter that displays on the exterior (like yours) that also shows if the panels are pulling in current but without having to open the box and look at the controller. Nice work drilling perfect, measured holes for your switches! 👏
I bought a DIY solar generator off eBay that was made out of a battery box that was cheap but works good all I can afford at the moment
I thought you were making a battery, but instead I see you're using a ready made battery. If you make these often, I think you should really try buying cells and BMS. I'd expect the reduced mass or increased capacity to be worth it.
HAHAHA DIY I dont understad this stuff I need directions. nice job Mike
WAGO connectors are a nice touch.
Building mine now. Using same box. Fantastic inspiration, although i am doing my wiring & layout a bit differently. This is my 2nd box build that your vids have motivated me to do. Take that! 😂 K0ATV
Hey that's awesome. Shoot me some pics when it's done, I'd love to see it. k8mrd@icloud.com
Needs Fans to keep it cool while out portable .
Um, no.
Nice. I've been building mine horizontally in Pelican cases instead of vertically in tool boxes. Much easier to do the wiring. Do you have the battery anchored to the bottom or is it just heavy enough to sit there?
No I don’t. It’s a good idea to anchor it though. I told Jason he needs to find something to do that though. In day to day activity it’s not really an issue, but I do use some heavy duty velcro on the bottoms of the batteries in the boxes I sell. Only because the throwers at the shipping companies don’t take care of stuff. In regular day to day life, it’s not a big deal. But if they get thrown around enough they can break some stuff.
I built my 1st in a 4800 case but finding shortcomings with mine.
External switches with no bump guards or bails...sooner or later be bumped on or off at the worst possible time. FWIW.
Nah. Been using them for years and never had that happen.
If you use the toggle switches with the flip up covers = yes. My first box I used those, big mistake... These thumb switches, I agree, no issue unless toddlers around. 😂
Hey Mike, Can you email me the basic wiring diagram of that box. I am using two Dakota 24Ah Lithium batteries in my box I have the same meter I am going to be working on mine as soon as I can get my Ham station area cleaned up. I'm going to physical therapy to get stronger but it's a painful chore. I'm sore for 3 days between sessions. because I am also doing the exercises at home. I greatly thank you.
If I knew how to do that I would.
Damn, like going to a fine restaurant and asking the chef for an exact recipe. LOL Basic electronics. I'm sure there are thousands of how to videos out there.
Can you make a Battery BOX Im a New HAM WH6FLQ VICTOR
I already do that. k8mrd.square.site. If you pay shipping I’ll send it.
I'll pay for shipping I live in Hawaii LMK
very nice job va3clf
Thank you very much!