Build the smallest, lightest power station in 5 minutes with no special tools.

[@Electronzap]

Fun project.

[@texasprepperprojects]

Thanks!

[@craconia]

Thanks so much for this setup! I’ve been looking for a cost-effective way to extend my UPS backup during prolonged power outages, and this is exactly what I needed. I work from home using a desktop, and my APC UPS only gives me about 45 minutes before the lead-acid battery is drained, which isn’t ideal, especially since constantly draining lead-acid batteries isn't good for their lifespan. With your setup, I can plug the UPS into the inverter as soon as there's an outage and get much more runtime-over 15 hours based on my current consumption! The fact that the inverter provides pure sine wave output means it won't cause any issues with the UPS, which is a relief. And all this, at a fraction of the cost of a pre-built power station! I’ll be building the same setup. Thanks again for sharing this.

[@texasprepperprojects]

Good luck building it! Let me know what you think.

[@Sylvan_dB]

Nice introduction. I recommend looking at Anderson SB50 connectors (or the generic "50 amp connector" version) and use those. For example, with one on the battery and one on the charger you remove the error prone connect/disconnect process with a quick and simple plug/unplug. That tiny inverter could also connect the same way. (The Anderson connectors are rated well over 50amps continuous with 6ga cable and etc. so probably even a 1000w inverter could be a reasonable connection, or add an SB120 connector for higher current.)

[@texasprepperprojects]

I am familiar with them and have used them in the past to replace MC4. I just wanted this to be as simple and cheap as possible

[@jasonbroom7147]

That's a cool little emergency power solution, but a battery and inverter does not a portable power station make! There is no solar charging, no AC charging, very limited DC output. Now, put those things on an a fire-proof board, with a 50-amp Anderson plug to connect to the battery, and you've got something closer to a portable power station.

[@texasprepperprojects]

I did mention charging. Thanks

[@af1023]

Awesome build, I would recommend a DC power hub to add the USB-C and 12v outlet. This would be awesome to put together if you have several bedrooms and need to power DC electric blankets during a winter outage. Thank you

[@texasprepperprojects]

Thanks! Electronic blanket for the win!

[@JamesBond-zd5jx]

Makes me pretty content with my recent purchase of two Delta 2s. 459 dollars each. 1800 watt inverter, fast charging, lots of outlets, software. But I like your idea and video.

[@texasprepperprojects]

Thanks!

[@stevenjohn350]

NICE.....😀 simple is good...

[@texasprepperprojects]

It is!

[@njack9643]

500w can run a lot of refrigerators and give you enough time if using it every so often.

[@texasprepperprojects]

In my experience, it won't. A 500w inverter doesn't have the surge capacity to kick on a fridge or chest freezer. I've tried.

[@matthewholtz73]

Great video and simple solution. Thanks! One question - I'm unclear about your solar recharge estimate. How does 12 hours at 100w take 2.5 days? The shortest day where I live in NC is 9.5 hours. Assuming only 6 hours of those are useful sunlight I can kind of understand your point; but in June where its more like 15 hours wouldn't it be significantly shorter recharge time?

[@texasprepperprojects]

that's not direct sunlight. You only get 4 ish hours of full, direct sunlight unless you want to go out and re aim your solar panel every 15 minutes as the sun moves across the sky

[@Totogita]

I did the same with dcpowerhouse and a 300w pure sinewave, watchout for the heat from the inverter, detach when using it

[@stuartstuart866]

I did the same, but attached a small solar charge controller to the battery. I use it every night for fans and lights, charging it off of 200 watts of solar panels.

[@texasprepperprojects]

nice, thanks

[@texasprepperprojects]

the dokio panel comes with a charge controler!

[@beesknees6970]

Can you charge it from the wall or a generator?

[@texasprepperprojects]

Yes

[@visamedic]

Just a question, not a critique, shouldn’t you plug the charge controller into the battery before plugging the panel into the controller? Otherwise pretty cool little setup. 👍

[@texasprepperprojects]

You are correct. But since I was inside it didn't matter. But outside you are right

[@visamedic]

@@texasprepperprojects I kinda figured, but it’s one of those thing where I’m not 100% sure. Thank you. 😁👍

[@goodcitizen4587]

The 500W inverter is pretty limited. An 1800W version would be interesting. But bigger...

[@texasprepperprojects]

Yup and a 1000w inverter wouldn't mount to the battery like that. Check out my 3840wh cart video

[@goodcitizen4587]

@@texasprepperprojects Sounds good, thanks!

[@stuartstuart866]

A 100 amp battery isn’t powerful enough for an 1800 watt inverter.

[@texasprepperprojects]

might fire up the start on surge depending on how good the BMS is

[@SamsungGalaxy-ls8ys]

That size inverter requires an alternator to be running.

[@ashyslashy5818]

Bluetooth in a battery is just creepy

[@texasprepperprojects]

but very handy. Don't use it if you don't like it, but it saves a lot of money on a shunt

[@bobby-gs9wn]

@@texasprepperprojectswhat are the advantages of a Bluetooth battery? Honestly don’t know.

[@texasprepperprojects]

Did you watch the whole video? Bluetooth let's you watch the status of the battery in real time. How much current coming in or going out so you know the state of charge. A stand alone bluetooth battery monitor runs about $80, so you are getting that ability for less. However what you also have to think about is that if you have a stand alone shunt or battery meter, it's more wires and terminals you have to connect. So things get even more expensive and complicated. When you have that built into the battery, the build is simple. Check out my other builds to see where and how the shunt is wired