Bulid a Battery Box For Ham Radio!

🔋🔋🔋🔋 Join me on an interesting build as I make it so TSA doesn't feel my batteries are as suspicious. This is a fun and easy battery build dubbed the little dude, a fun spoof of ‪@hamradiotube‬ and his Big Geek. 🔋🔋🔋🔋
▶️▶️▶️▶️▶️ I bet you're already thinking: "Hey it would be cool if he put an end fed in there too".... Guess what, odds are, I may have, probably, absolutely possibly have already done it ▶️▶️▶️▶️▶️▶️
CHECK OUT THE 4991 - an EFHW, 9:1 and battery box ALL IN ONE - • End Fed Antenna, Porta...
I take you through an overview of how I built a Harbor Freight / Apache 1800 Lifepo4 Battery Box.
🧰🧰🧰🧰 Components used (All links are affiliate where possible) 🧰🧰🧰🧰
- www.thingiverse.com/thing:630... remixed from www.thingiverse.com/thing:535...
🧰🧰- Heat Shrink Wrap - amzn.to/3uaI5OM
🧰🧰 - 4 in 1 On Off Charger Socket Panel - amzn.to/3sqeMHA
🧰🧰 - 6AH Grener Power Lifepo4 (This is out of stock but will be located here when back in stock) amzn.to/47oWsgH
🧰🧰 - Thread Knurled Nuts - amzn.to/3FMdYQe
🧰🧰 - ESUN PETG Filament - amzn.to/470mfwd
🧰🧰 - Apache 1800 Case - www.harborfreight.com/1800-we...
👨‍🔧👨‍🔧👨‍🔧👨‍🔧 DIY Battery Box Community:
Share your own battery box builds in the comments below
Ask questions and get advice from fellow DIY enthusiasts👨‍🔧👨‍🔧👨‍🔧👨‍🔧
doggo video from pixabay.com/videos/dog-pet-ca...
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No, I don't care if my hands move fast, yes you can slow down the video and it will be slower.
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[@fredhillhousejr943]

I assembled 20Ah box together for primarily running my CPAP while off-grid camping. Since I don't do a lot of that, a secondary use is amateur radio. For powering devices, I have two Anderson PP ports. For those items that require the automotive power port, I have an adapter. The battery can be charged via solar. The charge control is by Genasun. In addition, I have a Thornwave Powermon to provide a battery gauge. It provides capacity, not just voltage. With a 100W folding solar panel, portability is real easy. I 3D printed a panel to mount the various connector, fuses, etc. It was a fun project and the first outing with it was a 3 day off-grid kayak camping trip. I already envision the future modifications.

[@mikeramsey9747]

The reason the wires are pulling on the switches is because, obliviously "They Are Too Short". Otherwise the box build is interesting and I like that the battery box is still waterproof. You definitely should had built in the fuse and maybe added a separate switch for the Power Pole plug.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Yes, I thought I was clear that the connectors were pulling away from the switches (because the wiring is too short). I guess it wasn't obvious. Thanks. And yes, as mentioned, I should definitely fuse it. Thanks!

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

I like it but might go a bit bigger

[@OVCArchion]

Instead of a fuse, I’d go with a circuit breaker, like one for car stereo, mounted in the panel.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Much better option. If the circuit pops, it could be reset with the push of a button and therefore; You're not stranded without the ability to utilize the battery

[@DDDeeter]

I made something similar, but never finished it because I didn’t know how to mount it. I’ll send you an email with some photos. Your going to love it…

[@WeedyCreek]

Fun stuff! Thank you for your video.

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Very cool take on the battery box! I love seeing how people come up with such different ideas. I might have to try something similar for an 8Ha Bioenno I have. What I would probably do different would streamline the components. Go with 2 ports. One be a double powerpole connector and the other a combo USB and voltmeter.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I am going to look through a magazine now for some new / unique surface mounted stuff. More options!

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Nice box work, btw. Most folks don't know how to put this stuff together. Those inserts look great. 🤌🏾

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks, I really didn't know that was doing so I chose to get the panel mount with the prewire. It's usually a pretty good way for me to learn and be comfortable with it is kind of small steps at a time. I am going to do a revision too here pretty soon, in fact I ordered the parts this morning. I appreciate it!

[@Tom-n5tti]

This is really cool (oh thanks for reminding me to hit like! I always forget)

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Great video and build. I appreciate the insight into the thought process too.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

▶▶▶▶▶ I bet you're already thinking: "Hey it would be cool if he put an end fed in there too".... Guess what, odds are, I may have, probably, absolutely possibly have already done it kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJPaemaCg6tgpqc▶▶▶▶▶▶

[@coltendoc]

Can you link to the plugs/ usb/ power poles you used? The Amazon link for the 4 in 1 is the same for the shrink wrap. I would like to get the fast charge usb.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks. Corrected it in the description.

[@WECB640]

NICE build Dude! Great inspiration. I wonder if PVC pipe glue would work better than superglue. It certainly would keep the skin from bonding to adjacent fingers, face etc. I would add a fuse (like you mentioned) or perhaps a circuit breaker. The breaker would reset automatically so you'd never get stuck in the field. Check the automotive industry for one. Might want to add / replace the voltmeter with a combo amps/volts/watts meter. This is because voltage on a LifePo type battery is very flat and really not an indication of how much is left in the pack (until it's totally depleted). The amp meter will also show you how much charging current is going into the battery and when it's nearly full. KEEP UP THE GRAT WORK! 73

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks. I agree with your poitns. Voltage/Amps/Current will be much more useful. I like the idea of the circuit breaker over the fuses, that makes a lot of sense. I am going to try to find a surface mounted circuit breaker solution and will put that in the next revision. 73!

[@stevecolby6505]

This project makes me realize just how good of a value a small lithium iron phosphate powered solar generator is. As an example, the GOLABS R300 ($155 on Amazon) has 300 Watt/25 AmpHr LiFePO4 battery, MPPT solar charger, 300 Watt AC inverter, lot of USB C/other USB ports, charging circuit/power supply and a nice display to estimate state of charge and Watts in and out. It's not waterproof, but I'm guessing that building a "Little Dude" that does all this would cost more than $155.

[@hkmp5s]

clean build

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks!

[@JT-py9lv]

Great build. I need to do this with my Bioeno BLF-1212AB

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

That'll probably b e the next battery i use. I have a old bioenno that has fallen apart over time. Good idea!

[@russmarsolek3729]

Building my Battery Box now. Cannot see where you found the Anderson Pole socket for the small hole. All I can find is the ones for a 1 1/8" hole. Thoughts?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I think it was this one, does this work for you ? www.thingiverse.com/thing:1484761

[@dougdaniels]

I built a similar one, but the mounting plate is plexiglass and I added a PowerMini2 to it.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Awesome. Definitely a fun build

[@MrGunningpeter]

Hi, I have two 55ah batteries and two 52ah batteries (lifepo4 cells) can I run them in series if I dont fully charge them?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Hello there. I would be the first to tell you it would be best to ask someone else. www.youtube.com/@WillProwse is a very smart guy when it comes to batteries and lifepo 4. Additionally AD6DM (Denco Batteries) would be able to give yo an answer. Anything I tell you will probably be partially correct. As I've understood with Lifepo4, you never wanted to run batteries in series unless they are the same BMS, same model battery, etc. Hopefully you can get better answers! Thanks!

[@MrGunningpeter]

thanks sir@@HAMRADIODUDE

[@randyk8919]

Maybe epoxy would be better than CA

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I'm going to make a V2 in the next week or so and will try with epoxy. Thanks!

[@ramonbennett8416]

Nice job, good starting point 👍 KN6JHC