DIY Solar Power Cart for Emergency Back Up Generator!

#solargenerator #solarpower #solarcart
Need Emergency backup power? This easy build DIY portable solar power system is great to keep your refrigerators and other appliances running in a power outage.
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[@user-em1sj5ph6h]

I like this very much. I’m gonna build one!

[@defjamsgreen]

Excellent work built for the very purpose , off grid work , activities and work with a piece of mind .😉🤙

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thank you! I just built 2 more for home running 2 full size fridges and freezer. Put it all in a metal shed and solar panels on roof.

[@cdonuts7335]

Damn!! I'm half way through building a system very similar on a cart! Mounting everything on a sheet of poly carbonate. I'm using a 300ah Lifepo4, 2000w inverter, victron 100/50 solar controller, Victron smart shunt. DC distribution box. I also have a LED strip light for when the power goes out you can see what you're doing. Great video! You're got it layed out nicely!

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Sounds like you're building a nice system. Victron makes excellent equipment. Your charge controller size sounds better. I went small with the 40A charge controller for the 200Ah battery, and will probably go larger on the next one, or do 2 - 40A controllers. I did another smaller portable power system using Victon with BlueTooth for charging tool batteries. It has a solar charge controller, DC to DC charger, and a shore power charger all in a battery box. You can see the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn2xZ4F-lLeKd6c

[@Electronzap]

Nice system.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thank you, it was a fun build.

[@seymourpro6097]

If you use a 0-1-2 switch then connect the precharge limiter between 1 and 2 then there is no need to play with light bulbs manually. Off is off, 1 is precharge and 2 is run. Wire the precharge limiter lamp or resistor between terminals 1 and 2, wire the inverter to terminal 2.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Yes, I've seen this configuration before, definitely would do this next time. Thanks for the info!

[@user-hh6ex9md4w]

Great video! I love the concept of having a backup power station for outdoor adventures and family time. It's important to have reliable power for all our devices and appliances. Have you heard of the Segway Portable PowerStation Cube Series? It's a versatile powerhouse with a massive capacity, fast recharging, and comprehensive protections. It's definitely worth considering for outdoor enthusiasts like us. Happy camping!

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thank you! I'll check out the Segway. It's been hard sourcing solar supplies for your outdoor power equipment shop, especially portable power stations. With California banning outdoor gas powered equipment, we need a solution to charge landscaping equipment batteries.

[@shanesdiy]

Awesome, one of the nicest DIY packages I've seen. Excellent work.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thanks Shane, appreciate the comment, would love to build more as time allows!

[@shankarmohan]

Awesome and clean build.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thank you!

[@mahatmadoo2566]

Love it. Love it. Love it!

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thank you, it's a fun build!

[@anthonycroft4701]

Hi All the charge controllers I have used say connect to a battery before connecting solar panels so the breaker you have after the charge controller is not a good idea Just unplug the solar Good job though 😁

[@fischertoolandgarden]

One breaker to isolate the panels and one breaker to isolate the charge controller from the battery for repairs I guess. Just following instructions in a solar power book. I guess if you were to have to replace or repair the charge controller, you could still run the inverter this way. To power up the system, from battery to charge controller turn the breaker on, then turn on the breaker to the solar panels, and vice versa to shut down.

[@natesdiysolar]

Nice cart build. It's clean and compact. I like the idea of the anderson connector for the PV input. I have the same problem connecting mine with MC4 as they are not made to be unplugged and re-plugged.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thanks Nate! I just sold the cart Saturday, so I'm looking forward to building another one. It will probably be a 12 volt system again, maybe 2-200 AH batteries and 2 charge controllers for separate arrays. I might go with a 400 AH battery though with a taller cart. Any thoughts?

[@natesdiysolar]

@North County Lawnmower , it's cool that you were able to sell it. Perhaps one charge controller with 2 mppt inputs to save space. 400ah should be good as long as it's not so heavy. I've been trying to figure out how to add a 2nd battery tray to my cart, but at 24v, it's pretty heavy. Perhaps add some USB outputs for versatility. I'm not sure if you had that on your last cart. Check out my hand cart video for the DC side stuff. You won't need a buck converter if you are already 12v.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

@@natesdiysolar , I've watched some of your videos, very good info, and entertaining! The only USB on my cart was one on the inverter. I like the additions to some of the carts I've seen, and did have an extra USB connector to another cart I did, but opted for the 12 v fuse box so people could decide what they wanted to add on, since I make them to sell.

[@natesdiysolar]

@North County Lawnmower cool. You should try to build a super compact version. One thing I noticed is you might want to put the inline PV fuse on the panel side (as close to panel as possible) VS the cart side so the PV wire is protected.

[@bobysize]

Very nice built, what is the wire gauge you are using? I am planning to build same thing but only use 1000w inverters on 12v 200ah battery, should 6 gauge is enough? Thanks

[@fischertoolandgarden]

I would suggest getting Will Prowse's book "Mobile Solar Power." He has very helpful charts on what you'll need.

[@budmartin3344]

Nice video. Link to the cart and the crate/frame that you use for mounting all the equipment into place? Thanks.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Sorry Bud, I don't have links to the cart, I've seen them at O'Reilly Auto parts. The crate, or something similar can be found at Uline, the one I got was given to me by a grocery store.

[@markronck3415]

How about a description breakdown of your parts you used here please. Do I see a solar disconnect switch of some sorts here? Which one did you use?

[@fischertoolandgarden]

To start, I am not an electrician so most of what I did was what I could understand from some solar courses and a Will Prowse book, so this is just for entertainment purposes. I didn't keep track of all the parts I used, so I'll try to mention the major parts. As far as the solar disconnect, 15 Amp fuse at solar panel and a breaker going into the charge controller. Parts: Rich Solar 200 Ah 12v LifePo4 battery, 250 A Switch, 250 A fuse, 100 A fuse (for Bluesea Systems 12v 100 A fuse box), Rich Solar 40 A charge controller (should've gone 60 A), 50 A Tocas? breaker( charge controller to battery), a shunt from Amazon with round display, 2 - Anderson plugs (one for connecting a battery charger, and one for a solar connection), the battery charger I used was a EG4 15A 12v from Signature Solar. The rest is just cables, a plastic produce tray and a luggage cart.

[@jeanpierrelabonte2868]

Hi great build . A question, where did you get your plastic enclosure? I’ll appreciate to learn.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

The plastic enclosure is a vegetable tray. I got this from a grocery store we used to supply produce to. You can get something like it from Uline.

[@jeanpierrelabonte2868]

Thanks

[@jeanpierrelabonte2868]

Just ordered 3 container at Uline and they are great. A little short on the wight side. I’m missing one or 2 inches. They are 21 inches inside. When I look at you’re clips I see your inverter and controller side by side. Asked Rich Solar for the dimensions of their 2000w inverter and their 40a controller. They told me their inverter was 21x12x9 and the converter 12x9x6. So it would need 12+9=21 inch wide container. When I look at your clip their seem to be an inch loose between them. So you are lucky to have find a container of more then 22+ inch wight. Unless..I’m missing something. Thanks

[@fischertoolandgarden]

@@jeanpierrelabonte2868 I'm going to build another solar cart on a larger hand truck. I'm planning on putting a 2000 watt Rich Solar inverter right above the battery (400 AH 12v EG4 with on/off switch) then two Victron 100/30 charge controllers and the other stuff in the produce tray above the inverter. That way the inverter and controllers will get plenty of air flow.

[@jeanpierrelabonte2868]

Sorry for my last comment about the Uline container. Finally found your vegetable container made by IPL in Canada. Indeed inside wight is 22,6 inches so it’s should fit. Thanks for all you’re work .Appreciated it very much.

[@user-ly6fo1sj7p]

Is the crate that every thing is mounted on a collapsible I seem to find anything like it.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Yes, the crate is a collapsible vegetable tray from a grocery store. I've seen something like this at uline.

[@user-ly6fo1sj7p]

Thank you I'm putting together one with a 400 watt inverter your video is very informative

[@bruceforster3709]

What I do NOT like is the proximity of your unit to those High Octane 5 Gallon Gas Buckets. If there's ANY Vapors leaking from them and your unity puts off a spark-BOOM!

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Oops!

[@MyChannel-vm6dw]

Good build, but I can't handle the very sharp piercing sound all the time.

[@fischertoolandgarden]

Thanks for watching!