How to build a 12v portable power box

Check out the updated version
• How to build a portabl...
How to make your very own portable power box please subscribe for future content thanks
Disclaimer I'm not an electrician I do this as a hobby build at your own risk
amzn.to/3bLPQzw
amzn.to/39DFJdh
amzn.to/38N1AzV
amzn.to/3qncbHD
amzn.to/3oOA1fc
amzn.to/3ifv1Oh
amzn.to/3oJN5lY
amzn.to/2XKDXSk
amzn.to/38N3Tmv
amzn.to/38Ogo1f
amzn.to/3qrq9sm
amzn.to/3nOjXcb
amzn.to/2LBTRMj
amzn.to/2LVdcru

[@dub5355]

I needed so badly, a step by step. All things electrical scare the heck out of me. Yes even little 12 v batteries. I tip my hat and truly honestly thank you.

[@jimmysharley]

I've been wondering all about these power boxes. You described it right on! Clear and simple. Great job!

[@dayonmage3946]

Thank you very much for the patient explanation and willingness to make this video. I’m studying to be an electrical engineer, though I’m still a novice amateur at best, therefore this power-box project is an ideal learning experience for me to make something for practical applications, and it will be fun and enjoyable, and I can do it w/ my dad who is a retired electrician. Have a great day, JDS Outdoors. You’re the man!

[@riskybidnes]

Love the box build, very thorough description. Thank you for sharing.

[@aim2fish242]

Thanks JDS Outdoors for the video. I basically duplicated your box for using in my fishing canoe. Worked out great!

[@ricker76er]

Nice build, and a very well organized box. FYI, your batteries are in parallel giving you a 12V 18Ah system. If anyone is curious, you can also connect them in series and get a 24V 9Ah system (I hope that's right, college circuits were a long time ago). Just depends on what your needs are. Thanks for posting.

[@bosspatis369]

Excellent build and very precised tutorial too! Of all the DIY power box/power stations I've watched on KZbin, this is the best and easy to understand and follow. Thank you for this great tutorial. Subscribed forever! More power!

[@anton00867]

This is by far one of the better boxes I have been looking at. Great job!

[@nswst8]

Great DIYer power box. Great "How To"!

[@tuckergmt]

Can't thank you enough. Just finished my go box. Your video and explanation regarding the wiring were what got me through. I did add a couple of items you don't have but everything works great. Thanks again and hope to see more of your videos.

[@JDSOutdoors]

Gary Tucker thanks man I'm glad it helped. comments like this make it worth it

[@kevind8667]

I bought the same set up you have here and haven't done it because I wasn't sure where to start or how to do it exactly. This video will be watch A LOT when I make mine. Very easy to follow and clean! Nice work! Thanks for the help!

[@JDSOutdoors]

Kevin D no problem thanks for the comment glad it helps

[@mirocapin4759]

Absolutely the best pedagogic video, no stirr, no stress ...perfect, thanks👍👍👍👍👍

[@jeffreyhodge3088]

Been looking for a way to build a battery box for my Kayak. Best video yet! Great job. Will reference this when I get ready to build. Only will have to figure how to wire up a control panel where I will be sitting. Thanks.

[@thejwchannel3137]

Bloody good video, feels great to be able to make your own stuff, keep producing those vids, big hi from Australia!!

[@shanemartinson5006]

great video, I'm going to build something like this for my kayak, thank you

[@alphainfinitum3445]

This is solid work mate. The video is detailed enough for anyone to understand and build one.

[@jimpoop]

Awesome. I gotta build one of these for my camping, fishing, and my Astrophotography rig

[@ChaZacIsa]

Hey cool, man. I was looking for something simple for emergencies and camping. This will go along with my 40w solar panels I just bought. Good tutorial. Five stars!

[@aaronm9478]

Very cool! I like this project. Will be making one of these for powering a mobile amateur radio soon.

[@kimsotus]

Cool project. Getting all the pieces together to make something similar, not as many bells and whistles. But you've done a spectacular job describing the setup process.

[@robertocarloscaruso6840]

Just finished building mine. Thank you very much. A clear cable explanation would be the best. But everything worked fine for me. Wish you the best, my friend. Greetings from Argentina.

[@ct026]

What an absolutely fantastic video. Well done mate. Many thanks from across the pond.

[@JDSOutdoors]

Marc Velo yes everything was ordered off of Amazon I typed in 12v switches, volt meter, USB, and fuse block and found the ones I thought would work best for my needs. thank you

[@MrRahimhosein]

Hi. Can you make one and sell it to me?

[@scienceobrien8335]

Thanks, very clear explanation on the wiring!

[@PBS-nm1uu]

thanks for taking the time to show how it is done, please keep them coming,

[@Tony94541]

Wonderful video. I am building my portable power box now. Still waiting for components to come in from Amazon and Ebay. I will be adding a MPPT Solar charge controller, an Inverter, and a external AC plug. Thanks for posting. Really appreciate your discussion about wiring the fuse block and switches.

[@utultrarnr]

Everything looks ok. Hung it on a hook in the living room she can't reach.

[@leemats2572]

Thanks for the information man! Appreciate it.

[@robertbeda959]

Very nice job. Actually bought the same swiches for redoing my old Jeep. Only change I would make is to connect the hot leads coming off the fuse block to the swich beneath it rather than running the wires diagonally. But, that's just my OCD kicking in! Suscribed.

[@jovinfoong]

Tks for sharing buddy 👍👍👍

[@ecoinsectscreens5551]

Finally a very clear and neat video. thanks

[@kellyclover5953]

I bought a Powerwerx premade power box, a battery, and a battery charger. It cost me about $200 for all 3 items. It saved me a lot of work. Now my thoughts are about improvising so I can do more with it. For example, I will after learning to use this properly for small wattage electrical things, connect much higher Ah battery(ies) so I can power a lot more stuff. For those of you who want to save time cutting up and connecting wires, you could consider the Powerwerx power box to get started quickly with little work.

[@scottlucia1485]

Great video, thank you for sharing!

[@JM-jb5cb]

what a fantastic video, very well put together, clear and concise, thanks

[@tracybudzielek5608]

Wow, I just came across your video. Thank you very much. Your video was very informative and it helps me out a great deal. I’m going to make one of these out of my Milwaukee pack out box. Thanks again

[@jeremychristiansracing7731]

Great video!! Thank you!!

[@electro_solar]

Easy and simple. Great product.

[@seanhughes5905]

Great advice... I've made one following your video with a 130ah leisure battery.

[@outbackeddie]

Very helpful video. I'm getting ready to build one myself and you have given me some very good ideas. Thank you.

[@charleshoward9983]

Yes this is a great video also. Thanks for sharing!

[@bobt471]

👍Also a step bit works great for holes!!

[@roytherhodesian4029]

Awesome love your work mate 👍👍👍👍

[@DavidLorellHoskins]

Great vid. Thanks

[@newageautotechnology]

Nice build. I used a 30 ah battery on mine. So far it does all i need.

[@LikeOnATree]

Great video, thanks!!

[@azfizaidi]

Great video. Thank you.

[@cet645]

Thanks for posting.

[@johnrackley1903]

Great Video, very clean and professional looking.

[@jimbrownza]

There are loads of videos here on how to make these boxes: this is one of the better ones. Only suggestion I'd make is to lay an insulating sheet of plastic or rubber over the batteries because the working parts get a bit close when the lid is closed: adds a second line of defence if anything wiggles loose in transit and prevents shorts. I like the master fuse and master switch.....

[@geoffreydlin8043]

You are a great teacher. Subscribed.

[@NoSkillUG]

Thank you so much for making this video! really helped me a ton.

[@ethanbaylis5204]

very well made mate, you’ve earned a sub

[@dodgygeezah4707]

Well explained. Great idea.

[@grendel3701]

Great video! will be making one soon

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Great video!

[@markwestendorf9469]

Uni-bit for the holes would work. Cool idea.

[@toochi84]

Perfect build

[@zulmep]

So helpful. Thanks bro

[@waynetate9895]

Great video. Excellent tutorial. I have watched a lot of these videos. This is the best so far.

[@jonmartinez1855]

great video, I a was looking for something like this for ice fishing and my kayak and canoe. Only improvement I can think of is a built in charger to charge the batteries. You should build and sell these, there is a market huge market right now for these. thank you for sharing the idea and how to!

[@grantsmith2414]

Hey JDS... this is "heaps" lol (@Sunshine Coast Aus.) great.... with the total 18amps - ideal for those led lights & the little spotties are a great idea & excellent wiring setup & vid.

[@DEADWINTER]

Cool video! I'll be making one of these for the portable this weekend.

[@JDSOutdoors]

DEAD WINTER thank you and have fun I enjoy making them

[@blackwolfprepper1128]

great video. Maybe put a peice of that bar across your batteries so they don't short out anything of the box gets tipped over. Just a suggestion.

[@edadpops1709]

Very clean like it

[@IHoboJunk]

Great setup

[@niveshlutchman6179]

finally the best power box!

[@pennystansfield9362]

I’ve been looking for a tutorial on how to assemble my box and this video is simple and easy to follow. Just one thing, I was thinking of adding a socket to charge the batteries either from a charger or solar panel.

[@JDSOutdoors]

Its possible I have a solar video as well for the power boxes. Version 2 is much better than this one

[@bobt471]

❤ Excellent video and info….🙏🏻😎

[@martinclarke9453]

exellent video, thanks for sharing

[@homevalueglass3809]

Boy, that's nice and tidy wiring. Fantastic design. Thanks for sharing. I have no idea what your time is worth to you but I'd be willing to pay a guy $50 to source and build one of these. I'll be using this wiring design but will be solar charging. Will also add a connection for 2 hand crank chargers so can charge the battery if not sunny.

[@tomrum42]

I just got the last of what I need for my box, which will be a power source for a trolling motor on a canoe. My box will have a cig lighter, combo volt/amp/watt panel meter (ebay), combo battery charging port & battery status panel (NOCO chargers), PWM motor speed controller with variable speed and a reversing switch (ebay). I plan on having 2 sets of power lugs. 1 set of lugs will come out of the PWM speed controller (for the trolling motor) and the other set of lugs will bypass the speed controller. I had already planned on doing almost all of the wiring on the inside of the lid like you have done. I am using one 35ah battery (Amazon).

[@paddleandhook]

Thanks for the share sir.

[@williamvan909]

hello great job fella i watch your other video on the small one's made two of them so far going to make some for Christmas gifts for family .love the 20 min videos make's it easy too hook them up thanks again for in formation . P.S. also watch the LED lights like it thanks again .happy holidays to you

[@JDSOutdoors]

Thank you and same to you as well

[@Garry1980]

Great video how to make and wire up the box would you do a video of this but adding a solar charge controller and solar panels.

[@76aussieguy]

cheers for sharing mate, im just about to make another little battery box, your wiring is heaps neater than what i did last time. that fuse box is brilliant

[@JDSOutdoors]

76aussieguy thanks man is it weird I read that with an accent? I have a friend who lives in Tamworth and as soon as I saw heaps I knew you were Australian. glad I could help

[@76aussieguy]

its all good mate, i wrote it with an accent hahaha

[@chellehaney942]

hilarious

[@Karlx2x]

Hi JDS Outdoors, this is awesome and I am aiming to build one to go fishing! I am no electrical expert so what would really help is a list of the items you used...e.g. 7amp fuses / 10amp wire etc... if at all possible. No worries if not I can muddle through. Thanks for the video!

[@davescorneroftheworld1147]

He also never said how to RECHARGE the batteries, most of us use SOLOR but you can use a small battery tender from Harbor Freight. You really need to charge when you are away from home, that would be with solar most likely. You could hook it up to your car 12V DC supply (segregate lighter). That is not in his description. What I would do from the LEFT I would have a 20 amp MAIN fuse then a 7.5 or a 10 amp fuse then the rest would be 3 amp fuses.

[@danemmerich6775]

Great Video!! Learned alot. That makes a great power box for anything!! A water proofed one would be good for my Kayak. Maybe with some silicone will make it more waterproof.

[@christopherharris1039]

good video and well presented and clearly set out , nice one JDS Outdoors

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Terrific video. Looks like a fairly simple weekend build. I would probably add a three way switch (on-off-on)for charging via a wall adapter and a solar controller. Also a connection point to add in a another ammo box with just a pair of batteries for additional run time.

[@claytonthomas9773]

Bradley Johnson if you do the extra ammo box could you just hook them up to the post on the top of the ammo box?

[@ekoms108]

You dont need a 3 way switch. There is no difference between charging and discharging.

[@Domster19888]

Great video bro!

[@philipp8447]

Cool Video very nice👍

[@DROY2004]

Clean vid, thnx

[@jimmysharley]

Nice job on the video!

[@JDSOutdoors]

Jim Breth thank you sir

[@PP.EKOTECH]

GOOD JOB !!! :) Regards PP.

[@james10739]

good video im planing on making one with 18650s in a steel ammo can

[@punkguy350]

Great video mate. You should sell these. I'd buy one 😊

[@damianstirling7553]

a stepper bit will help with holes in future...

[@King.DAVid.III2022]

The step bits work for all panel builds I picked up harbor freight

[@newport2926]

Made this. Works excellently. Thanx for the great idea. I am thinking about how to make another (smaller) battery source. Any ideas.

[@LaurenceAllen]

OMG you rock man; ever think about using Lithium Ion Battery pack instead?

[@Mike-fh9tl]

hey JDS Outdoors i LOVE this battery box of yours i want to make one my self but i live in south africa and its hard to get boxes like that i want a box just like yours can you please send me a link of some of the stuff you have bought for your power box what watts are the led lights (hot systems)

[@matstoner5383]

Hi mate can you tell me what fuse size you use from left to right ta as am using 2x 12v 12ah batteries

[@robertcoleman5560]

hay could use a leisure battery in the uk the leisure battery is about the same size in a car ??? would it work the same just big scale ??

[@JohnFraser322]

Do you have a parts list that you could link?

[@JMS7410-]

JDS - do you have a part number/description and url link to the "double spade terminal" looking spade you used to connect the negative parallel terminal on the battery? or did you just use a 12-10 GA spade terminal to double connect on the battery terminals?

[@brownwaterm]

Awesome video

[@JDSOutdoors]

Thank you

[@JamesWilliams-nw5cf]

Thank You, great video 2 questions - can you provide links for the items used to build, and how is the voltage reduced for the usb port?

[@pjeaton58]

Some kind of voltage regulator chip eg. 7805 or the 2 amp version. Google it !

[@fireantfishing]

This is cool man! did you just take apart that panel and put it on there?

[@JDSOutdoors]

FIREANT FISHING it's probably cheaper to do it that way but no I purchased them all individually and put it together

[@edycarbajal7793]

Excellent video!!!!where did you buy all this accessories to build this box?

[@bernied9415]

Great DIY project, and well explained ! However, what charges the batteries...? Did you envision a solar panel ? ....or perhaps a charger of some sort..? I built a unit almost like yours but added an 500ah inverter, and an input for a solar panel, (mine is a portable 200w unit). It works great, as yours will as well. Thanks for sharing your project.

[@johncapps5044]

How do you charge the batteries without removing them? Through the posts with the switches off? Thanks for the help.

[@erdejo01]

That was exactly my question as well! There's no way to charge the batteries in the box. Leaving the switches off would not change the batteries (I'm pretty sure....), I think!