DIY Lithium Power Box Build | 18ah Portable Charging Station | NPLife

What's up guys? It is way too cold outside to go fishing, so I decided to do a little DIY project. Today we're building a portable Lithium Power Box!
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Materials list.
Plano Molding Small Field Ammo Case
18ah Amped Outdoors Lithium Battery
Ice Hole Power DIY power box components kit w/ 6 way LED fuse block
-Kit includes:
-- Voltmeter
--USB Port
--Cigarette Lighter Port
--5 switches
--2 Banana Posts
--6 Eagle Eye Lights
--6 Way LED Fuse Block
Wiring Components
-6 blue ring terminals
-25 blue 16-18 female quick disconnects
- 7 larger 12-14 female quick connect
- 1 huge 10 guage wire female quick connect
- 5 5amp fuses
- 5 3amp fuses
-small zip ties
-2 machine screws
Tools
Stripping Pliers
Crimping Pliers
Scalpel
1 1/8 inch cutting bit
¾ inch drill bit
Small Socket Set
Drill
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Check out JDS Outdoors original video: • How to build a portabl...
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[@redeveninglightsvevo]

*Great **Generater.Systems** so far. We have the same brand just a little less power. This one is so much quieter then our first one. Great buy*

[@johncrosby5596]

Great idea! You may want to consider using a step drill for the holes as they tend to cut cleaner in this situation.

[@chucker625]

Yes. Can Confirm. Do This ^^^^^^^^^

[@captpeady2176]

Best tutorial I've found, am building two for hurricane season here in Eastern, NC. USA. #1 is the ammo box, 2nd is a larger box with two marine batteries ( in parallel) and a 1500w inverter on 100w solar panels to run TV, wi-fi, laptop, etc.... Thanks

[@lazarusrize]

Have you started your tandem marine battery solar build yet?

[@AshleySchaeffer]

Great tutorial! Thanks for including so much detail in how you built this out.

[@TW14137]

Great vid... I like the light idea! Nice clean audio with no annoying back ground music!

[@Ramo718]

Excellent box build. that's talent!!!👍😎

[@JDSOutdoors]

Awesome build. Appreciate the shout out as well. This is why I put out the video in the first place.

[@NPLife]

Thanks man!

[@jcbassfishingchannel]

great detailed information on how to get this done. Now i can actually get the parts and do it myself, Thanks!!!

[@zoodan5545]

Great video, very entertaining and filmed well considering how small and intricate that box is. Really enjoyed watching you plan the steps out before starting to work.

[@nvrstpgrndn]

Thanks again for the great video and taking time to help me out with my build!

[@NPLife]

Any time man! be sure to send some pics when you're done.

[@jtderby]

Would recommend an inline fuse between battery positive and the main power switch as close to the battery as possible. Just in case of a short downstream before the fuse holder to protect the main switch and voltmeter.

[@mrmillmill]

Fantastic video! Continuity test with multimeter between components is while wiring is always a great sanity check

[@samvang968]

I've always wanted to build a power box, but never found a detailed video on how to. But with how detailed this video is, this will be my next project!!! Than you Sir!

[@NPLife]

Thanks for watching! Have fun!

[@scottcampbell7804]

@@NPLife definitely a great video! I have a question for you about the LED lights…do they get hot? How long can you run them for?

[@allkindsofoutdooractivities]

Very nice build. I love putting together power boxes too

[@thistoshallpass395]

Love the build. Not going to lie I would have thrown the box away and restarted the minute the holes weren't perfectly aligned. Yes, it's a flaw of mine but it would drive me nuts anytime I looked at it.

[@fromtheflightdeck252]

Never go Full Corn Pop

[@alexpmK3]

Pretty cool package indeed !

[@danhoulf1623]

Just a terrific video. Thank you! I am looking forward to starting my project.

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Very nice build. I will be making a similar one shortly and you gave me some good ideas. Greetings from sunny Jamaica.

[@llewellyn56]

That’s awesome. Great video. I have my switches installed but never finished.

[@kovuk9]

Awesome build for power outages

[@jkpanda7]

wow you just saved me a few hundred bucks thanks man!! well done 👌🏻

[@conditionsofflow2419]

what was the total cost?

[@wheelingfun2196]

Great video. I am also building a powerbox of sorts. I am adding in multiple inputs for charging. Solar and the ac adapter but everything will be closed so no need to open the case to do any charging or work.

[@tonypmedia]

Outstanding video man! Future reference, when drilling holes regardless of size, use some frog tape over the spot(s) you want to drill. It will give you much cleaner holes and I would use bits rather than using hole saw. The bits will dig that mess up and all you gotta do is pick and pull. Takes no time my guy. No scalpel needed lol

[@NPLife]

Thanks man, I never thought of that!

[@delusionalgamer8241]

Or grab a rat tail deburr tool from harbor freight, super cheap. It's take off any excess flash that the whole saw or otherwise leaves behind

[@DagarothBlackrose]

Step bits are the way to go for stuff like that, for sure

[@kathyweigelhi-lophotovideo2984]

Excellent video...many, many thanks! I love the OCD factor when you noticed the imperfections :)

[@3bo0ody404]

the best compact power box i ever seen and clean work too i will make the same but a big box to add a solar charging thanx for the steps of the diy

[@LocRobser]

Awesome video!! Thanks for this.

[@randallchittenden6825]

Great build. I was hoping you would open and close the box... If you did, I may have missed it. Either way, a suggestion, It appears the wires would bend at the hinge area. While you are not opening and closing often, it would be an area of future failure. If you run the wires from the lid down to one side to the hinge, cross over at the hinge and then into the box. That way the wires would twist over the length of the hinge rather than bend at it. Hopefully this makes sense. Again, great project.

[@JefferyS1000]

I've found that step drill bits are awesome for drilling in plastic boxes.

[@RealBrianBryant]

Very thorough. Great video and tutorial.

[@NPLife]

Thank you!

[@W8MJL]

Now this is thee most detailed build video i've ever seen and has helped me figure out how i want to build mine for ham radio portable ops. Thanks for the great video.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Yup, that is why I am here. Getting my setup ready to go outdoors.

[@NPLife]

Thanks guy! I'm glad I coukd help a bit.

[@IcedReaver]

This is really cool, thanks for sharing! I'm looking to upscale this for a ~40AH battery as I'll be using mine for astrophotography so will need it to run all through a winters night.

[@kimmer6]

Did you make one? I use Minn Kota trolling motor boxes for my home built emergency backup power boxes to run CPAP machines. I put in a 100 amp hour lithium battery in one unit and with its attached 300 watt inverter weighs 22 pounds. I got carried away and stuffed mine with a 200 amp hour lithium battery to run a 1200 watt inverter if needed. That weighs 43 pounds total. With that, you could run your iOptron SkyGuider Pro, a 5 cup coffee maker, cook your midnight stew with the smaller Instapot pressure cooker, and run your trolling motor to get across the lake in the morning. I should make a video of it.

[@IcedReaver]

@@kimmer6 Hey Kimmer. Well, my astro rig grew arms and legs so I had to rethink the power solution. Given work and the awful weather we've had, I've not had the opportunity to image remotely so for now, I'm continuing to run on mains electric. Wow, sounds like your got your power situation sorted out!

[@kimmer6]

@@IcedReaver I should start hanging out in the pub. It might be a cheaper endeavor than building lithium battery powered things! Here's that trolling motor box with 200 amp hours, 2560 watt hours, stuffed inside. I built the 7200 watt hour unit underneath it for running my son's fridge and chest freezer when the grid goes down....again. I keep improving it and Version 2 will be much better. In NorCal, Spring weather arrived and I'll head out tonight and look for satellites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGLVkoZpjKqYZ8k

[@IcedReaver]

@@kimmer6 I just checked out your video, and you weren't kidding when you said you had a slow cooker on the go! I'll put in an order of beef brisket please :) I'm sure you'll see plenty of satellites when the sky is clear, they certainly find their way into my images that's for sure.

[@kimmer6]

@@IcedReaver Remember the Iridium satellites? I tracked and viewed about 200 of them. They would catch sunlight at night for a few seconds and flare brightly. My tracker app was quite accurate. I was at the local fishing pier one night pointing out where to look to my friend who never saw a flare. Some crackhead asked what I was pointing out. I showed him the app and the map on my cell phone and couldn't help myself in telling a fib. I told him that I worked for Lockheed Martin and that I was going to turn on the back porch light on our satellite. There were about 6 of his friends and I pointed out where to look. I did the countdown and tapped my phone. They thought that was the most awesome thing...touch my phone make that thing in space light up. ''Do it again, do it again!!!''. ''Woops, can't do it yet. I have to let the batteries recharge.'' I miss those Iridium Sats.... Corned beef and cabbage coming up Thursday for St Paddy's Day. Come on over.

[@deanwebster]

That's awesome! Great video!

[@hikingfish3]

Really liked the "live" build of this box. Great stuff. Maybe put a tiny bit more info on the electrical part for us electricity noobs ;-) Sounds like a fun project...I would just add a radio on there and turn it into a ham radio go box!

[@jay-rus4437]

Built one of these, or at least similar idea. Mine was a larger box with fuse block, ground bar, dual usb, powerpole 15amp, powerpole 30amp, master switch to power fuse block, and then side mount powerpoles for charger connection on the outside of the box. I then also installed a mobile dual band 2m and 70cm transceiver. Im sure I overkilled it, but I ran 10 awg wire from battery through switch and then fuse block, and then all the other wiring was 12 awg. Fun project

[@anonymous_friend]

Can you elaborate on this transceiver thing? I would love to see a video of what you are talking about. I have most of the parts needed, just trying to finalize my plan. I want to be able to power a garmin echomap and a livescope with the black box, and my submersible green LED light for night fishing via cigarette plug. I have an 18ah lithium battery. I hope thats enough.

[@jay-rus4437]

@@anonymous_friend ....it is a HAM Radio. Both receives and transmits at 50w for 2m and 70cm bands. Carry a roll up J-pole antenna for the radio. Easily communicates simplex or duplex for coverage in the Tulsa area. Radio distance has a lot of variables, but I can consistently get 40-50 miles. Ive since built 2 more of these using an Apache case from Harbor Freight.....generic version of a pelican case. Fun to build and very useful

[@chrishince8947]

Awesome build!!! Have you ever tried seeing if it floats? If so that would be a great bonus! Keep up the great work!

[@NPLife]

Thanks! I havent tried, that seems a bit risky!

[@jeffspirdione8135]

Cool build, I'm wanting to build an emergency power station for my home, and now have some useful ideas. Thanks for the video.

[@WES-JGC-2013]

May want to at least run an "in line" fuse between main and Voltmeter, and also step drill bits are great for things like this. A little wire loom and maybe some foam and You couldn't buy a better setup! Awesome Job!! Look forward to more of your vids

[@bighurt4007]

Dang bro good vid very thorough

[@ItalianPrepper]

Awesome dude!

[@masjoun]

Great video!! thank you!! ill copy this! i am curious about a couple of things, how will the battery charge? also, any idea how long would this power station would provide power to say a 40watt LED light when camping? Could i switch the battery to something bigger?

[@iAREBIGCAT_]

i like this setup alot thanks for explaining it great video!

[@CampMoreBarkLess]

Great build

[@Hi11is]

Put a piece of scrap wood on the backside of the plastic when drilling or boring to support the plastic against deformation and reduce the amount of cleanup required with the x-acto knife. The screws holding the fuse block should have a finishing washer under the heads to spread the load and keep the top from cracking. I'd recommend a fuse block that has both positive and negative connections so that everything is connected to it without the point to point jumpers back to the battery used here. It makes it easier to wire, easier to troubleshoot, easier to change things, eliminates a lot of wires being flexed when the lid is opened and closed. They are available with LED indicators for blown fuses. USB ports are available that will fast charge an iPad or iPhone, or other devices. Apple and Google Pixel needs PD 3.0 and most other electronics need QC 3.0. There are some that have both QC and PD. You may also want to consider USB-C connectors as they are becoming more common and can deliver more power by increasing their voltage output. With more and more things using USB for charging adding one of the fast charge ports to this setup seems like a good bet.

[@lastdon6585]

Well done!

[@vincebrown5158]

Your battery is actually in the front of the ammo can...cool build.

[@badgerfarmgirl336]

Nice job... started on mine... almost finished...

[@NPLife]

Thanks! I hope yours turns out great!

[@michaelvaughan3127]

Cool job

[@imd1super615]

Nicely done

[@XeloPerez]

Gran trabajo amigo. Saludos desde Santiago de Chile.

[@robleo69]

Awesome presentation. You Rock!👍

[@txtiger6927]

good video and will help me with my box build. Thanks

[@electro_solar]

Great video and nice box :)

[@ohmyadventure61]

Nice job. I would put a fuse between the battery and main switch. Also, the positive main should go directly from the main switch to the fuse block. Plug the volt meter anywhere downstream from the fuse block.

[@KRDiaries15]

how many amps of fuse do you recommend?

[@markross2015]

Anderson plug's needed and maybe LED bar instead of Volt meter. Also power switch on top - not to get knock when packed. Volt meter would be handy if you can externally access it, like a basic multimeter. The lights are a great idea. you can also buy resettable blade fuses.

[@lawrencecohen5202]

Run piggybacks to a waterproof SAE connector. That amped lifepo4 charger is easy to splice over to SAE. External charging without having to open the box, and you can wire in a solar charge controller inline for a solar generator.

[@larrythecomputerguy]

Nice job!

[@NPLife]

Thanks Larry!

[@age2540]

Do you have a way of charging the battery while its in the box?

[@DeterminedDev]

GREAT TUTORIAL. one question though... what do you use the banana clips for? is that how you recharge the battery?

[@NPLife]

Thanks! Yes, I use them to recharge. I also use them to hook up led light strips on my tent and boat, as well as, running fish finders.

[@dynamitebill6919]

You did a really good job. the only thing missing is you charging up that battery again you could get the charging system out of an old UPS Computer backup system so you can charge with 110V plug so you can charge the battery back up.

[@FiveStarPicks500]

Thank you very useful presentation

[@robbiereddog4202]

Good work.

[@DimestoreNation]

Great stuff

[@SeanLeonDrumz]

Consider adding a XLR plug to charge the battery easily.

[@jrjr6963]

Great video!,… very clean design. Will be very helpful when I build my own,… just wondering, how many ways can you recharge the battery,… Will you post a video for this. Thanks

[@ericv.9842]

I've been trying to find those style lights but in a Infrared Spectrum for running night vision cameras.

[@ayechapin1]

Should do a night test for that light... I'm curious to see how bright it is... also how long could you run 2 lights, both USB outlets and the cigarette lighter on a single charge? Thanks

[@mikeshepard3602]

Should have just used 2 bus bars, one for power and one for ground would be nice and easy. Thank you for your time in making the awesome video. 👍

[@jacelandadventures1523]

nice build thanks for sharing

[@NPLife]

Thank you!

[@TheMajictech]

Ammo cans! It’s like Tupperware, but for men!

[@patlsmith404]

I think I’d want some type of gasket around all the holes in case of rain, etc. cut & paint bolts. Great design.

[@NPLife]

Thanks Pat! I ended up putting some silicone around the holes on the bottom side of the lid. Just for that extra water resistance.

[@simonhamilton500]

@@NPLife BUT.....the components you have used are not waterproof. No point sealing the holes in the box if water can go through the actual components. I would doubt how waterproof the box was before you drilled through the top and sides. As you say... not a good idea tbh. However, a nice build.

[@NPLife]

@@simonhamilton500 Thanks for the comment! It's more for incidental splashes and things while on a boat or in an ice house. No part of me thinks it's waterproof.

[@X_New-Win]

Are the disconnect terminal sizing listed correct? Aren’t the standard sizes 18-22, 16-14, and 12-10? I can’t find the sizes you listed

[@tdevosodense]

Great build 👍 but wouldn't be better to have the banana plugs seperated ? Plus one side and minus or the other side ?

[@aswingsharif6729]

Neat works! My only concern is on the lithium capacity. What can you do with 18Ah powerbox? I am thinking of building one with 50Ah, softpack, plus an inverter module, car lighter socket, car usb charger, variable voltage booster 12-30v (to power up various laptop), and 12v battery charger rammed into the box

[@NPLife]

My powerboxes are mainly for running lights in my ice fishing house and charging cameras/drones while I'm off grid hunting or fishing. I have this smaller 18 and a bigger 30 that pretty much cover all of my bases.

[@theales4035]

How many of these to power a 12 volt 2 stage air compressor? That is clean looking btw great job.

[@FranksDIY]

hole saw would have been the best choice for drilling. I like that build want to do the same for my trolling motor battery so I can charge phone or what every when I'm fishing.

[@wandersonsantos5558WS]

good work...

[@mrjayd]

Just ordered all the parts for this. Any way you could post some kind of wiring diagram? Your explanation is a little hard to follow and I am not too savy when it comes to wiring. Thx.

[@AnthonyEynard]

Silly question maybe: how do you wire banana jacks to power supply for devices (I.e fish finder)?

[@magnum164]

I know this os very old. But a good build, as a designer by trade I saw a few things if anyone makes one to watch out for, for safety. The side switch for power should be a push in/out or have guards to prevent it from being turned on by placing it against something. I had a case the exact same way (for R/C) and every time I went to use it, it was dead from something (someone) bumping it on at the track. Second you ran the power to the fuse box through the volt meter, the fuse box should have been wired direct to batt with fuse. The way you have it, the total amps of the fuse block now goes through the voltmeter and they are generally only made for 10 amps. A momentary short is going to blow the voltmeter before the fuse blows. Other than that, enjoyed the video presentation was better than some I have seen:)

[@claysmith8221]

using a step drill will clean up the holes real nice

[@pnw_element9822]

Damn awesome

[@kansas7614]

Good Job. I build them myself for people. I set mine up so they can be charged by AC plug, Solar Panel or a Car Cigarette Lighter Plug. You might want to give the charging some thought. However you've done good,

[@lazarusrize]

How much do you charge, or is it only for people you know? I would love to see your final product. I liked the charging options you mentioned.

[@lowellguzman7249]

Kansas, how much do you charge for your build? I'm interested in one to use for my fish finder. Let me know. Thanks.

[@timothyadams7599]

I also have plans to build one of these also, but I'm going to add two super capacitor banks and a 12v DC motor with hand crank. Plus, mine will also be EMP proof.

[@solarforfuture]

could use a few push button reset-able breakers .. beats searching for fuses in the woods in the dark?

[@Adventures101.]

Can you tell me what socket set you have the green one the name or a link to buy one I need a little set like that looks handy

[@theosalt1]

I notice a number of questions about recharging. I have a similar set up device and as well as connecting a conventional mains powered charger to the banana plugs I have made up a lead to connect to my vehicle car cigarette socket and thus recharge as I am driving to and fro.

[@j.cabarga5971]

Gave you a like - and some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism! - solder, solder, solder; anything that'll live near water (especially the salty kind), should be soldered, not crimped, to prevent corrsion damage, longterm. Nice tools, by the way. Also, the box is too small for ALL you stuffed in it; thse newfangled batteries (BMS-controlled powerpacks), NEED cooling, no room for circulation leaves NO room for cooling air to do its job; not to mention all the heat producing lights, etc. (even if they're all LEDs, they still give off some heat), and it leaves additional room for future 'improvements' - my projects are rarely ever "complete" for at least 2-3 additional sessions of "would have been better this or that way; so I'll change something or two!"

[@Ultramesh]

Very cool. What fuses did you use for each circuit?

[@warrenhansen4443]

The 12V and the dual USB sockets will need a 5V. 3V for the lights. The banana post would be either. Really depends on what the device you are plugging in draws. If you use the banana posts for charging, I would use a 5V.

[@dom61085]

What is a good use for terminals on a box? And what size fuze would you recommend I'm running a 12v 15amp sla

[@PogiGames]

Can you connect solar panels to the black and red to charge battery ?

[@rcracer3235]

great video lots of information do you think that battery would run a Minn Kota 30# thrust motor for a coupe of hours?

[@NPLife]

That's a tough one Rob. I have 0 personal experience running a trolling motor off of it for any period of time. I have used it to test a motor before, but no clue for longevity.

[@westEOD]

You had me at symmetry.

[@ridendagoldwing]

question: why didn't you use one set of banana post so you could hook up to them and trickle charge the battery?

[@HavenMelton]

I have two banana posts as well, one to charge the battery and one to connect a led light, what do you have two?

[@NulodPBall]

Thank you but darn it, you're making me think about adding LED lights. My box bangs around in the back, but I might be able to put the lights in between some ridges in the case... My box version is not as nice as yours, it's meant to be a straight 12v, light and portable power supply for a high volume (truck tire) air compressor and light duty trolling motor (I only run it for short runs when my hands are busy with fly line) and my fish finder/gps so I just have brass pass through (remote jumper posts) automotive terminals mounted near the handle of a waterproof Pelican clone (waterproof case with a one way vent) with foam that came with it to prevent rattling. I used 5/16" posts but if I did it again I'd use standard 3/8" posts. For waterproofing I sacrificed an old inner tube to make rubber washers. Put them on the outside, under the terminal body (not inside) and your case is waterproof again. The posts come with a screw on piece that locks ring terminals in place and protects the posts. Since I used rubber washers, it floats, and I don't have to worry about salt water corrosion on my wiring, although I like the LED lights idea >:( I used to help with minor modifications and installations on friends boats so I like to keep wiring simple and accessible because I've spent way too much time upside down tracing wiring. If I were to run a heavy duty setup and didn't care about weight I'd probably use automotive side battery terminals and screw in some Better Battery posts so I could run standard car connections for charging and whatnot. I run short 8ga wires with a 30a fuse inside, and my large tire air compressor has a 10a fuse that I tend to blow when I abuse it and let it get too hot 🔥. So I don't run down my car battery, my box works great as a portable 12v source for inflatable kayak, SUP, and car camping air mattresses ... oh, I almost forgot about my human wash down pump (self priming ShurFlo with a pressure switch) for when I get out of the water (it draws from a 5 gallon bucket) and I really should use it to wash my car (not allowed to wash my car where I live).

[@mdlasman]

Hi. Nice job. Im making one for myself. I have a few question. 1) im not using a fuse box but 1 fuse holder instead. Its connected to my battery positive outlet just before the main switch. Is it ok to do that? 2) how do i know what amp fuse should i use for my power box? 3) is it ok for me to charge the battery while all the connections is attached to my battery? Or should i remove the connection on my battery?

[@NPLife]

Hey! Sorry for the late response. I'm not the best person to answer these questions for me, but if you head over to the Ice Hole Power facebook page and send them a message, they're very helpful.

[@TheRealitarian]

I'm new to this stuff and I was wondering: why 2 sets of the banana posts and can you run some wires from those banana posts to a solar charge controller and charge the battery up via solar? Thanks. Awesome build.👌🏼

[@NulodPBall]

He has several things he wants to charge, and the battery has a built-in BMS so as long as your solar setup provides about 14.6v through a proper LIon charger, and you use proper guage wires you can charge the battery however you want. Have fun 😊

[@michellebryant390]

Dumb question because I am still learning about building a portable battery station. What about the battery possibly overheating?

[@mygadgetzhaiqal7410]

i think the battery terminal is too close for the + and - . It may short circuit if not handle properly.

[@justinmills810]

How do you charge the batteries, is there a way to place a plug in the box for a quick access? Great video

[@NPLife]

I charge the battery through the banana posts. I know quite a few people who put plugs in the side. Give er a shot! Thanks for watching!

[@NulodPBall]

I use my box as a waterproof 12v power source so I mounted a set of automotive pass through (remote jumper) terminals. 3/8" is a good post size, and you never need to open the box.

[@barhawks7335]

one thing you might have thought to put in this build is a recharging port other then that I think i'm going to build me one