12v Battery & Solar Power for Portable Ham Radio

opeesting a portable Ham Radio station with a 12 volt battery and solar panel off-grid can be very rewarding. You generate your own solar energy from the sun, power you own off-grid ham radio station, and you are completely self-reliant during a grid down emergency. The experience is priceless!
In this video we discuss the component required for a 12 volt DC solar power system and battery storage. We go through our component choices, show how to wire up the system, and also how and where to test your new portable solar power system, for portable ham radio ops.
This video is supported by PowerFilm, Genasun, and Power Queen
73
Julian oh8stn
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00:00 Introduction
01:00 Partners
02:05 Discount codes
02:18 Component breakdown
05:45 Wiring tips
07:49 First test
09:18 Gear choices
10:56 Reminders
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[@Swamp-Fox]

Many thanks to PowerFilm, Genasun, and Power Queen for their support....and thanks to you Julian for all the great content!

[@LiveFree-pk8ej]

Love your video's. You inspired me to take my ham shack off grid full time. I use two 320 amp hour lifepo4 cells and a epever 100 amp charge controller. This year I'll upgrade the solar from two 265 watt panels to 4, 345 watt panels. Love your videos thank you for the several years of content. 73 de VA6CQB

[@ON3RVH]

As an added benefit/extra security measure: wire the Genasun battery connection into the Powerpole distribution board. That way the connection from the Genasun to the battery is also fused (and you don't need extra inline fuses)

[@snakedoctor317]

Julian you always put out awesome content! Thank you for that!!! As a new ham operator I really appreciate all that you do for us! Can’t wait for your next one!!

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for the kindness. Your comment arrived at the perfect time. Much appreciated! 🙏

[@karlrichards3054]

Julian thanks for all you do!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Great video! The only thing you might want to add is connecting a power supply for when no sunlight is available, but commercial power is. Thanks!

[@jimpiper5297]

Like your helispot for your drone next to your tent.

[@DialM4Microcontrollr]

I have 2 power Queen batts at home for another use, they are a great brand.

[@vonzigle]

Thanks!

[@BradleyBrown]

Hi Junior!

[@OH8STN]

🙂👍

[@jplewis01]

Nice Simple Setup! I have a very similar setup and use the Charge Controller from BuddiPole. Works great, Low noise seems to be efficient. I carry my gear and seup in my 4Runner for POTA and Summer Overlanding But I can easily pack out to get into the field away from my car. For my car I use a Portable Powerstation (I just upgraded to Bluetti as is has a 30amp 12Volt outlet, Something that very few other powerstations have). One thing I see in your setup, is a lack of of Fuse protection to pretect against faults and other short circuits, perhaps I just missed that? Anyway great video! Always good to compare notes with others to see what I'm doing right or wrong.

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

As always, great video.

[@donbarker6783]

Great job Julian! You should write a portable radio operations book. A lot of people would benefit from you years of field radio operation knowledge and a lot of people would buy it. KM4SON

[@chrissewell1608]

I am still very interested in upping my Solar Power Game for my portable ham shack - go box, project! You have the best videos on the subject! Thanks Julian!

[@mozee06]

My only gripe with Genesun is that I always feel like the terminals are going to break off of the circuit board with any strain from the connected wires. I wish they were a little more robust.

[@nvis4080]

Another great instructional video.

[@georgedandrade-hp1gds296]

I think is a very good introduction. Because of the brand of batteries that I suppose it brings chip for the balance of cells. May be would be good another video on balance for the cells for other batteries. 73 HP1GDS

[@mf_panda]

nice video , thanks

[@xaviersinclair3162]

great video

[@marklus406]

Great video

[@kevind3823]

Thanks. You make helpful vids!

[@BobBob-il2ku]

Great video would love another one on custom harness without the Anderson distribution black.

[@johnsonstechworld]

Initially I had thought of powering my FT-710 at home directly with a solar panel, due to sheer ignorance. My friends on QRZ forum warned me that peak voltages would go up to 32V on a sunny day. So I went for an SMPS. Now I am thinking for an experimental setup with solar panels, just to have the feel of it. Let me check local availability of the portable type of solar panels which you have shown so that I will have an alternate option! 73 de Jon, VU2JO.

[@OH8STN]

You will always need to regulate the voltage coming from the solar panel out to the radio. Output voltage of the solar panel is too high, so we use a charge controller to regular the voltage to charge a battery. Then, connect our radio to the 12v battery.

[@johnsonstechworld]

@@OH8STN That is exactly what friends on QRZ forum told me! Understood that I have to learn lot more on solar panels before actually using them for powering radios! Hope to meet you on air some day. I do work a few European stations on 10m SSB with my fan dipole for 40/10m.

[@kc5bgamateurradio903]

Great video i have 2 genasun controllers, older 1 for lead acid, newer 1 for lifepo4. I wish i had purchased the 10a versions however these are great, rf quite units. Thanks for your videos

[@user-jy7to4nh3w]

I wish the Gen CC would have two lights for all of us who are red/green color blind.

[@amham48]

Wholeheartedly agree with your Anderson Powerpole comments. I cannot understand why they have been adopted as they are generally weak, difficult to crimp properly, do not mate easily and securely...etc..,etc.

[@georgekg5okf178]

Always useful info Julian! Thank you for all your great and informative videos!

[@wc4j]

Thanks! keep up the awesome vid's I'm converting my generator portable to solar and your knowledge has saved me thousands!

[@dcentral]

Can you cover battery sizing and solar panel sizing. How to calculate how much wattage on solar and battery capacity needed to run radios and charging 18650 batteries for flashlights and devices?

[@johannesmiller1849]

Superb video, great job, Julian! 73, Jo - DL1JRM

[@NAPELAKAPU]

Another good setup video. You mentioned Another power connection setup that was better than powerpoles. What were they again and why is it better than powerpoles?

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

Greetings from England! Thank you very much for all the tips. And for the discount codes! I've just ordered a Genasun charge controller, I'm waiting for a 20Ah Lifepo4 battery (Eco-Worthy in the orange & black plastic "case") And fingers crossed, I'll find a nice Powerfilm roll-up panel soon... Do you use specific ferrules? I've got a Powerpole crimping tool, but no ferrule kit yet... In advance, many thanks for your time. Big hugs to Junior! Stay safe. 73 de 2E0HJN / Manny

[@Stev98000]

Great video you do a great job

[@OH8STN]

🙏

[@gregrush6570]

Considering the Icom 705 and the larger available Icom battery that allows 10W output but costs over $100, I would state that it is a better long term investment to put that money into a second external battery such as a LiFPo that will likely provide much more mAH than that Icom battery. That translates into a slightly larger package to bring, but the extended air time should offset that cost better than the Icom replacement. Great video and very simplified!

[@chrissewell1608]

I like those XT-60 connectots too, even though I have never used them. They seem like a fool proof connection, even in the dark. But why not use a water proof, Deutsch connector? (Used heavily in the marine induarty) It seems like they would provide the ultimate power connections when used outdoors!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

P3 Solar...check them out. 810G compliant.

[@richonguzman]

go solar!

[@johndevitt2164]

Julian, any thoughts on charging a surface pro. I bought an adapter for a USB C connection to charge the unit from a solar panel but I believe the surface pro charges at about 15V. Any thoughts?

[@N9XY]

Thanks for great video. Is that the power film 14 Watt Rollable Solar Panel (R-14) that is on the chair in your video?

[@OH8STN]

Thanks and yes, R-14 Rollable. Perfect for the little 6ah LiFePO4 in summer. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@darckarcaradrahs3476]

What do You think about power stations like Goal Zero, Bluetti, it's possible that the smaller ones 300Wh-500Wh can provide power for ham radio ? For IC-705 of course but for 100W ?

[@dougdaniels]

Can you recommend what gauge wire you use between each component? I have been using 12ga Zip Wire everywhere, because that's what I have on hand.

[@regularguy519]

Great video as always! Question: What model is your fat tire bike? Which Genasun CC do you use to charge it? Last question: What is the power film panel spec (max voltage / amps) you are using (the big one)? Thanks Julian.

[@OH8STN]

Thanks for the question and kindness. Here's a couple of links for you: blog.powerfilmsolar.com/how-to-solar-charge-your-ebike-with-lightweight-and-portable-solar-panels oh8stn.org/blog/2022/02/08/ebike-solar-charging-how-to/

[@ericescobar4588]

So you prefer the powerfilm solar plus genasun rather than the lightsaver max?

[@68thBC]

Do you charge up the battery at home and if so, how? What is the minimum solar solution for this setup? Is the solar solution you have very dependent on your latitude as compared to my location of Texas? WM3R

[@Radio.Norbair]

How can I win a Powerfilm?

[@jacquesredmond]

Hi Julian, do you have a video (I haven't found it yet if you do), on how to use multiple power inputs to the charge controller, for example, solar panel, wind turbine, etc. Thanks. :) 73 de WW1ZRD

[@OH8STN]

Hey I ddon't but I made a graphic diagram on how to do it. I can publish that as a blog post later today.

[@Mr1Spring]

I have a powerfilm 120W and it creates a too low voltage for my MPPT. Can you make a video about this problem?

[@OH8STN]

Perhaps, but I'll need more information. Normally an mppt charge controller will boost voltage of your solar panel.the What's your battery config? Which mppt charge controller are you using? 73 Julian oh8stn

[@Mr1Spring]

@@OH8STN Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 with DIY 75 Ah LiFePO4 battery - 4S config

[@JoeMcCohn]

What about cloudy days ?

[@OH8STN]

The PowerFIlm Solar amorphous silicon panels have excellent low light performance. That has been demonstrated in videos on this channel for ~5 years. That's one of the things that makes them desirable.

[@AI3W-Rick]

Great info. Thanks Julian. I need to step up my solar capabilities and this video helped.

[@nvrumi]

@@OH8STN Yes, and the Boost version is an excellent addition to the field kit. Julian, you should also mention that part of the power supply computation includes panel downtime for night operations and for one or more days when the panel produces less energy because of an occluded sky. I've started a white paper on what I've learned, but haven't finished the draft (yet).

[@mightymouse1005]

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