Portable Power Box - Off-The-Shelf or DIY?

[WhatExit?]

I've been looking at building my own Portable Power Box but there are many off-the-shelf options too. I'll use it primarily to power my portable fridge/freezer on Jeep and Raptor off road trips.

I just found this Duracell PowerSource 660 PowerSource
1440-Watt Quiet and Portable Battery Powered Generator with Solar and Daisy Chaining Capabilities with:

• 660 Watt Hour Battery Capacity ( 12V, 55Ah)
• 4 AC Outlets for Powering Household Items
• 2 USB Ports for On-the-Go Power
• LCD Power Display
• Daisy Chaining: Threaded terminals for secure connection to additional batteries
• Built-in solar controller with Anderson connector for 10Hr recharging

Costco is selling this thing for $499.99 which is way less than Amazon's price of $649.99

It's AGM battery powered and I don't think the battery can be replaced (according to a poster on Amazon).
What are your thoughts about this power box?

Some links:

Duracell PowerSource 1440W Portable Power Station

When winter storms hit, Duracell PowerSource 1800 Watt is a reliable portable battery generator for safe, emergency back-up power during power outages, winter storms. Clean, safe uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to run TVs, laptops, full size refrigerator. 1800 watt AC outlets and 660 watt hour...

www.duracellpower.com

https://www.costco.com/duracell-powersource-660.product.100573682.html

Amazon.com: Duracell PowerSource Quiet Gasless Portable Power and Solar Generator, 1440w Output Inverter (1800w Peak): Garden & Outdoor

Buy Duracell PowerSource Quiet Gasless Portable Power and Solar Generator, 1440w Output Inverter (1800w Peak): 12V - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[WhatExit?]

I've been looking at building a Portable Power Box on the internet - there are some great builds using Milwaukee PackOut Box and custom components including a DC-to-DC charger with a battery of my choice.

Here's an example of what some have built:

Link: https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...yeti-ark-is-there-another.216327/post-2847028

 

[hallett21]

it’s basically an inverter on a car battery right?

Most inverters have USB ports. Are you just trying to make a cleaner version?


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[WhatExit?]

Yes, but. It has a DC-to-DC charger. And DIY means a choice of battery which is the biggest cost factor. And it's replaceable. Well, the above Duracell unit has a solar inverter built in so it can be charged with portable solar panel(s)

 

[mesquito_creek]

The fact that it is AGM is a deal breaker for me... Lithium Ion is really the only way to go at this point.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I run a Dometic CFX 50 with an x2Power AGM with 133Ah of storage which I think is about twice as big as the Duracell. If I leave Phoenix on Friday at 12 noon and head to the mountains in the summer time, I am having to run the truck on Sunday morning because my battery can no longer power the fridge. That is with also using a 120W solar panel to put a little juice back in on Saturday... I am looking to get out of the AGM game and switch to lithium ion because its just not working with the amount of battery I currently have.

 

[fishing fool]

Check out this you tube channel. This guy does a lot of testing on these and has diy information on where to buy battery cells on amazon and ebay.

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse

Want to build an awesome off-grid solar power system? My videos will teach you everything you need, no experience necessary :)

www.youtube.com

 

[mesquito_creek]

How important do you think the DC to DC charger is? My guess is that you won't get a full charge off your alternator on a weekend trip unless you normally have high drive time daily, so you will need to fully charge the battery preferably on an AC charger at home when you get back? My jeep has a factory inverter with an AC socket, so I am guessing I could charge a lithium battery with a traditional AC charger both while I am traveling and at home and avoid the DC-DC charger. Also if the battery is sized with enough reserve, maybe not charge at all while away from home.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Just go with this..... Might be a little more $ but its a pretty big capacity and the batteries can be used in other tools. If its going to primarily used to keep a small fridge running or what not in a jeep, you could use the same batteries for the chainsaw or other tools they make for that battery system.

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[lbhsbz]

I run a Dometic CFX 50 with an x2Power AGM with 133Ah of storage which I think is about twice as big as the Duracell. If I leave Phoenix on Friday at 12 noon and head to the mountains in the summer time, I am having to run the truck on Sunday morning because my battery can no longer power the fridge. That is with also using a 120W solar panel to put a little juice back in on Saturday... I am looking to get out of the AGM game and switch to lithium ion because its just not working with the amount of battery I currently have.

That dometic says it draws 7.8A. That would give you about 17 hours of runtime

The ARB fridge claims to draw only 0.8A...which I find hard to believe, but if true...you could run it 48 hours on that Duracell thing and have plenty left.

Before rigging up or selecting a battery, need to know the AH requirements.

 

[mesquito_creek]

That dometic says it draws 7.8A. That would give you about 17 hours of runtime

The ARB fridge claims to draw only 0.8A...which I find hard to believe, but if true...you could run it 48 hours on that Duracell thing and have plenty left.

Before rigging up or selecting a battery, need to know the AH requirements.

The max draw on start up is about 7A on my amp meter on the dometic and then drops down into the less than <2A while running... But with AGM like the duracell and my X2Power you only get less than 1/2 of the Ah rating as useable before the fridge will shut off at 10.8 amps, so you really have less than 25 hours available. Thats why I am trying to go lithium because 80% of the rating will be available. A 100Ah lithium will have 2 to 3X the power delivery over an 130 Ah AGM/Lead...

The shootouts online between the ARB and Dometic show equivalent power consumption when running side by side...

When I try to piece a home made systems together with a 100ah lithium battle born, charger, solar controller, box, control panel and sockets... I end up just throwing my hands in the air and going back to the yeti goal zero packaged units.

 

[lbhsbz]

The max draw on start up is about 7A on my amp meter on the dometic and then drops down into the less than <2A while running... But with AGM like the duracell and my X2Power you only get less than 1/2 of the Ah rating as useable before the fridge will shut off at 10.8 amps, so you really have less than 25 hours available. Thats why I am trying to go lithium because 80% of the rating will be available. A 100Ah lithium will have 2 to 3X the power delivery over an 130 Ah AGM/Lead...

The shootouts online between the ARB and Dometic show equivalent power consumption when running side by side...

Makes sense.

You need one of these

PSL-BTP-121250 12.8V 125Ah Bluetooth Lithium Smart Battery | Power Sonic

The Power Sonic PSL-BTP-121250 is Part of our Class-Leading Battery Range. Find Out More Today.

www.power-sonic.com

 

[mesquito_creek]

Makes sense.

You need one of these

PSL-BTP-121250 12.8V 125Ah Bluetooth Lithium Smart Battery | Power Sonic

The Power Sonic PSL-BTP-121250 is Part of our Class-Leading Battery Range. Find Out More Today.

www.power-sonic.com

There are some way cheap LIon batteries out there vs the battleborn/Renogy... I am just to chicken to go that route. But if I procrastinate long enough, maybe they will have enough miles on them to make it worth the wait!

That power sonic is priced pretty close to the battleborn/Renogy... I think the Amp hours are pretty much commoditized at this point with all the batteries running 100 bucks per 10 Ah...

 

[monkeyswrench]

Does it need to be a standalone? Just wondering why you couldn't mount an extra battery in the truck with an inverter/charger setup. Basically, a mini rv electrical system. You wouldn't need a large inverter based on amp draw, and the system would charge to and from...and be able to recharge in remote areas during bad weather.

 

[Waterjunky]

Does it need to be a standalone? Just wondering why you couldn't mount an extra battery in the truck with an inverter/charger setup. Basically, a mini rv electrical system. You wouldn't need a large inverter based on amp draw, and the system would charge to and from...and be able to recharge in remote areas during bad weather.

This was more my thoughts also. I would set it up just like your boat, an isolator in the changing system and a perco for the UH OH moments.... Easy easy, just attached to the vehicle. Up side is you can bury the battery, not lose valuable storage area and not have some large projectile moving around on rough terrain or an accident.

 

[lbhsbz]

This was more my thoughts also. I would set it up just like your boat, an isolator in the changing system and a perco for the UH OH moments.... Easy easy, just attached to the vehicle. Up side is you can bury the battery, not lose valuable storage area and not have some large projectile moving around on rough terrain or an accident.

This is why boats eat alternators and they last hundreds of thousands of miles in a car.

Alternators are not battery chargers. They are more of a power supply to match the load being put on the battery and maintain the battery under load. An alternator will only charge a dead/low battery so many times before it gives up the ghost. Keep this expense in mind...might be better to just get a bigger auxiliary battery that can run what you need it to for the weekend without recharging.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I think he’s has two vehicles.. a Jeep and a raptor and is looking to have a one size fits all portable solution. I did exactly what you are suggesting by hard mounting a house battery with solar and inverter in my camping truck, but it’s just on the edge of being enough... the coffee pot is probably taking me over the edge!

 

[mesquito_creek]

This is why boats eat alternators and they last hundreds of thousands of miles in a car.

Alternators are not battery chargers. They are more of a power supply to match the load being put on the battery and maintain the battery under load. An alternator will only charge a dead/low battery so many times before it gives up the ghost. Keep this expense in mind...might be better to just get a bigger auxiliary battery that can run what you need it to for the weekend without recharging.

You are pushing me towards a lithium “power station” portable generator!

 

[lbhsbz]

You are pushing me towards a lithium “power station” portable generator!

Or, just get a fucking generator. Lol

 

[mesquito_creek]

Or, just get a fucking generator. Lol

Fair enough!.. but I sleep on a platform in my truck bed and I really don’t want gas to be part of the cargo with my luck! I have a generator on my boat, but running that fucker in the middle of the day in a cove at lake Powell etc is a bit of a fucked up ear bang! Lol

I will be honest in that the 3 old power amps on my stereo are a huge drain also... I probably need to look into lower power amp built in 2010 or newer

 

[hallett21]

I’m liking a Honda EU2200i more for this.

I love the DIY aspect of it but if you’re going to build it yourself you mine as do it right. With lithium batteries, hardwire inverter, battery meter, DC charging, and a Milwaukee box I can’t see you getting out for less than 1k.

To be fair your 1k would be tits compared to the first ones you posted.


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[Waterjunky]

Link: https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...yeti-ark-is-there-another.216327/post-2847028

Damm you for showing us that forum. ☠ And I already lost an hour this afternoon. Because I need another waste of time that could rival this place...

 

[SBMech]

A battery in a vehicle has 2 jobs, to smooth out the spikes from the ac current to power accessories without blowing them up, and to hold enough reserve amps to start the engine after stopping.

Alternators take a beating these days and they were not designed to charge batteries, just to maintain system voltage like Ibhsbz said.

When you add a deep cycle battery to the mix (house battery or stereo) then you change the game.

Keeping a full battery in series once you start the charging cycle is a saving grace when you flip to all on your perko and start charging again.

There is a reason RV's have a generator.