Last week, after I returned from Timor, I was a bit tired but still fired up enough to start work on my updated portable energy box to replace the small, now inoperative, one I built some time ago (see this post for details). Then I got sick! Damn bug got hold of me and wouldn’t let go for three or four days. Anyway, I finally got around to it on the weekend and made the box ready for the batteries and the electronics.

I used some timber that I had lying around for the box, but I did purchase some circuit breakers to use in an existing four way fuse box. I have also purchased a couple of other items including some cigarette lighter sockets and electrical plugs to use as connection points for various items such as lights and an inverter.

I toyed with the idea of mounting some wheels and a handle to move it around because it will be a bit heavy with two 38Ah batteries but decided to focus on the electrical side for now. I can always move it with my trolley when I need to. I had to focus on a few other things this week but I painted the box last night and now that it has two coats the box is ready for wiring up. I will wire the box up tomorrow.

The complete unit will have 76Ah of batteries, a 6A regulator that will accomodate around 80W of PV panels and a controlled output for lights, connections for a mains powered charger, two 12V cigarette lighter sockets (which will enable me to connect my small 150W inverter and other automotive gadgets) and one set of generic output terminals to connect other 12V equipment or a bigger charger.

Once it’s finished, I’ll provide some details on the testing and operation.