I have been tinkering with the idea of getting power while I am camping. Nothing big. I just want to charge my cell phone and bluetooth spearker and run a led light at night. Maybe more in the future but so far that is it.
What I wanted was a Goal Zero solar generator. My sticking point is the cost. Once I thought about what I REALLY needed I realized that it wasn't much. I don't need a anything like a car battery and I don't need solar panels. With the right type of battery I can charge it at home and it will last a few days.
With that in mind I bought a 12v 10 amp/hour battery and started building. Given my time restraints and desire to take it on my upcoming camping trip to test it out I just had time to make it VERY basic. It is a battery in a plastic ammo box with a 12v socket attached. I then used the cell phone holder from my truck (it has 2 usb ports built in) that plugs into a 12v socket.
That thing charge both my wife and I's cell phones multiple times, charged my bluetooth speaker twice and ran the led light at night with no problem.
So now I am working to make it pretty. I realize that the box I have is just a bit to small so I am looking for a new one. Once found I will put a 12v socket and 2 dual usb ports (so there will be 4 total) that will mount in the side of the box. There will be a charge controller so it won't over charge and a port to plug in a wall charger. Plus it will be ready for when I can get some solar panels.
I already have the charge controller, 12v socket, usb ports and the wall charger stuff. I basically need the box so I can put it all together.
What I wanted was a Goal Zero solar generator. My sticking point is the cost. Once I thought about what I REALLY needed I realized that it wasn't much. I don't need a anything like a car battery and I don't need solar panels. With the right type of battery I can charge it at home and it will last a few days.
With that in mind I bought a 12v 10 amp/hour battery and started building. Given my time restraints and desire to take it on my upcoming camping trip to test it out I just had time to make it VERY basic. It is a battery in a plastic ammo box with a 12v socket attached. I then used the cell phone holder from my truck (it has 2 usb ports built in) that plugs into a 12v socket.
That thing charge both my wife and I's cell phones multiple times, charged my bluetooth speaker twice and ran the led light at night with no problem.
So now I am working to make it pretty. I realize that the box I have is just a bit to small so I am looking for a new one. Once found I will put a 12v socket and 2 dual usb ports (so there will be 4 total) that will mount in the side of the box. There will be a charge controller so it won't over charge and a port to plug in a wall charger. Plus it will be ready for when I can get some solar panels.
I already have the charge controller, 12v socket, usb ports and the wall charger stuff. I basically need the box so I can put it all together.
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