Basic portable power you might consider.

Being an apartment dweller I don't have room for the big cool systems. You can build a very nice portable system and there's great tutorials for that, however not everyone has that ability and need, or cash.

If you buy this
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...cStoreNum=1515

You get a small tire inflater, 400w invertor, jumper box, and a led light. You can charge it from your car or from the wall.

If you add this
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

You can charge it while it sits in the safety of your garage or in the back of you vehicle not to mention if the power goes out.


For $125 you get quite a bit of versatility.

Any thoughts?

400 w inverter isn't much power. I've had issues with battery powered inverters, the battery doesn't supply enough voltage to activate the inverter. 12-13.8 volts. the inverter I have only works if the voltage supplied is 13.8 and great, and I must run the vehicle to get it to work.

The solar panel would be good to keep the battery alive though, but will take a long time to recharge if the battery is really drained.

I made my own similar setup for Ham Radio use and emergency situations, but the battery always was dead or going bad when I needed to use it. The cost to replace it was significant and I never needed to use it. So I gave up on that item.

All that said, it might be good for the small dwelling use when there isn't much room for generators and similar items.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wulf202

Being an apartment dweller I don't have room for the big cool systems. You can build a very nice portable system and there's great tutorials for that, however not everyone has that ability and need, or cash.

If you buy this
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...cStoreNum=1515

You get a small tire inflater, 400w invertor, jumper box, and a led light. You can charge it from your car or from the wall.

If you add this
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

You can charge it while it sits in the safety of your garage or in the back of you vehicle not to mention if the power goes out.


For $125 you get quite a bit of versatility.

Any thoughts?

---

Looks pretty cool. They also have a charge controller on there for pretty cheap.

I like this idea... Thanks..

Still working on the H2O..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gnihcraes

400 w inverter isn't much power. I've had issues with battery powered inverters, the battery doesn't supply enough voltage to activate the inverter. 12-13.8 volts. the inverter I have only works if the voltage supplied is 13.8 and great, and I must run the vehicle to get it to work.

The solar panel would be good to keep the battery alive though, but will take a long time to recharge if the battery is really drained.

I made my own similar setup for Ham Radio use and emergency situations, but the battery always was dead or going bad when I needed to use it. The cost to replace it was significant and I never needed to use it. So I gave up on that item.

All that said, it might be good for the small dwelling use when there isn't much room for generators and similar items.

---

this inverter runs down to 10.5 volts. The battery replacement cost is $38.40 http://www.batteryspec.com/cgi-bin/c...tarter_Battery

though in a SHTF you can use batteries from commercial backup systems that you can scrounge like fire control panels or emergency lights.

I like gel cells. Good quality ones can last for many years. This set for garage power has been in service for 6 years now. 336Ah :)