Sos Roofline Systems

Posts Tagged ‘portable solar generator’

Building a portable solar generator is easy, even if you’re new to do-it-yourself energy devices. It’s easier to maintain and build than a “real” system, and it’s very convenient if you go on frequent camping trips.

You can spend under $200 to create your very own portable generator – and it can pay for itself within only a few weeks.

Try to make your parts as small as possible, because this is supposed to be a portable generator. You’ll need 1) Solar Panel 2) Charge Controller 3) Battery and 4) Inverter to create your first system.

For the solar panel, even 12 V of capacity should be enough for camping trips if you have only small appliances. The charge controller limits how much power is drawn from your battery and greatly extends its life, saving you money in the long-run.

You need the battery to store the energy collected by your solar panel – it lets you use it when you actually need it. The inverter converts direct current into the alternating current that your appliances use.

The first step to make all this is to connect your solar panel to the charge controller. Then, connect the battery to the charge controller, and connect the battery to the inverter. The inverter should connect to your appliances.

You could find someone local to get these parts for very cheap, or you could just go to your local hardware store.

In terms of extras, you could invest in a “battery box” to keep your batteries safe and protected from weather and other hazards. You could also get a system meter, which tells you how full your battery is and how much power is being drawn at a given moment, which can help you find problems early on.