Solar Backup – Nerd Fun and End of the World power

I have always been a Solar nerd  – I feel better now that I have said it out loud!

Well Sara and I have worked this year to get our:

“Earth Quake”
“Disaster”
“End of the World” …”Kit” whatever your phrase is for it

in place.

To make our kit, well – kick butt and have some nerd fun doing it I wanted to build a  battery backup with a solar re-charger to use in case we lost power from real disaster.

So where do you turn for a batter backup solar solution as a Do it Yourself project – well of course the internet.

Here is what I came up with after way too much research….

Solar Panel – Solar Inverter – Marine Battery – Cigarette Lighter – Power Inverter

First the Solar Panel (20 watts) small, light, weather resistant – this is hooked to the solar charge controller

Next the Battery – Solar Charge Controller – Power Inverter

• Using a Marine battery because it can take many charges without flinching
• Charge controller regulates the power coming in from the panel and monitors the charging of the battery so it doesn’t overcharge.
• Inverter to convert the 12 volt DC from the batter to AC that can be used to power home stuff.

Most of the components came from Walmart and an auto parts store. The Charge Controller, Inverter and panel I ordered online to get the best deal.

I can plug a laptop or similar device into the 120v AC plug and charge a cell phone via the USB plug on the front of the power inverter.

Not bad for about $200 and some nerd time putting it together.

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