Portable, weatherproof, and ready-to-rock — a homemade solar generator can meet all your power needs in and around your boat, camper, or cabin. Do you have what it takes to make one yourself?
As of 2017, solar energy is the cheapest source of energy in the world and one of the rare few alternative sources that cause no pollution or negative environmental effects.
Solar energy users worldwide save the planet 75 million barrels of crude oil each year, which is a huge step in making our planet green again.
But apart from being eco-friendly and cheap, solar energy is also incredibly convenient — you can access it everywhere and use it any time, even at night.
A DIY solar generator is a self-contained and portable mini-power plant that you can use to power and charge your gadgets and even small appliances and be 100% independent from the grid.
Read on and learn how to make one yourself.
First, you need to find all the necessary parts and components that go into your solar generator.
Rugged case — You need a waterproof, weatherproof, and above all sturdy casing that will hold all the vital parts.
One great choice is the Pelican 1620 Case, which is fitted with several rugged handles, as well as a pair of rolling wheels.
Another way to make solar generators portable is to use a large DeWalt Tool Box.
AC solar power inverter — With a solar power inverter, you transform the DC voltage that is stored in your battery into AC voltage that appliances use.
This Renogy 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter has a surge power of 4000W and comes with overload protection for both DC input and AC output.
Solar panel — The solar panel absorbs the sun’s energy and supplies it to the battery. Your panel will be one of the most exposed elements of the generator, so it needs to be high-quality and durable as well.
I recommend this resilient but lightweight Jackery SolarSaga 100 Watt Solar Panel. It folds easily so you can pack it for travel and deploy it with your generator anyplace you decide to pitch a tent.
Battery — Your generator needs a battery to store solar energy. Batteries come in all shapes and sizes, but your best bet is either a lithium-iron battery or a deep-cycle lead-acid battery. Here are the advantages of both types:
1. Lithium-iron (Renogy 12V 170AH Lithium-Iron Phosphate Battery)
2. Deep cycle lead-acid (Renogy 12V Deep Cycle AGM Battery)
Solar charge controller — This component prevents your battery from overcharging by regulating the voltage and current levels coming from the solar panel. [1]
If you’re building a portable solar generator, choose a solar charge controller with moisture-tight coating.
Battery maintainer — A battery maintainer is a small battery charger that supplies your battery with a small amount of electricity when it stays inactive for long periods.
You should use it to extend the life of your battery.
AC power inlet — This is the external inlet on the hard case.
Choose a power inlet that needs no cable modifications or hand wiring and comes with an 18-inch extension cord.
LED flood light — Fit your generator with powerful and reliable LED floodlights so you can use it as a light source around your campsite, boat, etc., or during a power outage at home.
Consider a solar kit — If you’re not sure if different solar generator components will be compatible, you can take a shortcut and get a Renogy 200W Solar Starter Kit.
It includes two 100W solar panels, one 30A charge controller, and a solar adaptor kit together with all the cables and connectors you need.
The panels that come with this kit have corrosion-free aluminum frames, so you can use them outdoors for extended periods.
Here's a helpful video that talks you through every single one of these parts and components.
To build your solar generator you’ll need a few basic tools that include:
If you need the generator to power your devices and the occasional appliance [2] on your boat or RV, or during a power outage in your home, check out this list of typical power ratings for some of the most common devices:
First, you need to test the panel and the charge controller.
Next, you need to test the inverter.
Another component you need to test is the battery maintainer.
At the same time, you can test your surface mount contactor.
If you prefer to watch a video, here's one that shows you how you can test each of your components:
This is where you mount all the equipment and do some of the early wirings of your system.
You can use masking tape to make the initial marks. This way you can adjust them without leaving permanent marks on your case.
Measure the actual size of each hole and trace the lines onto the case. If in doubt, always cut smaller and then file or trim the opening larger if needed.
For straight cuts, use a vibrating multi-tool with a plunge-cutting blade. For the round holes, you can switch between drill bits and hole saws.
To trim and adjust the holes, use a rotary cutting blade with a pneumatic die grinder.
You can check an article comparing Milwaukee and Dewalt power tools on Tool to Action if you need help with choosing the right power tools to use in this step.
If you prefer hand tools, you can achieve the same with a utility knife or a file.
Once you've cut the holes, test the LED floodlight for fit then line the edges with black silicone sealant to keep the box interior waterproof. Once the silicone starts to cure carefully place the light in its slot.
The 120V AC charging port comes with a rubber gasket, so you don't have to use silicone for that.
Repeat the process for the components on the other side of the hard case.
For the inverter remote control panel, you’ll need some silicone sealant. Secure the panel with self-tapping screws.
Use heavier #10-24 machine bolts to mount the weatherproof cover and GFCI outlet. Don’t bolt them yet, because you need to wire everything first.
If the solar power inverter has the peak capacity above 4000 watts, you need to use 12 gauge wire for the GFCI outlet. Always give yourself 4-5 inches of wire more than you need.
Now you need to mark and cut holes for the solar panel connection and the high-current 350A connector. The 350A quick connector is an optional feature, but it lets you use the battery with jumper cables or to daisy-chain more batteries and increase the generator power.
Finally, you need to mount the second LED floodlight on the lid of the solar generator. Follow the same procedure as used for the first one, but wait until you mount all the internal components first.
Since batteries are the heaviest components, put it in the corner closest to the case wheels. You can orient the battery in any direction, but make sure it’s well supported in the directions the case is likely to be used.
Drill two holes for the battery mount bolts as shown in the video below, but don’t fix it in place until all components are ready for mounting.
You need to position your AC pure sine wave inverter so that its outlets are near the GFCI weatherproof outlet and its 12V cables within the reach of the battery.
Mark the bottom hotels for the inverter and mount the hardware using #10-24 machine bolts, with washers, spring washers, and nuts.
Lastly, plug the pigtail cord from the GFCI outlet into one of the inverter outlets and the other end of the inverter remote control cable into the back of the remote switch panel.
The best place for the AC battery maintainer is on the back wall of the system, near the LED light that you mounted first. Then, you can connect the power cord to the female extension of the waterproof 120V AC cord socket you installed earlier on the outside of the case.
Once you have mounted all external and internal components, you need to wire them together. This instructional video below shows a detailed wiring procedure for portable solar generators like the system described here.
If you have enough experience in DIY electronics, you can make a custom lithium battery to use with your system. There are several things to keep in mind:
Low-Temperature Cut-off or Heating System — Lithium batteries can’t be charged under 32°F (0°C) without suffering permanent damage. [3] If you use a lithium battery, find a solar charging controller with low-temperature cut-off.
MPPT Charge Controller Capable of Charge Profile Editing — Each battery needs a different max voltage. Program the MPPT charge profile parameters for the exact type of battery you plan to use.
A DIY solar generator is a self-contained and portable mini-power plant that can allow you to be 100% independent from the grid.
Over-Discharge Protection System — If you over-discharge a lithium battery, you’ll change its chemistry and damage it permanently.
High-Temperature Protection — If you plan to use the battery in a high-temperature environment, you’ll need a battery cooling system.
Cell Balancing — If you regularly charge and discharge from 100% to 0%, your cells will fall out of balance, so you need to use a manual RC battery cell balancer.
Potting batteries — Lithium batteries contract and expand during discharge and charge. So unless you compensate this with a foam pad, you shouldn't pot them.
With zero emissions, solar generators are far more environmentally acceptable than those running on fossil fuels. When you are enjoying the great outdoors, the last thing you need is a diesel generator polluting everything around you.
To see a review of a portable solar generator, click here.
Solar generators are much safer to use indoors and outdoors that those running on fossil fuels that may leak or cause a fire.
Once you invest in components and tools, your spending is done. Their components typically have warranties that go over 20 years. [4]
There are a lot of benefits of electrical energy storage. It allows consumers to use power when they want to use it. It increases the amount of energy that we can use from wind and solar, which are good low-carbon sources.
Charles Barnhart, Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University Global Climate and Energy Project
Unlike fossil fuel generators that use complicated internal combustion engines, solar generators are easy to repair as they are to build.
Not all ready-made generators are powerful like the Kodiak Solar Generator. If you need more energy than an average RV owner, then building your own generators is the way to go.
While building your solar generator, not only can you learn a lot about technology, but also gain a sense of personal accomplishment. You can include your spouse and kids and make it a family project.
If you purchase them individually, components recommended here will cost you much less than a complete ready-made generator system like this one.
See reviews of ready-made solar generators:
No, a solar generator can’t power a whole house. Solar generators don’t have enough wattage capacity to power a whole home. You can use one for your boat, RV, or campsite, and in an emergency, just a part of your home until the grid power comes back on.
The size of your solar generator depends on your power needs. You can calculate this by checking the power ratings of different tools and appliances you may want to power or charge with your solar generator.
Solar generators last between 20 and 30 years. Components for a DIY solar generator usually have 2-decade warranties.
Yes, you need a generator even if you have solar panels. However, you should never use them together at the same time. Your solar panels are tied to the grid at all times, but in a blackout, the generator can provide emergency power, for example, for lighting.
Yes, solar generators are very quiet. Unlike fossil fuel generators, a solar generator system doesn’t use an engine and the only noise you may hear is the buzzing coming from the inverter. This makes solar generators ideal for outdoor activities where you don’t want to disturb other people.
A solar generator can power electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, portable TVs, small applications, and lights. They aren’t suitable for more powerful home appliances like washing machines, ranges, and fridges.
Yes, solar generators are a good choice if you don’t require a lot of electric power in your home or need to power your boat, RV, or a cabin.
Sure, you can go out and buy a ready-build solar generator that meets your needs. However, if you have all the tools lying around, and know a bit about wiring, you can build one yourself and enjoy its many benefits.
A DIY generator costs much less than a factory-made one, not to mention that you can custom-choose many parts.
The whole point of building a solar generator from scratch is staying self-sufficient and proving to yourself that you can use your skills and brains to become independent from the grid.
So why don't you go ahead and build one yourself now?
References
Do you have this available as a pdf file or ebook that I could download
Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work.
How would I need to modify this to provide 220V to power a 3HP well pump at intervals (on for 2-3 min maybe once an hour)?
I have a 450′ well that is the Achilles heel of my emergency prep. Any suggestions?
Please send a list of pricing for components except the container.
Eg battery
Charger cable
AC converter
Whole sale order etc
Min 1000 pieces at a given time
Thanks for this! I didn’t know it was possible to make a DIY solar generator. Do you think this can be a good alternative for gas generators?
Thanks for sharing with us.
Nice DIY! Not difficult to follow and save a ton from a pre-made solar generator
Very Informative article. Best for those who are into DIY.
Thank you so much for sharing it.
I read that Post and got it fine and informative
Grab some tactical Tools for travel and tourism, Order Now.
Great article. Most folks have to learn this the hard way.
When connect solar panel to battery and inverter, may I wire the panels together in a series? This can be increased the voltage so that it conforms to that of the battery bank.
Thank you!
What size solar generator do I need to run a refrigerator?
I would like to build a solar generator powerful enough for refrigerator and other devices.
Just saw the built and loved it. One question I have, You included a connection for jumper cables. Can I add a second battery to those jumpers to double my storage? Would I have to change some of the wiring to do this?
Great DIY solar panel guide! With a little bit of solar and electronics know-how, it’s not too difficult! Most of the cost of a residential solar system is soft costs (installing, permitting, etc) so if you can do it yourself, you’ll save a ton!
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