Earlier this week, I built the prototype second generation Dandy 2000, an off-grid portable solar generator built using a combination of new, reconditioned and used parts that are ISO 9001 and/or CE certified.
This solar generator can be used as an emergency power source or daily to power devices or appliances, like myself, as I power my home office which in turn, saves money on electric bills.
What’s different about this second generation is the way the batteries are secured in the generator housing, with high strength, rust proof aluminum rails and also the 2,000 Watt power invertor is high efficiency, yielding more power than the previous inverters I used in the first generation generators.
Here is the list of parts you’ll need to build this portable solar generator:
+ Solar Panel (New $123.99)
http://tiny.cc/Solar-Panel
+ Charge Controller (New $11.69)
http://tiny.cc/Charge-Controller
+ 2,000 Watt (4,000 Peak) Power Inverter (New $126.99)
http://tiny.cc/2000-Watt-Inverter
+ (2) AGM Gel Batteries (New $208.60 each)
http://tiny.cc/75HR-AGM-Battery
+ 50 Gallon Battery Box (New $71.47 )
http://tiny.cc/Husky-Box
+ Hardware Parts, Wiring, Ring Connectors (New $35.00)
Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Advanced Auto Parts
Total approximate cost of parts above $800.00
WARNING! PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION!
If you plan on building this solar generator yourself, you should know solar generators, solar panels, batteries and power inverters pose a risk of electric shock. Do not connect or disconnect wires, terminals or plugs while the unit is under load current.
Steps to Build a Solar Generator:
1. Secure batteries in housing (contractor chest)
2. Build wiring harness (positive/negative wires to ring connectors)
3. Secure charge controller
4. Connect charge controller to batteries
5. Secure power inverter
5. Connect inverter to batteries
6. Secure AC outlets
7. Connect AC outlets to power inverter
8. Connect solar panel(s) to charge controller
9. Start using your generator & Give the glory to God!
The plan is to connect the solar panel to the charge controller (if needed, if not then connect solar panel directly to battery), and in turn the charge controller to the battery onto which is connected the power inverter which powers your devices.