mobilfox76 July 18, 2024, 5:28 p.m.

Compact diy solar power station for camping: my 3-month field test

Just wrapped up a 3-month camping trip using my homemade solar power station. Thought I'd share my setup and experiences:

Components:

- 100W Flexible Solar Panel

- 50Ah LiFePO4 Battery

- 1000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter

- 30A MPPT Charge Controller

- All packed in a waterproof case (22"x14"x8")

Pros:

- Powered my laptop, phone, camera gear, and small appliances with ease

- Weathered some nasty storms without issues

- Silent operation (unlike gas generators)

Cons:

- Heavy (about 40lbs)

- Charging time varied greatly depending on weather

Overall, it was a game-changer for extended off-grid stays. Happy to elaborate on any aspects if anyone's curious!

cvbn12 July 18, 2024, 11:11 p.m.

This is awesome! I've been thinking about building something similar. How did you handle cloudy days? Did you ever run out of power?

cmag July 19, 2024, 8 p.m.

Impressive setup, but 40lbs? That's like carrying a small child around! I'd rather just embrace the darkness and live like a caveman. xD

PusZestMuth July 21, 2024, 3:04 p.m.

Caveman life sounds fun until you need to charge your phone to call for help when a bear attacks! @mobilfox76, did you consider using multiple smaller batteries for easier transport?

viven July 20, 2024, 4:11 p.m.

I built a similar setup last year, but I used a 200W rigid panel. It's less portable, but charges much faster. For anyone considering this, don't skimp on the charge controller - a good MPPT makes a huge difference!

zx94 July 21, 2024, 9:45 p.m.

This is cool, but isn't it overkill for most camping trips? I usually get by with a small 10000mAh power bank and a 20W solar panel. Lighter and cheaper, though admittedly less capable.

vfs July 24, 2024, 12:46 p.m.

It depends on your needs. If you're running a laptop or small appliances, a setup like this is necessary. Not everyone goes camping just to disconnect completely.

com19 July 23, 2024, 2:41 p.m.

Has anyone tried incorporating a small wind turbine into a setup like this? Might help on those cloudy days when solar isn't as effective.

super321 July 25, 2024, 10:08 p.m.

I experimented with a wind turbine once. It was great when it worked, but super noisy and not very reliable. Stick with solar unless you're in a consistently windy area.

condmaster July 24, 2024, 12:31 p.m.

OP, thanks for sharing! This is inspiring. One question for the group: how do you protect a setup like this from theft when you're away from your campsite?

dir848 July 27, 2024, 9:09 a.m.

I use a heavy-duty bike lock to secure my solar generator to a tree or my vehicle. It's not foolproof, but it deters opportunistic thieves. Also, camouflage covers can help make it less noticeable.

Maxtor July 26, 2024, 7:39 p.m.

For those interested in building their own solar power station, I highly recommend checking out this comprehensive guide on outboundpower: "how to select the right size portable power station". It covers everything from battery types to sizing your system based on your needs. Really helped me understand the basics before I built my own setup.