Affordable portable power options

**mcfd45** · 07-07-2009, 02:11 AM

I am interested in having a way to power some small items post SHTF. I am thinking a battery charger, laptop, small light. I am interested in a small solar system. I looked online a bit and found some kits that meet my needs but they cost 1,000+. Is a solar system under 500 doable? would my other choice ( a small generator) be a better choice. It would have to be portable (back of a car).

**crashdive123** · 07-07-2009, 06:45 AM

You may want to take a look at 12 volt power converters. I have a few and they work very well.

**Rick** · 07-07-2009, 06:52 AM

I also have an inverter. Good choice for a backup. Quiet operation, too.

Just remember that the size of the inverter will dictate the size load it is capable of running. You want to ensure your vehicle wiring is sufficient to handle the inverter and ensure it is fused to protect the vehicle.

Wattage = Amps X Volts. You can look at the rated amp draw of the device you want to use, multiply it times 12 (your vehicle voltage) and determine the maximum wattage.

The type of items you listed are not very robust and you should be able to plug the inverter into your vehicle power port (cigarette lighter) and run them. You might want to check the size fuse on the power port. Some vehicles are rated at 10 amps while others as high as 30 amps depending on make/model.

**2dumb2kwit** · 07-07-2009, 08:34 AM

Tons of good info at this site.
http://www.otherpower.com/
(Be sure to click on "experiments", at the bottom of the home page. Those guys have built some really cool stuff.)

If you go with a battery and an inverter, and have the "spare parts" laying around, you can build one of these.
(I also have a tray that goes on the handle, that holds the inverter.)

I got bored on Saturday, and built this. LOL

**Arkansas_Ranger** · 07-07-2009, 10:08 AM

Inverters are the handiest electronic device that I've ever encountered.

**tuxdad** · 07-07-2009, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

Tons of good info at this site.
http://www.otherpower.com/
(Be sure to click on "experiments", at the bottom of the home page. Those guys have built some really cool stuff.)

If you go with a battery and an inverter, and have the "spare parts" laying around, you can build one of these.
(I also have a tray that goes on the handle, that holds the inverter.)

I got bored on Saturday, and built this. LOL

Is that a home made battery charger you rigged up on your lawnmower?

**2dumb2kwit** · 07-07-2009, 01:12 PM

Yep!
A friend of mine gave me his old mower. I took the blade off of it, made an adapter, and put a water pump pulley off of an old chevy in place of the blade. Then I cut a hole in the deck, for the belt and alternator, and mounted an old chevy alternator on it. Add a few wires and TA DAAA....mow-gen!

I then saw that I had an old battery tray, off of my racecar, and a spare battery, so I put them on the back of the deck. At that point, I figured it need a tray to hold an inverter, then it would be a charger, or I guess you could call it a generator. LOL

When my other half got home that afternoon, she looked in the garage to see what I was up too. I was standing there, grinning like I had just cured cancer, and she just shook her head and walked out........mumbling something about Fred Sanford.

**tuxdad** · 07-07-2009, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by 2dumb2kwit

Yep!
A friend of mine gave me his old mower. I took the blade off of it, made an adapter, and put a water pump pulley off of an old chevy in place of the blade. Then I cut a hole in the deck, for the belt and alternator, and mounted an old chevy alternator on it. Add a few wires and TA DAAA....mow-gen!

I then saw that I had an old battery tray, off of my racecar, and a spare battery, so I put them on the back of the deck. At that point, I figured it need a tray to hold an inverter, then it would be a charger, or I guess you could call it a generator. LOL

When my other half got home that afternoon, she looked in the garage to see what I was up too. I was standing there, grinning like I had just cured cancer, and she just shook her head and walked out........mumbling something about Fred Sanford.

Yea!! That'd be my sweety as well... LMBO !! Hey as long as it worked, and if something happenswhere you lose power, she'll give blessings for being such a smart handy hubby !!lol