DIY Solar Electric Pak - Portable, Powerful and Feature Rich

DIY Solar Electric System – Portable, Powerful and Feature Rich

Steve’s Portable Power System

In the tradition of our founder, Steve Willey, staff members at Backwoods Solar often come up with ideas and project designs that we think will be of interest to the DIYer’s in the Backwoods Solar community. Such is the case with a recent project designed and fabricated by one of our sales techs, Steve Whitney. Steve has created a portable off-grid solar electrical system using Backwoods supplied components from some of our most respected brands, including Heliene Solar Modules, Victron Energy, Eclipse Lithium Batteries, Midnite Solar and General Specialties.

This completely portable energy package fits in a Harbor Freight rolling case and provides 1200 watts of power, enough for two 5cf chest freezers (one converted to a refrigerator), a water pressure pump, LED lighting, a 42” TV, game console, as well as device and tool charging. Steve has designed the package to be monitored remotely through the Victron VRM Portal via wi-fi and cellular connections. Also included is an active GPS feature that provides location tracking/ geo fencing/ theft protection and will issue an alert if power system is moved outside of its predefined location.

Other features include automatic water pump control based on tank water level, low temperature protection for the lithium iron batteries and the ability to convert a chest freezer to operate as a refrigerator using a Victron Energy Cerbo communications center.

Photos show Eclipse Batteries, Victron Energy charge controller and Cerbo in the lower section of the Power Pak. The upper section houses the Victron Phoenix inverter and IP22 Battery Charger.

Steve says he created this powerful yet portable system to highlight some of the advanced features like remote monitoring and geo-locating that can be used in a wide range of solar electric systems, even lower wattage systems. “This system showcases some of the advanced features that were previously only available on large scale off grid systems in a small and truly portable package”, Steve notes. “One of the major advantages to the Victron product line is the scalability. While this system was designed to handle a small off grid cabin, it could be quickly grown into a large micro-grid system, capable of powering an entire ranch,” he adds. You can get more information and view a list of links to the equipment used in Steve’s Premium Portable Power Pak by clicking here.

If you are interested in designing and building your own system use the links below to view the basic materials that Steve used to assemble this package.

Portable Power Station

2x Heliene 320w 60c PV Module

2x Eclipse 12v 100ah LIFEPO4 Battery

General Specialties Adjustable Roof/Ground/Wall Mount for 2 large modules

Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 100/50

Victron Energy Phoenix Inverter 12/1200 120v

Victron Energy SmartShunt 500a/50mv

Victron Energy Temperature Sensor for SmartShunt

Victron Energy Cerbo GX

Victron Energy GX Touch 70 Display

Victron Energy Blue Smart IP22 Charger 12v/30a

Victron Energy Battery Switch On/OFF 275A