Power Box Update
 

Well tried my hand at building a power box for my ice shelter to run my led lights, charge my phone etc.

As it was my first attempt, I learnt a few things what I would do different next time (different style fuse panel with a ground connection, different switches as these ones seem a bit flimsy and not sure the lighter socket is totally necessary).

Battery is a 12v 10ah lithium ion. Put a foam pad under it and then crudely cut some styrofoam panel to keep it snug in the case.

Overall cost sans battery was around $110. Cost could be reduced if I had bought some of the stuff in bulk versus buying only for 1 box.

Am all ears on constructive criticism and suggestions for improvements.

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That looks like a professional job.Well done.

Other than soldering and heat shrinking the connections instead of the taps and crimp connectors, I don't think there is much to improve on. And tbh, I think that obsession is a bit over-rated. I guess you'll find out. lol. Nice job. :happy0034:

Good job! I just ordered parts to make mine

Wow very nice. When I get some time i will try my hand at building one as well. Thanks

Sooner or later, those scotch-loks are going to let you down. I second the opinion on the soldering.

looks great though!

Nicely done I figured it would be pricier. I'm going to have to look into upgrading my battery set up soon... my battery on my Lowrance Hook 2 just crapped out.

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Nice job. I made one earlier this year. I installed switches on the side of the box because I use mine in my 14 ft aluminum boat, when it rains I didn’t want rain getting into the auxiliary ports etc. I also used a 300 CC garden tractor battery. I installed terminals on the top of the box for charging and a master power on/off switch for those terminals so they aren’t live all the time.
I’ll try to upload a photo later.

Noted AlbertanGP’s comments and cleaned up the wiring. Must say looks way neater and removes a lot of potential headaches from the numerous connectors I had used originally.

[IMG]https://i.postimg.cc/qNV3ccNP/3-F20-...-DC409-C20.jpg[/IMG]


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Much cleaner, and now less likely to cause issues out on the ice/water. :happy0034:

Here's my power box

Nice, practical design.

Hope others share their home builds as lots of ideas out there.

Here's mine. Volt gauge, dual USB, power socket, UV glow ring, and external posts fo my solar panel. This is the big box.....will fit a big deep cycle and a 10ah or whatever else you wanted to toss in beside it such as a 7" sonar screen and mount.
All in for $130https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ff0de11f67.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...41df833176.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6e260005db.jpg

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Here is my power box I use it for back country use, and for ice fishing, there is a mount for my humming bird unit

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one port is a double USB and the other is a 12 volt plug, I have 2 batteries in it just in case I need to change, and 2 led lights on each end to see what Im doing in the tent, also have a flip up on off switch

Awesome units nice work.

Just in case someone comes across this thread in a search down the road, I thought I would include a link to the Gold Standard for power boxes.

Im also added a magnet strip to the outside on my box, so my hooks stay and my pliers, but ready to unhook a fish

That's pretty cool fellas ...... all the decent power boxes (10aHr) out there cost $300-$500 so looks like you can save some pretty good money making your own.

I'm in the process (slowly...) of making a box for my 100Ah LiFePO4 battery. Took me a while to find the right box, but now that I have that sorted things should go a bit quicker. I'm not super motivated on this project since the Clam Magnum Crate is working well to lug my batteries and such when camping atm.

I would love to make one. But I would probably light myself on fire. :(

Dont ask me how LOL

i'm gonna start buying some of these parts to find a friend that can help me.

Almost done mine. I just need to pick up some bolts to secure the speakers. It my first electrical project. Next year I will be upgrading to 2 100ah lifepo4 batteries for some ice camping

https://i.imgur.com/kP7Chrf.jpg
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Nice setup. How big is the Dewalt tool box?

Nicely done for your first project. :happy0034:

its 24in x 11in x 11in

Oh wow, that brought back some memories of some of the projects that I used to build! Some very nice work there. And very cool!

Have to agree about the Scotch-Loks/Taps and soldering. Also, I would put the voltmeter on a momentary switch, but that's just me.

Well, I figured with my upcoming trip to Cold Lake, I should get this thing done. I just finished wiring it up, and I'm happy with how it turned out. It's big and fairly heavy for a day trip if you're lugging it. But it will run all weekend no problem with a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery. :)

I went with six LEDs on the side instead of the usual two. When you need light you need light, and they draw almost no current anyways. Now I can just set the box down when I arrive and have everything lit up while I set up...they are very bright.

I went with two USB ports with a total of four 3.0 amp quick charge plugs. I also have my voltmeter on one of the USB ports since I don't want it on all the time. I went with one cigarette plug as that connection is becoming dated, and two sets of banana plugs...I could run a small trolling motor off this box no problem. Finally, I put a 400W pure sine wave inverter in the box as I found some of my lithium chargers did not like modified sine wave inverters.

Super easy project once you do a little shopping on Amazon, I can probably round up a parts list if anyone is interested. The Plano Shooter's Case goes on sale at Canadian Tire quite often. The space to the left of the battery in the pictures is nice to store my various iPhone cables, lithium battery chargers, GoPro, etc. Basically, all my electronics will come out with me in this box, so I'll always know where things are.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...rp7csbw-X3.jpg

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Good looking power box. 100 amp/hr should run a long time.

Been contemplating building a bigger one for hunting camp.

This one would work really good for a hunting camp, especially with a solar panel to charge it. I may look into that later.

Nice looking builds fellas.