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  #1  
Old 12-01-2021, 04:58 PM
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JohninAB JohninAB is offline
 
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Default 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.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
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  #2  
Old 12-01-2021, 06:12 PM
RACKER RACKER is offline
 
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That looks like a professional job.Well done.
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Old 12-01-2021, 06:48 PM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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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.
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  #4  
Old 12-02-2021, 12:44 AM
FishingNewb FishingNewb is offline
 
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Good job! I just ordered parts to make mine
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Old 12-02-2021, 08:35 AM
skawtty skawtty is offline
 
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Wow very nice. When I get some time i will try my hand at building one as well. Thanks
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  #6  
Old 12-02-2021, 08:48 AM
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Sooner or later, those scotch-loks are going to let you down. I second the opinion on the soldering.

looks great though!
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  #7  
Old 12-02-2021, 09:43 AM
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LUNKDAWGEH LUNKDAWGEH is offline
 
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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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  #8  
Old 12-02-2021, 01:11 PM
splake0 splake0 is offline
 
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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.
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  #9  
Old 12-02-2021, 01:13 PM
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JohninAB JohninAB is offline
 
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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][/IMG]


[IMG][/IMG]
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  #10  
Old 12-02-2021, 01:32 PM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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Much cleaner, and now less likely to cause issues out on the ice/water.
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  #11  
Old 12-02-2021, 01:55 PM
splake0 splake0 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by splake0 View Post
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.
Here's my power box
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2154.jpg (110.8 KB, 165 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2155.jpg (130.8 KB, 151 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2156.jpg (154.8 KB, 160 views)
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  #12  
Old 12-02-2021, 02:40 PM
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JohninAB JohninAB is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by splake0 View Post
Here's my power box
Nice, practical design.

Hope others share their home builds as lots of ideas out there.
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  #13  
Old 12-02-2021, 03:11 PM
mlee mlee is offline
 
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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 $130

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  #14  
Old 12-02-2021, 03:19 PM
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nimrod nimrod is offline
 
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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

power box 2.jpg

power box 5.jpg

power box 6.jpg

power box 7.jpg

Power box1.jpg

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
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  #15  
Old 12-03-2021, 06:12 PM
OL_JR OL_JR is offline
 
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Awesome units nice work.
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  #16  
Old 12-06-2021, 10:26 AM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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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.
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  #17  
Old 12-10-2021, 05:02 PM
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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
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  #18  
Old 12-17-2021, 10:16 PM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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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.
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  #19  
Old 12-18-2021, 04:32 AM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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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.
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  #20  
Old 12-18-2021, 09:36 AM
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HuyFishin HuyFishin is offline
 
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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.
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  #21  
Old 12-22-2021, 02:27 AM
FishingNewb FishingNewb is offline
 
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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




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  #22  
Old 12-22-2021, 04:08 AM
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JohninAB JohninAB is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingNewb View Post
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




Nice setup. How big is the Dewalt tool box?
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  #23  
Old 12-22-2021, 07:50 AM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingNewb View Post
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
Nicely done for your first project.
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  #24  
Old 12-22-2021, 04:23 PM
FishingNewb FishingNewb is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohninAB View Post
Nice setup. How big is the Dewalt tool box?
its 24in x 11in x 11in
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  #25  
Old 12-22-2021, 06:03 PM
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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.
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  #26  
Old 01-14-2022, 02:56 PM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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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.







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  #27  
Old 01-14-2022, 04:03 PM
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JohninAB JohninAB is offline
 
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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.
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  #28  
Old 01-14-2022, 04:35 PM
AlbertanGP AlbertanGP is offline
 
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This one would work really good for a hunting camp, especially with a solar panel to charge it. I may look into that later.
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  #29  
Old 05-04-2022, 07:52 PM
Simba001 Simba001 is offline
 
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Nice looking builds fellas.
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