Author Topic: Portable DIY Powerbox  (Read 5750 times)

Offline jpicks

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Portable DIY Powerbox
« on: Apr 12, 2020, 03:55 PM »
Shawno and I recently got into the idea of building portable powerboxes like the ones assembled by Dakota Lithium.  Will come in handy for days on the boat keeping my 2 yr old (and wife) occupied.

All parts were purchased from Amazon,  and in total came to around $50-$60 not including the battery.

There's 2 quickcharge usb 3.0 ports, a cigarette lighter port, and pos/neg terminals.  All connections have independant on/off led switches,  and can charge battery without opening the lid.   Runs off of a 12v flasher battery.






Offline sandman66

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #1 on: Apr 12, 2020, 03:59 PM »
Very slick. Would you mind posting a list of parts you used (from amazon). Lots of people looking for projects right now.

Offline jpicks

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #2 on: Apr 12, 2020, 10:19 PM »
The box was a mini ammo box I already had, but similar ones on amazon would be
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01K61E9AO/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_g78KEb8E8P6A4

I would probably use something a bit bigger next time so that I could store usb cables or a usb light inside it as well.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005IURN5M/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_c38KEb6F6H95F

I had a bunch of 14ga wire and insulated female spade connectors, as well as 14ga ring terminals for the binding posts laying around.  However, you can buy 14ga copper stranded wire from home depot for 0.58 / meter, and the connectors can be from home depot, amazon, or princess auto (cheapest price).

USB 3.0 and cigarette plug (I didn't use the switch that came with it, or the faceplate)
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SJLZ3LZ/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_G38KEb5N42P24

switches I used (available in blue or red)
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01APBAQSE/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_838KEbFQMJAJM

Inline fuse.  I used a 10a fuse, and had to marette the connection because the soft tinned wire wouldn't engage the push in wire connectors below.
https://www.amazon.ca/Shipping-Inline-16AWG-Holder-Water/dp/B00L6SAKK0/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=inline+fuse&qid=1586747770&sr=8-15

Banana jack binding posts (used to connect charger or other various +/- equipment - cameras, flashers...)
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PDLXRK9/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_248KEbA89P0VF

The push in wire connectors.  There isn't enough room for a terminal block or other fuse block / distribution setup in the space I had.  These worked great to distribute power and connect the ground to everything.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-4-port-push-in-wire-connector/1000511481

Offline sandman66

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #3 on: Apr 13, 2020, 12:45 PM »
Thanks a lot for sharing.

Offline ran7ger

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #4 on: Apr 13, 2020, 03:20 PM »
nice work jpicks.  i made one a few years ago and used this box i had laying around: https://www.amazon.ca/Plano-Shallow-Dry-Storage-Orange/dp/B001ECQPUM/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=plano+orange+box&qid=1586808610&sr=8-4

 has a gasket and as it turned out the board i bought with cig lighter, 2 usb, voltmeter and +/- posts all fit perfect in the little storage area on the lid.  the switch and fuse block was just smaller than one end of the box and 2 12v 9ah sla's fit inside perfect with all the wiring.  i cut a piece of those interlocking foam pads to fit in the bottom and glued it down, then used double sided carpet tape to secure the batteries which should make it easier to swap them out when the time comes.  only other thing was a wrap of led lights just under the lid around the whole box which is perfect lighting for night fishing in my flipover. 

  wish it was easier to post pics on here but if anyone has any questions i'm sure between jpicks and myself we can sort ya out.

Offline Fisherman 1

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #5 on: Apr 13, 2020, 03:42 PM »
Am I to believe the 12.6 Volt is reading the battery and not the output of the USB ports?  I thought most cell phones pads, etc run about 5.7V.

Offline ran7ger

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #6 on: Apr 13, 2020, 04:21 PM »
correct.

Offline Fisherman 1

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #7 on: Apr 14, 2020, 07:16 PM »
Thanks very much.

Offline sandman66

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #8 on: Apr 15, 2020, 01:30 PM »
Jpicks- those battery terminals (red and black) mounted on the lid- on amazon they show them a single unit, did you cut them in half?

Offline jpicks

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #9 on: Apr 16, 2020, 01:57 AM »
I removed them completely from the plate for the top half,  and cut the plate in half for the bottom,  as you need a spacer for it to mount tightly.  It looked cleaner from above keeping it a bit more low profile.
I was concerned that the charger clamps (or if I use alligator clips to power something) would slip and short out the battery.

So far I've charged my phone from 0% to 100% 5 times without charging the box.   Interested to see how many times I can charge with it.   

Are you going to make one?

Offline sandman66

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #10 on: Apr 16, 2020, 10:58 AM »
I removed them completely from the plate for the top half,  and cut the plate in half for the bottom,  as you need a spacer for it to mount tightly.  It looked cleaner from above keeping it a bit more low profile.
I was concerned that the charger clamps (or if I use alligator clips to power something) would slip and short out the battery.

So far I've charged my phone from 0% to 100% 5 times without charging the box.   Interested to see how many times I can charge with it.   

Are you going to make one?

I plan on it. I got on amazon yesterday and ordered a set of those terminals, but a different usb/cig lighter/switch setup. The one you used isn't available right now.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B06VWNPY2H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Even with prime Amazon is showing a delivery date of mid-May so will be a while.
Those clear wire connectors- is it easy to push in the stranded wire?

Offline jpicks

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #11 on: Apr 16, 2020, 11:16 AM »
the push connectors dont work well on the thin tin wire, they need something with a bit more body to them to be able to push in.  Princess auto has 100 ft rolls of 16ga copper strand wire on for $10 a roll right now with free shipping.  I just ordered a couple rolls, and got it in 2 days.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/16-gauge-100-ft-red-primary-wire/A-p8826505e
https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/16-gauge-100-ft-black-primary-wire/A-p8216533e

Offline sandman66

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #12 on: Apr 16, 2020, 02:22 PM »
If 16g works I am good. I have a fair inventory of 14g and even some 12g.

Offline jpicks

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #13 on: Apr 16, 2020, 02:59 PM »
12 would be overkill.  I used 14 because that's what I had.   16 would be a bit more flexible when stuffing everything back in.  You'll never draw enough current that the 14 or 16 couldn't handle it.  I used a 10a fuse as well because that's what the dakota boxes use and the usb/car charger assembly also had.

Offline sandman66

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #14 on: Apr 23, 2020, 12:42 PM »
jpicks, I just sent you a PM - I think.

Offline vanhln

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #15 on: Apr 23, 2020, 04:14 PM »
sandman,
make sure that panel you bought has the "quick charge' USB socket and not the old 2.1 amp one.  The title says 3.1 Amp, but the picture shows 2.1 amps.  The 2.1 takes forever to charge the new phones of today.  FYI....  Its a subtle difference but a big one.  Jpicks in his first photo is using the better one.

Offline jpicks

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #16 on: Apr 23, 2020, 05:58 PM »
That's assuming your phone can use the qc3.0 charging.  The 1a is the one that takes forever.  The 2.1 us pretty speedy.  My samsung can't take advantage of the 3.0, but the 2.1 gets the job done fine.

I was talking to Sandman about some wiring schematic options, so I figure i'd share them if anybody is interested.




Offline vanhln

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #17 on: Apr 24, 2020, 12:46 PM »
My phone was charging very slow with 2.1.... as far as I can tell, QC3 is backwards compatible... Why wouldn't you want to future proof the box and prepare for it knowing its coming.  The QC3 socket is maybe a little more...

Offline jpicks

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Re: Portable DIY Powerbox
« Reply #18 on: Apr 24, 2020, 03:20 PM »
For sure,  and that's why the 3.0 is preferable.

 



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