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Portable Power Box

JT850

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Not the greatest pictures, but I will update soon.

1 AWG from main battery to the bed (250A terminal fuse)
In the bed, power from main battery is wired to a 250A manual breaker, then to an Anderson Plug

INSIDE THE BOX
Redarc DCDC Charger
BlueSea Systems Safety Hub
All accessories will be wired through this hub

Incomplete
External Anderson Plug to connect Charger to Main battery/Alternator
Redarc Charger Connected internally to Waterproof terminals
Redarc Charger Connected to Aux battery inside of box
Aux battery Connected to Safety hub
1500W Pure Sin Wave Inverted conected via Safety Hub
External 120V Outlet connected to Inverter
Flush Mount Waterproof LED light
12V Pannel with voltage meter

The plan is to run everything through the safety hub and keep connections inside the box to remain watertight. Still trying to decide on type of Solar panels and Aux battery.
I want to keep everything portable so I can dismount the system and charge off of solar for more remote campsites, and for running certain things at the house due to power outages, Hurricane season is here yet again.
The box is a watertight pelican box.

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IMG_20200620_180602_01.jpg
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ffdfrontman

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Awesome info and details. Thank you I’ve been looking for more clarity on systems like this. Keep the info coming and you might fully idiot proof this for me to build a similar/same setup.
 
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JT850

JT850

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Awesome info and details. Thank you I’ve been looking for more clarity on systems like this. Keep the info coming and you might fully idiot proof this for me to build a similar/same setup.


.....ill post some better pics when I get back home. It really isn't too complicated I promise!
 
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JT850

JT850

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Hopefully these uploaded in order. Theyre better than the other pics I posted. Basically just wanted to show the path from battery to truck bed. Then, the innards of the box. Still trying to decide on an inverter. Also, excuse the 250 amp fuse that's not in a holder. Waiting on delivery.

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JT850

JT850

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So 1 more thing. My Redarc BCDC charger kept flashing in the led panel. I didn't realize that that battery had to share a ground with the charger. Connected it and problem solved.
 

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ffdfrontman

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Again thank you. This is pretty spot on to what I’ve been wanting to do.
 
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JT850

JT850

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Again thank you. This is pretty spot on to what I’ve been wanting to do.
You're welcome. Feel free to hit me up if you hit a snag during your build. This was my first one so im not an expert, but ill help if I can.
 
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JT850

JT850

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Not necessarily specific to the power box, but added some stuff.

Rebel Offroad Full Height Rack
Made a shelf to mount toolbox laterally
Added LEDs
Made a platform for powerbox

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JT850

JT850

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Update:
As I've been using the powerbox I built, I am noticing that the need to have the bcdc 1225d inside the box just isn't practical. Im not actively charging while using it. So, I decided to mount the charger in my bed. It is attached via anderson plugs if the need for portability arises. The only scenario I can think of is solar charging. I found some quick disconnect mounting plates for pelican boxes. Ill add one to this case for the charger so it will be easy to remove if needed.

20200810_104750.jpg
 
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JT850

JT850

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Update continued:
I also put anderson plugs on a 20' 2awg cable. Figure I can drag my box to wherever it may be needed and still charge it without having to suck in exhaust fumes. A side benefit is now there is room inside the box for other things. I.E. flashlight maybe felxible solar pannel, etc. Keep everything together....its turning into more of a hurricane kit than anything else. (I live in FL)

I've mainly used it to run saws, and battery chargers out on the hunting lease

20200810_105046.jpg


IMG-20200807-WA0001.jpeg
 

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j.o.y.ride

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That 250A breaker seems too big, no? If I read correctly it's between the 12V and the inverter. That isn't going to pop on a 12V until +3,000 watts but it's only hooked into 1,500 watts. Needs a serious meltdown to trip it, won't catch a smaller surge that would still be enough to destroy things.
 
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JT850

JT850

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That 250A breaker seems too big, no? If I read correctly it's between the 12V and the inverter. That isn't going to pop on a 12V until +3,000 watts but it's only hooked into 1,500 watts. Needs a serious meltdown to trip it, won't catch a smaller surge that would still be enough to destroy things.
Yes its huge. I put it there because I have an inverter on an anderson plug that I can run off the main battery if the aux batt goes flat. Just another option...i tend to build redundant systems/options. The bcdc charger is fused inside of the pelican case.
 

RealMcCoy

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Not the greatest pictures, but I will update soon.

1 AWG from main battery to the bed (250A terminal fuse)
In the bed, power from main battery is wired to a 250A manual breaker, then to an Anderson Plug

INSIDE THE BOX
Redarc DCDC Charger
BlueSea Systems Safety Hub
All accessories will be wired through this hub

Incomplete
External Anderson Plug to connect Charger to Main battery/Alternator
Redarc Charger Connected internally to Waterproof terminals
Redarc Charger Connected to Aux battery inside of box
Aux battery Connected to Safety hub
1500W Pure Sin Wave Inverted conected via Safety Hub
External 120V Outlet connected to Inverter
Flush Mount Waterproof LED light
12V Pannel with voltage meter

The plan is to run everything through the safety hub and keep connections inside the box to remain watertight. Still trying to decide on type of Solar panels and Aux battery.
I want to keep everything portable so I can dismount the system and charge off of solar for more remote campsites, and for running certain things at the house due to power outages, Hurricane season is here yet again.
The box is a watertight pelican box.

Jeep Gladiator Portable Power Box IMG-20200807-WA0001


Jeep Gladiator Portable Power Box IMG-20200807-WA0001


Jeep Gladiator Portable Power Box IMG-20200807-WA0001


Jeep Gladiator Portable Power Box IMG-20200807-WA0001


Jeep Gladiator Portable Power Box IMG-20200807-WA0001
you might want to get a couple of rubber grommets to use when securing wire through the bed of the truck. I use these and they have worked great. https://www.amazon.com/Ram-Pro-Assortment-different-See-through-Organizer/dp/B01NAN025Y

Why did you choose the 250Amp and such heavy-duty cable? I used a 150 Amp to protect my SnowMaster and now wondering if I should go with a higher Amp breaker.
Your thoughts?
 
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JT850

JT850

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I put some conduit around it and have some wir
you might want to get a couple of rubber grommets to use when securing wire through the bed of the truck. I use these and they have worked great. https://www.amazon.com/Ram-Pro-Assortment-different-See-through-Organizer/dp/B01NAN025Y

Why did you choose the 250Amp and such heavy-duty cable? I used a 150 Amp to protect my SnowMaster and now wondering if I should go with a higher Amp breaker.
Your thoughts?
I actually have some wire glands....just haven't gotten around to installing them.

I went with a 250 amp breaker just in case I run an inverter from the main battery. I would only do it in extreme cases, but consulted an electrician and her said for a longer lay of cable with a 2000w inverter 250 amp would be about where I wanted to be. As far as actually fusing, the charger is connected through a hub to a 30 amp fuse. Its only rated at 25 amps so maybe I should go with a smaller fuse. Everything is fused coming in and going out. Figure it never hurts to be redundant.

The cable diameter I went with was just in case I decided to use the plug for anything with a higher draw. Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't have to rewire anything in the future.

Hope this answers your question.
 
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JT850

JT850

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I know this is a year old...I've made a few changes. Now I run the Redarc BCDC in the bed of my truck and only use this power box when needed. Anybody build anything recently?
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