Very cool. I have a battery bank for my ham shack and use a solar panel for charging plus a pedal generator called the Pedal-A-Watt in case the sun isn't shining when the power goes out!
hmm i think not :( anyway, i own a Doc Wattson, but it dont show the "direction" of the current flow.
Another Questions:
You wrote that you're running that system with solar panels. How are these connected? Directly to the PWRgate (As a Power Supply) or through a Solar Charge Controller?
I run my solar panel into a charge controller then directly into my battery bank. Then the powergate has its Powersupply as my backup PS that I havnt used since I got solar, and then battery bank like and then a line to the rigrunner to supply everything.
Pretty cool. How long can you run your computer and transceivers before you are out of power? I have been thinking of doing this same thing, but I am still trying to decide on how much amperes for the batteries I will want.
You might consider getting a 12VDC light to run so that you are now wasting precious energy converting DC to AC with your inverter.
Well, Ive since upgraded to 4 deep cycle batteries so I have quite a large pool to pull from. I could probably run the radios for a few weeks of moderate use off the battery bank. Instead of running the powersupply to keep the whole thing powered, I now have a 40 watt solar panel that keeps the entire system topped off so that I dont have to run the PS all the time.
Nope, but you would need a puresine inverter, The cheap inverter I have there, doesnt produce Clean enough juice to run my computers. You would have to go from the battery to a puresine inverter to your computers then. Tho you would need a way to charge the batteries at 12v
@solobackpacking my only advice is to get a higher paying job so you have more disposable income. Seems any tech hobbys are going to be expensive. =)
it sucks, I wish things were cheaper but to do things like this there is no "Cheap" alternative that will do the same thing.
This is great! I'm interested in building something similar. Can you clarify where the inverter is plugged in to? (the rigrunner 4005?) and also is the meter connected between the pg40s and the battery? I think a diagram would help :-)
I saw your video, pretty good setup. I plan on adding solar to my system in the near future and a pure sine wave inverter so I can run my computers and other odds and ends. as the computer does not like the power from the inverter at all
I saw your video, pretty good setup. I plan on adding solar to my system in the near future and a pure sine wave inverter so I can run my computers and other odds and ends. as the computer does not like the power from the inverter at all
At walmart they were about 75 dollars each. pretty cheap for just sticking them in a box and float charging them till they are needed. They get the job done.
I was thinking about getting some large forklift batteries and putting them in the basement and just wiring for 12v to the shack, but as you said.. batteries eventually run out.
alright i have the same set up but the most annoying thing would have to me the low battery buzzer or should i say squel i have a four hundred watt inverter with a solar panel two deep cycle batteries seriesed and i have them both parralled to a 125 amp hour bulldozer battery the whole system is about 500 amp hours along with a battery maintence 1.5 amp charger also for a saftey shut off i have a few 30 amp breakers that will trip if the system fails for at least 1 second so no fire or fuses
Yeah, the inverter does get worked up when the voltage goes below 11.9V which I think it should hold out lower simply because thats just breaking into the batteries storage at 11.9.
I am planning on getting a better inverter more then likely a 1000 watt Pure sinewave inverter just to keep everything happy.
Eventually I will add some Solar panels to the system instead of using my power supply to charge it all.
Well, you could buy a pure sine wave inverter, but they usually run well over $200 even for a small 200 watt unit. As for your concern, as long as you have a normal pre configured desktop or any laptop computer, you'll be fine with modified sine wave (most cheap ups's use it). If you have a powerful desktop with a PFC (Power Factor Correction) power supply or any other device that won't handle high harmonic distortion (THD) produced by modified sine wave, you'll need a pure sine wave inverter.
I have tested all the equipment with the system in use. I dont have any noise being generated on the HF or VHF from any of the equipment. I was surprised, but I guess it all seems to work out pretty well =)
good job on your video sounds like your having fun with your setup .check out my videos maybe you will get some ideas on how to charge up your batteries if the power stays out to long. most of my stuff I got for free at the dump fell free to ask any questions
This has been flagged as spam show
Hi! sir
want this well work with wild or solar P write hear or at spiritwild09@hotmail.com
have of information help me out thank you of your time
spiritwild68 2 weeks ago
Nice job. Thanks
N1FM 2 months ago
Very cool. I have a battery bank for my ham shack and use a solar panel for charging plus a pedal generator called the Pedal-A-Watt in case the sun isn't shining when the power goes out!
learndaybyday 5 months ago
@learndaybyday
Thanks! Since moving I've expanded the setup quite a bit and added a solar panel. its working quite well still.
KC2UOO 5 months ago
Nice Job :-)
What kind/type/model is the Wattmeter?
icefro 7 months ago
@icefro
It was a "Whatt" Meter from West Mountain radio.. Im unsure if they still have this particular unit.
KC2UOO 7 months ago
@KC2UOO
hmm i think not :( anyway, i own a Doc Wattson, but it dont show the "direction" of the current flow.
Another Questions:
You wrote that you're running that system with solar panels. How are these connected? Directly to the PWRgate (As a Power Supply) or through a Solar Charge Controller?
Thanks!
icefro 7 months ago
@icefro
I run my solar panel into a charge controller then directly into my battery bank. Then the powergate has its Powersupply as my backup PS that I havnt used since I got solar, and then battery bank like and then a line to the rigrunner to supply everything.
KC2UOO 7 months ago
One more question. Why are you using the 120VAC to DC power supply vs just always running off of the battery bank?
TheManFromAlaska 1 year ago
Pretty cool. How long can you run your computer and transceivers before you are out of power? I have been thinking of doing this same thing, but I am still trying to decide on how much amperes for the batteries I will want.
You might consider getting a 12VDC light to run so that you are now wasting precious energy converting DC to AC with your inverter.
TheManFromAlaska 1 year ago
@TheManFromAlaska
Well, Ive since upgraded to 4 deep cycle batteries so I have quite a large pool to pull from. I could probably run the radios for a few weeks of moderate use off the battery bank. Instead of running the powersupply to keep the whole thing powered, I now have a 40 watt solar panel that keeps the entire system topped off so that I dont have to run the PS all the time.
KC2UOO 1 year ago
@KC2UOO
I'm looking to build something similar for a set of PCs.
Would I need the PWRgate and RigRunner?
SuperTechieJ 8 months ago
@SuperTechieJ
Nope, but you would need a puresine inverter, The cheap inverter I have there, doesnt produce Clean enough juice to run my computers. You would have to go from the battery to a puresine inverter to your computers then. Tho you would need a way to charge the batteries at 12v
KC2UOO 8 months ago
NICE JOB BUD, PLUS WELDING
ROCKNTV1 1 year ago
Comment removed
wtf0804 1 year ago
Great set up. Any recommendations on how to keep this sort of project as affordable as possible?
solobackpacking 1 year ago
@solobackpacking my only advice is to get a higher paying job so you have more disposable income. Seems any tech hobbys are going to be expensive. =)
it sucks, I wish things were cheaper but to do things like this there is no "Cheap" alternative that will do the same thing.
KC2UOO 1 year ago
@KC2UOO
"get a higher paying job"
Got it, I should rob banks or be Madoff's apprentice.
solobackpacking 1 year ago
This is great! I'm interested in building something similar. Can you clarify where the inverter is plugged in to? (the rigrunner 4005?) and also is the meter connected between the pg40s and the battery? I think a diagram would help :-)
Thanks!
- Robbie (KI4TTZ)
bmxracernc 1 year ago
@offthegridsurvival
I saw your video, pretty good setup. I plan on adding solar to my system in the near future and a pure sine wave inverter so I can run my computers and other odds and ends. as the computer does not like the power from the inverter at all
KC2UOO 1 year ago
@offthegridsurvival
I saw your video, pretty good setup. I plan on adding solar to my system in the near future and a pure sine wave inverter so I can run my computers and other odds and ends. as the computer does not like the power from the inverter at all
KC2UOO 1 year ago
@KC2UOO pure sine waves are great, but expensive... either way, you have a great setup... good job!
offthegridsurvival 1 year ago
@offthegridsurvival I have some vids if you want to take a look at it...
offthegridsurvival 1 year ago
At walmart they were about 75 dollars each. pretty cheap for just sticking them in a box and float charging them till they are needed. They get the job done.
KC2UOO 1 year ago
The trick is finding "reasonably" priced high capacity batteries, preferably one with deep cycle capabilities.
Why reasonably priced? Because these batteries only last about 4 years.
dinnerandashow 1 year ago
I was thinking about getting some large forklift batteries and putting them in the basement and just wiring for 12v to the shack, but as you said.. batteries eventually run out.
KC2UOO 1 year ago
@KC2UOO
Battery companies and chemical companies love disposable batteries.
They have sabotaged efforts to make better rechargeable batteries.
dinnerandashow 1 year ago
alright i have the same set up but the most annoying thing would have to me the low battery buzzer or should i say squel i have a four hundred watt inverter with a solar panel two deep cycle batteries seriesed and i have them both parralled to a 125 amp hour bulldozer battery the whole system is about 500 amp hours along with a battery maintence 1.5 amp charger also for a saftey shut off i have a few 30 amp breakers that will trip if the system fails for at least 1 second so no fire or fuses
14gco 2 years ago
Yeah, the inverter does get worked up when the voltage goes below 11.9V which I think it should hold out lower simply because thats just breaking into the batteries storage at 11.9.
I am planning on getting a better inverter more then likely a 1000 watt Pure sinewave inverter just to keep everything happy.
Eventually I will add some Solar panels to the system instead of using my power supply to charge it all.
KC2UOO 2 years ago
Well, you could buy a pure sine wave inverter, but they usually run well over $200 even for a small 200 watt unit. As for your concern, as long as you have a normal pre configured desktop or any laptop computer, you'll be fine with modified sine wave (most cheap ups's use it). If you have a powerful desktop with a PFC (Power Factor Correction) power supply or any other device that won't handle high harmonic distortion (THD) produced by modified sine wave, you'll need a pure sine wave inverter.
sirmasterpimp 2 years ago
Nice setup! What power supply are you using?
docbrazen 2 years ago
Hey Doc, Im using an Alinco DM-330MV
gets the job done pretty well. 25amp cont, 32 surge
KC2UOO 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
The 80 amp fuse is a little over kill but better safe than sorry.
minicoppergpiscool 2 years ago
Wow... that is a great setup... I'll probably do something similar. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
73s
Jesse
KJ4KPV
ChinoUSMC1979 2 years ago
All is great BUT how about QRM from your PC and AC/DC Inverter to your HF and VHF Radio?
Sparky73dx 2 years ago
I have tested all the equipment with the system in use. I dont have any noise being generated on the HF or VHF from any of the equipment. I was surprised, but I guess it all seems to work out pretty well =)
KC2UOO 2 years ago
What a system!. I'd love to have a backup system like that.
Have a great day (5Stars) *****
DE
James Colderwood
2E0BMI
2e0bmi 2 years ago
Awesome battery backup system
73
Greg
VA7BC 2 years ago
good job on your video sounds like your having fun with your setup .check out my videos maybe you will get some ideas on how to charge up your batteries if the power stays out to long. most of my stuff I got for free at the dump fell free to ask any questions
michael970 2 years ago