Posted: 9/10/2026 12:07:10 AM EDT
[Last Edit: NachoDip][Edited]
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So I got a wild hair after I saw odyssey batteries for 70% off. After spending $350 walked (extremely slowly) out of the store with this. odp-agm8dt This bastard is heavy. 152 lbs of pure AGM goodness. They also had breakers and other random odds and ends for 80% off. So I ended up with a large box of breakers, some power distribution blocks, wire, and a throughput plug to be able to keep a charger in the box amd just plug an extension cord into the project box. Looking at pelican cases. Thinking the 1560 is the best option. Will give me some space on one side of the case for components and charger. Looking for ideas and inspiration. I want to be able to power an emergency ham unit off this. As well as have an inverter for larger power uses as needed. I have a smaller inverter. I am not above mounting some things on the outside of the case. The main breaker switch I have for it is a 200A and I am intending to make this accessible from outside the case. At home I want to be able to keep it plugged in and maintained while also being able to roll it outside and put it in the back of my truck or jeep for camping. I got this as a AI power estimate for my Yaesu 50w quad band. It did make me laugh at the battery life span. Assuming the radio draws 50 watts while operating and runs at a 50% duty cycle: Average power: 50W×0.5=25W Average current: 25W÷12V˜2.1A?25 W÷12 V˜2.1 A Battery capacity: 220 Ah Ideal runtime: 220 Ah÷2.1A˜105.6hours So the theoretical runtime is about 106 hours, or 4.4 days. For a lead-acid battery, avoiding discharge below roughly 50% gives: 106 ÷ 2 ˜ 53 hours 106÷2˜53 hours A realistic usable estimate is therefore about 45–55 hours when connected directly to the 12 V battery. If powered through an inverter, expect somewhat less—approximately 40–50 hours I may consider adding a voltage booster to get the 14+ volts to the radio as needed. There will be space in the case for such items. Thoughts on this or has anyone used a battery this large for this crazy of a project? If you have. I’d love some suggestions or things to consider. Nacho |
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I made something similar out of one of those Stanley rolling tool cases. The battery sits in the bottom, and I had to cut some holes, and a big ass inverter sits up in the top. Hole in the side for power strip. portable "solar generator" like Anker, Pecron, etc before those became a thing |
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I am tinkering around with building a 24v inverter set-up with a LifePo4 battery. It is mainly for my camper but because we get hurricanes now and then I want to be able to plug it into the house. Not sure why you would make something like that with a standard lead acid battery. I'm just really on the fence about doing it vs just getting a power station. So many pros, cons and alternatives. 12v, 24v, various inverter sizes, solar, generator. I currently have multiple gernerators....1200 w and 2 x 5500w. If I have an inverter or power station then I can stretch my fuel on hand quite a bit by using a power station for however many hours a day that I can run it. Upgrade my generators to inverter generators and I can stretch economy even further. |
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This looks like it may work for a box https://www.grainger.com/product/NOCO-Battery-Box-Commercial-Vehicles-417Y49? Years ago I did a similar version of this with a group 27 battery and box. Put a inverter on top of the lid, some 12/110v power distribution on the outside of lid with fuses and master breakers under the lid. |
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I've built a couple. Here's what I'm seeing. Sounds like you figured it out on the way to the car, but that's not a good choice for a portable battery. When you add up everything you're planning it will be ~190 lbs. That will be a chore to get in a vehicle. Lifepo4 is superior in all ways. You can get the same energy out of a 100AH battery that will last a lifetime, costs $200, half the size and weighs 25 lbs. Double check the interior dimensions of the case. It doesn't look like the battery will fit in the 1560. If you're cutting it close consider what you will loose to the round corners and look for stiffining ribs that might get in the way Another advantage of lifep04 is the higher 13.8 voltage. Even with the AGM I don't think I would bother stepping up the voltage for the radio. Like you said, can run it off the inverter side if you want Inverter size is based on the "C factor" It's the ratio of amps out to the AH rating of the battery. Personally I would use a 1500w inverter with that battery. Check out Will Prowse on youtube and https://diysolarforum.com/ He's the go to for all things battery. There's a vid of him building a system on a hand cart that's a good watch This started out with a 100AH battery. Not long after they came out with a 150AH that was the same size so I swapped one in. It's got a 1000w inverter because I couldn't find a 1500 that would fit. 40A MPPT charge controller and 250W of solar panels. For wall charging I used a spare 48V e bike charger and run it thru the charge controller. I used a cutting board for the strap and shelf. It weighs 80 lbs Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By ibbob: I've built a couple. Here's what I'm seeing. Sounds like you figured it out on the way to the car, but that's not a good choice for a portable battery. When you add up everything you're planning it will be ~190 lbs. That will be a chore to get in a vehicle. Lifepo4 is superior in all ways. You can get the same energy out of a 100AH battery that will last a lifetime, costs $200, half the size and weighs 25 lbs. Double check the interior dimensions of the case. It doesn't look like the battery will fit in the 1560. If you're cutting it close consider what you will loose to the round corners and look for stiffining ribs that might get in the way Another advantage of lifep04 is the higher 13.8 voltage. Even with the AGM I don't think I would bother stepping up the voltage for the radio. Like you said, can run it off the inverter side if you want Inverter size is based on the "C factor" It's the ratio of amps out to the AH rating of the battery. Personally I would use a 1500w inverter with that battery. Check out Will Prowse on youtube and https://diysolarforum.com/ He's the go to for all things battery. There's a vid of him building a system on a hand cart that's a good watch This started out with a 100AH battery. Not long after they came out with a 150AH that was the same size so I swapped one in. It's got a 1000w inverter because I couldn't find a 1500 that would fit. 40A MPPT charge controller and 250W of solar panels. For wall charging I used a spare 48V e bike charger and run it thru the charge controller. I used a cutting board for the strap and shelf. It weighs 80 lbs https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/429054/1000015300_jpg-3827753.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/429054/1000015301_jpg-3827754.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/429054/1000015523_jpg-3827755.JPG I knew it was going to be heavy before I started. Wondering if it was a good idea or not but figured I’d give it a try. With wheels it will still be reasonable for some movement issues. I may do this with lithium in the future. The setup you did looks great. I was looking at this lithium set of batteries recently as it was recommended by someone else. LiPo |
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