Power out

[Joeboy]

Power has just dropped out here in Turkey. Luckily we have a couple of power banks so good for Power to WiFi hotspot and phone charging for a couple of days if it's ever needed.

PV is not heavily backed here which has led my idling mind onto the thought of suitcase PV.

Anyone ever tried to put together a small Footprint pv array that could put out something like 0.5A at 220VAC and be properly mobile?

Just an idle thought..

[Joeboy]

Would be great to do this as could just say, this thing charges powerbanks. What you plug into that powerbank could be comms or lights and they can go anywhere...

[Mr Gus]

If you are sitting in the shade, there's plenty of that on all express.

Ditto "non death inducing" flexible panels to make a wee frame up, or hook into place if it's a mega sunny outlook.
You know you want to!

[Joeboy]

If you are sitting in the shade, there's plenty of that on all express.

Ditto "non death inducing" flexible panels to make a wee frame up, or book into place if it's a mega sunny outlook.
You know you want to!

Thinking a start from a hard body samsonite trolley case, a big one. Fold it open and tadahh, two solar panels and a 3pin plug.
For complete clarity, I am sitting in direct sunlight (lizard mode) enjoying a beer.

How small can an inverter be? I'll sit down when I get home or bored and go from something like '2 powerbanks draw xxxx load' and work from there. We have a tower Watercooler out here, would be great to run that off it but that's unlikely. Best to stick to a more 12v system way of thinking on this one.

Who's first to suggest a 3 folding array out of the samsonite?

[Stinsy]

I have a folding 80Wp array that I take camping. I connect it to a toolbox with an old lead acid battery that has a few USB ports and a 12V outlet. More than enough for phones/iPads, lighting, etc.

It isn’t a small or light effort.

[Joeboy]

Trying to keep weight down...

I found nice small 12v 6Ah lifepo4 battery but all the mppt controllers seen so far say they are not for lifepo4.

I don't get that, I thought a 12v battery was a 12v battery regardless of chemistry for this application? A shame as these controllers also had built in usb ports so I could have got it together quite simply with a couple of 50W or 75W panels case size depending and then added an inverter later? If anyone can cast light on why I can't use the 12v lifepo4 I'd really appreciate it. Hard going trawling on the phone! I guess that bug's got me again!

[Stig]

If you're thinking of taking this "power station in a case" abroad with you then you'd better check airlines' restrictions on lithium batteries first!

[Joeboy]

Indeed, good thought.

Looks like it's OK but with some restriction in capacity.

https://www.18650.uk/blog/can-i-take-my ... gIkxvD_BwE

We had a period of time about 5 yrs ago when powerbanks were being.pulled at Cairo airport for BA flights. Only BA flights, weird. All OK now.

Worst case I'll source the battery here, no worries.

[Joeboy]

Aiming for a lifepo4 battery solution is creating problems (notwithstanding airlines) in the realm of compatible controller at a decent price. Might have to look instead at sealed or gel type...

[Mr Gus]

Yup, local market is the way to go for the sort of watt hours you are likely after.

But, perhaps asking for some Turkish assistance via reddits dedicated 18650 forum "18650 masterrace" ..who being a worldwide collective may be able to direct you straight to a recommended local provider for something bonefide.

https://www.reddit.com/r/18650masterrace/