Alternative power sources! Post ideas and pictures if possible. Thanks!

17046 Views 91 Replies 18 Participants Last post by cataraftgirl, Oct 6, 2014

Kinley

Discussion Starter · Jun 4, 2014

Electronics Technology Electronic device

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Kinley

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jun 4, 2014

I took an ammo can, put 4 6V batteries in series in it with non expanding window insulation, a 12v vehicle jack and switches. Master power switch and right 12v / left 12V cell switch. Hooked it all to a battery tender for a motorcycle.

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glenn

· #3 · Jun 4, 2014

A day in the office at Lava Falls Rapid on Vimeo

Kinley

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 4, 2014

That's not a raft... That's a solar powered slug from mars! Very cool, and it's so huge it may never flip! Hopefully...

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F.A.A.C. Slim

· #5 · Jun 4, 2014

I use my solar setup both rafting and on my snocat in winter. (2) 12v 8 watt panels wired in parallel. Charge controller, (4) 12v 7 amp batteries, and 12vdc to 120vac 300 watt inverter all fit inside ammo can. Inverter also has USB charge port @ 12V. The solar panel cable enters ammo can thru CGB connector (so it is waterproof) and allows full time charging. On the river I can open ammo can and run lots of stuff but in rapids I have to close the top 'cause charge controller and inverter are not waterproof. Did a 21 day GC trip in April and all worked fine.

Kinley

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 5, 2014

F.A.A.C. Slim said:
I use my solar setup both rafting and on my snocat in winter. (2) 12v 8 watt panels wired in parallel. Charge controller, (4) 12v 7 amp batteries, and 12vdc to 120vac 300 watt inverter all fit inside ammo can. Inverter also has USB charge port @ 12V. The solar panel cable enters ammo can thru CGB connector (so it is waterproof) and allows full time charging. On the river I can open ammo can and run lots of stuff but in rapids I have to close the top 'cause charge controller and inverter are not waterproof. Did a 21 day GC trip in April and all worked fine.

That's cool. And there comes a time when it's time to put down the IPad and raft! So it's ok if you have to put it away to hit the rapids.

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Watusi_Pat

· #7 · Jul 11, 2014

PowerFilm makes nice waterproof roll up panels. Mines a 42" which puts out a good 1 amp dc into a 34 amp/ hr lithium 12 volt in a small ammo can. Just got off the Grand. Never used a disposable battery. Ran gopro, camera, iPhone, headlight and gave away power,

iPad in Jaccuzi

slamkal

· #8 · Jul 11, 2014

You all might want to employ a solar controller. Overcharging the batteries can ruin a 12v sla or more expensive 14v lithitm

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cataraftgirl

· #9 · Jul 11, 2014

My buddy used his cpap on the river. He brings 1-2 golf cart batteries. They were the smallest he could find that will work. He also has a solar panel that he used on the Grand.

Watusi_Pat

· #10 · Jul 11, 2014

SlamKal
Your right on the money about the solar controller. I ran my 14v lithium up to 15v the first day without the controller. It's a Shorai LFX lithium. I also keep the battery on a Shorai 2 amp battery management charger system for storage purposes when back in Rim World.

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Kinley

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 12, 2014

Great suggestions. Catgirl great med advice. I need more river ideas and a way to make a spine board.

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malloypc

· #12 · Jul 12, 2014

Here's the setup I put together last off-season and seems to be working pretty well:

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John_in_Loveland

· #13 · Jul 17, 2014

Enerplex Products

Does anyone have any expereince with these products.

Enerplex - Always in Charge

I was in Frys today and saw them. If they work, they seem like a reasonably priced "canned" solution.

Thanks,

John

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Kinley

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 29, 2014

malloypc said:
Here's the setup I put together last off-season and seems to be working pretty well:

Hey does that battery come from goal zero? Or is it just a marine batery? What about the cable attached to the solar panel. Is it a goal zero part? Thanks.

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malloypc

· #15 · Jul 29, 2014

Kinley said:
Hey does that battery come from goal zero? Or is it just a marine batery? What about the cable attached to the solar panel. Is it a goal zero part? Thanks.

The battery is just a generic 18AH SLA like Amazon.com: 12 volt 18 Ah Rechargeable Battery: Home Improvement

I used a mix of Goal Zero and Battery Tender accessories / cables:

12V Charge controller = Goal Zero Guardian
110V wall charger & quick disconnect cables = Battery Tender Junior; Amazon.com: Battery Tender 021-0123 Battery Tender Junior 12V Battery Charger: Automotive
Cigarette adaptor = Amazon.com: Battery Tender 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect: Automotive

I did splice the output of the GZ charge controller (cut off the alligator clips) to a quick disconnect Battery Tender quick disconnect cable (be careful to get the polarity correct) to simplify the setup.

DoStep

· #16 · Jul 30, 2014

glenn said:
A day in the office at Lava Falls Rapid on Vimeo

So where the heck is the cable cam footage?!!!

Wavester

· #17 · Jul 30, 2014

Those guys were doing a documentary, I think they were from the BBC/Discovery channel. That was the film support boat and they had 2 Powel replica boats that they video taped. The were just setting up when we got to Lava. Lava was huge that day, bigger than I remember the last couple of times.
In boats made here, the BBC will repeat an incredible river expedition | Pacific NW | The Seattle Times

codycleve

· #18 · Jul 30, 2014

We just use a powergen battery pack.. it will recharge a go pro or I phone about five or six times.. great for middle fork or main salmon.. not so great for the big ditch.. and its $40 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085...200_QL40&qid=1406691233&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

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Kinley

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 30, 2014

Snowboard Compact car Electrical wiring

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Kinley

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 30, 2014

That's the finished experiment from earlier. I've got two different power supply's. Or better stated two 12 V batteries. So if I use one up in X amount of time, I know I've got X amount of time with the same usage on the other cell. The whole thing is made of four 6V batteries.

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