Solar Power in a Box

We began with Jack-in-a-box, I suppose. Now we have meals-in-a-box; bed-in-a-box; birthday-in-a-box; tree-in-a-box; business-in-a-box; and many more.

Solar power in a box, however, may be the best gift-in-a-box of all.

Portable Solar Power Box

Solar power in a box may appear, from the outside, to be nothing more than a sleek, metallic briefcase. This is the case with the portable Solar Power Box we found. Open the Solar Power Box, and you expose two solar power panels to the sunlight. With AC/DC output, the portable Solar Power Box can power a laptop computer, a 21″ color TV, or a fan. It can light up a tent when camping, or power GPS units, cameras, and cell phones when far from electrical power sources.

Some solar power boxes are termed “portable” but qualify only because they can be moved from place to place. Weighing in at 75 pounds, one solar power box we saw would have to go in your vehicle. Does it power larger appliances because of its size? No. It is powerful enough to energize small items such as cell phones and iPods, but laptops and color TV sets appear to be beyond its capabilities.

Solar Power Generator in a Box

Another form of solar power in a box is a solar power generator you yourself can make. Such a generator requires only parts that are readily available in most U.S. towns or cities at less than $350. When finished, it can power appliances such as a computer, VCR, TV, camera, GPS, cell phone, lights, and more. It can be used at home for emergency backup, or on a camping trip.

To call this solar power in a box is a bit of a stretch, since the box does not contain the solar panel. However, the unit is portable.

You will need:

* 1 small solar panel rated at 12-16 volts – RV or boat store
* 1 any size deep-cycle 12 volt battery – not a car battery
* 1 battery box with lid and bungee cord to keep it closed
* 1 “12 volt” DC meter – check stores like Radio Shack
* 1 DC input – triple input is great -“ car parts store
* 1 “115 volt 140 watt” inverter – car parts store or online

Basic instructions:

Drill holes in the top of the solar power box, and attach the meter and DC input. Attach the meter to the battery’s wing nut terminals with insulated wire. Handling only one wire at a time, connect the negative and then the positive poles. In the same way, connect the DC inlet and solar panel to the battery. Close and fasten the lid. Place the solar panel in the sun and wait.

When the battery is dead, you solar panel will charge it in 5-8 hours of sunlight. If it is simply weak, 1-3 hours till bring it back to full strength.

Your solar power in a box can run a radio, fan, or small wattage light all night. It can provide approximately 5 hours of continuous use at 115 volt AC, or about 1 hour of boiling water.

To find more details on building your own solar power generator in a box, search online for how to make a solar power generator.