Build Your Own Battery Backup System in 20 Minutes
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Build Your Own Battery Backup System in 20 Minutes

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If you can install a battery in your car, and connect the red wire to the red post, and the black wire to the black post, then you can build your own battery backup system!

A battery backup system, sometimes called a "solar generator" is a handy system that can power devices like fridges and freezers, charge phones, or even run your entire house. There are many brand-name products available, but in general, they are not a good investment.

In this article we'll explore how you can build you own, with better parts, at a fraction of the price.

A battery backup system consists of three components:

  1. A battery to store the electricity
  2. a charger to put electricity in to the battery
  3. an inverter to convert the batteries DC power to AC power needed for your appliances.

Battery Backup System

Pre-Made Unit

Home-Built Unit
  Easy to use, plug in and go   Takes 10 minutes to learn how to build one, and another 10 minutes to assemble it.
  Easily portable, all in one unit   Not as portable unless you build a case, or mount into a portable case
  Over-priced for what you get as you have paid someone else to build it. Usually twice the price of a home-built unit.   Much less expensive, usually about 1/2 the price
 / Some allow you to add an additional battery for extended run time   Unlimited battery expansion. Add 1 more, or 20 more.
  Can not be expanded to power more equipment   Unlimited expansion abilities
  The size you purchase is the only size you'll have.   Buy small today, and expand until it runs your entire house.
  No idea what the quality of the parts inside are   You purchase the parts so you can determine the quality of every single component
  If any part fails you have to replace the entire unit   If any part fails, you can replace that single component

 

So how do you build one? Here's the complete instructions.

 

Price Comparison

Here we're going to compare the Dabbsson DBS2100 Pro Portable Power Station with a unit from 3 components available on Amazon.

Amazon Components:

 

 

Dabbsson DBS2100 Pro

Amazon Build
Regular Price $ 1,799 $692.77 (61% less expensive / $1100 savings)
Sale price $ 1,199 $692.77 (42% less expensive / $500 savings)
Battery 2150 Wh 2560 Wh (+19% longer runtime)
Running output 2400 W 2500 W (+4% greater output)
Peak output 3600 W 5000 W (+39% greater output)
Charge time to 80% 2.4 Hours 1.7 hours (-30% faster)

With the Amazon build saving you as much as $1100 you could purchase 3 additional batteries, giving you over 10kWh of battery storage for the same price as the Dabbsson unit!

High Quality Components

If you talk to most live-aboard sailors, they opt for high quality equipment at all times. It's one thing to live in a house, and if you have something break down you drive to the store, or have Amazon deliver a new part tomorrow. But when you live on the water, and your "house" could be in the middle of the ocean, there's no easy way to replace parts. For many places in the Caribbean, if you need a new part it can take days, or even weeks to arrive, and may have to be flown in (at your expense).

As a result, the quality and durability of a part is more important than the price. One of the best, most reliable names in the field of electrics is Victron Energy.

On our boat we have a Victron Quattro 48/5000/70 inverter/charger. It runs from our 48 volt battery bank. It has 5000 watts of output, so we can run our entire boat with all the appliances (convection oven, induction range, microwave, washer/dryer, TVs, computers) from this one inverter. The integrated 70 amp charger would be used to charge the batteries when we are connected to shore-power. This unit cost us €2365.

We went with 8 x SimpliPhi LiFePO4 48v 75Ah batteries. This gives us a total storage capacity of 28,800 watt hours, which is enough to keep us going for 4 days of normal living, or more than 7 days if we are very careful of our electrical usage.

While we do have a pair of 20 kW diesel generators as emergency backups, 99% of our power over the last 7 years comes from our solar panels.

We have 12 x 380 watt panels. They can output 4560 watts into a pair of Victron BlueSolar MPPT 150/60 regulators, which charge the batteries.

A typical sunny day will give us 30 kWh of free electricity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, building your own battery backup system offers significant advantages over purchasing a pre-made unit. Not only can you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but you also gain full control over the quality of each component and the ability to expand the system to suit your needs. While pre-made systems may be convenient, their limitations in terms of expandability, cost, and transparency make them a less ideal option for those looking for flexibility and long-term reliability. With a bit of time and basic know-how, you can build a system that’s not only more powerful and adaptable but also tailored specifically to your requirements, providing peace of mind in any emergency.

 

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Posts in discussion: Build Your Own Battery Backup System in 20 Minutes
replied the topic:
#44
1 week 1 day ago
Harper Vanderbilt:
Ahoy there! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. As someone who lives by the sea and has a penchant for self-sustainability, I can't stress enough the importance of a reliable power source. Your detailed guide to building a battery backup system is just the kind of practical, hands-on information that can make a world of difference when you're navigating the unpredictable seas of a crisis.

On our 35-foot sailboat, we have a similar setup, albeit tailored to cater to our unique needs. We've incorporated solar panels to keep our battery backup system charged. Given that we're usually out on the open waters, we have plenty of sunlight to keep our electrical system powered. I'm glad to see you also highlighting the potential of solar energy in this context!

I'd also like to add, for those considering this, don't skimp on the quality of your components. It may seem like a hefty investment initially, but trust me, it pays off in the long run. Being stuck in the middle of the ocean with a faulty component is a situation you'd want to avoid.

I'd also suggest practicing assembling and disassembling the system a few times. In a crisis, you want to be as familiar with your equipment as possible. It's not just about having the tools, it's about knowing how to use them when it matters most.

Finally, for fellow sailing enthusiasts considering this, remember to account for the weight and space requirements of the system. Every extra pound can make a difference in how your boat handles, especially in rough weather.

All in all, a comprehensive and informative piece. Keep up the good work!
replied the topic:
#40
1 week 2 days ago
As a seasoned sailor and prepper, I found this article to be an invaluable resource. The practicality of building a battery backup system resonates with my own ethos of self-reliance and preparedness. In my decade-long prepping journey, I’ve always trusted that what you build yourself ends up being more reliable and tailored to your specific needs.

Having a sailboat equipped with solar panels and a watermaker, I've learned the importance of quality and durability of parts. Just as the article outlined, in a sea-living scenario, you can't just drive to your nearest store for a quick replacement. I concur wholeheartedly with the emphasis on Victron Energy products. I've had first-hand experience with their reliability and durability, and they have never let me down, not even in the middle of the ocean.

For anyone considering a similar setup on their vessel, I have a piece of advice. Always remember to factor in the weight of the system when planning. A sailboat is incredibly sensitive to weight distribution, and adding a battery backup system can significantly alter your boat's balance.

This article does a fantastic job of breaking down the process into manageable steps. The cost comparison between a DIY and pre-made unit was especially eye-opening. It's a testament to the potential savings one can achieve with a bit of time, effort, and a willingness to learn.

I'd suggest exploring more about how to properly maintain these systems to ensure their longevity, especially in a marine environment where saltwater corrosion can be a significant issue.

In conclusion, every self-reliant sea-lover should consider building their own battery backup system. It might seem daunting at first, but as this article proves, it's simpler than you might think. And the peace of mind it provides is priceless. Happy sailing and safe prepping, folks!
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