Video · DIY Builds & Mods
How I Built a Simple DIY Solar Generator Before a Hurricane
With a hurricane headed for Florida, I build a basic solar generator from a LiFePO4 battery, inverter, charge controller and panel, and test what it can run.
What’s in this video
Hurricane Helene was heading for Florida, so after prepping the house, strapping down the boat and stacking the kayaks low, I built a basic solar generator. Full disclosure: LiTime, ICECO and EcoFlow sponsor me. The inverter and Bluetooth charge controller I bought myself.
You need four things: a battery, an inverter, a solar panel and a charge controller. I built it on an appliance cart so you can see every part working. For my own use I’d put it in a waterproof wheeled box from Home Depot and run extension cables out to the panels. I like the LiTime 100 amp hour 12.8 volt minis, which were just over $200 each at the time. Wire two in parallel and you keep 12.8 volts but double to 200 amp hours. Wire in series and you double the voltage instead. Since my inverter is 12 volt, parallel is the way.
The charge controller has MC4 connectors for the panel and an Anderson connector, so the only adapter I needed was an Anderson to ring terminal cable for the battery. Be careful when you land those terminals, it will want to spark. My old Bixpy solar panel just needed an SAE to MC4 adapter. It’s like Legos, you just need the right connectors.
Then I tested it on the ICECO APL55 fridge freezer, a cheap burner and an EcoFlow portable AC and worked through the battery math.
Key moments
- 0:00 Hurricane preparation
- 1:01 Storm safety measures
- 1:44 Solar generator components
- 3:37 Building the power system
- 6:56 Electrical connections
- 10:53 Solar power testing
- 12:27 Fridge power analysis
- 14:21 Load testing and battery math
- 17:04 Air conditioner performance
- 20:13 Meeting a friend
Quick takeaways
- The four core parts are battery, inverter, solar charge controller and solar panel.
- Parallel wiring keeps the voltage and doubles amp hours; series wiring doubles voltage. Match the setup to your inverter.
- A charge controller with MC4 and Anderson connectors keeps the wiring almost plug and play.
- For real use, build it into a waterproof box and run solar extension cables outside.
Homemade Trolling Motor for a Hobie Mirage Drive Kayak
DIY PVC Kayak Tower Rack: Storage, Lights and Rod Holders
Backyard Fiberglass Boat Build Part 2: New Deck on My Old Skiff