Diy Pc Battery Backup Power Source And 12 Battery Charger By J Starnes

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I am planning a fun weekend but we are not sure we will have a 110v power source nearby. Just in case I decided it may be a good idea to use a APC battery backup and parallel more batteries together for a longer run time. Also in the same unit I could have a 12 volt charger to charge batteries. Once I come back I will just have a really buffed up battery backup ready to use. I am going to use two small computer cases , industrial drawer handles , rolling casters ect. These are the donors. The idea is to power a few laptops / net books all day which are wattage anyways.

By jstarne1 Mar 2013 — Last update Mar 2013

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jstarne1

PRO

USA

#1 Mar 2013

OK just doing a bit of test fitting here... This is the 12 volt 9ah SLA. The standard battery backup uses a 12v 7ah but the same size and shape. It appears I can get 4 or 5 of these batteries lined up on the bottom. Perhaps I could do a second row above them too which is 10 batteries for 90ah of power. That's 1080 watt hours. I may only do one row. I don't want this to be so heavy I can't pick it up without throwing my back out lol. Each battery is 6 pounds.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#2 Mar 2013

I have the guts to a 600 watt APC backup and a 12v source to 12v battery charger. Now I need some Velcro straps to hold batteries down and wheels to put on the bottom and two heavy duty handles for the top.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#3 Mar 2013

When I get back this could be an excellent backup supply for the smart fish tank system. Twice the power has gone out since January so a backup is nice.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#4 Mar 2013

OK tonight I'm going by LOWES to get a couple heavy duty steel handles and 4 low profile caster wheels. I don't want to carry this guy everywhere. I already have the 600 watt inverter guts but I may upgrade to a 1200 watt inverter since I can get a discount at shields electronics. That would be 1200 watt continuous rating too. Tripp lite brand. If anyone has suggestions for this mobile power source I'm using for the maker faire let me know

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#5 Mar 2013

Looking at handles like this...

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#6 Mar 2013

OK I have more batteries , it appears I can easily fit 4 batteries across the bottom and keep from front USB connections ( which I'm considering for charging my phone and other 5v USB stuff) but I could fit 5 across otherwise.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#7 Mar 2013

Here is the guts if the 600 watt APC. Simple right? I will just need to hookup outlets in the back of the case.

I will mount this as high and out of the way as possible...

The transformer looks like it would fit well in the 3.5 inch HD caddy.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#8 Mar 2013

OK I'm epoxying the wheels tot he bottom of the case. Once its dry I will predrill the holes and feed machine screws from the inside out and secure with a nut.

I went with these heavy duty door pulls rated at 150 pounds , they are rolled steel and light for their size. I like the ergonomic feel that they have with no sharp edges.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#9 Mar 2013

I gave the case a flat brown base all over the case.

I'm letting Alequa come up with a pattern for the portable battery power supply. He's still using the same colors though.

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#10 Mar 2013

I know the color of a project has little to do with functionality but I always go for style points lol.... Next step , tan coat and cutting out a desert camp template. This is meant to match my snake skin battle bot

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#11 Mar 2013

jstarne1

PRO

USA

#12 Mar 2013

So far so good . I'll make a nicer stencil and detail it up tommorow. I will be making an identical battery backup for the fish tank but it will be black.