Inexpensive Devices That I Use Living Off Grid
I have extensively used all of the following devices for over a year with the exception of the MPPT charge controller which I just recently purchased but so far I like the results I have seen using it.
Many of these devices are sold by 'fly by night' online retailers so although I have included links to them those links may eventually quit working so I also included the search term to use to find them yourself. I am only listing the Ebay listings for them but they can be found on many online retail sites and again I recommend using the search term I provide to do so. One last thing to mention about the retailers is that the prices can vary widely so it is worth it to do some comparison shopping to find the cheapest price and shipping options.
I am in no way shape or form affiliated with the sellers of these items nor the online stores the links in this article lead to.
Also remember the golden rule that 'You get what you pay for'. This stuff is cheap!
- #1
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) 12/24 Volt solar charge controller that has two USB ports.
It comes in multiple versions based on it's Amp rating so shop accordingly!
Search term for this item: 100A MPPT Solar Panel Regulator Charge Controller 12V/24V Auto Focus Tracking
- #2
A PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) 12/24 Volt solar charge controller.
Search term for this item: 20A 12V/24V Solar Panel Charge Controller Battery Regulator Safe Protection
- #3
A three in one marine grade 12/24 Volt female utility (cigarette lighter) port, voltage meter and two USB ports.
Search term for this item: 3-Port USB Car Cigarette Lighter LCD Display Digital Voltage Voltmeter Charger
- #4
A simple 12/24 Volt female utility (cigarette lighter) port.
Search term for this item: NS Cable Cigar Plug 12/24V Female Car Cigarette Adapter Socket Connector Lighter
- #5
A two USB port 3.1 Amp charger for 5 Volt devices like phones, tablets, battery packs, flashlights etc.
Search term for this item: 2 USB Port Car Charger Adapter 3.1A For iPhone 4 5 6 LG HTC Samsung Phone
- #6
A three USB port, voltage meter, 12 Volt female utility (cigarette lighter) port combination charger.
Search term for this item: 3-Port USB Car Cigarette Lighter LCD Display Digital Voltage Voltmeter Charger
- #7
An 18.5 Volt 3.5 Amp (65 Watt) netbook/laptop DC to DC charger.
Search term for this item: Car Charger Auto DC 18.5 V 3.5 A 65 W Adapter for Laptop PC NoteBook HP Compaq
- #8
A 12 Volt 6 Amp battery charger that runs off 120 Volt AC power.
Note: Sometimes I make more power from my solar than what I can store so I use an inverter and this charger to charge 12 Volt batteries that are not in my solar setup.
Search term for this item: LED 12V 6A 2A Car Motorcycle Smart Automatic Battery Charger Maintainer Trickle
- 9
A 20000mAh lithium-ion batery pack that has an LED light, two USB ports and a 12 Volt output.
Search term for this item: Perfect 12V 20000mAh Car Jump Starter Pack Booster Charger Battery Power Bank AM
- #10
45 Volt (maximum) 15 Amp Schottky blocking diodes.
Note: These are incredibly handy!
Search term for this item: 20x 45v 15a Axial Rectifier Blocking Diode High-Voltage Schottky Axial Rectifier
Some articles that I have written in the past that may be of interest:
How to fix broken glass on a solar panel: https://steemit.com/off-grid/@jacobpeacock/how-to-fix-broken-glass-on-a-solar-panel
Video explanation of how to fix broken solar panel glass: https://steemit.com/off-grid/@jacobpeacock/video-explanation-of-how-to-fix-broken-solar-panel-glass
A simple spring water capture: https://steemit.com/off-grid/@jacobpeacock/a-simple-spring-water-capture
A few Android Apps that I find helpful living off grid: https://steemit.com/homesteading/@jacobpeacock/a-few-android-apps-that-i-find-helpful-living-off-grid
Basics For 12 Volt Electric Generation The Easy Way: https://steemit.com/diy/@jacobpeacock/basics-for-12-volt-electric-generation-the-easy-way
Twin Micro Hydro Turbine Generator: https://steemit.com/diy/@jacobpeacock/twin-micro-hydro-turbine-generator
Devices For Off-Grid Electricity Generation: https://steemit.com/homesteading/@jacobpeacock/devices-for-off-grid-electricity-generation
Simple Off Grid Communication Options: https://steemit.com/off-grid/@jacobpeacock/simple-off-grid-communication-options
Some of what I learned recently doing passive gravity fed water systems: https://steemit.com/homesteading/@jacobpeacock/some-of-what-i-learned-recently-doing-passive-gravity-fed-water-systems
How To Build A Simple Check Valve: https://steemit.com/diy/@jacobpeacock/how-to-build-a-simple-check-valve
A downloadable wealth of information about how to do things: https://steemit.com/homesteading/@jacobpeacock/a-downloadable-wealth-of-information-about-how-to-do-things
Don't homestead if...: https://steemit.com/homesteading/@jacobpeacock/don-t-homestead-if
Two of my favorite signs to dissuade trespassers: https://steemit.com/homesteading/@jacobpeacock/two-of-my-favorite-signs-to-dissuade-trespassers
My first seventeen days on Steemit & D.Tube....Has it really been 'worth' it?: https://steemit.com/steemit/@jacobpeacock/my-first-seventeen-days-on-steemit-and-d-tube-has-it-really-been-worth-it
My first month using Steemit & Dtube: A Crude Analysis: https://steemit.com/steemit/@jacobpeacock/my-first-month-using-steemit-and-dtube-a-crude-analysis
Two months of using D.Tube and Steemit...Thoughts and Reflections: https://steemit.com/steem/@jacobpeacock/two-months-of-using-d-tube-and-steemit-thoughts-and-reflections
Formating a video for D.Tube with an Android device: https://steemit.com/dtube/@jacobpeacock/formating-a-video-for-d-tube-with-an-android-device
Oh No! I drank the DTube Kool-Aid!!!: https://steemit.com/dtube/@jacobpeacock/oh-no-i-drank-the-dtube-kool-aid