Powerbox Build Party - Anchorage

OK -

I think I heard from enough folks to pull together a Powerbox build party in Anchorage.  Need to keep the plan simple, lets do this like a barbecue or a pot-luck on a Saturday or Sunday.   You'll have to give up a day on the water, and I'll need folks to bring beer and edibles.   I'll put up some tables and tool selections in the garage for the day, and can lay out a couple of the early boxes as examples. 

For various reasons I'll need to pull this together before the holidays - so either no later than the 22nd of NOV or after the new year.   The key item for an earlier date is the panels, which I hope to have in hand by Nov 7th or 8th, if that falls through we are either postponing or jig-sawing cutting boards, personally I like the coated wood panels from the rework I did on the prototype 1 - see pic below.

Materials:  Some of the items we will need are best bought in 3 packs or 5 packs, rolls of wire, (etc) for best economy.   So - I will propose that at least for these items I will buy in advance.   I am happy to order a full kit (no SLA) for folks also, but if you want me to do that I'll need to ask for parts money up front, and shipping time has been running something like 6 to 8 days, so the more notice the better.   To keep this simple, and use the panel design, the assumption is that everyone will build for an 8AH SLA in a Survivor dry box. 

SO - this is it.   An excuse for a party, and a cool way to get together and get something other than a hangover or frostbite out of it.   You can post interest and preferred dates to the forum, and contact info you want to keep more private you can message me. 

I'll post now to get a list of names, and then amend the post with a good estimate of parts cost, but it'll be roughly 65$ plus SLA.  (Note picture below of orange box shows battery monitor with extra pb switch, adds $20, so most will likely be the voltmeter style like the green box)

Let me know who's down for this, and we'll fix a date.

I'm in, told I can have a kitchen pass.  Woohoo!!!

If you pm your address I'll send a check for the kit. I'm not sure that I would make the commute but would like the parts.
 I'm experimenting on the fly tying bench and will send some as party favors to try this winter.

If you pm your address I'll send a check for the kit. I'm not sure that I would make the commute but would like the parts.
 I'm experimenting on the fly tying bench and will send some as party favors to try this winter.

PM Sent - I'll swap you assembly service for some flies for sure.  See PM for choice on how you want to cable up to the box.

Option 1:  Switchcraft connectors, female connector mounted to outside of box, with rubber cover.   Male connector supplied for soldering to your FF wiring, a second for Solar panel if you want.

Option 2:  We buy paired male and female waterproof cable kits (about 10" long each side) and bring the female cable end through the dry box wall using a cable gland (Saves a few bucks).   One half of the cable pair hangs off box as a tail, and the other half gets crimped to your FF wiring  (no soldering). 

I'll go with your experience and option 1 with a third connector since I could mount it to my present box in my wife's Outback next year . I'll also put in a few more days at the bench and send flies.

Hi All -
Got a couple responses, but that's it, so if you have interest in getting together to make a powerbox please let me know.  I should have some of the wood panels in hand late this week, and will coat them liberally with clear coat.

AKFishin and jmbx2ditto - I have the parts in hand now for yours, and I'll send you a PM to arrange a time to make / get them to you sooner if the 'party' idea flops or gets put off to the new year.

Let me know guys.

I am planning on re-doing my battery box soon. I would be all over this if I lived in Anchorage. I hope you can get enough people interested to make a shin-dig of it!

I'm ok waiting.  No rush for me.

OK - Progress ! 

I have a bag with 12 of the fabricated panel/bezel templates cut.  They need sanding and sealing, but the mill has run them out for me.   I need to land some beer on the guy who helped me amend the file and whose mill we used - but they turned out great!

So - time to get my list of folks finalized, and parts on hand, pick a date.   Since time is limited between T-day and Xmas I could do 5th Dec. or ... after the new year.    I'll get the cut pieces sanded, and then try staining one to see how it looks in a darker finish, and post a picture of that as well, but it's really just down to ordering the boxes and bits for the folks who want in on this.   

Ive got a few solid responses, a couple checks, but if any of you all want to pile on to get one, I still have 8 or 9 of the first run panels un-spoken-for.   Let me know.   Low-Sky - if you are interested we could probably get one made for you even if you can't make it on the day.

I'd be interested in a parts kit if you're down to put one together for me.  I'm not planning on having my truck in the city any time soon, so we'd be looking at mailing to Soldotna or having someone carry it down here for me on the next Plastic Navy cruise.

Please feel free to PM me to hash out the details! Thanks!

I could do a second box there.... If there are spare panels.

AKRider, I dropped a check in the mail for you this morning. I think it'd be fun to put the kit together myself (I have the tools and know-how), but if you need a build party demonstration unit you can go ahead and use mine if needed.

Thanks for putting this whole thing together for everybody. Good karma!

I have it on my 'some day' list to update a how-to on the build, and if I do that I'll update the other post or pop it into the drilling and cutting forum and let you all know.   Sounds like good work for the dark days of winter, or we can take a few pictures as we go along at the party.   

As of today I have 10 extra panels beyond those reserved so far.  One of them is stained a dark brown, but I think I like the lighter color better.  When those run out, I'll have a printable template drawing or scan of one of the new wood panels in the how-to packet when I finish it, for those who might want to make one out of plastic or other material.   

I am going to surface sand the panels, and put some spar urethane on 5 or 6 - at least two clear coats to seal them well.   Low-Sky - I can clear coat yours, send you the dark panel, or send an uncoated panel in the kit whichever you prefer, same for others who have responded.   If others want to build here at the event, better to have the panel stained (if desired) and coated prior to, which I am happy to do for you.

If you're doing a batch of clear coat panels, whip one up for me too, please!

How are you charging your battery with this box? My current charger has alligator clips that I attach to the 2-flat trailer connector on my battery box dongle.  Are you disconnecting the spade connectors and charging straight on the battery terminals, or do you have a plug on your charger going to the panel connector or 12v accessory receptacle?

great stuff Bob.  I haven't been out in 3 weeks fishing. the world is coming to an end....unless I get out this week.....