Powerbox Build Party - Anchorage

Is this for AK folks only, or would you be willing to put together a kit and ship to the lower 48?  If so, what's the cost for the kit and shipping, plus your time?

Is this for AK folks only, or would you be willing to put together a kit and ship to the lower 48?  If so, what's the cost for the kit and shipping, plus your time?

Great question SumpNZ.   I am doing this on a local basis for now - to take care of those I fish with first.  So that means buying rolls of wire, and bags of 100 or more crimps to get the cost down a bit, and then have a party to get the builds together.    I'd love to think it could be more of a small business, but I am not currently set up to do that yet.   If I thought there would be a market for the boxes in the broader community I could probably get them made up for something like $130 each, *no SLA battery*, plus shipping (USPS medium flat rate box to US destination about $13).   If I thought I could sell hundreds of them.... well, could probably drop that even farther.  It's the kind of thing that if I set up for it I could get the time to build down a fair bit, maybe sell on e-bay to test the market, but the cost of labor to do many of these kind of puts it higher than I am guessing most kayaker would want to slap down?   [There are basic cheap-and-cheerful DIYs out there for a lot less - I just wanted all the cadillac features for camping, recharging my VHF, etc.]

Having said all that, once my local community has what they need I'd be happy to either send a kit or build one up if I have enough panels.   

Send me a PM please when you're done with this project and let me know. 

Is this for AK folks only, or would you be willing to put together a kit and ship to the lower 48?  If so, what's the cost for the kit and shipping, plus your time?

Great question SumpNZ.   I am doing this on a local basis for now - to take care of those I fish with first.  So that means buying rolls of wire, and bags of 100 or more crimps to get the cost down a bit, and then have a party to get the builds together.    I'd love to think it could be more of a small business, but I am not currently set up to do that yet.   If I thought there would be a market for the boxes in the broader community I could probably get them made up for something like $130 each, *no SLA battery*, plus shipping (USPS medium flat rate box to US destination about $13).   If I thought I could sell hundreds of them.... well, could probably drop that even farther.  It's the kind of thing that if I set up for it I could get the time to build down a fair bit, maybe sell on e-bay to test the market, but the cost of labor to do many of these kind of puts it higher than I am guessing most kayaker would want to slap down?   [There are basic cheap-and-cheerful DIYs out there for a lot less - I just wanted all the cadillac features for camping, recharging my VHF, etc.]

Having said all that, once my local community has what they need I'd be happy to either send a kit or build one up if I have enough panels.

The kit sounds like a great project, even if I'd need to supply my own "small bits" such as crimp connectors, wire, etc...

... and who needs instructions? 

If you decide shipping a leftover kit south in a baggie is OK, I'll even take pictures or video putting it together.  Just PM me if it comes to that.

Regardless, have fun on build day!

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?

I missed this question before - until recently I had been charging by opening the  box and connecting directly to the battery.   I bought a spare male cable end a few weeks back, and have now wired it to my black and decker battery charger.   The output in the B&D charger is less than 3 AMPS, so I can charge either of my boxes without opening by connecting to the FF output -- back through the 3A fuse for same.   If you have a hi- AMP charger this would not work for you, but as you mention you could wire a battery charger to a cigarette lighter plug and do it that way.   The cigarette sockets generally are rated to 6, 10, or more amps, so could handle a higher charge current with the right fuse in place.

post-scipt nfor Low_Sky:  your kit is ready.   Pic below has panel colors.  Pick one and let me know.  Dark walnut, teak color, or clearcoat.   All have at least 2 coats of clearcoat.

Checking in to see if/when this will happen for us lucky enough to be local!  I'm hoping,  now it's after the new year... (please,  please)...

Checking in to see if/when this will happen for us lucky enough to be local!  I'm hoping,  now it's after the new year... (please,  please)...

I was a bit delayed on the panel cutting, so definitely has to be after the new year - I have a bit of travel planned with family, so it's looking more like mid/late January. 

If you want to come, great, I have the panels, just have to get the rest of the bits on order for you.   As of now I could plan for weekend of the 16/17, 23/24, or 30/31, the latter two are slightly better - lets me get myself organized after my travels.   Michilutiq - how you connect is the main 'option' - will PM you with the differences if you can make  a January date.

That dark walnut looks good to me!

Barring Unforeseen events,  I an make any of the above.  I am very interested in this!

OK -

Looks like no fishing for me the next few weekends, so I'll be in Anchorage.   Available dates to build are still 23rd, 24th, and 31st of the month.   23/24 is just enough time to get parts on order for you Michilutik - check your messages and let me know if you want me to order in for you.   

Last call and date choices - how is everyone for that weekend of 23/24- as of right now I can do either date and have time to get any extra parts shipped in.    Will re-send info and contact # by PM as well.   

I'm in...if I am around.  Always can use power....

Pretty cool deal.  Thanks man.

I would be interested in joining you on the 23 or 24 if you have room for one more.  Let me know, thanks. -Eric

23rd confirmed, 2PM, my place.   Contact details and address went out by PM to folks I have confirmed.   Anyone else at this point won't have parts but if you PM me and bring beer or a snack you can swing around and tell your best fish tales anyway....

I'll put a camera out and we can see about getting some pictures into my file, and as a closer for this thread.   I'll also use them to update the how-to for the updated build / kit list / instructions that will go up in a couple weeks. 

This'll be great timing since my ribs still aren't healed enough to shift a kayak around....

Thanks for putting this together! Good time, nice to chat with folks, and a sweet power box to boot!! Thanks again!!

Dan

Yes, great time, cant wait to try it out on the water.  Thanks again!