Milk crate power station

I used a milk-crate instead of a solid box as the former provides lots of airflow to keep the inverter cool. I bought the most expensive components for this build off of an auction website for super-cheap. The entire circuit uses 10 AWG copper stand wire. I have a 30 amp fuse inside the battery box for short-circuit protection. Battery has a built-in battery-management system (BMS) as well. I keep the battery charged with an LiFePO4 charger I bought for my ebike years ago. The milk crate power station is capable of 250 Watts continuous power with 400 Watts peak power.

Components list:

  • Inverter: Victron Energy Pure Sine Wave Inverter 12 VDC/250 Volt-Amp (used)
  • Juggernaut Storage (brand) 24 quart plastic milk crate (new)
  • Deka / East Penn group U1 battery box (new)
  • Inventus Power rechargeable 12.8 VDC/ 51.2 AH LiFePO4 healthcare battery (used)
  • 10AWG copper strand wire (leftover) from other projects.
  • Automotive ATC 30 amp fuse and fuse-holder using 10 AWG wire.
Portable milke crate power station energizing an AC powered desk light.
Three-quarter view from top looking down of the portable milk crate power station.
Top-down view of portable milk crate power station.
Side view of inverter's A/C receptacle.