Never go to the hardware store with the munchies...you'll buy everything in sight. The local Harbor Frieght had a sale this week. When I finally left the store I had the beginings of my off the grid emergency back up system.

Here's what I bought:

2 Group 27 Deep Cycle Marine Batteries
1 Battery Box
1 Black and Decker 750 Watt Power Invertor (1500 watt surge)
1 Black and Deck Battery Maintenance Charger (selectable 1 or 2 watt float charger w/auto shutoff)

* Three 15 watt solar panels
* 1 Charge Contoller
* 3, 6, 9, 12 volt DC adapter outlets
* Easy-to-read LED charge indicator
* Includes mounting hardware,
2 5 watt 12V lights,
12V socket and battery clamps

Plus 1 backpack solar panel with various adaptors

Somebody please keep me out of the hardware store. wink


"The time for war has not yet come, but it will come and that soon, and when it does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard." Gen. T.J. Jackson, March 1861