I'm looking to build a hunting stand for the fall in a cold northern area. The stand will be about 8' x 4' and elevated 10-12' off the ground. I'd like to avoid electrifying it and am considering a DIY solar setup. My must-haves include a phone charger, LED light strip, a small space heater or something similar, a non-WiFi camera, and some extra power for future needs. Should I go for a full solar array with batteries and an inverter, or would a portable power station with solar recharging work just as well? Any advice would be really helpful!
3 Answers
Just a heads-up: your small space heater is going to draw a lot of power. While a phone charger and LED lights use around 25 watts combined, a small heater could draw anywhere from 750 to 1500 watts. A decent solar generator (like around 1000wh) will only power that heater for a couple of hours. You might want to consider insulation and explore electric blankets for efficiency.
You might want to consider adding a Chinese diesel heater if heat is a priority; it can really keep things warm. Just don't forget earplugs for the deer since it can be loud!
Haha, that's a fair point! Those heaters do make some noise.
Have you thought about using an electric blanket instead? It's super efficient for staying warm while hunting. I've used a 12v blanket while truck camping in really cold conditions—kept me nice and toasty until temps dropped into single digits. A second blanket on top helps retain the heat too!
Definitely a good call! Those blankets can be a lifesaver when it's chilly.
Yeah, the Ecoflow Wave 2 is a cool option, but just keep in mind it'll still be limited without good insulation.