VE6AB Technical

30 Caliber Power Can

I'm in my local surplus outlet when I see these cute little 30 caliber ammo cans. So there's no way that I can't take one home, and that's exactly what I do, although at that point what I plan on doing with it I'm not sure.

Several weeks later I still hadn't figured out what I was going to do with it, when looking at it for the fiftieth time, I have a eureka moment. I know, I say to myself....I'll build a small 12 volt power pack out of it.

In no time flat I have the parts rounded up that are required to build it, including a small 12 AH sealed gel battery, and soon building is underway in my shop.

The circuitry that's part of this power pack includes the series of LED's that are embedded in the lid, and upon pressing the momentary contact switch, the LED's indicate the level of charge of the battery from discharged to fully charged.
These same LED's also indicate the level of charge while charging is underway, including when full charge is reached.

This small power-pack is more than capable of not only powering your favorite HT or charging it, but it will also charge the batteries in your cellphone or any other devices.

Since the photo was shot, I have added a 12 volt power socket to the side of my power can, just above my Kenwood D72 in this photo.

Of course I couldn't shoot a photo of my 30 caliber power-can without adding a few sundre items, and that included my favorite flashlight that normally resides in my chest-harness shown here as well.
This flashlight is US Military issue, and is quite possibly the most versatile military light in the world. Twenty flashlights in one! Each LED features 4 levels of output intensities: Low (5%), Medium (20%), Medium-High (50%), High (100%) plus a Strobe function (100%) and has a multitude of choices for the type of light beam that is emitted. including the blue light beam as seen in this photo.

I have to say that I'm pleased with how my 30 Cal power-can turned out, and its perfect for the times I don't need the use of my 75 AH power-pack.

30 Caliber Power Can under the hood....

http://www.jerryclement.ca/HamRadio/HamRadio/i-R3bPNpH

If you have a surplus ammo can (whatever the size), and don't know what to use it for besides my idea, here are some other ideas you can use it for.....

1.First aid kit
2.72-hour bug out kit
3.Use to wash clothes
4.Take the lid off for use as a fire box or stove
5.Food storage
6.Cooler
7.Heat water
8.Safe
9.Gather water
10.Burial cache
11.Space, tent or shelter heater
12.Oven
13.Spare parts storage
14.Spare car battery and jumper cables storage
15.Car jack
16.Ham radio and equipment storage
17.Nails, screws and other small item container
18.Kindling, tinder and matches container
19.Flares, gun powder and other flammable item storage
20.Emergency fishing kit and tackle box
21.Grease, oil, lubrication and other liquids container
22.Rain gear storage
23.Waterproof document storage
24.Precious metal and coins cache
25.Make charcoal
26.Make a field shower
27.Emergency cooking supplies storage
28.HAZ-MAT waste container
29.Since they are thin and stackable use to store bug-in preps in an apartment
30.Emergency repair kit—paracord, hammer, zip ties, superglue, patches, etc.—storage
31.Battery storage
32.Butane and propane canister and lighter fluid storage
33.Seed storage

Click on the photo for a closer look.....

Emergency Preparedness - The First 72 Hours.....

http://ve6ab.blogspot.ca/2013/09/advanced-survival-bug-out-vehicle.html

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