I am a solar newbie

I want to create a few solar panels that I can charge my APC battery with. (Garrison 400W Back-Up Power System)

What do I need and how should I build it

It needs to be somewhat easy to transport in my car.

appreciate the help
thanks

What type of car do you have? Is the idea to have a secondary battery in your vehicle? Why charge a backup power system as opposed to getting a decent deep cycle battery which will give you a longer battery/power life?

An APC battery backup system likely only receives power through AC. Solar panels are DC. You'll lose power through the conversion. You're better off using a deep cycle battery with some panels that are regulated through a charge controller. You can always connect an inverter to it to convert the stored DC power from your batter to AC (for devices that require plugs). You can have the same setup through a much more efficient system. Why limit your self to solar? My VW which runs on used vegetable oil (coolness) has as alternator where the compressor used to be. That means I have a second spot for a second alternator. In intend on connecting one next spring with a series of batteries in the trunk for a separate emergency power system. And, if need be, an isolator switch to allow me to start the car in the event the original car battery dies. Have you considered looking at modifying your car so that you can charge the system while you're driving?

Give me a clearer picture of what you're trying to accomplish and I'll assist you.

some good intel there

I am now interested in your car project 🙂

originally I just wanted to utilize this apc on the go , not for the car itself.

but what you are doing sounds more interesting, I take it it would work with a vw bus or a vagabond?

I also don't know the reason for the APC in the car, but it can convert power to 110 volt and be rigged into the cars system by using the same mod I did here http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=5333 . The reasons I did this is mentioned in the thread and the idea I like best is to use what we already have for more than it's sole purpose. It could also be charged by the car while providing 110 volt power but obviously not help in starting the car.

If your transporting it in your car then you could just buy a battery isolator and the apc would be charged automatically whenever your car is running. You wouldn't need any bigger than number 4-6 wire. Good idea to have a bit of 120v in a car.