A man has reportedly powered his home for eight years with a system using more than 1,000 recycled laptop batteries. This DIY project, based on the use of electronic waste, has, according to the builder, worked continuously for eight years without the need to replace a single battery. He devised this system long ago, and it has been sufficient for powering his home independently of the electrical grid.
How Does This DIY Power System Work?
The project began in November 2016, when the creator, known by the alias Glubux on online forums, began sharing his plans in the Second Life Storage community. From the outset, his goal was clear: to generate energy for his home without relying on the grid, using a combination of solar panels and recycled batteries.
In its early stages, it used a basic 1.4 kW solar panel system, along with an old 24V 460Ah forklift battery, charge controllers, and a 3 kVA inverter. However, its vision was to expand the system beyond its initial setup.
The centerpiece of the system is reportedly more than 1,000 secondhand laptop batteries. For many, old computer batteries are considered waste, but for Glubux, they represented an opportunity to create an independent and renewable energy source.
Reusing these batteries demonstrates the potential of giving electronic waste a second life — a sector in which less than a quarter of global e-waste is properly collected and recycled.
The system started modestly, but over time, Glubux added more recycled batteries. According to his account, the installation eventually grew from a small setup to a self-powered system consisting of 650 batteries at an intermediate stage.
This growth required building a separate warehouse, about 50 meters from his home, to store batteries and new charge controllers and inverters. The warehouse became a workshop where he assembled battery packs, grouping them to create blocks with a capacity of approximately 100 Ah each.
Initially, battery discharge rates were uneven due to differences in the cells, causing some to drain faster than others. The solution, according to Glubux, was to rearrange and adjust the cells for more efficient operation. He even began disassembling entire laptop batteries, removing individual cells and organizing them into custom racks — a labor-intensive task key to making the system work effectively.
How This System Has Lasted Eight Years
Remarkably, the project has reportedly continued operating uninterruptedly. Over eight years, the builder claims that not a single battery cell has needed replacement, a notable achievement given the experimental nature of the system.
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Over time, the solar panel system was expanded. The current setup reportedly features 24 solar panels, each measuring 440W, allowing sufficient power generation even during colder months.
Despite being unconventional, with recycled and homemade components, no major problems such as fires or swollen batteries have been reported, according to Glubux. The system continues to supply his home’s electricity and supports appliances like a washing machine.
Story Sources: Second Life Storage, TechSpot, Digit.in, Supercar Blondie