Will need
- To make a car wash we will need:
- 18650 series 3.7V lithium batteries;
- 12V high pressure water pump; 3.5 A; 110 PSI;
- Two position toggle button;
- Several nylon ties;
- A pair of hoses matching the diameter for the pump nozzles;
- Water container (trash can with lid);
- Garden sprayer.
The tool you will need is the simplest: a soldering iron with solder and flux, pliers, a knife and a hot glue gun.
We make a car wash
First of all, we prepare the battery for our device. We tin the contacts of lithium batteries with flux.We expose several copper wires from the insulation, and use them to connect in series the entire group of individual batteries into one.
Batteries with a voltage of 3.7 V (4.2 V when fully charged). We form 3 groups in series, and as a result we get approximately 12 V output.
We wrap the resulting battery with tape, leaving only two end contacts for connecting the consumer element.
We select the pump according to the voltage and current ratings from the battery. Despite its small size and low voltage (12 Volts), it is capable of pumping up to 6 liters of water per minute. Capable of creating a jet pressure of up to 7 bar.
This design is so compact that it fits in a small plastic food container. We place the compressor in it, and make markings along the edges of its housing.
Use a soldering iron to burn four holes to secure it with nylon ties.
One of the contacts leading from the pump to the batteries is connected through a toggle button. We burn a hole for it on the wall of the container and attach it with hot glue.
It's time to connect the hoses to the compressor. But first you need to make holes for them with a soldering iron in the container body. We choose a suitable place and burn them. We push the hoses through and secure them by hand to the compressor outlets.
They usually hold up well without additional clamps. We seal the holes in the body with hot glue.
The prefabricated battery, like any other, will need to be recharged. To do this, we cut a charging connector into the end wall of the container and connect it to the outgoing contacts of the battery.
Now is the time to attach the car wash to the water container. By choosing a regular bucket with a lid, you can easily do this.Using a soldering iron, we made several small holes in the corners and at the end of the container and secured it to the bucket lid with nylon ties.
We burn a hole for the water intake hose in the lid of the bucket with the same soldering iron.
We pass it through the plastic and lower it into the container. Cover the container with a lid. All that remains is to connect the garden sprayer to the outlet hose of the compressor.
We fill the bucket with water and try the washing machine in action.
As you can see, she copes with the task perfectly!
The pressure is enough to knock off fresh dirt.
Practical advice
At first glance, such an invention seems quite workable.
However, after a while, those who decide to repeat it will face some difficulties. Having chosen just such a prefabricated battery connection, it is customary to place Battery Management System (BMS). This is a small electronic module that regulates the ratings of individual batteries, output voltage, amperage, cooling of the cans, and continuously monitors their condition. Without it, such an assembly will not last long, since it is ensured that the individual charged elements are used unevenly, as well as their charge. In the absence of such a module, the battery life may decrease significantly.
Otherwise, this is quite a worthy creative work, which will provide an opportunity to keep your vehicle clean even in camping conditions.
