7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Fri May 26, 2017 2:09 pm

flboy wrote:I was just looking back on your thread and noticed the questions on the blackwater and gray water holding tanks. I was lucky and found some the were 15 inches wide by 72 inches long and about ~24 gallons each that came out of an old truck camper. They were a perfect between the 16 inch on center floor joists. If you could find something like that, it may work out for you. Especially on the gray water. It may be hard on the blackwater given your floorplan since the toilet has to go over the tank somewhere. Following is what I did if it gives you some ideas. The time to install then is before you start building inside. The easy way to mount them is with the floor out, but can be done with the floor in from below if you can jack the trailer up so you could work under there. This was easiest for me at the time.

Keep searching E-bay and etc. or maybe find an RV graveyard... I bet you could get what you need cheaply from there.


viewtopic.php?f=42&t=65498&start=150


I've been thinking alot about order of operations. I think it makes sense to insulate the roof and walls, then probably run the electricity, then do the plumbing and tanks, then insulate the floor and then everything else. I really want to make sure I get the key systems right. I'm still on the fence to of installing the tanks under the trailer or in it. I think once I can measure the trailer and tear it down, it'll help me decide that. If I do go under, I will mount them when I have the floor out.

I also have been looking at my budget, and I think i'm changing my floor plan based off that. I want to keep my budget at $10,000 or less. I'm at $4762 with everything i've bought including the trailer. So I think I can buy one of those corner showers from Home depot and put it in the v-nose on one half. Then put the toilet on the wall. So many decisions to make...lol
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby McDave » Sat May 27, 2017 1:05 am

I have always had very good service with Amazon and Ebay. If you use Paypal you have another guarantee and Visa gives yet another. I have also had outstanding service with a online company named VIDA XL.com. They are similar to Ebay as you can bid on items or purchase outright. Fantastic customer service dept. and very responsive to e-mails and 24/7 toll free phone. I have found that with any of these companies if you suspect there may be shipping damage because the box is crushed etc., take pics. of the box before you open it, and the contents and any damage and report it immediately. They will almost always start to process a new shipment right there. And often it is not worth the cost of shipping etc. for them to have you return the items. Plus they know you will remember them and spread the good word, that's the kind of advertising money just can't buy.

Glad it's working out well for you.

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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Sat May 27, 2017 9:33 am

McDave wrote:I have always had very good service with Amazon and Ebay. If you use Paypal you have another guarantee and Visa gives yet another. I have also had outstanding service with a online company named VIDA XL.com. They are similar to Ebay as you can bid on items or purchase outright. Fantastic customer service dept.

McDave


I've never heard of vidaxl.com. I'm gonna check them out. I'm very happy with Amazon.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Sun May 28, 2017 11:18 am

So I picked up my battery bank today from batteries plus. I was looking for GC2, but the didn't have these. I went with another flavor which are EGC2 which have a vew more amp hours but is suppossed to be just like GC2. I bought 4 of these. I was supprised at the size and weight of these, I thought golf batteries were small. Not the case, these weight about 60 pounds each and are kinda big.

148509
148510
148508

This rounds out my solar system.

- 4 Renogy 100W Panels
- 4 EGC2 6v Duracell Batteries - 460 AH
- Renogy 40A Rover MPPT Charge Controller
- Renogy 1000W off-grid pure sine inverter

One thing i'm curious about is if there is a way to wire up the few AC appliances with the PD4045KV where they will use shore power if available, but then switch to the inverter if not? It would be ideal if the appliance could use the same outlet. Anyone know if there is a way to do this?
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby John61CT » Sun May 28, 2017 11:33 am

jr9744 wrote:One thing i'm curious about is if there is a way to wire up the few AC appliances with the PD4045KV where they will use shore power if available, but then switch to the inverter if not? It would be ideal if the appliance could use the same outlet. Anyone know if there is a way to do this?

Great stuff!

Many inverters have a transfer switch built-in, but if you are doesn't here are the stand-alone options from Progressive Dynamics:

http://www.progressivedyn.com/transfer_relays.html
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Sun May 28, 2017 12:01 pm

John61CT wrote:Great stuff!

Many inverters have a transfer switch built-in, but if you are doesn't here are the stand-alone options from Progressive Dynamics:

http://www.progressivedyn.com/transfer_relays.html


Awesome, this is exactly what I was looking for! I'm going to return my Renogy 1000w Sine Converter and find one that includes a transfer switch. Any suggestions on any that are good? I randomly picked 1000 watts because I won't have many things running while offshore. But open to others if it makes sense.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby John61CT » Sun May 28, 2017 12:14 pm

I thought the PD4045KV was an inverter already?

Top inverter-charger makers are Magnum, Vanner, Victron, MasterVolt.

Lots of super-cheap Chinese stuff at a fraction the price of good stuff, some say Bestek is OK?

Avoid Xantrex unless cheap on eBay.


other threads

https://www.google.com/search?&q=site%3 ... fer+switch
Last edited by John61CT on Sun May 28, 2017 12:54 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Sun May 28, 2017 12:29 pm

John61CT wrote:I thought the PD4045KV was an inverter already?
http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3At ... +inverter+"transfer+switch"


You may be right. Let me read the manual and research this some.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Sun May 28, 2017 12:45 pm

jr9744 wrote:
You may be right. Let me read the manual and research this some.


So yeah, the PD4045KV does not take 12V and convert it to 120 AC V when not plugged in. I couldn't find this in the manual, but it was asked on Amazon and the answer was no.

Question: Do these units and other simular ones like the wfco and others provide 120v power when not plugged into a 120v source like a normal inverter
Answer: No. This panel distributes incoming shore 120VAC, and converts that 120VAC to 12VDC to charge your system and also has a number of fused DC output circuits.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby John61CT » Sun May 28, 2017 12:58 pm

Personally I would get separate distribution panel and quality high-amp charger.

If you're not sure of your need for an inverter, hold off until you are, research the market, standing eBay searches etc.

Almost everything can go direct off DC, little DCDC converters are cheap and very efficient.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby Padilen » Sun May 28, 2017 1:00 pm

A converter converts AC (120 volt) to DC (12 volt). I believe with some you do not need to have a battery.
An inverter takes DC to AC, since I do not have one I do not know it a battery is needed.
Amazon is not the place I'd look for answers. If search function works for you search on this forum for help. But some will still have different opinions.



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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby McDave » Mon May 29, 2017 9:03 am

How much inverted A/C would you really need? Refrig, and ?... I have a small inverter, but haven't used it in years. My Norcold 12/120 frig has it's own inverter. I can't think of anything else, but I have a generator, no solar, yet. I think the Morningstar MPPT had XFR Switch built in. I'm really just learning solar, so I'll differ to someone with real experience.

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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Mon May 29, 2017 9:14 am

John61CT wrote:Personally I would get separate distribution panel and quality high-amp charger.

If you're not sure of your need for an inverter, hold off until you are, research the market, standing eBay searches etc.

Almost everything can go direct off DC, little DCDC converters are cheap and very efficient.


Yeah, i'm going to have to research a little more and think this one through. I agree though, if I purchase my appliances correctly, I can minimize the need for AC power while offshore.
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Mon May 29, 2017 9:16 am

Padilen wrote:A converter converts AC (120 volt) to DC (12 volt). I believe with some you do not need to have a battery.
An inverter takes DC to AC, since I do not have one I do not know it a battery is needed.
Amazon is not the place I'd look for answers. If search function works for you search on this forum for help. But some will still have different opinions.



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I came across this electric solar diagram on this forum. The guy is just wiring up an inverter to his battery and then into his ac/dc distribution panel (pd5000). Could it be that easy?
http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=68407&start=30
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Re: 7x7x16 V Nose Cargo Trailer Conversion, First Build

Postby jr9744 » Mon May 29, 2017 9:23 am

McDave wrote:How much inverted A/C would you really need? Refrig, and ?... I have a small inverter, but haven't used it in years. My Norcold 12/120 frig has it's own inverter. I can't think of anything else, but I have a generator, no solar, yet. I think the Morningstar MPPT had XFR Switch built in. I'm really just learning solar, so I'll differ to someone with real experience.

McDave


Yeah, the main things I will need ac power is for these things when i'm offshore:
- Laptop, monitors, 1.4 Amps
- Ecotemp tankless water heater - 2 Amps while in use
- Fridge, still have to buy one (Will look into one like yours that has an inverter already)
- Robot Litter box for cats. Have to measure with killawatt
- TV .5 Amps
- Xbox .8 Amps
- Electric kettle for coffee water in am - need to measure

I think these are the main things. And I won't be using these things 24/7 while offshore. So I don't think i'll have a massive need for AC power while offshore, but will definitely need some.

The pure sine converters seem so expensive though. And I feel like it makes the electric system more complex. I'll have to really think this through. I do have a 300 W Bestek inverter that I maybe can just use temporarily until I figure it all out.
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