OverTheTopCargoTrailer 7 x 16

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Here we go a couple of quick pics of the new inverter

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Here is the 100 amp marine fuse that I am using, latter I will replace it with a larger 125 amp fuse

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I looped a little extra wire as I read somewhere that the hot & negative should be the same length approx.

So far It works great as a battery charger and I will do more testing with the ac slowly
I also noted that when the solar panels came on line - the power first was used from the MMPT 14.8 volts vs. the inverter charger at 14.5 volts
I could also tell testing a 85 watt fan ...that there was a difference in the sound,
will keep you guys posted.


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[droid_ca]

WOW this trailer never ceases to amaze

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Before you get to far have you tested your AC on that inverter? There are several threads floating around here on it.. Some things will work on MS inverter some things won't.. One guy just tested 3 differen't Window ACs with one MS inverter. Some worked better then others. I know you said you didn't care if the AC didn't last long. But you probably dont' want it louder then normal or using more power then its suppose to. If I remember right you only have one battery onboard? If so I would not run it very long at all for the test.

Ok 8ball

You gotta stop messing with me.... you almost gave me a stroke with all those ideas about that guys cheap ass Harbor Freight $100 inverter .....
The bottom line is that his comparison with that cheap inverter is a apple to orange comparison.....
window ac will work fine with a good quality "USA" made MSW inverter

I finally got around to a test of the 500 watt ac & she runs great, can't tell any difference really with a short 10 min test...
I did have a glitch after connecting the shore power to the inverter, as I disconnected the shore power to the inverter with the ac running
CRAP....everything went dark... Double Holly crap

NOW WHAT ??? .... its 8balls FAULT - Did I just fry a $5k solar system ?

Well it turns out that I only had a 75 amp fuse on the battery & the a/c knocked out that fuse - There goes $15.99
However the 100% fully solar powered dream AC - OTTCT is still alive and well

I did however notice a small screw up & could have ordered this model that is PSW Magnum MMS-1012 1000 watts for only a couple of bucks more

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/products.folder/inverter-folder/Magnum-MMS1012.html

Even with 1 panel 50% shaded at 4:30 pm - the solar panels were still pulling 200 watts...
Next step is to try test again at high noon "SOON"

Now that I also found my new "BUDDY ERIC" the electric engineer .....
dare I say "I have a dream" of kicking the solar up to 6 x 255 ie 1530 watts maybe ?

Now I know you guys might think by now I'm "a little Cucu in the Cabesa" but since I'm still working I sorta feel like I have a moral
obligation to help lubricate the economy with my little drop in the bucket spending SPREE !!
Last week I saw a house for $2.9 Mill 3,500 sq ft sold in 1 week , 2 offers for CASH -
My friend just dropped $95k on a new 200 sq ft kitchen - I'm a charlie lunch bucket compared to those guys
now those guys are CRAZY in my mind


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

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trailer and AC is now running 100% on SOLAR.... pictures are posted on my blog.



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[8ball_99]

Glad that inverter is working out for you.. I wasn't trying to scare you. I just know I've had somethings that will work normal on MSW inverters and some things that don't. Mine were not 100 dollar harbor freight units but they weren't 700 dollar ones either.. I know when I was shopping for one for my trailer I did a bunch of reading on RV forums and in general MS inverters are hit or miss with a lot of stuff. Like microwaves, LCD tvs, coffee makers, refridgerators, battery chargers, ect, ect. Thats why I bought a PSW inveter. But you bought your inverter to run one appliance not what every you might want to plug in like me. So as long as it runs your one appliance then you should be good to go. It just kind of confused me since you have all that solar why you would buy a inveter charger combo.. I know ever since I installed my solar I have removed the fuse between my onboard charger and the battery cause the solar easily keeps my batteries charged.. I just didn't figure you really needed to charge the trailer off of shore power anymore.

As far as my inverter being loud. Its not at all. It has one small 40mm fan on it. From a foot away you can't tell its running. Besides even if the fan was larger if I turn the inverter on what ever its running would be much louder. Kinda of like I'm sure your AC blowing Air would drown out even a honda generator running outside. I know mine does..

Did you mount your panels on the side wall of your trailer?

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

8ball

Sob Sob.....looks like the new panels wont ship till the 16th or latter.....
so I don't see anything being hooked up if maybe latter this month....

I sorta found & lost a guy "ERIC" who is really good with solar...
he works at the West Marine store part time "STRANGE" as he is an electrical engineer ?
I left a message for him to call if he wanted to make some $$$$ helping on my project...
Just 3 days ago he told me he was looking for work ???....I guess that was just some polite BS
Then another employee - told me good luck, eventhough he only works 1 day per week - he always turns down job offers

So go figure

I talked to some other looser at a trailer sales yard....He was toooooo STUPID to know that torson axels come from -22 to + 10 deg
He told me that all his axles have a 4" drop...that was the only kind there was
and wanted to tell me that the bad part was none had spindles that could be replaced...or adjusted
If all you doing is selling trailers ....then how can you not know JACK ??
I will have to study that some more, as I read somewhere they would be the better then regular axles .....
they also have 1/2 torsion axles ? if you have info on that subject let me know what to look for ?

Thanks

[bdosborn]

Why would you want to hire a EE when you can talk to one for free?

Bruce

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hi Bruce

I guess you have a good point .... thanks for the offer !!
Its just your a little far away .....
a hands on second opinion is always good if possible......

I'll draw up my new configuration for you to study when I get a chance
I would like to wire up the 6 panels in 3 strings 2 x 255 each. 4 on the roof & 2 on the side of the trailer , so that I can manually turn them on / off with a breaker
I would only be using all 6 panels when the sun is lower early morning <10 to charge Batteries or late afternoon > 3 pm to run ac,
as the charge controller is only good for 1250 watts at 12 volts...... 2500 watts at 24 volt batteries if I add more batteries.


Thanks Jerry

[A Plus MM]

...& 2 on the side of the trailer , so that I can manually turn them on / off with a breaker
I would only be using all 6 panels when the sun is lower early morning <10 to charge Batteries or late afternoon > 3 pm to run ac...

I don't have any solar experience but why not put the side mounted ones on hinges at the roof line so you could angle them to meet the sun most/all day? Not only that but I guess the panels could shade the CT a little too. I would just make sure the brackets will hold it in any wind or weather load. Just an idea.

Eric

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

My thoughts exactly

Go to this link below , bottom of the page and I'm talking about this option
and have pictures of a lock for the panels - that is used for sliding patio doors $12
allowing me to tilt out the panel & lock them down while driving.



http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=44951&start=105



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

YAHOOOOOOOOOO

I finally got this Avatar thing down, after shirking it 100 times

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Tomorrow is the big day .....

Solar panels are here & I will pick them up from the shipper

stay tuned for pictures

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Shipper came at 1:30 today to drop off 6 panels,
even though I had called to tell them I will get them from will call
Oh well less work for me

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http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[bdosborn]

Wow.

You're know in the "that's some serious $h1t" region of PV power.

Bruce

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Ok Bruce

Get to work with your EE degree .........

I was thinking to wire it up in 3 strings with 10 amp breaker per string ....or could also be 15 amp ?? JUST on the Positive wire
My main question was ? would it be a problem to disconnect or connect the panels under load with the 10 amp breaker ?

Most of the time I would only have the 4 roof panels powered up,
I would only add the side 2 panels during morning sunrise to charge batteries faster OR
late afternoon if I was running the a/c ....

ALWAYS being careful not to pull more then 1250 watts or 80 amps ....max Flexmax 80 charge controller rating allowed....

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Click on the above picture to enlarge

If you have a better plan feel free to let me know ??
Thanks for your help


P.S. Looking on my blog , I also posted the current wiring diagram

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/