OverTheTopCargoTrailer 7 x 16

[Badger]

Just curious , Why you didn't just go with a roof mount rv A/C unit ?

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Well that is really 5 or 6 reasons !!

Mainly I wanted everything to run 100% on solar - 99% say it can't be done ,
So there is the challenge. IM DOING IT It hasen't be easy OR CHEAP !!!

the smallest AC is 5,000 Btu window unit for $100

To start an AC - generally it requires 2-3x the power , so a 13,000 btu roof unit would take a min 4,000 watt inverter
My 5,000 btu unit uses 500 watts starts and runs good form my 1,500 MSW inverter or a small Honda gen set

So inverters & batteries costs lots of money & add lots of weight.
The smaller the AC the lower your costs are.


To run a gen set and make a KW of power costs at least $1 for gas only - excluding gen set cost !!
RV parking places cost $30 to $50 today , who knows what when 80 million boomers hit the road ?

The next big problem is heat load & insulation !!!! MEGA BIG PROBLEM
Generally you can't do a 7 x 18 parked in full sun at 101 deg - down to 80 or lower.
so I'm installing 3" foam, floor , roof, walls & doors - also not cheap :-(( or EASY

So it's been fun & it is possible - but the upfront COST is not cheap
Long run I think it will be a GRAND SLAM - I hope


Jerry

[Badger]

I see, I found a guy on youtube that has done a conversion thats seems to power all of his power hungry appliances including his roof mount A/C unit. [youtube]
RV Power converter to inverter conversion[/youtube] I was thinking of doing a similar setup , only with more panels and batteries . Have a look tell me what you think.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Send us the link !!

Found it !! Yea that guy is on CRACK - BORING , waste of 15 minutes.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEMghPY9UGs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Lots of BS , first his $400 - 3000 watt inverter is crap , my 1500 watt MSW - $900
Been there done that
Then even if he has 8,000 Btu roof AC , est use is 800 watts, it will suck his 450 amp hour battery dry in 3 - 4 hours or less
Besides NO WAY IN HELL his 8000 Btu AC cools 30 ft trailer in the sun at 100 deg.

He never says the size of his solar panels , but he would need min 1200 watts.

My system is at least $10k & I may be low balling you !!!
Besides I have ZERO WINDOWS - to much energy loss

Jerry

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Electric floor heating system


If any of you guys would like to install electric floor heating you can install a single wire
Exactly where you want it , the way you want it, without a mat
Below you can find all the info !!



http://www.flextherm.com/en_us/products

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

World record, most insulated trailer floor, no thermal breaks

Here is the finished floor , 3 layers of 3/4" Dow foam board & 1 layer of white plastic something ?? for $28 a panel from lowes

CLICK - to enlarge picture

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there is still another 1.5" layer of Blue Dow foam board coming for the walls,

OTTCT is ready for global warming

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above was the first 2 layers


Here is the new front flood light, don't sneak up on OTTCT 2.0

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[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

I moved the AC around again and built a new box installed across the top of my 32" door
NO HOLES IN THE EXTERIOR !!

Sorry I only posted pics to my blog with iphone, it's easier if your listening mike
All these ideas came from Shadow Catcher the first time around.

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Click below

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Here is my next trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFBmVTdDOho&feature=player_embedded

[A Plus MM]

Or this!
http://youtu.be/haO3YMAvIps

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Any bets today ?

I finally got around to putting the 5 panels on the roof, raised about 1" high , covering 85% of my roof surface,
Before the panels were up the interior roof temp was around 104 deg - when it was 78-80 outside full sun.

Any bets if that roof temp will go up or down ? Remember the panels are now shading 85% of my CT roof,
But those little suckers get pretty hot also, I bet they will hit maybe 120 deg in the sun at 80 exterior

So place your bets HIGHER OR. LOWER ??

BRUCE - I'm expecting you to win this & project the roof temp within 3 deg

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Brucee are you sick ? On vacation ?

I know a small problem like this cannot stump an expert like you
Do you need some hints ?


ANABODY ..?.?

[cornfused]

I'm guessing the roof will have a lower temp.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Bruce where are you ? I need you NOW !!


You would think logic would say that since your roof is shaded it would be cooler
Well it's not true, it's a vicious cycle of heat & more heat.

watch this, i'm getting more heat from the panels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpyv_kxmoI

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some shims to support the solar panels

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The VHB tape on the metal strip

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The attached metal strip

Jerry



http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Here is the final look

I now have 1530 solar watts installed

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you can see larger picture on my blog


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/



Jerry

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

I do have to admit that this insulation on my trailer is becoming

More black art - mumbo jumbo , then science .......
With my solar panels covering the roof - it keeps getting hotter & hotter inside
While at the same time shading the trailer, this sort of defies logic as all solar panels are tested at 25c
But to me it looks more like they go to 75c in bright sun light .....

Yesterday it was about 90 deg in San Jose & my poor little window AC. was huffing and puffing to keep up
It climbed up to about 82 deg inside and the roof skin temp was 135
The exterior roof panels are working more like a giant ceiling heating element or broiler ??

It sort of makes you wonder how the hell those giant SOLAR fields of panels in the desert WORK ??
Maybe it's a just a big taxpayer scam, like other stuff

Maybe I can turn OTTCT into a mobile summertime pizza oven ?

BRUCE - you need to come out of summertime hibernation
I need you now