OverTheTopCargoTrailer 7 x 16

[dawgdawg]

I wonder if you had 3-4" of space between trailer and panels if it would help. I would think more air blowing through it like a tunnel would take some of the heat off your roof.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

The thought of having to raise the roof panels 3-4" really sucks.


I installed the first side panel & the white cover, looks cool, total 100% STEALTH

Total installed is now 1,740 solar watts

To see the pic, click below on my blog


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/


Has anybody seen or heard of BRUCE ????

[roadinspector]

That really sucks. Looks like thermal absorption is higher than the shaded roof can overcome. Install a humidifier and you could make some good with a mobile sauna. You could be starting a new Cali trend No really, increasing air flow is the only thing I can think of that would help. With only 1" clearance, not sure how to accomplish that. I am interested in what you come up with to cool the world off.

Earnest

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hi Earnest

might be good idea= SOLAR SPA !!

I'm thinking dry ICE to cool the roof


1950 watts of solar are now installed, tomorrow S2k will be in the rear view mirror
S2k = Solar 2,000 + watts

check the pictures, click below

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[bdosborn]

I wonder if you had 3-4" of space between trailer and panels if it would help. I would think more air blowing through it like a tunnel would take some of the heat off your roof.

Back from vacation!

Yup, that's the issue. There's supposed to be an air gap between the roof and the panels, the bigger the gap the better. Obviously, the panels are radiating heat onto the roof. The solution is more space between the roof and the panels or maybe coating your roof under the panels with something like kool roof.

Bruce

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Hey Bruce

Don't be going on vacation without leaving your Cell # next time.

I now have 2,160 solar watts installed, pictures are on my blog for now -
Not wanting to brag - but looks really nice. with the white & diamond plate covers.

The glass from the panels is actually 2.5" above the roof , the frame is raised about 1"
The roof is painted white, not really looking for panels to be raised to 5" would look like Sh*t

How much heat do you think the charge controller & inverter would make if 800 watts are used ?
Would it cancel itself out ? How much heat is generated in the conversion process ?
Also the AC would give off some latent heat - maybe going with 6,500 btu AC would be safer uses 540 watts seer 11

Jerry

[bdosborn]

How much heat do you think the charge controller & inverter would make if 800 watts are used ?
Would it cancel itself out ? How much heat is generated in the conversion process ?

The charge controller is around 95% efficient, the inverter around 90%. Figure 100 watts of heat generated by both (worst case, not all of that inefficiency goes into heat) or around 350 BTUH. Not enough to worry about compared to the thermonuclear roof.

Bruce

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Ok Mr. Bruce , My Golden Goose

Right now I have a 2" space between the panels, but I could push them closer together or install a filler strip and seal off the top and the sides, sort of like an enclosed box. Then I could install 1-2-3 yellow tail 4" blowers on the rear of the trailer exterior roof , each blower moves 220 CFM - this would allow me to suck in the cool air from the front of the 5 panels and blow hot air out the back, or vice versa. The exact same concept as a attic fan for the solar panels. This should fix my thermonecular hot roof - what does my learned Engineering Proffesor think of that idea ??

Each fan uses 5 amps, but I basically have unlimited 12 volt power ..... So that is not an issue. The blowers running at full bore however do make a little noise - unless I turn power down 50%


http://www.shurflo.com/marine-products/yellowtail-inline-blowers/yellowtail4-bblower/default.html#tab03


Jerry

[bdosborn]

That's an interesting idea that might work. I'd mock it up with some ebay case fans before I committed to the bilge fans.

Case Fans

Bruce

[aggie79]

I didn't see the dB sound level for those bilge fans, but I'm betting for the 7000+ rpm fan speed your roof better be acoustically insulated as well as thermally insulated. I have another brand of bilge blower but chose not to use it because of the noise. Yours may be a much better fan.

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Aggie Psssssssssssssst

Do you think it will keep other campers awake
On the outside I won't hear jack, if you remember I have 3" foam walls and 3.5" denim roof
Besides I can turn the fan speed down if needed or install 2 fans at 50% depending on the temp.
I got a new meter today to do some more testing.

Hey Bruce this is OverTheTop ...... I got that stuff in stock....
But I do admit the 120 mm fans are much, much, much quieter , but harder to make a box etc
The yellow tail is also more water proof
Don't tell the others

Will maybe I will test both options in the near future & report back
Raising the panels 5-6" high would suck & is not an option NO WAY !!!
Don't wanna look like the flying nun


Jerry

Jerry

[hankaye]

OTTCT, Howdy;

The only folks you might keep awake are 3rd. shift workers or the local vampire,
you shouldn't need the fans at night ...

hank

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Do you guys remember the JUMBO truck tool box....
well its back and now it slides back & forth
NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE @ OverTheTop

p 4-1.JPG (129.33 KiB) Viewed 1849 times

photo 1-5.JPG (131.57 KiB) Viewed 1849 times

photo 2-5.JPG (144.28 KiB) Viewed 1849 times

It slides right & left
the project still needs a little TLC, but you guys get the drift, this should be good until my
Alzheimers kicks in and i forget to slide the box while turning,
on OTTCT 3.0 I'll be sure to get the longer tongue and or auto slide motor.

If you boys and girls are extra good , I may throw in a picture with my Solar Panel Down

Its not as nice as Mark519 box - but he would not make one for me, I begged him to no avail


http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/


jerry

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

Bruce

Check out the picture of my blower on my blog
It's the 4" yellow tail 200 CFM -
What's your guess how well it works at reducing
The panel - roof heat ? Will report back tomorrow night.

Jerry

See the picture at

http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/

[bdosborn]

" Currently the panels - roof heat at least 50 deg above the exterior temp."

I'm going to guess it will drop to 25F above ambient...

Bruce