TERRA6, Van cab and chassis 7*14, 4" Polystyrene

[Projector]

9:20am, 47 out, 61 in.
Opened the door between cab and back at 7:15, cooler front cab air reduced indoor temp. The sun on the windshield has not been able to generate any temperature gain in the back area where the thermometer is located.

Sunny and clear this morning so was hoping that solar heat would warm up the interior quickly. Forecasting a high of 62, sunny, with 10 mph winds.

This shows how much thermal loss through glass and windows there is ( windshield and front door windows) and that early morning rays, which are at low altitude, don't offer any warmth yet. Warmth gained from solar eliminated by heat loss through large frontal glass area in the early morning sun.

As a comparison, just checked with a buddy in an older class B, 94 Dodge, who reported 49 indoor temp this morning.

[Projector]

11:50am, out 54, in 69.
Getting comfortable inside now.
Moved van facing from E to SW to get max solar heat through windshield.

[Projector]

1:38pm, 59 out, 75in,

[Projector]

4:55pm, 62 out, 76 in

[Projector]

6:14pm and sunset, this is as warm as it was going to get today, in and out.
And it's all downhill from there. Time to go into thermal preservation mode, batten down the hatches.

[Projector]

9:00pm, 53 out, 72 in.
One more reading in the morning to confirm and that will be the temperature vs insulation results for this temperature range for now. Will be interesting to see the variance in much warmer weather.

[Projector]

And to wrap up the final temp readout,
6:20 am, 39 out, 59 in, weather reported 33 outdoor at the time, interestingly enough.
My RV comparison in the class B reported 44 in his rig this morning.
So 4" of insulation retained heat from 76, down to 59 overnight, compared to a standard RV that went from 67 , down to 40.

The benefit is basically a 20 degree improvement in maintaining a more comfortable temperature, in this temperature range, when compared to a standard RV. In plain terms, this means less chillie willies and enhanced benefits comparable to Viagra.


The next logical steps would be to verify results for heating cost benefits, and colder temperature extremes.

Unfortunately, the scientific test budget has been depleted and so no further testing till this summer.
Unless of course you kick in funds...

We will now return to your regularly scheduled entertainment.

[Projector]

One final note for scientific credibility, testing location and environment.
Lost somewhere in the Wild Wild West, home of Artemus Gordon and Capt. James West. Which happens to be in the Colorado River area, a once mighty river that previously flowed turbulently through the Grand Canyon, prior to all the damming.
Let's take a nostalgia trip down the Colorado back in the good old days
https://youtu.be/fpXtR-L_VUI

[Projector]

This is why we build, not just for the sake and joy of building, but to explore as 21st century pioneers.
To discover new to us locations, regions and territories, going on our own Lewis & Clark expeditions.
National Geographic video of a vintage Grand Canyon exploration expedition.
https://youtu.be/ldcSQbeUOiE

[Projector]

So the weather has been heating up, reaching the 80s and was anxious to see the heat protection from the 4" EPS. So far, not as good as hoped but there are some factors. Within a couple hours, I do reach and at times exceed ambient temperatures. I have sectioned off and separated the front greenhouse with heavy blankets to limit or reduce this effect.
Appears that heat loss retention performance will be much better than heat gain prevention. Haven't any actual data recorded yet, only some hot impressions to date.

1. As my roof is filled with black solar panels, will attract solar heat. Not good, but I can say that I can't really feel any heat, thermal transfer up on the ceiling or touching the foam. Maybe it just transmits slowly. Don't think it's the major issue at this point.

2. My floor is 1.5" plywood approx 24 " above ground which gives an open heat exposure area. Think that maybe lower to ground wild remain cooler?
Parked on pave, thermal heat will radiate up from the floor into the camper. Less so when parked on ground.

This is uninsulated and probably the weak link. Do plan on insulation but exposed underneath has its own issues, like abrasion, durability, obstacles and exhaust exposure.
Not looking forward to get down in the dirt underneath.
.

[GPW]

Proj’ , testing well done !!! Thanks !!! Who ever thought the floor would be the thermal weak point …. Maybe a thick rug would help ???

[me&z]

I have sectioned off and separated the front greenhouse with heavy blankets to limit or reduce this effect.

.

If you're already doing all this, just ignore me.

Reflecting screen for the windshield make a tremendous difference both in preventing gain when you don't want it and slowing loss. The fan folded ones you can buy work. Custom fitted ones made from reflectedx work better.

If you have the front sectioned off well you might want to vent it. You don't want that area to be worse than ambient temperature.

Instead of adding to the underside, maybe using a refletex skirt would help. Might be an easier short term solution.

[Projector]

Nothing measured or scientific at this stage, just perception and knowledge. Would be great if I had a laser temperature reader to verify.
It appears that inside temperature rises quickly enough with outside ambient, much faster than the cool down process which surprised me.
Was hoping for cool inside temperatures and break from the heat.
Have parked the front glass facing north to minimize greenhouse effect. And since I have no camper windows, figured that I'd be pretty chill in the camper.
Not happening so I stocked up on fans.
Thx Me&z, doing all those tricks to minimize heat.
Since my air transfer is minimized, that leaves thermal transfer. Walls and ceiling are foam leaving only the floor.
But 1.5" ply and .25 inch deluxe plastic plank flooring should give me more and better I would have thought from my oversized beer cooler.
Did notice cool little ice makers at Walmart....

Have been slowly making progress on finishing the interior. Will put up some pics when I get a chance.

[me&z]

I wish you the best.

The worst business trip I ever took was an A/C evaluation ride. In August. In south Texas. Nothing beats standing around in an unshaded parking lot while a minivan "heatsoaks" to maximum temperature and then loading 6 people into it to take measurements and evaluate the cooling efficiency as you drive in city traffic with the windows up. Unless it is being put in the third row seat every single time just because you are the only woman engineer on the trip. (Yeah, back then they told you that's why they were doing it. Just in case you might have missed the other signs you weren't wanted.)

At least I never had to go to the UP of Michigan for the heater evaluation rides. I heard those where brutal too. No pre-start and no heated seats.

[Projector]

Today's data
Match 19, high of 90f

March 19
Time. Outdoors Indoors
Sunrise at 6:33
Time Out. In
7. 49. 68. on dirt, full sun exposure
8. 58. 68
9. 69. 68. On pave, full to partial shade
10. 75. 69
11. 79. 70
12. 84. 76. On pave, light shade tree
1. 88. 77. Small fan, light air recirculation
2. 88. 77
3. 88. 79
4. 89. 81
5. 90. 82
6. 86. 83
7. Sunset at 6:38
8
9. 77. 77
10. 76. 79
11. 65 79
12. 64. 79

Upon further contemplation, and verifying the floor, doesn't appear that the heat source comes only or mainly from there. Once again without temperature measurement, can't be sure. It appears that it is simply overall thermal heat rise with ambient temperature.
My thoughts of chillin like a villain all summer in my oversized beer cooler camper have been melted.
The temperature rise is reduced however, but not able to be kept in a comfort zone without cooling. Only A/C will do that or evaporative cooling which is possible in the desert with it's low humidity but with higher water consumption of course. Not practical for an RV.