Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
I was without power for 3 days. But no, the motorhome has its own on board 5500w generator for power, and a 100ah 12v battery to run the fridge etc.
No extra backup needed ?
24' Enclosed Trailer Build
- Thread starter Lt.Dan
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No extra backup needed ?
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
Going on another trip next weekend. I'm all prepped and ready to go. We'll see how the trailer goes this time...
eXodus
Solar Addict
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You inspired me. Nice videos.
I got solar on my RV - almost 1000w - but I'm moving to a less sunny climate and also have to move my house stuff.
So a cargo trailer with a dedicated of Solar seems to be a good idea to combine those those two needs.
How do you get the power to the RV? I've seen in the video you have just mounted a 50A outlet plug where you plugin the RVs cord?
Do you know how heavy the trailer is now?
I'm thinking about 16x7 trailer - that would fit 4 panels (460-500w) on the roof - and additionally could mount 2x panels on each sidewall.
I got solar on my RV - almost 1000w - but I'm moving to a less sunny climate and also have to move my house stuff.
So a cargo trailer with a dedicated of Solar seems to be a good idea to combine those those two needs.
How do you get the power to the RV? I've seen in the video you have just mounted a 50A outlet plug where you plugin the RVs cord?
Do you know how heavy the trailer is now?
I'm thinking about 16x7 trailer - that would fit 4 panels (460-500w) on the roof - and additionally could mount 2x panels on each sidewall.
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
Cool! Glad I could inspire!
Yes I just have the 14-50R outlet underneath the trailer that the Motorhome plugs into.
I haven't actually weighed the trailer, but I'd say I added an easy 500lbs atleast. Now that you bring it up, I wish I weighed it before/after.
n2aws
Solar Addict
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Only one sensible thing to do.. remove it all, go weigh it, then reinstall and weigh again. it's only logical!
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
Yeah ill get right on that. Lmao
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
I forgot to follow up with this post though. The trip did go flawless, but the solar wasn't enough to keep up with charging the battery back to 100%. I was shaded by another Motorhome next to me, and I realized the panels were almost completely brown from dirt that I never cleaned off lol. Either way though, it still did the job and we didn't have any problems.
The Bluetooth function in the BMS is really upsetting because it's range abysmal. On tip of that, it being inside of the metal skinned trailer, it will not connect to it if you are standing outside, even if you are less than 18" away, on the other side of the wall. It will not connect lol.
Maybe I'll just get a Victron shunt for it so I can connect when still inside the motorhome.
eXodus
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yes I'm putting a system together right now for a trailer built.
Must be a lot more then 500lbs you put in there. I'm currently looking up 15kWh of batteries and those are already 300lbs,
each panel + mounting hardware is 40-50lbs.
I'm thinking to go with a EG4 system - those things have Wifi- that should probably work better through a metal skinned trailer.
How do you mount the Unistrut's? I'm looking a pictures of cargo trailers and it seems there are metal ribs in the ceiling - did you bolt through?
Which mounting hardware did you use for Unitstrut to Panel?
n2aws
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I'm assuming this is 14 100w panels? I've been looking at the REC alpha panels (~430w each). and you can put 4 of them on a 7x14. less wire management, and theoretically more output. Just a thought
14-370w 70x40 panels ?
n2aws
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Ahh, I wasn't expecting that! lol. If you don't have a YT channel, it's time to make one. I'd be interested as hell in following that build. I was seriously thinking about making a slider, and stacking the panels for travel, then sliding out the "upper row" so 8x430w panels when set up at camp on a 7x14 or 7x16
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
I just added it up, My EnergeTech 200ah is right at 200lbs, the Inverter is roughly 75lbs, each panel is about 45lbs, the unistrut is probably another 50 lbs, and the Stainless Steel plate that I used to mount to the front is about 30lbs. So a total of about 650lbs, yeah more than the 500 I guessed lol.
So the Fractal Trailers that I bought uses 1.5" Square tube for its entire frame, on 24" Centers. I just opted to use a nice large machine screw in every one, with a 1/4" SS Spacer underneath so the unistrut doesn't sit on the roof panels. The inside of the trailer is all vinyl sided, so I didnt want to poke through and ruin the good looks.
For Unistrut to panels, I just bought a bunch of 3/8" Spring Nuts and the clamps are just these Mid Panel Clamps, and for the ends I used End Clamps.
How the hell are you planning that? I'm assuming they are not fixed mount, but flip out on hinges or something?
Yeah. 4 on the roof. 4 on the curbside wall that flips up to be an awning.
6 on a cart (3 as a table with 3 hinged on top that fold out) that will wheel inside during transport and connect to Mppt 2 when deployed
I hope @Lt.Dan doesn’t mind the slight derail, we can move this convo if he desires.
I like your idea of a slider more than my idea of a rack on the curbside wall, but I cannot find slides that will extend 6-8ft and support 200-400lbs. So I figure a flip up awning will work.
But with a slider I see less risk in panel damage from road debris. Alternatively, with a side wall awning, with all 8 panels in series you’ll still likely absorb quite a bit of energy while driving (especially east haha)
Separately, my trailer is only 6ft interior height. We would rather cage chop the sxs than have the added drag of a 7ft interior trailer. The more stacks of panels on top that slide out, the taller it gets
I’ve been accumulating parts, material, and gigs of video (not much of this yet, but I do film as a hobby already so this will probably be excessive as well sigh), just need to motivate myself to put it all together and upload I guess.
I would prefer to use a 18ft trailer as then you could run 2 columns of 3 panels on the roof and fit 6 instead of only 4. Not bad for 4ft more length. But I paid a grand for my 7x14
Really, dans trailer is about the perfect size for the bulk of my use (and could fit 8 panels on the roof alone!), but I wanted to free up my tow rig so I couldn’t go bigger with my suv
I should have my trailer done/harnessing energy in about 6 weeks
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eXodus
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did you tap the threads or just drilled holes? No nuts on the inside?
I'm thinking about the same size - 4 panels on the roof and 2-4 on folding awning on each side.
most panels are around 40-42 inches wide - 4X = 168 inches
A 14ft trailer has a square box length of 168 inch - plus the V-nose.
You can get up to 500w panels in the 80x41 dimension 7 ft wide = 84 inches.
- so a 7x 14 it would be perfect space utilization for a 4 residential panel setup. A 16 foot gives you a bit more wiggle room inside. - but you can't add another panel.
Concluding for standard sized residential panels a 14x7 trailer gives a great lightweight (2000-2200lbs empty) base.
With 480-500W panels you are looking at almost 2kw on the roof - plus 1-2kw on the wings. For total 3-4kw on a tiny trailer.
My 2200 sqft house has 5 kw
and I'm overproducing electric. (natural gas heat)
n2aws
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Exactly. I'm thinking maybe a 16' for a little more usable space inside, but also a little more roof space for the addition of a maxair fan, for the times when it's nice enough out that I wouldn't need to run the minisplit.
Lt.Dan
Solar Wizard
No nuts on the inside. I should have said self-tappers. Very large ones.
eXodus
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eXodus
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Moving on to a new thread with my planning.
diysolarforum.com
Sorry for side railing yours Dan.
Solar Cargo Trailer Built - System Check Please
Currently planning a 7x14 or 7x16 Trailer - for towing behind my Class A RV to move to a new property. There we are going to built a small house. During construction this trailer should also server as base of operations to support the whole thing. Storing tools. Washing machine. Etc...
diysolarforum.com
Sorry for side railing yours Dan.
