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help me save bees......with power!

Dennis The Bee Guy

Dennis The Bee Guy

New Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2023
Messages
12
Location
Fl
I have an enclosed trailer here in Florida that I use to rescue bees.
I want to add a couple 12v lithium batteries I have already(I have 4 total), for lights, a fan or two, and I want to be able to plug in an extension cord for tools.
I want to be able to charge while I'm driving, being connection to the truck if that's possible and I would also like to charge using "shore power"/an extension cord, and eventually also charge from solar.
If I could figure out air conditioning, that would be a homerun!

So the question is,
What's the right All-In One product to get? Or what products?
I would be happy to send a jar of honey to someone willing to help me......??

Thanks for looking......Have a sweet day!


IMG_3296.jpeg
 
Need a good power requirement.

Unlikely to power air conditioning by covering your trailer with solar panels. Just not enough power.

Do away with the AC requirement, and it’s much more doable.

I’m not sure the fans you’re looking at, but smaller ones like a bathroom ventilation fan can run for hours off battery and solar, but ones that move a lot of air can be 1000 watts.
 
What is your budget? How much power to run the tools you need for your job.
Plan B a 3500w inverter generator
 
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While panels alone won't run an ac unit for that trailer size it will augment batteries to make them last longer. So if you have enough battery power to run thru the day or some of the day the solar panels will help.

ECOFLOW Wave 2 Portable Air Conditioner​


This might be an option also in your situation.
 
wme said:
What is your budget? How much power to run the tools you need for your job.
Plan B a 3500w inverter generator
Click to expand...
Inverter generator is most probably more cost-efficient if not eco-green.

For a trailer like that I'd make sure that I have minimum of 2" foam insulation all around.
Add roof full of solar panels (looks like might fit 4x400W panels?) 2x 48V 100AH batteries, Victron Quattro 48/3000, Victron MPPT 250/70 and mini-split A/C. 7 grand for parts alone which might be reasonable or too much depending on case.

Would run almost any 110V tool, stay cool entire day and probably have enough solar panels to cover most of the time only needing shore charging very occasionally.
 
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Do not be disheartened, air-conditioning is possible,

The real question is how many hours of Aircon do you need ? And what time of day ? What size Aircon do you need ?


consider a small portable unit , 7000btu.... solar panels on your trailer roof probably won't cover that AC long term (24/7), but they will help towards, especially if you're running the AC mid-day while the sun's shining.


The rest of the power would have to come from either your truck as you travel , or a separate generator

A 7000btu AC uses 550w-700w per hour , 5kwh battery pack would run that for 7+ hours (and that's without any power input, solar etc.)

At a total guess I think you could get 1,200w - 1,500w of solar panels fitted on your trailer roof. In summer that will make around 7.5kwh per day (enough to cover your AC quite possibly....).
 
chrisski said:
Need a good power requirement.

Unlikely to power air conditioning by covering your trailer with solar panels. Just not enough power.

Do away with the AC requirement, and it’s much more doable.

I’m not sure the fans you’re looking at, but smaller ones like a bathroom ventilation fan can run for hours off battery and solar, but ones that move a lot of air can be 1000 watts.
Click to expand...
Forget the air conditioner....... I just want to power lights and fans on 12v, I have 4 12v lithium 100ah batteries already......So what's the best all in one inverter/charger for my application. Want to power a shop vac and a carpet fan or two on an extension cord(110)
 
Dennis The Bee Guy said:
I have an enclosed trailer here in Florida that I use to rescue bees.
I want to add a couple 12v lithium batteries I have already(I have 4 total), for lights, a fan or two, and I want to be able to plug in an extension cord for tools.
I want to be able to charge while I'm driving, being connection to the truck if that's possible and I would also like to charge using "shore power"/an extension cord, and eventually also charge from solar.
If I could figure out air conditioning, that would be a homerun!

So the question is,
What's the right All-In One product to get? Or what products?
I would be happy to send a jar of honey to someone willing to help me......??

Thanks for looking......Have a sweet day!


View attachment 163529
Click to expand...
Forget the A/C..... Just help me pick the right product for everything above except the A/C. Solar is much later and not on the trailer.
Shore power, DC from truck, with the batteries I have.....

Sorry, Im not good at my explanation
 
MattiFin said:
Inverter generator is most probably more cost-efficient if not eco-green.

For a trailer like that I'd make sure that I have minimum of 2" foam insulation all around.
Add roof full of solar panels (looks like might fit 4x400W panels?) 2x 48V 100AH batteries, Victron Quattro 48/3000, Victron MPPT 250/70 and mini-split A/C. 7 grand for parts alone which might be reasonable or too much depending on case.

Would run almost any 110V tool, stay cool entire day and probably have enough solar panels to cover most of the time only needing shore charging very occasionally.
Click to expand...
I don't really have a budget, I want to spend what it takes to have good, reliable equipment that can handle the fl heat ....AND NOT FAIL.

I love the idea of foam....just watched a youtube with foam board installed...pretty sure this is a good start for helping cool it down a bit. I already did the white coating on the roof exterior.

The solar panels are going to be installed on the building its parked under when not in use and that the last project on the list.
 
Maybe take a look at the EG4 3K. It should handle what you need and be relatively easy to set up. But you'd need to ditch the 12v batteries so maybe not the most cost effective option. As I recall, you shouldn't do 4 of the 12v lithium batteries in series to get 48v.

signaturesolar.com

EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter | 3000EHV-48 | 3000W Output | 5000W PV Input | 500 VOC Input

Signature Solar provides solar panels, off-grid solar systems, grid-tie, and hybrid systems. Quality solar inverters, bifacial solar panels, complete solar kits, solar batteries. Featuring brands such as EG4 Electronics with their solar battery, LifePower4 and EG4 LLifePower4 and EG4 LL
signaturesolar.com signaturesolar.com
 
Dennis The Bee Guy said:
If I went with this, Could I connect the 12v coming from the truck to battery bank?

Click to expand...
That’s a good company with good products and support. Its a 1600 Volt Amp inverter that runs a 1200 watt load constant.

I do recommend you measure your fan and vacuum on a Killawatt meter like this. Your vacuum or fan are unlikely to exceed those ratings, but it could be larger. If you run both together, that may exceed it.

You can charge your trailer off your 12 volt vehicle battery, but would need a DC to DC converter in the loop like this from Renogy. I would recommend VIctron but I don’t know one.

Weight could be an issue. Your trailer looks like a 10 X 13, 130 square feet, so perhaps AC is not off the table. One thing I will caution though is weight ratings. Those tend to be rated to 3000 LBS max without brakes. When I looked at doing a build with one of those, I was surprised to see the trailer weighed close to 1000 LBS and I did not have the full 3000 LBS to do the build.
 
Take a snoop down an RV rabbit Hole...
Ventilation could be helped with some Fantastic Fans or MaxxAir fans... These run on 12vDC, and move quite a bit of air. (some with thermostats, and rain sensors)

In addition, a 2-in-1 charger/inverter may be a cheaper way to get started. (buy a solar charge controller when you buy the panels)

https://www.dometic.com/en-ca/outdoor/ca/products/climate/ventilation-solutions/rv-roof-vents

High Powered Ceiling Fans for RVs - Maxxair

Maxxair fans are considered the best for many reasons, including their high output capability, easy installation and maintenance, and accesories. Learn more!
www.maxxair.com www.maxxair.com
 
chrisski said:
That’s a good company with good products and support. Its a 1600 Volt Amp inverter that runs a 1200 watt load constant.

I do recommend you measure your fan and vacuum on a Killawatt meter like this. Your vacuum or fan are unlikely to exceed those ratings, but it could be larger. If you run both together, that may exceed it.

You can charge your trailer off your 12 volt vehicle battery, but would need a DC to DC converter in the loop like this from Renogy. I would recommend VIctron but I don’t know one.

Weight could be an issue. Your trailer looks like a 10 X 13, 130 square feet, so perhaps AC is not off the table. One thing I will caution though is weight ratings. Those tend to be rated to 3000 LBS max without brakes. When I looked at doing a build with one of those, I was surprised to see the trailer weighed close to 1000 LBS and I did not have the full 3000 LBS to do the build.
Click to expand...
Just found the 230ac.... now I'm leaning towards https://www.victronenergy.com/uploa...inverter-charger_2kVA-and-3kVA-120V-US-EN.pdf the multiplus compact. Do you think that would be enough power when its hot here? Is the power output temp the outside temp or the internal temp of the multiplus? Should I get the larger one? Im worried about the weight difference.

How to pick a DC to DC converter from Victron?! They have sooo many to chose from....Isolated, non isolated, etc
 
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EastTexCowboy said:
Maybe take a look at the EG4 3K. It should handle what you need and be relatively easy to set up. But you'd need to ditch the 12v batteries so maybe not the most cost effective option. As I recall, you shouldn't do 4 of the 12v lithium batteries in series to get 48v.

signaturesolar.com

EG4 3kW Off-Grid Inverter | 3000EHV-48 | 3000W Output | 5000W PV Input | 500 VOC Input

Signature Solar provides solar panels, off-grid solar systems, grid-tie, and hybrid systems. Quality solar inverters, bifacial solar panels, complete solar kits, solar batteries. Featuring brands such as EG4 Electronics with their solar battery, LifePower4 and EG4 LLifePower4 and EG4 LL
signaturesolar.com signaturesolar.com
Click to expand...
I really want to stay with the batteries I have already. I want to use 2 if the will do it....
Leaning towards the multiplus compact from Victron
 
Sirtate said:
Take a snoop down an RV rabbit Hole...
Ventilation could be helped with some Fantastic Fans or MaxxAir fans... These run on 12vDC, and move quite a bit of air. (some with thermostats, and rain sensors)

In addition, a 2-in-1 charger/inverter may be a cheaper way to get started. (buy a solar charge controller when you buy the panels)

https://www.dometic.com/en-ca/outdoor/ca/products/climate/ventilation-solutions/rv-roof-vents

High Powered Ceiling Fans for RVs - Maxxair

Maxxair fans are considered the best for many reasons, including their high output capability, easy installation and maintenance, and accesories. Learn more!
www.maxxair.com www.maxxair.com
Click to expand...
I have already lost a plastic cover for the vent on the roof. Replaced with the motel one. Im afraid the fans will fly away. We drive 80-90 on the highway around here.....

I agree with the charger/inverter idea, adding solar charging later.
 
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