Trailer Build (1 Viewer)

[jamesurq]

So as far as the sliders, this page tells weight per foot for different DOM sizes and thicknesses. I'm thinking because it's more for a shelf than functional sliders that 1.25" diameter 0.065" thickness is about 0.83lbs per foot. Figure on about 30 feet plus whatever outrigger structure is needed for the support... so if I can keep it under 50 lbs that would be good.

Am I underbuilding this? IE: a 12" wide shelf with 1.25" DOM as the outer rim of the shelf?

 

[JohnVee]

Can you make your shelf a 'tray' or 'trough' instead of a shelf so that you can travel with stuff in there? A lid would be needed for a step but wouldn't have to be full length since the trailer is not very long.

 

[jamesurq]

Can you make your shelf a 'tray' or 'trough' instead of a shelf so that you can travel with stuff in there? A lid would be needed for a step but wouldn't have to be full length since the trailer is not very long.

Really good idea. Certainly adds to the complexity though for sure. I'd be custom fabricating the boxes, or spending hours and lots of $ trying to find ones that fit.

 

[jamesurq]

Tackled and completed the solar panel and controller install today.

Fairly simple stuff.

Also installed a hanging stuff holder.

Shown with a pair of sneaks.

 

[David70FJ40]

What is the wattage rating of the solar panel?

 

[fj40z]

Very cool stuff James

 

[jamesurq]

What is the wattage rating of the solar panel?

100 watts.

 

[stevezero]

We use foldable shoe tree (available at walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond, velro or tiewrapped to something outside, under the awning for shoes. It keeps them outside, up off the ground, and when not in use, can fold flat for storage. havin wet shoes over the mattress and near your head will make a trip go sour in a hurry.

 

[jamesurq]

We use foldable shoe tree (available at walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond, velro or tiewrapped to something outside, under the awning for shoes. It keeps them outside, up off the ground, and when not in use, can fold flat for storage. havin wet shoes over the mattress and near your head will make a trip go sour in a hurry.

Good call. Yeah I don't envision putting dirty shoes in there. It's more for hats, bags, dog leashes, and general stuff.

 

[jamesurq]

So this just happened.

I'll save you the video of the lights changing colors but sufficed to say it's disco party ready. Runs on 12v. Only one more light to install.

 

[Hack]

Well, that's a relief. When I first saw the picture, I thought the hub had broke on the axle....

 

[jamesurq]

Yeah the lights and the little theft deterrent thingy make it look a little weird.

 

[jamesurq]

Anyone ever do any research on wind power? Specifically the micro generators? Not really an essential part of the build, but technically none of it is really

Looking at the 300+ watt turbines and they're pretty neat, and about the same price per watt as solar. Include the hassle and cost of a pole to put it on and the guidewires to keep it from falling down and they cost a little more. But generating power at night would be pretty cool.

The other option is the TINY ones that use vertical axis blades and take only 5-8mph of wind to start up. Having 10+ of these mounted on the trailer might be cool. Avoids having to have a big pole to set up, you could theoretically let them do their thing on the highway/road to camp? (not sure if a 70mph highway wind is ok...) From what I hear they're quieter than the horizontal ones, and they don't kill birds/bats.

Anyone?

 

[Rice]

Anyone ever do any research on wind power? Specifically the micro generators? Not really an essential part of the build, but technically none of it is really

Looking at the 300+ watt turbines and they're pretty neat, and about the same price per watt as solar. Include the hassle and cost of a pole to put it on and the guidewires to keep it from falling down and they cost a little more. But generating power at night would be pretty cool.

The other option is the TINY ones that use vertical axis blades and take only 5-8mph of wind to start up. Having 10+ of these mounted on the trailer might be cool. Avoids having to have a big pole to set up, you could theoretically let them do their thing on the highway/road to camp? (not sure if a 70mph highway wind is ok...) From what I hear they're quieter than the horizontal ones, and they don't kill birds/bats.

Anyone?

A quick review of the conservation of energy .... if the wind you plan to use comes from towing the trailer then the tow vehicle is burning an extra amount of fuel equal to what you are putting into your batteries (minus an enormous chunk due to inefficiency). Much better (and much cheaper) to set up a tow rig to trailer charging system.

 

[jamesurq]

Good point - I wasn't really focused so much on the energy created while towing as much as the fact that small fixed turbines wouldn't have to be hoisted up 10 feet and secured. I'm already about 45 minutes of set-up time with the enclosure. Another 20 minutes to hoist a turbine mast sounds like a hassle. Plus lots of small spinning turbines would be pretty cool, I think. You're right though, an on the go charging hookup is probably a good plan for longer journeys.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Is your trailer a 4 pin or a 7 pin connection to the truck? Wire your truck up to have a 7-pin connection and you'll have a connector that will support a charging circuit (among other things).

 

[Rice]

Good point - I wasn't really focused so much on the energy created while towing as much as the fact that small fixed turbines wouldn't have to be hoisted up 10 feet and secured. I'm already about 45 minutes of set-up time with the enclosure. Another 20 minutes to hoist a turbine mast sounds like a hassle. Plus lots of small spinning turbines would be pretty cool, I think. You're right though, an on the go charging hookup is probably a good plan for longer journeys.

It would also be a nice way to dump a quick charge into the batts in the event the sun isn't getting the job done, as long as you don't mind being in "fossil fuel" mode.

 

[jamesurq]

It's currently a 4 pin hookup. I'd likely just add a separate quick disconnect plug directly tying the positive and negative battery cables via 4 gauge or similar - big fan of using the wrong connection types on purpose. I figure a 110v 2 prong plug would work nicely for that.

 

[Rice]

It's currently a 4 pin hookup. I'd likely just add a separate quick disconnect plug directly tying the positive and negative battery cables via 4 gauge or similar - big fan of using the wrong connection types on purpose. I figure a 110v 2 prong plug would work nicely for that.

If you're going to get all freaky then really jazz it up and put an old knife switch in there

 

[NCFJ]

@Rice
If he is gonna do it he needs to go big. This hangs in my hall, pulled it out of a huge house on the Main Line in Philadelphia in the late 80s.