Friday, September 7, 2012
Folding table
Finished the dual purpose security mesh / Folding table finished. I wanted to someway secure the back window to detour anyone from breaking it to gain access to the contents of the trailer. At first I was going to put the mesh inside the window, but I also wanted to someday ad a small tv mounted inside the window so it could be watched from outside the trailer. I also had an idea for an attached fold down work area. Here is what my father and I came up with. The table folds up for lock and transport or it can be used for a rear basket to carry extra stuff if needed.
Ham, wireless, or mount for small wind turbine
I got the antenna mounts installed. I can place the antenna on the shady side of the solar panel.
This is showing a fiberglass painter's pole extended from the tip to the ground is 23'
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Labor Day Weekend - Project Goals
This Weekend I am planning to take the radar trailer on a trip to my fathers house to do some welding on it. I've made a quick list of projects to work on. I don't think we can get to them all, but we will see how far we can get.
Folding table
I'd like to fabricate a folding shelf / table that folds and mount it to the back of the trailer. The concept is that the table will be dual purpose. During the fold up for travel position it will be locked to cover the back window. This will make it more secure. When I arrive at a destination I would simply unlock and fold the table down. I can then use it to set a propane stove on for cooking or use it as a work bench. As a bonus the light I selected for the inside can be mounted in such a way that light passes through the back window and lights up the table at night. Finished see it here
Mount internal LED ceiling light
I've got a RV two bulb light. I replaced the factory 921 bulbs with LED bulbs. I can't mount it until I get the table built, so I know where to position it. In progress see it here
Removable tongue wheel - Done see it here
Solar-powered circulation fan
To be mounted in the existing hole that the radar camera used to be mounted in. This will be wired into the new solar panel junction box. The fan will steel a small amount of power from the solar panels to power a small 12v computer fan. This will help circulate air, and cool the trailer, and hopefully keep the contents from smelling musty. I will need to fabricate a mounting bracket to hold the standard sized fan. In progress se it here
Tongue-mounted storage basket
Weld a triangle-shaped basket to be mounted on the front of the trailer. This will allow me to utilize the wasted space to hopefully hold two gas cans and a 5-gallon propane tank. Finished see it here
Ham, wireless, or mount for small wind turbine.
I want make to mounts on the tilt up rack so I can mount a ham radio antenna, Wireless antenna or small wind turbine. If I get more into ham radio this would make a perfect mobile radio emergency response / support trailer. I will need to a mount on each side of the solar panel so I can mount the antenna on the shady side of the panel so it does not cast a shadow on the panel and reduce it's power output. Finished it click here to see it.
Cut out old mounting hardware
Inside the trailer there is old steel mounting hardware that is taking up space. I need to crawl into the trailer and cut it out. Maybe even into 3 sections for a possible fridge on the left side someday that will fit an exterior footprint: 27.75"L x 14.96"W x 20"H. I figure if we are taking the time to pull it apart and cut it.
Modify fold up air vent door
Cut the door and modify it to have two sections that can open or close independently. This will allow me to store or even run my honda EU2000 generator in the trailer. Later I may weld up an exhaust duct to allow the generator to run in the trailer. This would allow generator power and use extra power to recharge the 115ah battery bank using the honda charging cable or a more efficient external 25amp battery charger.
Fabricate mounts for two additional solar panels
I've got two old Solerex 65watt solar panels. I'd like to find a way to mount them to the roof in a way that they are protected from theft and damage by the fold up rack. Ideally they will be tiltable, and be mounted high enough the top of the trailer to allow airflow to help cool the panels. it would be nice if they are high enough to allow antenna sections and a small folding table or chair to be slide under them for storage and transport.
Rear Jack Stands
The trailer came with the mounting for rear stabilizer jacks. The jacks store up for transport. The mounts were in place but I need to make the rest of the system. Finished I just have to paint them now
Reverse / Backup Lights
This would be a nice add especially for backing up the trailer at night. But I think I have to change out the flat plug to a round plug to support the backup light function. As a bonus if I do this I think I can also connect a charge as you tow option as well. Then the batteries can also be charged from a the tow vehicle if needed.
Solar Junction Box
Wire in a fused junction box. this will allow each solar pannel to have it's own fuse. You can then test individual solar panels by plugging in or removing fuses one at a time. This will also house the fuse for the fan, and have a spot to plug in external panels if needed
Equipment mounting board
Need to mount a piece of plywood to be used for mounting the Pure sign-wave inverter, Battery charger.
Meeter mount
Need to find a good way to mount the meter, so it can stay in the trailer or be extended to the outside so it can be used to help aim the solar panels with only one person.
External spare tire mount
Body work and Paint
Folding table
I'd like to fabricate a folding shelf / table that folds and mount it to the back of the trailer. The concept is that the table will be dual purpose. During the fold up for travel position it will be locked to cover the back window. This will make it more secure. When I arrive at a destination I would simply unlock and fold the table down. I can then use it to set a propane stove on for cooking or use it as a work bench. As a bonus the light I selected for the inside can be mounted in such a way that light passes through the back window and lights up the table at night. Finished see it here
Mount internal LED ceiling light
I've got a RV two bulb light. I replaced the factory 921 bulbs with LED bulbs. I can't mount it until I get the table built, so I know where to position it. In progress see it here
Removable tongue wheel - Done see it here
Solar-powered circulation fan
To be mounted in the existing hole that the radar camera used to be mounted in. This will be wired into the new solar panel junction box. The fan will steel a small amount of power from the solar panels to power a small 12v computer fan. This will help circulate air, and cool the trailer, and hopefully keep the contents from smelling musty. I will need to fabricate a mounting bracket to hold the standard sized fan. In progress se it here
Tongue-mounted storage basket
Weld a triangle-shaped basket to be mounted on the front of the trailer. This will allow me to utilize the wasted space to hopefully hold two gas cans and a 5-gallon propane tank. Finished see it here
Ham, wireless, or mount for small wind turbine.
I want make to mounts on the tilt up rack so I can mount a ham radio antenna, Wireless antenna or small wind turbine. If I get more into ham radio this would make a perfect mobile radio emergency response / support trailer. I will need to a mount on each side of the solar panel so I can mount the antenna on the shady side of the panel so it does not cast a shadow on the panel and reduce it's power output. Finished it click here to see it.
Cut out old mounting hardware
Inside the trailer there is old steel mounting hardware that is taking up space. I need to crawl into the trailer and cut it out. Maybe even into 3 sections for a possible fridge on the left side someday that will fit an exterior footprint: 27.75"L x 14.96"W x 20"H. I figure if we are taking the time to pull it apart and cut it.
Modify fold up air vent door
Cut the door and modify it to have two sections that can open or close independently. This will allow me to store or even run my honda EU2000 generator in the trailer. Later I may weld up an exhaust duct to allow the generator to run in the trailer. This would allow generator power and use extra power to recharge the 115ah battery bank using the honda charging cable or a more efficient external 25amp battery charger.
Fabricate mounts for two additional solar panels
I've got two old Solerex 65watt solar panels. I'd like to find a way to mount them to the roof in a way that they are protected from theft and damage by the fold up rack. Ideally they will be tiltable, and be mounted high enough the top of the trailer to allow airflow to help cool the panels. it would be nice if they are high enough to allow antenna sections and a small folding table or chair to be slide under them for storage and transport.
Rear Jack Stands
The trailer came with the mounting for rear stabilizer jacks. The jacks store up for transport. The mounts were in place but I need to make the rest of the system. Finished I just have to paint them now
Reverse / Backup Lights
This would be a nice add especially for backing up the trailer at night. But I think I have to change out the flat plug to a round plug to support the backup light function. As a bonus if I do this I think I can also connect a charge as you tow option as well. Then the batteries can also be charged from a the tow vehicle if needed.
Solar Junction Box
Wire in a fused junction box. this will allow each solar pannel to have it's own fuse. You can then test individual solar panels by plugging in or removing fuses one at a time. This will also house the fuse for the fan, and have a spot to plug in external panels if needed
Equipment mounting board
Need to mount a piece of plywood to be used for mounting the Pure sign-wave inverter, Battery charger.
Meeter mount
Need to find a good way to mount the meter, so it can stay in the trailer or be extended to the outside so it can be used to help aim the solar panels with only one person.
External spare tire mount
Body work and Paint
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Tires
I think I an going need to start shopping for some new tires for the radar trailer. The tire size is P195 75 R14. I figure by putting entire site inside this blog I'll be able to reference it from a store using my smart phone next time I think about shopping for tires.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
First solar panel test
Yesterday was a strange cloudy day for August. For a Saturday project I thought it would be fun to roll the trailer out from under the overhang and point it at the sun as I was sanding rust off the outside of the trailer getting it ready for a coat of primer.
According to the trailers operators manual the solar system is rated at 3 amps. Based on this I could can safely assume that with one panel averaging 2 amps for 5 hours a day would produce a reliable 10ah of charging to the battery bank.
Looks like I am getting just under 3 amps registering on the analog display (photo is at a slight angle, not quite head on) I'm happy with that.
According to the trailers operators manual the solar system is rated at 3 amps. Based on this I could can safely assume that with one panel averaging 2 amps for 5 hours a day would produce a reliable 10ah of charging to the battery bank.
Looks like I am getting just under 3 amps registering on the analog display (photo is at a slight angle, not quite head on) I'm happy with that.
Single battery installation
Friday evening I decided to install a battery in the radar trailer and test the solar panel and charge controller. It took me some time to figure out which cables in the wiring harness I needed to use. I didn't want to open up the wiring harness to look inside the plastic hose organizer. so I tested with some test leads to find the right negative and positive cable to use for a single battery.
Once I figured it out I decided it was easier just to rip out the old harness.
I decided to remove it because my goal was to eventually hard wire in an inverter for the trailer. For right now this harness could run a small inverter, but eventually I will have 3 batteries connected with larger cables. I will be able measure the old inter connect cables to order new larger cables.
In case it may help someone in the future, this is the the way the bank was wired
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| Main run of the positive and negative cables exit top left and run to the back of the trailer to two bus bars. from there the red (positive) wire goes to a cut off switch. The positive wire is then routed to a 2nd. positive bus bar. This is so the master power for all accessories ( except the solar charge controller and the alarm) can be turned on and off. |
I mounted the single battery in the far left because the negative cable on the harness started on that side.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Original Battery Bank Configuration
Unfortunately the Radar Trailer didn't come with the original (3) 31DCM maintenance free batteries for a total of 345ah at 12v.
The only concern I have with using lead-acid batteries is that when being charged they generate oxygen and hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water. To control the cost I may have to stick with this option.
For now I am going to use an extra AGM battery I have just sitting around.
They still sell this battery new for $569 ( I wish I would of got more than one)
For now I am going to mount it in the first battery position after I double check (and tape up) the positive leads for the other (2) battery bays.
I will use this battery for now and watch craigslist for other options. This will allow me to connect in a small inverter so I can play a radio when I am working on it. I checked the battery specs and it is ok to charge this battery to 14.4v, so it will work with the charge controller already installed in the trailer.
According to the original trailer operator's manual the vent door needs to be opened up when you charge the battery using the 120v charger (not included with my used trailer)
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| This is the spot in the front of the trailer where 3 12v batteries belong. |
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| Each battery has a plastic cover and a metal bar that goes over the threaded rods to hold the batteries securely in the trailer. the metal panel (that the battery cover on the far right is resting on) hinges up. The only concern I have about using lead |
For now I am going to use an extra AGM battery I have just sitting around.
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| This used Genesis XE 70X battery was another golden find on craigslist a few years ago. I think it is 68ah sealed AGM battery. I paid $65 for it new they are much more . |
For now I am going to mount it in the first battery position after I double check (and tape up) the positive leads for the other (2) battery bays.
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| Ready to be added to the battery bay. |
More details of the battery compartment can be found below:
According to the original trailer operator's manual the vent door needs to be opened up when you charge the battery using the 120v charger (not included with my used trailer)
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| I was wondering what this bar was for. I think it is to prop up the vent door? |
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| I just stuck the bar in the expanded metal and it holds the door up. |
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