Solar Trailer version 2.0. 3,000 Watts of panels, 6,000 watt inverter. Ep. 3
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Here is my new solar trailer version 2.0. More videos to follow that will include a range test with my Tesla Model X and some other EVs. 3,000 Watts of Solar and 6,000 Watt inverter. Soon to be 12,000 watts. 8 kWh of storage, soon to be over 50 kWh. Ep. 3
Forgot some costs. See updated costs in this video: • Solar Trailer version ...
This is so cool, you have the autonomy to go anywhere as long as there is sun. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching
Interesting! I’ve sure this will inspire many people to build their own version of this project.
I Hope so.... I have nearly no electric bill. Charge my Truck, X and Livewire off of solar... Oh ya... My house too!
Really great job. Impressed with the overall build.
Glad you like it
I am concerned about wind lifting those panels when deployed. Winds can rise suddenly without notice. Maybe install some cables that will prevent them from lifting past parallel to the ground. If you ran this through engineering I think it would be substantially beefier. Generally think, how would this thing hold up in 100mph wind? You’ll get by for a while in mild winds but it is deceiving, wind loads can be substantial even at 20-30 mph. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is great you’re doing this. Just a word of caution on the tricky winds.
Thanks for that... I was more concerned about the pull out panels on Solar Trailer version 1.0
@@Roberteeeeeee I would also suggest the cables have an elastic measure so they don’t suddenly reach the end and hit the hardware points of attachment with a sudden jolt.
Nice build.
If the batteries are going to be in the trailer, perhaps it would be better to move the camper to the rear and move the electrical gear and storage to the front?
The additional batteries will be in the bed of the Silverado EV. I am making a storage area above the front (slanted portion) of the camper. Otherwise, your way would be better!
Good for balance. I agree
That’s lovely, I’ve built my own solar power system at home and have considered a trailer for a Sinclair C5 😂
Do it... Solar is so cheap and I love the EG4 6000xp's that are equally inexpensive... Cheap is a a bad word to use.... I look for quality that is not cheap, but inexpensive...
Great stuff
Great setup ❤ Just had the thought you could angle the front panel similarly to the hitch-hiker and put a small kitchen area underneath 😀 A bit like they do on tear drop campers but not at the back.
I wanted to try and see how an angle on the front would help. It's not as much of an issue since I plan on primarily towing with my Silverado EV and the solar trailer is lower than the truck.
@@Roberteeeeeee cool. Look forward to seeing that 😀
@Roberteeeeeee I've got a SR Tesla model 3 in Australia. A bit limited on range . Wondering if towing a trailer would be worth it. Might have to wait until I can afford a LR lol.
@@cryptoslacker-464 Probably not.... I went for the super huge battery in the Silverado to make it possible...
I love this stuff! Thanks for the well put together video with cost breakdown. Keep it up!
More to come!
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Next video will be a range test. Stay tuned
Do some angled louvers for air flow and rain protection. Open vents on the bottom where you shouldn't get rain ingress
I thought about running it with the front panel partially open to give it some aerodynamics. I didn't do that after getting the Silverado EV since the truck is taller than the solar trailer.
@@Roberteeeeeee how do you like it? The specs look amazing on the range and I love that the rear of the cab opens up to join the bed to the cab. Would be awesome for car camping. Does it have a camp mode?
@@mv2woods No it does not. I will be doing another video soon comparing the Silverado EV to my Model X. The good and the bad... Well and some differences....
@@RoberteeeeeeeWhy not put panels on the Tesla as well? You could get another 600-700w using paper thin cigs panels (more durable than any panel) and they’re black.
You forgot to add in the solar panels and batteries to your total cost ?
The batteries were free. They were blown up in a lightening strike so I just bought a BMS and rehabbed them. Realized I forgot the panels so I redid the costs. See this video: th-cam.com/video/WM9v-OM7Yd0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Jvzk0gz8D8NZM9Sl
On a side note, I do have 45 kWh of batteries I am adding. That video will be posted soon!
Tesla have big batteries
But in India Tata Tiago have a 24kwh battery pack, so we put 8kwh of solar on the trailer and it will charge the car in 3-4 hrs maxx.
Good idea soon I will be working on it.
Sounds great... show me your work when done!
You need to have a tire ramp and pull the low side on it. And those small jack stands on the corners to level off your camper and to stop it rocking.
Like the jack idea. Instead of a ramp, just a small jack to jack up the low side and put a small jack under it.
@@Roberteeeeeee the main load on a camper is taken with a small plastic ramp. There is also a locking peace that goes behind the wheel. The jacks are not supposed to carry load but add stability. I think that this just the way how campers are designed, corners are not supposed to be loaded, your camper could take it.
SUPER COOL :D DC-DC charging would be super cool
I agree. I have a relative that works for GM. I told him that they should allow for charging directly from solar array. DC to DC. Somebody should design an MPPT charge controller that feeds a CCS charger that doesn't require batteries, from the sun to your tank!
Venema E-mobility built a DC-DC CCS charger for @4x4electric's expedition. In a podcast they said they were working on commercializing it.
I have been thinking the same thing. The battery in the trailer can extend the range of the EV towing it, and the trailer can also be an offgird home.
That is my planned build.
Good plan.... My Solar Trailer 1.0 came in heavier than I would like so now I will tow with my Silverado EV with the batteries in the back of the truck.
@@Roberteeeeeee It was my original idea to extend the range of my EV with a small trailer used to carry the extra batteries to extend the range of the EV itself. Then I figured why not add solar panels so it can charge itself and even the EV towing it. Still working out the details.
@@Roberteeeeeeeshould have used cigs panels, they’re like 5x lighter than the ones you used. But that’s if you think saving 200-400 pounds matters, cigs are still better overall, but pricey.
@@ZxAMobile yes pricey and take up more space than a conventional panel to achieve the same output. I would’ve had to purchased a 6 x 12 or greater to use cigs
@@Roberteeeeeee on paper it produces less output, but because of its low light performance and high bus bar construction it picks up more in the real world. It basically puts out however much is covered, it's incredible, cover more than half with a towel, it's still pulling 45%+
In full black cloud cover it still pulls 15-20% rated wattage, they also produce more wattage than rated. A 100w bouge rv cigs panel has gotten me 108-109 before even laying flat.
for aerodynamics it is too boxy. there must be a solution where you keep the angle of the sleeping cabin without compromising on the amount of solar cells. If you travel far, the saved energy will be a lot.
That is what I had initially intended on doing. An option would be to frame the front panel so that it only closes half way then lock it in place the the new framing. Although it is boxy, I plane on towing with my Silverado EV (you should watch that video also), and the trailer is lower than the truck so I don't think it is causing too much drag.
maybe upgrade the trailer suspension but overall fantastic 10/10 work
Thanks! Range test video with my Silverado EV to come.
Put your battery's and heavy load on the front of the trailer, otherwise it becomes unstable, there is a TH-cam video about that.
Seems like most of the weight is already in front of the trailer axle.
I actually think I am a little light on the tongue. I thought the panels and aluminum framing might balance it out but I can lift the tongue. I want to mount a spare tire on the front near the tongue.
I think the batteries will be in the bed of my Silverado EV and leave this with the small battery pack for the camper, AC, etc. Watch the Silverado EV towing video too...
@@Roberteeeeeee
Trailer toung weight should be no less than ten percent of trailer weight.
Cool build Rob, not sure it you had the solar modules already and thats why you aren't including them in the cost, but Im curious how much those were as well
I did an updated costs video but I bought a pallet of these (36). Just over 3,700 after tax. so add 1k on for the panels. Put the new ones up in my back to replace those damaged by a recent lightening strike. Some other costs updated too. Watch the video. th-cam.com/video/WM9v-OM7Yd0/w-d-xo.html
I'm curious to see how your 6000 XP holds up on a hot summer day at solar noon. Honestly you might need a pumped cooling system, basically a radiator thermally coupled on the back of the 6000 XP, if you want to run it with the door shut. The Lux power units are much better than the older EG4 units, but I'm pretty sure the 6000 XP wasn't designed to be sealed in that small of a compartment with no airflow. I learned the hard way that an EG4 6500 ex inverter can partially melt when run in an non airconditioned space for a year and created a dead short.
Thanks for the heads up. I only run it with the door open. I wish I could take advantage of charging while I drive during the day but have the same concerns. I have charged mid day when it was 90+ degrees.
I have used a all in one unit like you have there for about 4 years now and when it is sunny it BLOWS AIR!!!! your going to fry it brother. It blows MUCH more hot air than a gaming PC. You could water cool it. That would be your best bet. or easy mode is too cut vents in the bottom and the top and put a roof on it. I can't state this enough it needs air. take it apart and you will see big powerful fans on the inside with clear plastic air guides for a reason.
like the video, have ??? for you. how have the front & side panels held up too flying road damage?? as a lot of times folks put diamond plate on the lower front as preventive protection.
No issues after 500 miles of towing. I could cover the front panel with something to protect it but since the panel doesn't go down to the bottom of the trailer, it should be ok. Also, towing with my Silverado EV, the truck would likely take the hit before the solar trailer. Thanks for the comment
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
I'm sure many will stand on your shoulders. That trailer weighing only 460lbs is extraordinarily light. Even a composite pod trailer is heavier. Can you share the site that describes it's weight?
www.altmeyertrailers.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventoryDetail&id=14872802&p=1&make=sport%20haven&s=(Sort%20By)&d=D&length=0-24&fr=xNewInventory
This is a 6x12 and it is only 540 pounds. They don't seem to have my 5 x 10 in stock.
@@Roberteeeeeee I am hoping I can some how attach a hitch to 2025/26 Aptera and do the same trailer camper set up as you.
Omg! This is so amazing!!!!
Thanks. Going to road trip with it. Still some work to do on it though
Beautiful
Thank you
Very cool DIY setup. Questions. 1. What are you doing for batteries? 2. What are you using for an EVSE? 3. Are you level 1 or level 2 charging? 4. What advantages do you think your setup provides over one of the dozen or so solar generator setups (Anker, Ecoflow, Bluetti) combined with portable panels?
1. I got hit with lightening. It killed (2) 24 volt commercially produced batteries. Ripped out the electronics and bought a BMS. I put them in series to run this 48 volt pack. I have 60 kWh of prismatic cells I will be adding. 2. Charge Point Home Flex 50 amp home charger. I bought it on Prime Days. 3. Level 2 charging with the Charge Point. Very well built and feels better than the one that came with my Silverado EV. 4. Cost. I have the equivilant of 4 Tesla Powerwalls and the batteries were $5,400 and $750 for (4) overkill solar BMSs. A quarter of the cost of the commercial stuff. But I like this stuff.
@@Roberteeeeeee I've been considering a different twist on your setup. We would sleep in the back of the EV for the climate control comfort and use the trailer just for luggage, panels, and charging equipment. I would probably use the new Ecoflow Delta Pro 3 with it's native 240v charging.
I go camping with every luxury imaginable and I get by perfectly fine with 300 W of solar panels and 2 kWh of energy storage.
Nice. I have a habit of going overboard on my projects
@@Roberteeeeeee you did an excellent job by the way! Super nice!
Why did you not just make a camper space out of the frame used to hold the solar panels? you would have had more space and it would be lighter.
I have been watching how many people create very light trailers out of foam. Maybe that will be for Solar Trailer version 3.0
Really curious why you went with the front solar panel placement that forms a rectangle when down versus follow the sloped contour of the trailer cabin? May have made it more aero for less range loss.
I thought about that. I would have lost one of the panels on top and one on each side. I wanted the most panels that I could have. I am going to make the area on top of the slanted area, storage.
Very cool. 👍
Thanks 👍
Turn the box on you inverter around so the door opens upwards, then just clip it up there
Good idea but the box is not square so I would have to mount the inverter sideways.
Bravo !!!
Thanks!
Trailer Version 3.0 : Trina VertexS 450W Bifacial, 4kW with higher base voltage
How would you mount the Bifacial's so that they can produce from the back side of the panels?
@@Roberteeeeeee no change, just add a white reflective foil on the ground. It’s just a few watts extra gain.
Very cool. Great job and well how long does your car take to charge fully from your trailer with your current set up? Also what range can you get and is it saving you much money with your investment in car and trailer vs a Prius in the first 5 years or ten years of ownership? I like your setup but I may just stick to a Prius for now.
I am going to document the charging when I have the 45 kWh of batteries and a second EG4 6000 xp running the both in parralell. 12,000 watts and 50 amp of charging sent to my Chargepoint Charger.
cool idea
Thanks.... Gonna road trip with it.
That’s cool.
Thanks
Why ain't Will Prowse doing this? LOL Sub'd!
Funny you say that. I put 250 kWh of storage and 21 kW worth of panels on my home through the teachings of Will Prowse!
Did you mention the charge times? or range extension?
I am using a 50 amp ChargePoint Home charger. 12,000 Watt inverter is 50 amp of AC. The truck supports up to 80 am or 19.2 kW, but I didn't plan on buying it. I add 22 miles of range an hour. At 19.2 kW it would add about 30 miles per hour.
Can you charge your Tesla from the trailer?
Yes. I just added a second EG4 6000XP so I now have 12K (50 amps) of charging. I can charge @ 40 amps to my tesla and 48 amps to my Silverado EV. Just not while moving. I charge a 45 kWh pack I made while driving. Just finishing up a video showing me charging the Tesla. Stop back!
Do you have links to the mounts and hinges you used for the panels? I'd be interested to see how those are mounted securely to the trailer.
@@jerkychew899 they are stainless steel and the welder sourced all the material. Sorry
Cool but I watched the entire video thinking you were going to show me how you using all that power and how useful it was and what you're charging etc. bummer
Primarily to charge the vehicle I am towing with. Sorry to disappoint but I plan on doing more with it. I have 45 kWh of batteries that I plan on putting in the back of my Silverado EV. I have to create storage in the front of the trailer above the camper. I have to mount my Ecoflow Wave 2 mini split. More to come. Thanks for your comment!
Scx of the trailer 2......
Consumption at 50 mph......?????
150% ....I'm sure.....
I plan on doing some more range tests to see how much the range loss is at different speeds. Just towed it with my Silverado EV. It got 2.2 miles per kWh on the highway at 60 when I drove this same route without a trailer. I got 1.6 miles per kWh towing the trailer. 2.2 x 205 kWh battery = 451 miles of range. 1.6 x 205 kWh = 328 miles of range. 72.72% of range available. Lost 27.28% of my range.
@@RoberteeeeeeeBut on the other hand, you have a "charger" on hand wherever you drive!
Electric car naysayers will still say this won't work, even as you're doing it right in front of their eyes
Love my EVs
lower the trailer by installing smaller wells on it
Might be out of my wheelhouse... The trailer came like that and I am not that skilled... :)
It looks like your tongue is too light. Weigh the whole trailer and make sure the tongue weighs in at 15 percent of the total weight. It'll tow so much better
I need to take it to a business with a scale and do that. Solar Trailer 1 came in at 3,500 pounds and so I tried to keep this one light.
Inverter? Why not dc fast charging
I wish I knew how to charge DC to DC but sadly, I do not. I need a charge controller regardless to charge the batteries. Let me know if you have details on how to DC fast charge from a 48 volt battery pack... Thanks for the comment!
Have you measured your tongue weight? Are you concerned that the battery weight out behind the trailer wheel is not lifting the rear of your car of the ground. Be careful!
I do think I am a little light on the tounge. I only have a few batteries on the trailer. The 45 kWh that I will be adding will be in the bed of my Chevy Silverado EV RST. I might try and put my spare trailer tire in the front.
Im building one of these and decided to use 6 foot drawer slide for a total of 10 370w panels. I wanted the panels to be protected while in transit. 5x10 trailer. Any advice before I get started ?
Solar trailer one has 4,550 worth of panels. Don't over shoot the mark... :)
Hi there.
I built a cargo trailer into a camper and I stupidly chose a rather flat front.
Do everything you can to make it as aerodynamic as possible.
Don’t have fenders that stick out and nothing the roof…like vents or air conditioner.
Try for a low moment of inertia-heavy objects as close to the front of the axel as possible-this will lessen the bucking effect of the trailer.
Good luck with your build!
View inside camper. Would you get a square box next time?
I will post some pictures inside the camper. It is perfect and simple
So whats the purpose of this? Drive at night then charge and sleep in the daytime?
Sort of. After I add 60 kWh of storage in the bed of the truck and a second 6000xp (12K of power), I want to get a chargeverter so that when I get a free charging spot, I can fill the truck and then using the 240 plug in back, pull power off and fill my extra batteries. That way I have over a quarter tank to live and charge with when needed.
I thought I saw the rims of the new Silverado EV in there.
@@brandoncardenas8564 yep!
search ........................... electrical enclosure vent
Thanks!
One hailstorm will destroy it.
Correct... It wouldn't matter if they were mounted on a roof, in a ground array or on this trailer. Cost of doing business! 😀
Watts up 😂
Solar maniac 😂
I think I will use that... Perfectly describes me... I'm all in on Solar
Get yourself a gas car problem solved😂
Funny... But no
3k*5hr = 15kw a day.. at 300watt a mile will give you 50 miles on a good day.. good enough for commute!! you can do better. expand and slide out both ways.. triple it..
Agreed. I have been thinking of how I can have more panels. Even if I set them up when at a site charging.
I Have thought about something like this with my 2012 Chevy Volt. What do you think? Turning my volt into a backup solar trailer I Want to buy a tesla van when available for road trips.
Would you cover it in panels or get a small trailer to mount solar panels to. Not sure what kind of hitch you could get put on a Volt.
@@Roberteeeeeee I would take the body off and cut the back wheels off. Add a hitch. With the front tires in the back would add regen power back to the batteries when braking the trailer
Add solar panels and maybe wind turbine
.
Most of the gains from the solar panels are negated by the drag from the trailer
Correct. Lost 30% of my range. But I can go anywhere and be anywhere and still charge. Thanks for your comment!