SOLAR TRAILER FAQ's
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
Q: What sort of braking system do Solar Rig Trailers use?
A: SRT may on occasion Lease Solar trailers out, which use "inertia" brakes;
But standardizes its newly sold Solar Rig Trailers with an "Electric" Brake system per the (US SAE J2863) Standard.
- Below is and explanation on the difference between these trailer brake types.
A: SRT may on occasion Lease Solar trailers out, which use "inertia" brakes;
But standardizes its newly sold Solar Rig Trailers with an "Electric" Brake system per the (US SAE J2863) Standard.
- Below is and explanation on the difference between these trailer brake types.
Hydraulic Inertia brakes use the force or momentum of a slowing tow vehicle to apply the brakes on a trailer. As the tow vehicle’s brakes are pressed, there is force applied to a hydraulic cylinder located on the hitch that activates the trailer brakes. The quicker you slow down your tow vehicle, the more pressure is applied to your trailer’s brakes. However, the downside of hydraulic brakes is that you do not have independent control over the trailer brakes. Pressure will only be applied to the trailer brakes when there is pressure applied to the hydraulic cylinder from the slowing of the tow vehicle. This can cause issues when trying to backup a trailer, especially uphill.
Electric brakes are different than hydraulic inertia brakes in that when you apply pressure to the tow vehicle’s brake pedal, pressure is also applied to the trailer brakes. Electric brakes, though, do not apply as much force against the tow vehicle as hydraulic brakes. By utilizing the brake pedal, you can adjust the amount of pressure going to the trailer brakes.
Electric brakes are different than hydraulic inertia brakes in that when you apply pressure to the tow vehicle’s brake pedal, pressure is also applied to the trailer brakes. Electric brakes, though, do not apply as much force against the tow vehicle as hydraulic brakes. By utilizing the brake pedal, you can adjust the amount of pressure going to the trailer brakes.
SOLAR PANEL DEPLOYMENT
Q: What direction and degree tilt should be used when setting up a Solar Rigs PV Panels?
A1: The Direction of your panels should always face toward the Equator, north of face it due south, south of face it due north. This is due to the Suns rays hitting the Equator first, and then spreading north and south evenly.
A2: The tilt of the Solar Panel/s should be set to as close to the Latitude of the Rigs location as possible.
e.g.- A Rig set up in north New Jersey should have its panels set to around 41 degrees as in the image below.
We recommend using www.gps-coordinates.org for your exact latitude and tilting degree needed.
A1: The Direction of your panels should always face toward the Equator, north of face it due south, south of face it due north. This is due to the Suns rays hitting the Equator first, and then spreading north and south evenly.
A2: The tilt of the Solar Panel/s should be set to as close to the Latitude of the Rigs location as possible.
e.g.- A Rig set up in north New Jersey should have its panels set to around 41 degrees as in the image below.
We recommend using www.gps-coordinates.org for your exact latitude and tilting degree needed.
LATITUDE = PV PANELS TILT
|
DIRECTION = PV PANELS FACE OPPOSITE SIDE OF EQUATOR
|
MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
Q: Is there a Maintenance Contract available for Solar Rig Trailers?
A: SRT recommends to resellers the following SOP guidance for maintenance; which your preferred reseller should be able to go over, and provide.
These SOP guidelines can be unpacked as follows:
1- IT updates/support- Remote
Onsite 7 point inspection:
Testing of all Components including;
-Tire Pressure
-Tail Lights
-Battery voltage health
-PV voltage health
-Brake health
-Emergency brake health
-Mast health
Includes:
(If unit has Solar monitoring option onboard)
Keeping track of units performance health to prevent any potential power loss issues before they happen.
Alerts and monthly power usage vs. battery reports.
4- Repairs- Local
While there is not currently a network of repair locations,
Solar Rig does guide your preferred reseller on repair any aspect for your Solar Rig Trailer 100%
A: SRT recommends to resellers the following SOP guidance for maintenance; which your preferred reseller should be able to go over, and provide.
These SOP guidelines can be unpacked as follows:
1- IT updates/support- Remote
- Remote Firmware updates
- Remote Software update
- Remote networking fixes
- Remote programming changes
- Cellular outage advocation service
Onsite 7 point inspection:
Testing of all Components including;
-Tire Pressure
-Tail Lights
-Battery voltage health
-PV voltage health
-Brake health
-Emergency brake health
-Mast health
Includes:
- Snow removal if needed
- Panel cleaning if needed
- Lubrication of mast cable if needed
- Brake cleaning if needed
(If unit has Solar monitoring option onboard)
Keeping track of units performance health to prevent any potential power loss issues before they happen.
Alerts and monthly power usage vs. battery reports.
4- Repairs- Local
While there is not currently a network of repair locations,
Solar Rig does guide your preferred reseller on repair any aspect for your Solar Rig Trailer 100%
SOLAR POWER LOSS EVENT
Q: What do I do in the event of a Power loss and what does a power loss mean?
A1: All Solar Rig trailers come with a 115vAC 30A / 240v AC 50A plugin battery charger/power supply unit that when used,
power all devices onboard the trailer while also recharging the batteries back to full capacity.
Simply Plug your trailers extension cord into into both the trailer and a 115v AC or 240v AC power outlet;
A2: Your trailer works on 24v DC batteries that store power from the Sun.
A power loss means, that the sun has been blocked for a length of time on a per day basis
that your trailer had not been engineered for;
OR, unapproved device/s have been added to your trailer,
and/or
your trailer is being used in a ZONE that it was not engineered for. (see zone map below)
A unit called an LVD (Low Voltage Disconnect) within your trailer cuts your devices off when the voltage drains
to 21.4 volts in order to protect the batteries, and turns back on automatically when the LVD senses 25.6 volts.
A1: All Solar Rig trailers come with a 115vAC 30A / 240v AC 50A plugin battery charger/power supply unit that when used,
power all devices onboard the trailer while also recharging the batteries back to full capacity.
Simply Plug your trailers extension cord into into both the trailer and a 115v AC or 240v AC power outlet;
A2: Your trailer works on 24v DC batteries that store power from the Sun.
A power loss means, that the sun has been blocked for a length of time on a per day basis
that your trailer had not been engineered for;
OR, unapproved device/s have been added to your trailer,
and/or
your trailer is being used in a ZONE that it was not engineered for. (see zone map below)
A unit called an LVD (Low Voltage Disconnect) within your trailer cuts your devices off when the voltage drains
to 21.4 volts in order to protect the batteries, and turns back on automatically when the LVD senses 25.6 volts.
US SOLAR ZONE MAP - WINTER
