PV Gap

Alex Said:

Any info on satellite dishes on RVs and trailers?

We Answered:

The only thing I can tell you is that my husband is a satellite tech for Dish Network, and he has gone to plenty of campsites to install Dish on their camper or RV. He's sleeping right now, so I cant ask him what needs to be done.

Roberta Said:

Passive cooler using layers of blackened foil and evaporative cooling.?

We Answered:

Although I'm familiar with what you are trying to do (and it does work) I don't know any way to do it light weight.

The clear sky is really cold and heat will radiate off. But if the air is warm you need a window to prevent convection (air circulation) from defeating your purpose.

If it gets cloudy and warm (as it will in some areas) you have a problem.

There are naturally occurring "ice caves" where there is sufficient thermal mass that radiative cooling can keep water frozen year round.

I think just super good insulation is the biggest key. If you can open a box to the night sky when the air is cool and close it up during the day...

Evaporative cooling is my favorite. It does require that the air be reasonably dry - not good in humid climates. It can be effective with something a simple as a wet towel, but a filter pad that air can flow through while wet is the best.

Eugene Said:

when is a car battery fully charged?

We Answered:

>> if i base the charge assessment purely on voltage then it would seem that i have discovered a source of free electricity

funny. OK batteries of all kind have to be checked UNDER LOAD. That means that it should be in USE when the battery is being tested.

On a car, the headlight should be on for about 30 seconds to get a true voltage. That's a heavy load (60 watts / 5 amp per bulb)


good Luck...

P.S. You should NOT discharge your battery so much and then leave it discharged overnight. Only Marine batteries are designed to be DEEP DISCHARGE. Normal car, motorcycle, lawnmower batteries will become permanently dead if left discharged for long time.