Thanks for the input so far. This experiment may already be answered then, but I’ll still do it just to show nice pictures and the results.
@Rftop, As usual you’re already on top of it leading the way. I did search around for insulation and I found reference to external reflective insulation in one post Industrial electron?, but in another post, Low-Power Boron LTE, using the EN Pin, you mention a small box not allowing much room for insulation (I assume internally). Can you clarify what you mean by enclosure insulation? You do just mean external reflective correct?
Second, I have another similar GPS device that is currently connected to a very noisy power supply, that I think is causing issues (many AC motors running on same circuit). I’m thinking about making it solar just to know I have clean power. Space is not an issue, but would you recommend the standard Lipo with your tiny panel you experimented with expecting to possibly turn off charging if temp gets to hot (>122 deg F), or use a $40 SLA 12V solar panel option? I’m very concerned about a catastrophic Lipo failure causing a fire and catching a field on fire. Even reading the warnings about a well taken care of Lipo operated well within limits makes me squeamish leaving one unattended in the field. Thanks for your Boron LTE w/ Solar- Trials, work!
@shanevanj, Thanks for the details. I hadn’t thought about the aluminum plate to act as a heat sink. I’ve seen a box like that before and didn’t connect the dots. As for the rag, yes, it’s a terrible non professional option, but at this point I have 25 readily accessible devices already installed, so a rag over the top was my quick and dirty spur of the moment thought. I’m hoping just mounting them on the shade side of the electrical box will be sufficient.