I have been going through a lot of trailer builds here, as well as on other forums. I love the details that are included around the actual construction of the trailers. Unfortunately there is little to no detail around electrical systems. I would really like to understand how you guys are assembling your systems, what components you are using, and what drove the decisions on these components.
Specifically, these are the areas I am thinking about;
I am building out 2 separate trailers (one for myself and one for a friend), a small adventure trailer, and a larger Coleman pop-up trailer. Obviously these trailers will have separate needs, but there are some similarities.
My plan on both trailers is to have multiple charging (input) sources. Solar will be the main method for charging the batteries while on location. For those times when the batteries are flat, it's dark or overcast, we will have a small on-board generator to power the system and charge up the batteries. For those rare times when we are in a location where hook-ups are available, and to maintain storage charge while at home, there will be shore power hook-ups. Finally, there will be "charge from vehicle" capability while in tow. So, what charge controllers are being used here? Are multiple controllers required for multiple power sources? It is not clear to me if there are charge controllers on the market that can simplify the installation by handling these multiple sources, with a clean hookup to an inverter and a monitoring panel.
Overall the power needs on both trailers will be fairly light. We will have lighting (LED interior and exterior scene lighting), on board air, ARB (or similar) refrigerator, as well as the ability to charge many devices (cameras, phones, computers, tablets, etc). In addition to all of this, the pop-up trailer will also have a few items that the adventure trailer will not have (additional lighting, additional kitchen equipment, heater, CO2 detector, furnace fan, etc).
For the batteries, I am currently leaning towards 6v golf cart batteries paired in series (for 12v) because of the higher amp-hour ratings. On the adventure trailer I think one pair (in series) would be sufficient. On the pop-up, I am thinking 2 in-series pairs connected in parallel to produce a 12v double Ah rating.
Finally, I would really like to see some schematics (no matter how rough) on how you guys are hooking all this up and photos of your systems.
Thanks!
Specifically, these are the areas I am thinking about;
- Battery Systems
- Deep Cycle Vs Golf Cart Batteries
- 6v (in pairs) Vs 12v batteries
- Wet Cell Vs AGM Vs Gel
- Charging Sources
- Shore Power
- Solar
- On Board Generator
- Charge from Tow-Vehicle
- Inverters
- Pure Sine Vs Modified Sine
- Lighting
I am building out 2 separate trailers (one for myself and one for a friend), a small adventure trailer, and a larger Coleman pop-up trailer. Obviously these trailers will have separate needs, but there are some similarities.
My plan on both trailers is to have multiple charging (input) sources. Solar will be the main method for charging the batteries while on location. For those times when the batteries are flat, it's dark or overcast, we will have a small on-board generator to power the system and charge up the batteries. For those rare times when we are in a location where hook-ups are available, and to maintain storage charge while at home, there will be shore power hook-ups. Finally, there will be "charge from vehicle" capability while in tow. So, what charge controllers are being used here? Are multiple controllers required for multiple power sources? It is not clear to me if there are charge controllers on the market that can simplify the installation by handling these multiple sources, with a clean hookup to an inverter and a monitoring panel.
Overall the power needs on both trailers will be fairly light. We will have lighting (LED interior and exterior scene lighting), on board air, ARB (or similar) refrigerator, as well as the ability to charge many devices (cameras, phones, computers, tablets, etc). In addition to all of this, the pop-up trailer will also have a few items that the adventure trailer will not have (additional lighting, additional kitchen equipment, heater, CO2 detector, furnace fan, etc).
For the batteries, I am currently leaning towards 6v golf cart batteries paired in series (for 12v) because of the higher amp-hour ratings. On the adventure trailer I think one pair (in series) would be sufficient. On the pop-up, I am thinking 2 in-series pairs connected in parallel to produce a 12v double Ah rating.
Finally, I would really like to see some schematics (no matter how rough) on how you guys are hooking all this up and photos of your systems.
Thanks!
