How to Create Auxiliary Power System in Enclosed Trailer

Updated 09/30/2019 | Published 09/27/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Go Power Industrial Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charger - 3,000 Watts - 100 Amps - 12V

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$1947.99

Installation Kit for Go Power Inverters - 300 Amp Fuse - 12V and 24V

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$383.99

Question:

Have a question you get asked often but with a couple adaptations, I haven’t seen covered in FAQ. I have a tandem axel 14’ enclosed trailer 2019 with electric brakes its required battery system. I use for my epoxy/polyurea floor coating business, so I ordered it from the trailer factory with a 110 electrical package. So I have a 3 prong outlet on outside of trailer to accept standard 3 prong extension cord that then powers a 4’ wall mounted LED light switched and a single gang duel I assume 110v receptical outlet mounted inside trailer that only work when powered from an outside power source. Trailer also has a switched standard led interior light that only runs when trailer is connected to my tow vehicle. 2012 Silverado I want to be able to run everything without my truck or an extension cord/shore power/generator connected to trailer and also be able to charge the assumed 12v batterys I’ll be required to buy to do this from other client answers you have provided. I need to be able to run the interior lights and have the outlet power a standard dewalt drill battery recharger at minimum. Would love to find a way to be able to run my Pulse Vac 15 amp industrial Vac for 15-20 minutes on occasion. I have wood walls but underneath floor is open and accessible. I have already picked up some 12g wire, battery terminals and a battery storage box. Having both 12volt and 110v without electrical background has me stumped and via google, I found your company. I’m looking for what additional parts and items are required to do this. Any specific batteries that are designed or work better for this type of job, I’m in MN if that matters. Trailer is mostly stored in my garage. Assume at minimum a battery inverter, charger or tender combo, safety fuses, a wire junction box and a battery or 2. 1st Photo is my main trailer harness and 2nd photo are the wires running up to my electric brake battery. Thanks in advance,

asked by: Chad R

Expert Reply:

I'll try to start this answer off with some of the most important information- the batteries. The batteries you will need to power all of this would need to be 12v deep-cycle batteries with enough amp hour rating to power all of the tools and lights for an extended period of time; since we don't sell batteries, I don't have a specific recommendation but something with a 100 amp hour rating (you'll likely need multiple batteries wired in series to supply enough power to make this work). You'll want these wired separately from the battery that is operating the brakes on your trailer, but still connected to the 7 way connection from your vehicle to provide an auxiliary charge between jobs.

After the batteries, you'll need a battery inverter similar to the Go Power Industrial Pure Sine Wave Inverter/Charger - 3,000 Watts - 100 Amps - 12V # 34275013 to take the power from your batteries and convert it into usable electricity by your drill's battery charger, the lights in the trailer and the industrial vacuum. This unit also works as a battery charger when connected to shore power and accepts 30 amp service. You will also need the Installation Kit for Go Power Inverters # 342GPDCKIT4 .

When connected to shore power, you can maintain your batteries with the CTEK Multi US 25000 High Capacity 12v battery charger # CTEK56674 with the outlet that was pre-installed in your trailer.

expert reply by: Erik B