Recommended Parts To Add Solar, Battery, Generator, and Shore Power to Enclosed Cargo Trailer

Updated 07/22/2024 | Published 10/26/2022

Products Featured in This Question

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

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Go Power Automatic Transfer Switch - Plastic Case - 30 Amp - 120V

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$143.99

Mighty Cord RV Power Cord Adapter - 30 Amp Twist Lock Female to 15 Amp Male - 12" Long

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Mighty Cord Replacement RV Power Inlet - Twist Lock - 30 Amp - Black

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Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 10

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$13.81

Furrion Pure Sine Wave Inverter - 1,000 Watts - Deck Mount - 12V

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Go Power Overlander Solar Charging System with Digital Solar Controller - 400 Watt Solar Panels

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Question:

I am a general contractor. I do remote builds and I use a 7 x 20 enclosed cargo trailer. I want to be able to plug my trailer into my generator and the ability to plug into extension cord pulling power from residence to power my lights and outlets camera and 12v charging station for my battery operated drills and saws . I will have 2 interior plugs and two exterior plugs. I want to add batteries and solar as a back up Can you help me with the needed equipment to make this happen?

asked by: Mike R

Helpful Expert Reply:

I'd be more than happy to help you out!

You're going to need a complete setup like what you find on an RV for what you're needing to do. This is based off of a battery bank but the power will be provided by the various methods you mentioned. Here are the parts I recommend using and then you can find the explanations for them below:

Control Center - # PD4135K
Pure Sine Wave Inverter - # FIVBDP10A
Transfer Switch - # 34264403
30 Amp RV Power Inlet - # A10-30INBKVP
RV Power Cord Adapter - # A10-1530D90VP
Solar Panel Kit - Like part # GP39MR (see attached calculator for best option)
Solar Cable Entry Plate for MC4 Cables - # 34273842REVA

The control center is the main hub for your power. It takes in the AC power and then provides AC and DC power to the parts of your setup that need it since it also has a converter/smart charger for your battery bank. The inverter takes the DC power from your battery bank and makes it AC power to send to the control center.

The transfer switch is what controls where the power is coming from. When you aren't connected to your portable generator or residence power (also known as shore power) then the transfer switch pulls from the battery bank. As soon as you hook up to the generator/shore power though the switch stops pulling power from the batteries and pulls solely from the generator/shore.

The solar panels are a little different in that they aren't used to power your setup alone as they need a battery bank. So you'll want to reference the linked solar panel calculator to choose a system that will provide enough power to your battery bank for your needs.

You should be able to connect the lights on your trailer to the DC side of your control center but you'll need to find standard AC outlets for your charging station. We typically recommend using 10 Gauge Wire # 10-1-1 and Heat Shrink Butt Connectors # DW05745-10 for running 12V power but you'll also need some heavy duty wiring to connect your batteries if you choose to have a multi-battery bank, and some AC panel breakers and DC fuses for the control center.

If you have any other questions please feel free to reach back out!

expert reply by: Jon G

Joe F.

7/15/2024

In this setup, how is the inverter integrated to allow AC power to come from either shore power or battery? Are the 110V breakers on the control center bypassed such that power always flows through the battery, with shore power charging the battery?

Jon G.

7/22/2024

@JoeF The inverter only changes DC power to AC power, which is why the transfer switch is also needed. The transfer switch basically bypasses the inverter so you aren't pulling power from your batteries to use the AC powered products in your trailer.