Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm new to wiring and trying to wrap my head around the whole concept. Though highly competent, it's something I have never tackled before. I work on $40 million dollar military aircraft (ordnance) and have strong mechanical skills.

Wondering if I secure all the necessary parts, post pictures of my progress, if the kind and friendly people here would guide me through my wiring installation? My thought process is that by taking one step at a time, knowledgeable people here would kindly assist.

I realise it's a lot to ask, but I have nowhere else to turn.

Thank you in advance!

Helping others with their builds is what this forum is all about. I would suggest the following:
1. decide what kind of electrical system you want early on (AC, DC, or both) and what appliances you want to run. Don't forget your trailer wiring.
2. surf the Electrical Secrets section of the Forum and especially the stickies to see what others have discussed and learned (the hard way).
3. check out the Build Journals for pics of some electrical installations (I have a lot of pics in my weekender journal with a lot of narrative explaining what I did; feel free to use it in any way that helps).
4. most importantly, try to plan your electrical before you get too far along with your build. it is easier to install wiring and plan for your light and receptacle locations ahead of time rather than trying to retrofit everything.
5. feel free to ask lots of questions as these forum members are the most helpful people in the world.

good luck and welcome
Larry S.

Using the electrical section for your questions will get a bunch of good info


HOWEVER You will find everyone has a better way or at least different

here is Joanne's tact on the electrical ideas. I found it quite helpful as the pictorials work better than a schematic for some of us..... Thanks again Joanne

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=1941

Thank you!

I want both 110v (30a) and 12v, and I have seen quite a few pictures other have posted regarding their electrical systems. It's slowly sinking in and making a bit more sense. Loading missiles on military aircraft is so much easier!

Questions:

The difficult part I am having is understanding the main components I will need to purchase in order to accommodate my TD. Here is what I do know, taken from the Benroy plans:

- 110v inlet + 12 gauge wire (I assume Romex?)
- Electrical boxes + outlets for 110v + 1 GFI
- 12v converter
- 12 v plugs (cigarette type)?
- 12 v fuse box
- 16-2 sound cable

And I want an inline 30a surge protector wired into the system.

What I am trying to wrap my head around is how to wire the first few components, i.e., in which order should I follow?

For example: (would this be a good starting point, and once I have accomplished this then stop?) Or am I missing something such as a circuit breaker with 2 x 15a?

110v inlet > 30a surge protector > 12 v converter > 12v fuse box?

Welcome! You probably want to put in some circuit breakers as well. A convenient way that many have combined the converter,12V fuse box, and breakers is through the use of either a WFCO or Progressive converter. There are lots of them on ebay and trailer surplus places. You will want to catch surges between the trailer and the source. There is enough info and opinions on the electrical forum to make your head spin.

Edit- wow, gotta quit trying to type on a tablet without my glasses!

grandkinstudios wrote:Thank you!

I want both 110v (30a) and 12v, and I have seen quite a few pictures other have posted regarding their electrical systems. It's slowly sinking in and making a bit more sense. Loading missiles on military aircraft is so much easier!

Questions:

The difficult part I am having is understanding the main components I will need to purchase in order to accommodate my TD. Here is what I do know, taken from the Benroy plans:

- 110v inlet + 12 gauge wire (I assume Romex?)
- Electrical boxes + outlets for 110v + 1 GFI
- 12v converter
- 12 v plugs (cigarette type)?
- 12 v fuse box
- 16-2 sound cable

And I want an inline 30a surge protector wired into the system.

What I am trying to wrap my head around is how to wire the first few components, i.e., in which order should I follow?

For example: (would this be a good starting point, and once I have accomplished this then stop?) Or am I missing something such as a circuit breaker with 2 x 15a?

110v inlet > 30a surge protector > 12 v converter > 12v fuse box?

110 ACV, 30 amp input reguires larger than 12 gauge copper wire.

I would use 10 gauge.

If you get a converter/charger, either Progressive Dynamics or WFCO, you will have both an AC & a DC distribution box.
Wiring will be simplier.
If you have a converter charger, you will want a trailer battery.

You will need a seperate 12 DCV system for trailer tail lights & turn signal lights (TL, LT, RT, gnd).
If you will be charging a trailer battery while driving, you will need a +12 DCV wire from tow vehicle to trailer.

Here are the wiring diagrams for the trailer I am building. These are overkill for a normal teardrop, but you should be able to get the idea. You can just omit what you don't need.

Here is the wiring diagram for the trailer lighting and brakes.



And here is the diagram for the 12V and 120V wiring.



The two different diagrams tie together at the battery and converter. As you can see this is probably more than you need, but this hopefully will help you get an idea of what you need.

Dan

pmowers wrote:Welcome! You probably want to put insome circuit breakers as well. A convienent way that many have combined tge converter,12V fuse box, and breakers is through the use of either a WFCO or Progressive converter. There are lots of them on ebay and trailer surplus places. You will want to catch surges between the trailer and the source. There is enough info and opinions on the electrial forum to make your head spin.

+1 for the Progressive Dynamics converter/charger. This little system with a dedicated trailer battery really simplifies both your AC and DC systems. Costs a little more but is well worth it.

What is the model number for the PD converter?

grandkinstudios wrote:What is the model number for the PD converter?

I bought the PD4045. It is currently available on ebay for about $145 shipped. It is a little overkill, but gives you a lot of room for future expansion if you decide to add more AC or DC appliances. Check out my build journal pics and comments at this link: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=49333&start=60

Danlott,

Thank you for posting your schematics. Very detailed and highly useful!

Received the following image from Progressive Dynamics tech regarding the PD4045 power unit. Their pdf owners manual leaves much to be desired, and hopefully this helps.

grandkinstudios wrote:What is the model number for the PD converter?

I got the 9130 and added the charge wizard which monitors the battery level and charges based on what the battery needs. (http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_deta ... 130_2.html and http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_deta ... _9105.html).

I think I paid $90 for the converter/charger and another $20 for the charge wizard. I also went with the WFCO distribution panel, it has both AC and DC. I'm not seeing my model on their website so here is a pic of how it looks.

Wow, I could really have used that picture a couple weeks ago. The PD instructions were pretty vague and the drawing had about 15 wires overlapping each other. I emailed them and they cleared things up. Still don't know why the bus bars on the bottom are labeled upside down on the housing.

Barry