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Wiring a Horse Trailer Conversion

Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 4:59 pm
by Lawro290
I'm converting a horse trailer into a catering trailer, and I'm starting to look at the wiring required. I'll hire an electrician for this bit, but what would I need? What would be the best way to run two undercounter fridges, a waste water/handwash system, coffee machine, lights, microwave?

Thanks.

Re: Wiring a Horse Trailer Conversion

Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 12:36 am
by ericmark
Fridges don't like being shaken about, so would need to be a special for boat or caravan.

There are three types.
The [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_refrigerator]Absorption[/url]
The [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling]Peltier[/url]
The [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrigerator]Compressor[/url]
The Absorption can run on gas, 12 volt or 230 volt.
The Peltier is always low voltage DC.
The Compressor type is the best, but hard to find a multi voltage version, mainly used on boats where you can't drill vents below the fridge as clearly the boat would sink so have to use compressor type.

On 12 volt looking at around 8 amp for standard caravan type and a battery would not last long, so either a generator and 230 volt, or a gas one. The compressor has a high start load so the generator has to be around 2 kW even when you will not likely use that much power other than on start up.

The microwave also heavy load, could use inverters, but would be rather large so again generator.

So all in all seems you stuck, you will need a generator not really a way around it.

So looking at two basic types, old type which can be diesel but in the main revs is fixed so noise is a problem, and inverter type, these can tick over and rev up only when required, and to respond that quick are nearly always petrol.

Because petrol inverter generators can tick over, they are likely cheaper to run than diesel.

There are gas powered generators, but tend to me more expensive.

If it was me likely looking at between 3 and 5 kW generator, although you may get away with a 2 kW if your hand wash, fridges, and micro wave power up at same time then it could trip or stall.

16 amp is around 3.5 kW and you may find you can plug in on some sites, so I would aim to run all off 3.5 kW 16 amp supply using a standard blue caravan plug so if anything goes wrong with your generator you can easy hire a replacement.

Your likely looking at Waeco compressor fridges, and around £800 each you could try using a domestic fridge but not sure it would stand being moved around all the time.

I would visit a caravan sales place, and a boat sales place, and look at what is on offer.