Much like a house, before I installed the finishes, I routed BX …
Much like a house, before I installed the finishes, I routed BX conduit all over the trailer for outlets and switches.
For my main overhead lighting when running off “shore power”…
For my main overhead lighting when running off “shore power” (plugged in from the house or pole) I have two fluorescent fixtures mounted on the ceiling.
The fluorescent lights are switched by the side entry door.
There’s a quad outlet at the rear of the trailer so when the b…
There’s a quad outlet at the rear of the trailer so when the back door is open I have easy access to a plug for powering my table saw, chop saw, router or any other corded tools I may need.
There are dedicated outlets for my compressor so when I plug in …
There are dedicated outlets for my compressor so when I plug in the trailer all outlets are energized, including outlets for all of my battery chargers for the cordless tools.
In addition to the 120-volt circuit I have a separate 12-volt DC…
In addition to the 120-volt circuit I have a separate 12-volt DC system installed.
To power the DC system, I placed a deep cycle battery amidships …
To power the DC system, I placed a deep cycle battery amidships down low over the axles (good central location and out of the way).
Attached to it is a “battery tender”, or trickle charger, to…
Attached to it is a “battery tender”, or trickle charger, to help top off the battery when the trailer is plugged in to shore power.
To further help with charging the deep cycle battery, I installe…
To further help with charging the deep cycle battery, I installed a 100-watt solar panel on the roof.
The solar panel is connected to a Solar Charge Controller. On su…
The solar panel is connected to a Solar Charge Controller. On sunny days the panel inputs about 14-volts of direct current to charge to the battery and has available USB ports for charging devices. This entire solar setup is available online for about $120.
I wired in a bank of 12-volt DC L.E.D. lights so that in a situa…
I wired in a bank of 12-volt DC L.E.D. lights so that in a situation where I may need to retrieve something or just work in the trailer without 120-volt power, I have lights available.
My 12-volt lighting is switched to make getting lights on in the…
My 12-volt lighting is switched to make getting lights on in the dark even easier.
I live in a very humid climate and mold / moisture are issues. …
I live in a very humid climate and mold / moisture are issues. My trailer came with a roof vent but I upgraded to a thermostatically controlled vent fan (available from any camping store) with an “in use” cover allowing it to be open all the time and keep water out for about $100.
The fan is connected to the 12-volt DC system and runs as needed…
The fan is connected to the 12-volt DC system and runs as needed to keep air circulating. I keep mine set to exhaust air out. It can be switched to pull air in as well. The 12-volt DC systems also powers a GPS tracking device, more details on that later.
110-volt power access from house or pole to trailer lights it al…
110-volt power access from house or pole to trailer lights it all up most of the time. Future plans include externally mounted lights (one 12-volt DC motion- activated and one 120-volt switched work light).
My intro from Part One of this series remains unchanged. I still can’t stand wasted motion, messes, disorganization that eats—I mean I hate watching, it just devours—profitability. So pretty much all roads lead to that with how I wired the trailer to make it a power hub and make it more comfortable and productive to work in.
So, to make it more than a tool wagon with wheels, I rigged it with outlets, lighting (2X), ventilation, and DC power storage. Check out the slideshow for details.
Cliff Woodman is a career carpenter and owner of Woodman Builders, Inc. in Saint Simon’s Island, GA. With 30+ years in the construction industry he has built and remodeled businesses and homes. He has also served as the Project Manager of television shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Treehouse Masters, Home Free, Bar Rescue, Spartan Race, and American Grit. For fun you might find him sweating profusely in a Cross-Fit box or chilling on the beach.
