Dog Trailer, very similar systems to an RV, have serveral ?s re. electrical.

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cledford3

New member
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
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2
Hi,

I've purchased a used dog trailer that is very similar to an RV or travel trailer.  It has a 4000watt Onan generator, an RV AC unit, "coach" battery/12v system and being of stainless construction looks a lot like an Airstream trailer.  The dog trailer was made in Texas by a commercial organization that markets its products to among others the federal government.

Anyhow, I've always wanted to get into the RV lifestyle and this is my initial entrance.  For my accommodations I'll be staying in truck bed tent that will go in the bed of the tow vehicle.  My dogs will ride in the trailer and we'll be traveling to shows and competitions around the USA.  I'm currently in the process "detailing" and refurbishing the dog trailer as it was not well cared for by its previous owner.  Among other things the Onan had to be pulled for service and cleaning.

So, I've got several questions as I get the trailer up to "snuff" to where I'm totally comfortable with my dogs in it for extended periods of time.  I'm hoping to tap the forum for the help I need and this will serve as my learning curve for getting to the point when I purchase my own (used) RV.
So, my first couple of questions are as follows:

Isolating the Generator compartment, genset from the "living" compartment.  The generator is in its own enclosed space that is separate from the main area of the trailer.  My concern is that the areas where there could be air exchange (the corners and seams where the generator compartment is "built into" the trailer) were caulked by the manufacturer with what appears to be common (latex) household caulk.  Over time there has been shrinkage and the caulk should be replaced.  My question is, how would this (ensure 0 potential for gas exchange between the generator compartment and living area) in an RV be assured?  Would caulk be enough, or what further steps would be taken.  I might be making too much of this as the Genset exhausts into a tailpipe that runs under the length of the trailer and out the back.  I?m just concerned about potential Co2 seeping into the compartment while my dogs are back there, either because I have the AC on for them, or am running the AC to power for external flood lights where we train after dusk.

Next, the electrical system.  It is a Onan 4000 Microquite genset that supplies 110 to a common household outlet.  The RV ac has had the plug modified to fit the outlet and the 2nd receptacle has an automotive battery charger plugged into it.  The 12volt ?house? system (lights, super fan) draws from a single ?deep discharge, marine staring battery? that is used to start the genset also.  So, the battery cranks the genset, the genset produces AC and the AC feeds the battery charger that tops off the battery.  My concern is that the battery is housed INSIDE the main compartment.  Isn?t  this a bad idea?  I seem to recall hearing something about poisonous gasses produced when recharging a battery?  How is this worked around in the RV world?  Due to the design of the trailer, I don?t think there is anywhere else to put the battery.  The gas tank for the genset sits on the tongue of the trailer and it doesn?t seem like a good idea to put batteries close to gas.  Are there ?boxes? that batteries can be stored in that vent to the outside?

Next question relates to batteries specifically.  Normally, even on the hottest days I run the super fan until we are done training, and then turn the A/C to cool the dogs on the trip home.  The A/c is also there for emergency, in case a dogs over heats.  Otherwise, it is not good for dogs to go from rest in AC to exertion in the heat ? so it doesn?t get run much during the day.  My problem is that if the day is too long, the battery is run down from running the super-fan all day, so it no longer has the horsepower to crank the genset to start it.  This is a dangerous situation as the AC is there primarily for if a dog over heats and needs to AC turned on to cool it down.  For this reason, I was thinking of going to a dedicated battery to start the genset and a second to run the 12v system.  My question for this is, is it possible for the 7 prong trailer hook-up on my truck to supply power to keep the cranking battery changed?  I don?t see how to set the charger up to recharge both batteries at once and would expect that the cranking battery would run down quickly if not recharged regularly.  Someone had suggested to me that this might be possible, but I?d like to verify it.  My truck is 2004 Chevy Silverado with ?tow package? and a 7 prong hook-up with the ?flat? connectors.

Attached is a picture of the trailer.  It will give you a general idea of things.  You are looking at the left side.  Fore and aft are 2 of the 4 stalls for the dogs.  Amidships is the genset compartment.  The right side of the trailer has 2 more stalls and a central compartment for storage, which is where the battery is stored and the controls for the AC are accessed.  The 4 stalls and the storage are comprise the ?living area and are all open to each other for air flow.  The genset compartment extends into this area, but is ?isolated? and does not exchange air with the other 5 areas.  To show what poor care the previous owner took, the fender on the left side (side shown in pic) is missing, as it was torn off when one of the CAR tires he?d used delaminated and tore the aluminum fender off at highway speed.  I?m working on replacing the fender as well.

Thanks for any help and sorry for the long post.

-Calvin


http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p32/cledford/trailer-left.jpg

trailer-left.jpg


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Yes the systems are similar.

not sure about sealing the generator compartment.

There are normally no poisonous gases from battery charging only hydrogen which is explosive, venting to the outside is necessary. most travel trailers have a plastic box on the tongue that holds the battery.
the 7-pin connector does include a charging lead, that could be used to charge the batteries.
 
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