Do you have batteries on this trailer? This is the one that I have in my garage. My 12V power supply is on a switch so that the fan doesn't run all the time. If you don't have batteries, then I would install a switch to avoid backfeeding the power supply from your truck. You'll have to stick this description into Amazon. It won't let me link it (just comes up with a media error).
Is actually 12 volts output or 13.5-14V
Not worried about the 12 volt. But you don’t want to back feed the 120 into your inverter when plugged into shore power if you have 120 volt ac wiring that is shared between multiple sources.
Putting it in a sealed box outside is not going to change it operations substantially ...it will still circulate air in same manner .... combustion air and exhaust are to the exterior per requirements. Putting it in the box allows it to be moved out of the way and dumps the heat out at the lowest point so it can rise rather than forcing it down ...
Modman, first off thanks for the info. I'm looking at purchasing this for my trailer. I'm assuming you've installed this in your trailer. How do you keep these electronics clean cause this looks like it's wide open to the environment.
Are we talking about a sealed box with a return airflow from the trailer or no return? If there is a return then you should be fine. My assumption from the original post was that they didn't have a return. If you are not using a return air flow from the trailer back to the heater, then yes, mounting it outside WILL make a huge difference in its efficiency. To get the heat down to the lowest point, you can just mount it right onto the floor if you want, but you lose a little bit of space.
Usually they have a little rheostat / potentiometer screw and are adjustable within a couple volts. I set the output of the power supply right at 12V on the terminals. There is about 0.4-0.5 volt difference between the voltage reading on the heater (11.7) and my voltmeters (12.1 and 12.0).
Hey Frock. I don't have one of these installed in my trailer but I do have 1 in my garage. I run my whole trailer right off the 12V batteries (2 deep cycles) but I've done some upgrades to it so that it is totally stand alone. I have 600 watts of solar panels on the roof and a 3000W inverter. When its plugged to the truck, the truck and solar charge the batteries, lights, inverter etc. When the truck is off, I have an automatic battery disconnect so that you don't have to unplug the trailer and the trailer never draws the truck down. If you kill your truck battery somehow, you can reverse it and charge the truck battery from the trailer (using trailer batteries or the solar panels in the day). I also installed a 120V plug to plug into house power at home and then mounted a 120V smart charger that tends the batteries and powers everything. Pretty much like a regular travel trailer is wired but with solar back up.
You should start a thread exclusive to your build…
Fawk ya. Defiantly do a build thread as you go. I took tones of pictures when I gutted my bumper pull for a build thinking I would start a thread but never did. Now I’m 5 years deep and still not done so I should be working on the trailer instead of dinking around on my phone.
This would mean i have to do more work doing a build thread. I am just using youtube university to learn myself.
