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trailer/rv air conditioning & other upgrade questions

To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: trailer/rv air conditioning & other upgrade questions
From: Mark Andy <mark@sccaprepared.com>
Date: Sat, 19 May 2007 12:58:58 -0400 (EDT)
Howdy,

I've currently got a 24' enclosed car hauler for our autocross car.  I've 
_also_ now got a new son... And I'm thinking about what we should do to 
keep him happy at events.

I'm considering upgrading our trailer by installing a rooftop a/c & 
heating unit.  The trailer is currently wired for 30A 110vac service, but 
I could upgrade that if necesary.

One thing I need help with is sizing the a/c unit... Smaller is better in 
terms of the generator I'll need, but I need the unit to actually cool 
the trailer down and maintain say 60 deg. on a 40 deg day.  Any guidelines 
here?  The trailer isn't insulated, but I guess I could do that if I had 
to.  If its just a matter of burning more gas because of no insulation, 
I'd probably choose to burn more gas.

Anything else crazy w/regards to installing one of these things?

On the generator side... What's the best way to go here?  I assume I want 
at least 3000 watts, and perhaps more.  I'm not sure if I should go with a 
built in RV style generator or get one of the quiet portable types like 
the Honda EU3000is.  I notice they also now have an EU6500is as well...  I 
really don't want a screaming generator in the pits.

If the generator could also provide emergency power at the house, that'd 
also be good.  The only thing we _really_ have to provide power to in an 
emergency would be a sump pump, fridge, and well pump.  The well pump is 
220vac and would require some electrical updating to allow me to provide 
power from a generator, but the other stuff is just "snake extention cords 
through the house".

Finally... Anyone have sources for enclosed trailer windows?  I'd like to 
put a couple windows in the trailer to provide a little more natural 
light/openness if you're inside it with the doors closed.

Thanks for any pointers!  At this point I'm mostly trying to decide if I 
should upgrade our current trailer or just sell it and get another that's 
already setup how we need it.

Well, or just suck it up with our current gear and not upgrade anything. 
Its not like we'd be the first family at the races without a/c or heat... 
:-)

Mark




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