Catering Trailer going green

HappyHoudini · 2025-02-13T00:01:16+0000

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of converting my catering trailer to run fully on batteries and could use some advice on how to set up the electrical system. I've done some research and believe it should be achievable given my low amp-hour needs, but I need guidance on how the system will come together.

Here's what I plan to run:

6 12V spotlamps inside the trailer
12V water pump
150W toppings fridge
3000W hot water tap (used only to wash hands)
Future additions: Actuator and LED sign on the roof

I'm planning to get advice from a qualified electrician, but in the meantime, I'd like to run cables to lights, sockets, etc., from where would be an inverter and batteries so I can start framing the inside out.

Any tips or advice on the wiring, inverter, and battery setup would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

Matt

Avo Mk8 · 2025-02-13T10:15:49+0000

Suggest you try the search button top right on this website (using just the word " Catering") to see previous responses to similar posts.
The 3kW demand is do-able, but likely expensive. The usual advice is to use gas wherever possible for this sort of load, but appreciate that might not be attractive.
PS - you probably know already to use flex, not solid core cable, for the wiring, if the trailer is going to be moved about!

brianmoooore · 2025-02-13T11:11:10+0000

Avo Mk8 said:
The usual advice is to use gas wherever possible for this sort of load, but appreciate that might not be attractive.

When you extract and process oil, you get propane whether you want to or not. Propane production exceeds its demand, so the excess is largely just burnt off.
If it's going to be burnt off anyway, you may as well burn it in your catering van.