Recently I had the privilege to design the electrical system for the Ridge Point Band and Guard trailer. As a long time volunteer of their boosters, I have the incite of the past trailer configuration and have witnessed how other bands have approached the same task.
Goal for the new trailer:
- Provide lighting for upper and lower decks
However, I challenged myself to meet these additional goals:
- Setup a low-voltage only system to mitigate any potential hazards
- Provide external lighting for loading and practice
- Have enough capacity for long weekend competitions or extended usage
- Include fans to generate some airflow
- Provide a "dash board" of labeled switches and a battery "gas gauge"
- Provide USB charging ports for directors
- Provide a safe external "shore power" outlet that could be connected by a traditional 3-prong household style outlet. This could in turn be fed by a generator, a solar charger or even a vehicle's 120v outlet as are available.
- Include a battery cutoff switch to mitigate parasitic power drain during the off season and extended periods of storage
- Make it easy for future upgrades
