Powering trailer with an alternator

Elev8orman wrote:
I also liked the idea of only changing an alternator vs. carrying a gen.

Ok, I guess we are talking about your engine alternator.

where are you going to put the inverter ( big sucker ) and the 4/0 welding cable needed to carry that 370amps to the inverter,

then you have too run the shore cord OR replacement from the TT connection to the inverter

that 4K inverter is going to cost $$

while you might make it work
i think when you price everything plus the hassles
it won't be such a convenient Idea

I would go 24v if adding a dedicated alternator to run an inverter of that size.
How many v-belts does that require? or a cogged belt?

The idea wasn't for traveling down the road, but once parked. I also liked the idea of only changing an alternator vs. carrying a gen. or 2. Another factor is the cost, less than 2K vs possibly double that for the same output. Yes it would use more fuel but it won't run but for a few hours max.

Moved from Technology Corner

After we caught the RVing bug by trying out a TT first, we realized a motorhome fit our style of traveling much better.

One of the biggest detractions from the TT was the inability to cool it while on the road. We love to pull off and fix a meal, take a break or what ever. How about stopping for a bathroom break? This is all very uncomfortable when the temperatures are in the 90s with high humidity.

Although we had the ability, we never once took the gennie and busted it out while traveling. It's too much of a hassle, specially when your destination is a full-hookup campground.

I think the best part of the OPs plan is to keep the TT cool while moving down the road. Makes sense to want to do that to me.

I will leave the details of whether this will work or not to the experts.

Why do you want to power your trailer A/C while you are driving? Hopefully, no one is back there.
Now, if you want to use that alternator to keep your batteries charged while you are driving you should be able to set that up without issue.

Are you taking into account the amount of gas that engine is going to use to run that alternator, as compared to the gas that a smaller generator will use?

Keep in mind, your numbers suggest that you'll have to run that alternator at 1200 rpms. What does that mean the engine has to be turning? Are you going to sit there with your foot on the gas pedal to bring the RPMs up from their idle speed?

This might be fine, while driving down the road, but when you stop, you'll want something else.
Also, how much power does your TV require for operation? These newer units are using that alternator for more than the battery.....so just tooling down the road, will have the various ignition and fuel systems drawing from the battery too.

Okay I'll bite. How is this more efficient than an inverter generator? What more would be gained?