I am setting up my 30" plotter in a 24ft. trailer. I know I need some certain specifications to run a laptop, plotter, scanner, etc. I was hoping someone may have some experience and give me some pointers on what works for them. I bought all my own equipment and then I went to work for another sign shop because of an offer I couldn't turn down. I just purchased a Chevy dually and 24ft. trailer for racing. Now I need to pay for it so I thought about setting my equipment in my trailer and do lettering at the race track to pay for this gas hawg. I have had this idea for a long time and would like to know if it has worked good for anyone. I have my own clients that I do on site work for and it would be much nicer to have everything with me in case I screw something up since some of them are 180 miles from me. I would appreciate any help. FOR THE LOVE OF SIGNS Thank You, Casey Handwerk Handwerk Signs & Graphics
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Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
I would give some thought to the rough ride transport of such valuble and delicate equipment such as you have discribed. Laptops are pretty well designed for traveling.I have not noticed the same with cutters,etc.on the market!By going this route of making money to pay for the equipment.Are you going to be paying for bounced around,shook-up,shaken,out of adjustment,rough housed,USED TOOLS? Of course thats why I don't gamble either.I worked to hard to get my money,just to throw it away.Hoping I will get more money for nothing! Just my thoughts.Hope this helps
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
[This message has been edited by PKing (edited January 22, 2001).]
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Does the trailer have a compartment for a generator? If so, a 5KW will be big enough, unless you are also running an air conditioner... then a 6 or 7 KW is needed!
NOTE!!! If it does have a compartment for a 'built in' DON'T put a regular generator in there! IT WILL CATCH YOUR WHOLE RIG ON FIRE!!! It akes a RV type of generator to be safe in a closed compartment...they have a built-in fan to cool them. If you want to use a standard generator, you will have to set it up OUTSIDE EVERY TIME YOUU USE IT!!
In my old racing days...I witnessed quite a few generator fires at the race track for the reasons pointed out above!
Be sure to "shock mount" your plotter against traveling bumps and shocks!
------------------ Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA (714) 521-4810 ICQ # 330407 "SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
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Gladly supporting this BB !
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
take a look at my web page www.asignmint.atfreeweb.com my mobile unit, i got a 6.5kw onan in it way more then i need....but i got a roof air on it also....and floresent lights in it..
------------------ joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-944-5060 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
If you're considering running ANY of that type of equipment off a generator of any kind, then I'd also be using an APC battery backup device to guard against any possible power surges. Just one such occurrance may very well fry all that expensive equipment.
Just a thought...hope it helps.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
Posted by Keith Pedersen (Member # 246) on :
I run a 15 inch gerber plotter and laptop in my conversion van off a 500 watt voltage inverter. I bought the inverter at sams club for $60. I have been cutting at a truck yard for 2 years with no problems.You cant run any lights or anything else with this while the computer is running.I keep all my vinyl in their boxes to keep from getting messed up. Good luck with going mobile, Keith
------------------ Keith Pedersen Keith's Signs Lincroft,NJ 732-530-9157
Posted by Casey Handwerk (Member # 1940) on :
Thank You for all your help.
Casey Handwerk Handwerk Signs & Graphics
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Posted by Terry Scott (Member # 839) on :
Hi Casey, We have been mobile for 3 years, we have a 12 ft vending trailer and a 4000 watt generator which powers the lights, cutter, computer, radio, and out side lights, only thing it won't run is the ac. make sure you have a power backup with surge protecter since generators do not run at a constant.We do not carry the cutter or laptop in the trailer they are always strapped and padded in the van. And after having our trailer flipped last June (by someone talking on a cell phone and trying to drive) we were glad we did not keep the cutter and computer in there. Anyway good luck. Terry
------------------ Terry Scott Family Graphics Deerfield Beach, Fl
