Hi Glenn:
Thank you for your prompt post. Unfortunately, re-location is impossible
without a complete re-wiring of the trailer. All 115 volt and all 12 volt
current passes through this unit. This is nearly an impossibility due to
the manufacturing methods used and is comparable to relocating the circuit
breaker panel in a home. It would require a complete disassembly of the
interior and the manufacture and installation of new cable runs as well as
the difficulty of finding a new location for the unit. It occupies
approximately 1 cu.ft., which in a trailer is a difficult amount of space
to find. It would also require the re-location of the power supply cord
and exterior hatch/compartment which houses it. I believe the only
practical solution is to shield it.
John
>The whole issue is open to great debate, but I'd sooner find a new home for
>the device. I read some papers that tell me that my clock radio is a
>potential hazard, so I've moved it across the room. If you can relocate
>the device, you'll know that you and your wife are safe - the fall-off is
>exponential, so merely locating it someplace where it won't be near you for
>extended periods of time should be enough.
>
>Glenn
>
>----------
>> From: John McEwen <mmcewen@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
>> To: mgs@autox.team.net
>> Cc: alpines@autox.team.net
>> Subject: Electrical field effects
>> Date: Saturday, March 29, 1997 6:36 PM
>>
>> Hello list - especially those of you skilled in electrical
>> engineering/technology:
>>
>> I have been presented with a problem by my wife. We are in the process
>of
>> purchasing a new travel trailer which will allow us to take spring and
>fall
>> holidays. While the trailer will be too big to pull behind an LBC, it
>will
>> be possible for me to take a FBB (Fast British Bike) inside my van when
>we
>> are towing.
>>
>> The problem is that the electrical converter in the trailer is located
>> under the bed on my wife's side. She knows that it is not healthy to
>sleep
>> in close proximity to electrical fields. She wants me to "do the right
>> thing" and prevent any possible problem by eliminating the danger. The
>> converter converts 115 VAC to 12 volts (I am not sure whether this is AC
>or
>> DC). It is a combination transformer and circuit breaker and draws up to
>> 55 amps. It is not cased but breadboard mounted and is surrounded by a
>> wooden box but open on top - under, and in close proximity to, the
>plywood
>> supporting the bed.
>>
>> My questions are as follows:
>>
>> 1. Do I have a problem or is the field involved negligible? Note that
>all
>> of the electrical wiring in the trailer accesses this unit.
>>
>> 2. Would a metal barrier of some sort, attached to the underside of the
>> bed support plywood, act as a suitable protector?
>>
>> 3. Would this barrier have to be grounded to the chassis of the trailer
>in
>> some way?
>>
>> 4. Is there a better suggestion?
>>
>> Thanks for your help. This is a serious concern for my wife and me.
>>
>> John McEwen
>>
>>
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