50 amp service, Inverter vs Converter
Sorry I originally had this posted in travel trailer section then moved it here. I am in the process of gutting out an 18 foot travel trailert, all I have left is the shower and head. I have some ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
If you do install a 50 amp RV power cord, my suggestion is the smallest possible 125 amp panel from Home Depot. Get 'compact 1/2 size' circuit breakers. You might be able to find a 20/50-50/20 circuit breaker. You might need to use a full size 50 amp two pole main breaker, and then use 1/2 width 20 and 15 amp breakers for all the other loads. I would suggest 20 for all the breakers.
Some RV manufactures install a inverter/charger with a 30 amp input capacity, and 30 amp pass through relay. So they would install a 30 amp breaker to the inverter/charger and then install either a 20 and 15 amp output circuit breaker, or two - 20 amp breakers on the inverter. These feed circuits near the TV set, living room, kitchen and perhaps the bathroom and near the bed.
Other 20 amp circuits would feed the microwave, each air conditioner (separately) at least 2 circuits to the kitchen (one on the inverter?) and then another circuit that might feed the basement storage areas, and outside receptacles (if you have any).
If you do not want a inverter/charger, then just install a converter/charger. It is less expensive to go this route. If you later decide to get a inverter, what I would suggest is a portable 500 watt model, that plugs into a cigarette lighter receptacle. I would run #10 wire and a 20 amp fuse. This allows you to use about 250 watts before tripping the fuse, normally plenty of power for inverter powered loads.
You do not want to run a microwave from a inverter. IT is to large of a load for most battery banks, and will quickly discharge the battery anyway. Use a generator to run the microwave, or use a stove with a oven.
For a fuse box, you can use what came from the factory. For a few dollars, a auto parts store will normally have a 6 - 10 circuit fuse box that holds 10 - 20 amp auto fuses. This would be plenty of circuits to run a normal trailer.
When they built my RV, they ran extra heavy duty #8 wire from the fuse box to the TV set location. I was able to connect my cigarette lighters to this wire, and have practically no voltage loss when running the inverter.
If you need a tank, Tank-depot.com
Good luck,
Fred.
If you do install a 50 amp RV power cord, my suggestion is the smallest possible 125 amp panel from Home Depot. Get 'compact 1/2 size' circuit breakers. You might be able to find a 20/50-50/20 circuit breaker. You might need to use a full size 50 amp two pole main breaker, and then use 1/2 width 20 and 15 amp breakers for all the other loads. I would suggest 20 for all the breakers.
Some RV manufactures install a inverter/charger with a 30 amp input capacity, and 30 amp pass through relay. So they would install a 30 amp breaker to the inverter/charger and then install either a 20 and 15 amp output circuit breaker, or two - 20 amp breakers on the inverter. These feed circuits near the TV set, living room, kitchen and perhaps the bathroom and near the bed.
Other 20 amp circuits would feed the microwave, each air conditioner (separately) at least 2 circuits to the kitchen (one on the inverter?) and then another circuit that might feed the basement storage areas, and outside receptacles (if you have any).
If you do not want a inverter/charger, then just install a converter/charger. It is less expensive to go this route. If you later decide to get a inverter, what I would suggest is a portable 500 watt model, that plugs into a cigarette lighter receptacle. I would run #10 wire and a 20 amp fuse. This allows you to use about 250 watts before tripping the fuse, normally plenty of power for inverter powered loads.
You do not want to run a microwave from a inverter. IT is to large of a load for most battery banks, and will quickly discharge the battery anyway. Use a generator to run the microwave, or use a stove with a oven.
For a fuse box, you can use what came from the factory. For a few dollars, a auto parts store will normally have a 6 - 10 circuit fuse box that holds 10 - 20 amp auto fuses. This would be plenty of circuits to run a normal trailer.
When they built my RV, they ran extra heavy duty #8 wire from the fuse box to the TV set location. I was able to connect my cigarette lighters to this wire, and have practically no voltage loss when running the inverter.
If you need a tank, Tank-depot.com
Good luck,
Fred.
