westend wrote:
time2roll wrote:
OK I understand you want all that equipment for ease of use. Pace yourself. Get the RV panel with converter and go camping.
Then start completing your plan to add the inverter and solar. Besides that I am an advocate for separate components so that if one item fails it is far easier to diagnose, adapt, bypass and repair. So I recommend a separate stand alone inverter, separate transfer switch(s), separate charging system. This feeds right back into just get the RV electric panel with converter to do the charging.
You can still enjoy the travelling, outdoors and some nature without toast for a few days. Besides you can make toast on a skillet with propane. Likewise a dozen ways to make coffee with propane instead of a Keurig.
X2, this is all solid advice. Assuming that you will have batteries installed outside the cabin, all of the solar and inverter connections to the batteries can be done after the installation of the batteries and the off-the-shelf load center w/converter.
Having said that, I also gutted my trailer and used a residential load center, a deck-mount converter, and have solar, inverter. I also spent considerable money to build a distribution panel with master switches that connects/disconnects two battery banks with the various electrical devices. I made 12V bus boxes that facilitate that variability. A guy can get too carried away but, if installed correctly, little need to futz and tweak the systems later.
Good luck with your restoration. If I had one tip to give, it would be to draw plans on paper where things will be installed. It saves heartache.
If I had more tips to give: Insulate that trailer like there is no tomorrow. The cost of insulation and the labor to get everything perfect will be paid back in huge dividends later.
Thanks for the tip and well wishes. I know its over the top for a small travel trailer, but I actually have the budget to have some fun with it. We bought it 1/2 price and had the budget for a new one, so theres some room to play with ideas right now.
Definitely going to cram as much XPS sheets into those tiny walls as I can!
