DrewE wrote:
It's not precisely correct (but nearly so) to say that the rating of the converter has nothing to do with the AC current it uses, but that's not a concern for sizing an electrical panel. It may come into play if you want to use a smallish generator; a larger converter will need a larger generator to produce full output (or when called on to produce full output).
For two batteries, anything larger than perhaps 50A is quickly getting in the area of diminishing returns.
Wiring would be a little easier with an all-in-one unit, but wiring a standalone converter is not especially difficult. It needs an outlet for AC power in, a chassis safety ground connection, and a positive and negative DC output connection that go to the battery (perhaps via a second set of main lugs on the DC distribution panel, or perhaps more or less directly).
This unit would be a good option; the Progressive Dynamics converters are among the best available.
If you aren't going to be spending many hours actually driving, I would suggest getting a two-way fridge rather than a three-way fridge if there's any real cost difference. The 12V setting is only really useful while you're driving and the engine alternator can supply the power, and the amount of propane you'd save is pretty minimal (the fridge doesn't use all that much to begin with) if you don't spend many hours driving. I think the capital saved there would more than pay for the better converter. Of course, if you happen to have a 3 way fridge sitting in your garage or something, it's a moot point.
If you're planning on running the microwave off of battery power using an inverter, be aware that two batteries is rather marginal in that scenario. Getting a Panasonic Inverter microwave would be well worth considering in that case. (The inverter circuit design in the microwave allows it to throttle down on lower power settings, as compared to virtually all other microwaves that operate at full power cyclically on the lower power settings. The Inverter microwave circuit is also much less dependent on the peak AC voltage and hence works better when the AC inverter output sags under load.) If you only will use it with a generator or shore power connection, then any old microwave that suits your fancy is acceptable.
I was planning on getting a Powerhouse PH2100PRi, 2100watts it's rated at 16.7amp, is that ok?
The 3 way fridge is brand new and waiting to be hooked up, I also got a convection/micro-wave oven :-/
