electronically challenged!! need help??

[jayd]

Hello everyone,

Jay here. I have not written in a long time. I still lurk around and keep up on my reading. I was planning to build a tear, but momma said "NO WAY!!". She wanted a toilet, kitchen and Fridge in a climate controled enviroment to sit and watch tv while I camped.

So we compromised on a 1972 Cardinal 14' travel trailer (Camper is 12') rebuild project. I have most of the rebuild planed. I know what needs to be done. The electrical is where i'm stumped.

Here is what I want. For ac power I plan to run a small airconditioner and two plugins thats it. For dc power I will have 5 interior led flush mount lights, one flip down 10"-12"?? lcd dvd player, small radio, small fresh water pump, one outside led porch light, flame ignitor for gas fridge and two 12v plugins.

I'd like to hook up some sort of converter so while i'm hook to shore power and/or generator it will power everything and charge the battery.

Where I get lost is:

1. What size convertor do I need for this setup?
2. Fuses and breaker???? What size? how many?

I know this is a tear forum. Thats where my heart is at, but its not an option right now. I came here because this forum has more info for the diy camper than any other I have been to. Any suggestions or a point in the right direction sure would help.

Thanks,

Jay

[bdosborn]

Check this thread out on how to size fuses:
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... highlight=
Bruce

[jayd]

bdosorn,

Thank you very much!! that cleared up all my DC questions.


Any suggestions on converters, AC power and breakers?

[Miriam C.]

Jayd, you need to know the amps you plan on pulling before you can decide on a converter. If you go to the sticky in this forum you will find lots of information. You might read as much of that as you can. It will definately give you some good ideas of what you can do and maybe some that you should do.

You might talk with an electritian if you are unsure about the panel and breakers you need. You might be able to find one to put it in fairly cheap if they get interested in what you are doing.

I personally would use 2 15amp breakers, a GFCI and a receptical down stream of the GFCI. The other thing you can do is use one of the breaker/GFCI strip type power stations they have out now. That would save you trying to put in a panel.

Check out Dee Bee's elect too.

A good discussion on wiring converters
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=13174

Good luck

[bledsoe3]

Jay, Read this thread,
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=13174
And this one.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=12975
This one too.
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=6958
These should make it clear as mud.

[jayd]

Thanks guys. I think I'm getting the picture. I won't be installing the electric for a bit, but this info has enabled me to lay everything out the way it needs to be.