new to teardrop/camping need help

[dmank86]

hello everyone

so I am building a tear drop and will being running the following
1: mini fridge
2: A/C
3: coffee pot
4: 12v lighting (strip in gally, 2 lights inside, 2 porch lights, maybe 1 or 2 more eg lights around tent)
5: 12v vent fan
6: flat screen with dvd player and antenna

question is how do i go about this ive been reading on here and i think i just confused myself. would 30amp shore power be enough?
and could i run the 12v stuff off the battery and use a tender to charge and stabilize or should i get a PD4045 device? cost efficient would be great but i rather be over prepared then under prepared. i also have an automotive background so 12v is no problem but house hold i do not know much about.

diagrams are welcome also. its a 5x8 teardrop/ benroy creation i'm in process on.

Thanks in advance

[KennethW]

I am a keep it simple ___ (kiss) guy. Wire the DC and use a good power strip for galley AC. Plug the A/C direct to prevent line loss.

[twinight]

I would think 30Amps is enough, assuming not everything is running at the same time.
Consult this chart and verify the specs of each piece of equipment and add up the current draw.
http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/rv-converters-and-amp-draw.asp

[dmank86]

thanks a million....that chart really helped figure it out.
so seem like i can wire lights 12v to battery and use the tender to a power strip then power strip to a/c, fridge, etc...think i see where im going with this now

[GerryS]

The coffee pot and AC together will probably be your only problem...I am assuming everything else is 12 volt. If you're serious about having a coffee maker, they do make 12 volt variety as well, but those will suck a battery dry in very short order!

the 12 volt stuff you mention won't have any affect on shore power, less you're charging the battery or using a converter. The mini-fridge is probably a small load too...I think ours pulls something in the neighborhood of 1 amp at 12 volt (Dometic cf35) or nearly as frugal as 110 volt. If you are using a peltier type cooler, it will probably be higher.

We run everything you are except the coffee maker...we found these tea maker baskets that suspend the grounds in the cup, give us acceptable brew. Not as much extraction as our French press, but still adequate warm beverage and caffeine to get us started. Unfortunately, The single tasking coffee maker takes up way too much space. So it stays home. Size I have found is the single most critical factor to decide what goes, and stays.

When we camp, we run 2 porch lights on the camper, typically 2 house lights, DVD/TV, refrigerator, AC and maybe even a small fan or fantastic on a 20 amp circuit with no problem at all....the only thing using 110 is the AC and a battery charger that charges the deep cycle battery. I've never put an ammeter on its, but I've never popped a breaker either. I estimate 15 amp range since my peak 2400 watt generator (21 amps) stressed...when I run everything.

-G

[George Taylor]

30 Amps will be more than enough. Our tear has a micro, water heater, 120v outlets that are used for what ever. I know we have had the water heater and micro running at the same time with lights and the 12 volt inverter running with out any issues. I know some people have had issues with WFCO products but I have used them in 2 different campers with out any problems.