TrOy

Perhaps you would be willing to apprise the membership, the cost to replicate an electrical system similar to the one you have mentioned. You might also mention the complexity of the installation, and the need for every component to be matched and engineered specifically for each usage.

Most folks don't have unlimited budgets, are DIYers and many have used equippment they are upgrading to make more liveable. Sometimes a more simple system, while not as efficient or self sustaining, is more readily available.

Having a state of the art electrical system certainly would appeal to some owners. We are most fortunate to have someone as well versed as you, to guide the primitive campers to a new level of comfort. It will be interesting to see how much of a residential system, can be adapted to a mobile RV situation, and still be kept within a reasonable budget.

Guys thanks for the input,  but my question still remains about the inverter vs converter.  Maybe I wasn't clear. 

For example, if I am using my batteries to power most of the stuff in my LQ and I don't have shore power,  in order to charge my batteries, I need a converter.  but if I am simply running my generator to powere the AC or 120V outlet I will need an inverter.  Am i on the right track?  and so in this scenerio, I will need both?

Here is what I did. All the lights interior, horse area, and exterior, plus the on demand water pump are all 12v only--ran by mostly 1, but sometimes 2 large deep cycle batteries.

I then wired my 110v seperately with a breaker box and 5 outlets. I went to Harbor Freight and bought a battery charger that plugs into the 110v outlet that I wired under the cabinet where the battery is kept, and charges the batteries anytime we're running the generator or hooked to shore power. (It has overcharge protection as well) I have a 2000w automobile inverter that I can plug into a 12v lighter socket I wired to the batteries if I needed to run something electric without the generator.

Simple, cheap, and easy. Two seperate systems and the only way they are connected is via the battery charger. It works very well. It allows us to camp primitively (12v only) for about 4-5 days--endless if we have shore power. Our "cowboy shower" is LP heated and uses the on demand pump.

Green Machine, Gard and Troy,

Thank you all for your imput.  I am sure that I will end up posting more questions on here as I go.  I will be sure to post pictures of the project along the way.  Right now I just have the bare bones DR after I pulled out the saddle stand and hanging bars, and the bench that were in there. 

I am gathering parts now and have a semi complete list but seem to be finding that I miss important components like a water heater. 

Thanks again.