I've got a 15-year old Winnie with a 50 Amp AC service. I installed a 1,500 Watt Inverter by connecting the + line to a demand switch that automatically selects ground power if available and the Inverter power if it is not available AND if ground power is not available. The power from that switch goes to one bank of the breakers. (the 50 Amp connection has two + lines and in most installations, each feeds one half of your 110 V breakers). I then made certain the circuits I wanted powered when on Inverter power were on the bank that feeds those plugs.
Now, the limitations: With a 1,500 W Inverter--no microwave, no toaster, no electric heater, no A/C.
12 V source: I have two 6-Volt Cart batteries.
12 V to Inverter connection: I have two 8-gauge stranded wires with a 50 A fuse on the +. The shorter the better--this is where the most power is lost in wire.
I charge the 6 V batteries with a built in charger that runs whenever there is 120 V power to the system (including when I run the generator). I also have six solar panels on the roof that are not required for these purposes but sure make life easier.
Look at it this way:
When not hooked to anything I have 12-volt power for things such as water pump, interior lights and the 12-volt TV in the bedroom as well as for those many other little drains like the Weingard TV signal amplifier and the Internet air-card, amplifier and router.
When not hooked to anything I can switch on the Inverter for the desktop computer, printer, main TV and desk light. I still have the 12-volt system.
When not hooked to anything I can turn on the generator and use the microwave, toaster, even the A/C. And don't forget the 12-volt system.
When hooked to ground power everything works, including the 12-volt system.
Hope this helps.
Glenn
