I suggest the normal rv 120v/propane unit. auto switches to ac when it's
available.

the 3 way unit doesn't work well on 12v only.

you can easily add enough panels to keep the fridge going so running the
gen wouldn't be necessary. just takes $$$

you need to document your loads and how long they will run, before
figuring out the batteries needed.



Steve Spence
Renewable energy and self sufficiency
http://www.green-trust.org
http://makingthewebwork.blogspot.com/




tom34140 wrote:
>
>
>
> I am thinking of having a houseboat built that we can go down the
> Mississippi river during the winter months. It would be a pontoon
> housboat 8 1/2 ft. wide by 32 feet long.
> I have a few questions for the group.
>
> 1. Should I go with 12 volt, 110 volt with inverter, or propane, 12 volt
> and 110 volt?
> 2. If we are tied up for a couple of days, without running the engine,
> would a solar panel work well enough to charge the bateries?
> 3. If I have batteries, about how many would I need? I have to consider
> total weight on the boat. I will already have 2 batteries for the
> engine. I plan to have about 150 gallon diesel fuel capacity.
> 4. Any idea how long a certain number of batteries will run a fridge
> before it won't run any longer?
> 5. I will have a 2000 watt Honda generator also.
> 6. We might be in a marina for a day or two at a time, so there would be
> shore power, if that makes any difference as to what type of fridge to
> purchase.
>
> Any help would be appreciated, and if there is a better way to do this,
> please let me know. Thanks Tom
>
>