I'm guessing, for all intents and purposes, the inverter is really some kind of bling added to the electrical system. I would probably never run the TV's when I'm boondocking, and the generator can supply AC power for s small appliance or 2 when I'm not hooked up to shore. As far as the fridge is concerned, I've noticed that it's a real miser when it comes to operating on gas, and that's what I've used when I'm not plugged in to shore. I think when I turned the inverter on yesterday, it was probably the first time it had ever been used! Thanks to all for your suggestions and insight.