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Postings related to RV Electrical systems & batteries

Like the rest of our equipment, we take very good care of our batteries. But there comes a time when even well-maintained batteries start to lose their juice. That’s why knowing how to replace an RV battery is important. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to do that, even if your battery bank …

Read More about How to Replace an RV Battery That Doesn’t Hold a Charge

Batteries are a critical part of any RV. Your RV battery gives you the power you need to operate a variety of features, including appliances, devices, and lights. If you have a motorized RV, you also need a battery to start and drive your rig. But there are several different types of RV batteries, and …

Read More about RV Battery Guide: House, Chassis, Lithium & More

Have you heard the chatter about a California generator ban? Well, in this post we’ve got some fact-based details to share that we hope will clear up some misconceptions about the use of an RV generator as a power source in the State of California. In December of 2021, the California Air Resources Board approved …

Read More about The California Generator Ban: Does It Affect Your RV?

Deep cycle RV batteries are one of the three commonly-available types of RV batteries, but they’re the ones that are most often misunderstood. With this post, we hope to change that, at least to some degree. An RVer’s access to power is no minor consideration. We all appreciate traveling with the ability to run a …

Read More about What Makes Deep Cycle RV Batteries Different?

30-amp RVs are the most common rigs on the road. As a result, 30-amp RV plugs and outlets are also very common. The ability to utilize a 30-amp outlet, even if you have a 15- or 50-amp RV, allows you to take advantage of that power regardless of your own rig’s plug. That’s why we’re …

Read More about The Complete 30 Amp RV Plug Guide: Your Outlet to Freedom!

When hooking up to electrical power, the outlet or power pedestal you’re connecting to isn’t always conveniently located. That’s why it’s important to carry an RV extension cord. The question is which cord to carry because using an underrated cord for the load your RV will require could lead to problems, including fire. Which cord …

Read More about RV Extension Cords: 30 Amp? 50 Amp? Get the Right One!

RV wiring has traditionally been installed in a similar manner to electrical wiring in a house. In recent years, however, multiplex wiring systems for RV use have become more common. RV multiplex systems make the wiring throughout the RV more like that of a computer network which can have some real benefits. But what, exactly, …

Read More about Multiplex Wiring Systems for RVs: What Are They?

The 50 amp RV plug is a powerful thing! In fact, it has the capacity to power everything in your RV no matter what size rig you’ve got.  People often wonder how much a single 50-amp plug can really handle. Well, we can power our entire motorhome on a 50-amp plug when we’re connected to …

Read More about The 50 Amp RV Plug: Power For Everything In Your RV!

A quality, highly protective RV surge protector can appear at first glance to be a bit pricey. But when you consider the cost of replacing your RV’s electronics, the cost of surge protection becomes inconsequential. Plugging your RV into unknown power sources like those at RV parks, campgrounds, state parks, etc. is always risky. Any …

Read More about The Best RV Surge Protectors: Protect Your RV’s Electronics!

An absorption refrigerator, like those frequently found in an RV (and commonly referred to as an “RV refrigerator”), uses heat to cool your food and beverages. How can that be? Today we’re taking a closer look at the RV absorption refrigerator – what it is, how it works, how it’s powered, how efficient it is, …

Read More about An Absorption Refrigerator: How Can Heat Keep Things Cold?!?!

Because most RVs have two electrical systems – a 12V DC system as well as a 120V AC system – there can be some confusion about some matters related to the two systems and how they function, both together and separately. For example, we’ve often heard the question “Should I disconnect my RV battery when …

Read More about Should I Disconnect My RV Battery When Plugged In to Shore Power?

As full-time RVers and chronic DIYers, we carry lots of tools and supplies, and we use them all regularly. But even part-time and occasional RVers need a few tools and supplies. Today we’re looking at RV electrical supplies in particular because RVing means you’ve got a home-on-wheels with not just one, but TWO electrical systems …

Read More about 9 RV Electrical Supplies for Every RVer’s Toolkit

We’ve talked a lot about solar power on this blog over the years, and we’re big fans. We’ve got what for us is the ultimate RV solar panel system, and it has served us very well overall. But there’s no getting around the fact that the sun goes down every night, and that clouds, rain, …

Read More about Is an RV Wind Turbine a Good Choice for RVers & Campers?

There’s a lot of talk about lithium RV batteries, and with good reason. RV lithium batteries are rechargeable 12-volt batteries that have become a popular alternative to lead-acid batteries, particularly for RVers who spend a lot of time off the grid and/or who use solar power. RV lithium batteries are based on a newer, more …

Read More about 3 Misconceptions About Lithium RV Batteries

Many RVers turn to a portable RV generator to give themselves access to sufficient power to charge their devices, replenish their RV’s battery power, and run appliances while they’re camping. But how safe are these portable generators? Should we be concerned about the potential for suffocation? In today’s post, we’ll dig deep to consider the …

Read More about Is Your Portable RV Generator a Suffocation Hazard?

You may have seen reports of RV hot skin issues in the news from time to time. It’s a real thing, and it can be extremely dangerous. So, we’re here to lay out the details on what the term “RV hot skin” means, how to test your RV for a “hot skin” condition, and how …

Read More about Don’t Let Your RV Kill You! RV Hot Skin & How to Test For It

Harnessing the energy from the sun to power your RV is a fantastic feeling. We think that installing RV solar panels is one of the best upgrades you can make to any rig. But, what’s the best way to connect them? Wiring solar panels in series vs parallel is an important consideration. In this post, we’re investigating the …

Read More about How to Wire Your RV Solar Panels: Series vs Parallel

If your RV furnace isn’t working, there are a number of possibilities as to the reasons why. Depending on the symptoms your furnace is experiencing, you can troubleshoot a non-working RV furnace on your own. This post aims to help you with that process. We’re going to be focusing here on the most typical RV …

Read More about RV Furnace Not Working? Let’s Troubleshoot!

When we hear the term “thermal runaway,” it’s generally associated with lithium batteries. But what is thermal runaway, and how (and why) does it occur? We’ve all heard stories about lithium batteries catching fire or exploding in smartphones, laptops, and even electric cars. But what factors lead to this reaction? And is it a danger …

Read More about What Is Thermal Runaway?

Today we’re investigating the function of a battery management system. Most of us are familiar with lead-acid batteries. They’ve been around since the mid-1800s, so they’re certainly time-tested. But they’re heavy, they require regular maintenance, and even with that, they don’t last as long as newer technology… such as that found in lithium-ion batteries. Lithium …

Read More about What Is the Function of a Battery Management System?

Today’s post is all about the RV solar charge controller. “The what?”, you may ask. This essential component of an RV’s solar power system is seldom the focus when people talk about solar. Solar panels and battery banks seem to get top billing. But the solar charge controller is a critical element of any RV …

Read More about What Is an RV Solar Charge Controller?

As those of you who’ve followed us for a while know, we’ve got an extensive solar system on our motorhome consisting of a combination of both rigid and flexible solar panels. When we originally installed the flexible panels for our RV, we weren’t entirely sure how they’d perform from day to day, but we’d done …

Read More about Flexible Solar Panels for RVs – Pros, Cons, and Best Ones To Buy

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