At the heart of most RVs lies a fairly complex electrical system powering everything from the refrigerator to the water pump to the lights to the electric outlets and more. In this post, we offer a guide to the RV electrical system, a sort of “RV Wiring for Dummies” (no offense meant!) We’ll unravel the …
Batteries
Deep cycle batteries are a key part of an RV’s electrical system, providing the power required to run the water pump, lights, vent fans, and other appliances when you’re boondocking (not connected to shore power). Routine deep cycle battery tests on the rig’s house batteries are an important part of RV maintenance. What Is a …
“Will an RV fridge run off battery while driving?” We hear this question several times, and the answer is… maybe. But it depends on a couple of factors. Today we’ll answer the question based on the type of RV fridge you have in your rig. What Is an RV Fridge? You may have seen our …
We’ve posted on the battery disconnect switch before. We’ve even addressed the question “Should I disconnect my RV battery when plugged in?” (meaning plugged into shore power). But we’ve never discussed whether or not to keep the RV battery disconnect switch on or off while the rig is in storage. Should you keep your RV …
If your flooded lead acid batteries aren’t performing as well as they once did, this post on equalizing RV batteries is for you. In fact, even if your RV batteries are brand new, battery equalization is an important process to understand. Equalizing batteries not only improves their performance, but also extends their lifespan. So, in …
In our post on RV power converters, we talked about the differences between an RV power converter, an RV battery charger, and an inverter/charger. Because these devices and their use can get confusing, we’re dedicating this post to the RV battery charger in hopes that it might clarify the importance of the proper charging of …
Thet terms “RV converter” and “RV battery charger” are often used interchangeably, but what are the differences between an RV converter vs battery charger? The term “battery charger” is pretty self-explanatory. A battery charger charges your RV batteries. But there’s a bit more to it than that. Likewise, an RV converter charges your rig’s batteries, …
Should you wire RV batteries in series vs parallel? That’s a great question and knowing the correct answer is really important. If we had a dollar for every time we’ve been asked, “Are RV batteries wired in series or parallel?” we’d have enough to fill our diesel pusher’s fuel tank. But we can’t just give …
We’ve posted before about how to clean battery terminals as part of regular RV battery maintenance. But what causes RV battery corrosion in the first place, and how can you prevent it? If your RV has flooded lead-acid batteries, you want to do whatever you can to avoid the buildup of corrosion. Properly maintained flooded …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
A battery in good condition is a critical component of every vehicle. But that’s especially true for RVs, that rely on their batteries to keep their systems up and running. Everything from lights and vent fans, to the water pump and slide-out motors. Just about everything on board relies on a steady supply of power …
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 …