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 …
Power
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, …
An RV power converter may be one of those things we rarely think about, but without a working power converter, our RV life would be very different. In fact, our 12V power system would be pretty useless without a working power converter. An RV power converter is a critical component of your electrical system, which …
We’ve never been shy about saying how much we love boondocking. It’s far and away our favorite way to camp, and we’ve long encouraged everyone to try it. One of the main reasons why many people are intimidated by the idea of boondocking is the limitation on power. We get that – we’re fairly big …
Having lived and worked in our RV for close to two decades now, and being the avid boondockers we are, our move to solar was a big one: 600Ah of Lithium battery power, 8 solar panels (with 1,300 Watts of power), and a fully off-grid ready system. But not every RVer needs a system like …
One of the chief reasons why we can boondock (camp off-grid) for as long as we do is the ability of our substantial solar array to harness the awesome power of the sun to keep our electrical system running wherever we are. But we’re full-timers (and we’ve been so for very nearly two decades) and …
When you first move into an RV or take it on an extended vacation, there can be an unexpected learning curve regarding how devices and appliances are powered. It’s important to understand how your RV house batteries work. Questions like “What does the RV battery actually power?” or “Do RV batteries charge when plugged into …
Access to electric power allows RVers to enjoy all the comforts of home as we travel. Refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, coffee makers, microwave ovens, television sets, computers, and the personal devices we use on a daily basis all require energy. And of course, we have batteries to charge. When we’re hooked up to shore power …
Conserving battery power in an RV can be a challenge, especially if you spend much time boondocking off the grid. Even with solar panels collecting energy from the sun, or running your generator to replenish batteries, it may be a struggle to guarantee that your electrical system has power when you need it. Saving power …
RV boondocking, solar panels, and lithium batteries are huge topics. But what if your solar panels are blocked by trees or other obstructions? You can save power while boondocking by following some basic guidelines. Solar panels are fantastic for turning the power of the sun into electricity to power many items RVers use daily. But …
We’ve had flawless service from our Glendinning power cord reel for the past 13 years. But now that we need more space in the electrical compartment, we’re switching to one of their newer models that takes up less room. An added bonus is that we’ll be gaining 15 ‘ of extra cord! Check out the …
WARNING: IF YOU’RE UNSURE ABOUT WORKING WITH ELECTRICITY, CALL A PROFESSIONAL. Although this video is about replacing an RV park circuit breaker, the concept is the same as the breakers inside an RV. Replacing a circuit breaker on an RV power pedestal is not something that the vast majority of RVers will ever need to …