RV Electrical Basics For Motorhome - Essential Information

With your RV electrical system, you will be able to utilize most of the modern conveniences that you have been obsessed with such as your vent fan, TV, RV refrigerator, kitchen appliances, HVAC system, and many more. Isn’t it amazing to have access to all of these things while you are on the road? Having a basic knowledge of how the electrical systems of an RV works can be a big help if you want to keep everything running smoothly without any disruption. Using Trailer Voltage Regulators can help in protecting your RV electronics and components.

If you are planning to live in your RV full time or you want to use it more often, then having basic knowledge of RV power sources and wiring can assist you in making a smart decision on where to acquire power. At the same time, it can also help you to troubleshoot whenever something goes wrong while you are on the road.

Let’s face it, most RVers are not experts in the various aspects of electrical systems such as 12-volt Relays, or in installing RV Tap Adapters. That is why as much as possible we will avoid being too technical here! We will not be teaching you how to rewire the whole electrical system of your RV. However, we will be sharing with you some basic understanding and terms about RV wiring. Having this knowledge, you will be aware of how the cables, panels, wires, and batteries work.

Where Does Electricity Come From in an RV?

Perhaps you might not notice it but your RV is composed of two different electrical systems which are the 120-volt AC system and the 12-volt DC electrical system. The 120-volt system is either powered by a generator or an RV electrical hookup plug. It supplies power to your TV, RV kitchen appliances, and other motorhome electrical appliances that you commonly use every day. On the other hand, the 12-volt system acquires power from a single battery or multiple batteries.

It supplies power to your 12v rv refrigerator, furnace, 12Volt Fans, water heater, water pump, ceiling lights in your living space, and other things in your RV. 12v Circuit Breakers can help you in having a safe and operational electrical system. Installing 12 volt connectors, 12 volt Sockets, 12 volt PlugSocket Sets, or 12 Volt Plugs on your RV can be used for charging your electrical accessories.

Power Sources for RVs: Batteries

The 12-volt DC electrical system of your RV should have a total of 12 volts. This means that you will need a 12v RV Battery or multiple batteries connected together in a parallel circuit. Generally, it is much better to use two 6-volt batteries connected together in a series circuit rather than using one 12-volt battery. In this setup, you can enjoy a much longer battery life, also known as a deeper discharge time. However, using two 6-volt batteries will take up more space rather than using only one battery. But it is still worthwhile since you will be needing extended battery life when you go camping.

If you’ve got the chance to plug into a campground RV electrical pedestal or any other type of power source, the 12-volt battery or two 6-volt batteries in your RV will also be charged. However, if you are dry camping, also known as wild camping or boondocking, then there won’t be any electrical hookups since you are off the grid. This means that you will be using your batteries to power up 12v RV Fridge, 12v heater for RV, 12v campervan lights, RV Freshwater appliance, or any 12v Appliances.

On the other hand, if you have appliances that require 120 volts then you can use an inverter to convert the direct current from a 12-volt battery to a 120-volt electrical current. In this way, you can also use the electrical outlets in your RV. It would be great if you know the discharge time left on your 12-volt battery. Keep in mind that the 12-volt system in your RV is just similar to any other battery. Eventually, it will run out of power and requires recharging.

The RV's Electricity Hogs

It is important to understand that not all the things that you’ve plugged in extract the same amount of electricity. There are some devices that can run smoothly even with very little power. However, there are also others that extract more power. Generally, those devices that become cold or generate heat will require a lot of power. That is why it is not advisable that you should run most of them simultaneously. This is a common occurrence if you have a 30-amp power cord.

You should also be aware that many of your kitchen appliances are using a lot of electricity. This means that your toaster, coffee maker, microwave are considered electricity hogs. Take note that a lot of power is needed by your air conditioning units. Additionally, your bathroom devices such as curling irons, hairdryers, etc. also need a lot of electricity. However, your stereo and TV only require less power. RV Voltage Regulators can provide a stable source of power in case you encounter low RV park voltage.

Renewable Energy Options for RVs

If you like the idea of going off the grid while camping or you want to camp in public campgrounds that do not have electrical hook-ups, then a great alternative would be to use solar panels for charging your batteries and providing power to your RV devices. This is perfect if you prefer dry camping or boondocking since it does not require any plugging in. There are different sizes of RV solar panels and they are rated based on the watts of energy that they generate.

The bigger your RV, the more solar panels you need and you’ve got the roof space to install them. Solar panels are connected directly to the inverter/charger unit and the battery. Although it requires some instinctive work to get them running, the greatest benefit that you can obtain is that you will be self-reliant for your electrical requirements.

You also need to consider that you will be needing an inverter in order to convert the power generated by your solar panels into electrical current which is needed by your RV’s appliances. Although solar power can generate sufficient electricity for running small appliances, it might not be adequate enough for running air conditioners. Nevertheless, if you are boon-docking, then it’s more fun if you choose a place where the weather is truly awesome.

RV Electrical Troubleshooting and Maintenance

In order to prevent a small problem from escalating, you should do some regular maintenance and inspection. Also, check your batteries and their connections frequently. The best time to do this is before your departure. Check all connections and make sure that everything is secure and nothing is damaged. Ensure that everything is clean without any indications of corrosion. If you notice anything that looks off, then it is advisable that you have to check it out. It’s always nice to have Motorhome Voltage Regulators to prevent low voltage damage to your RV electronics.

If you are using lead-acid batteries on your RV, then be sure to add some water frequently and inspect the electrolyte levels. However, for those who are using lithium batteries or deep-cycle batteries, there is no need for doing this.

Also, you should be aware of the location of the RV electrical panels in your motorhome. If one of your devices or RV appliances is not powering up the way it should, then check if a fuse is blown or a circuit is tripped. Sometimes when the fuse is blown, it is visible but there are times that it’s not. If this occurs, then get a small test light that will light up if a fuse is good.

In case you attempt to replace a fuse and it suddenly blows up, then this is an indication that there is a bigger problem. Another alternative is to trace the power lines to determine if there is a connection issue. Although this might be hard to accomplish without the help of a professional.

Be sure to have 12 volt Pigtails, RV Cable Ties, 12 volt Studs, and 12volt Tools handy in case of emergency repairs.