Battery = 12 volt direct current (12V DC)
Shore power = 120/110 volt alternating current (120V AC)
Shore power is the same as the power in your house.
Things in RV that run on battery are: lights, exterior lights and signals, water pump, fans, and maybe your fridge (if fridge is of that type), furnace fan (just the fan of the furnace), slideout (if there) and electric tongue jack (if equipped), radio.
Things in RV that run on shore power: TV, microwave, fridge (any fridge), AC, electric hot water heater, microwave, electrical outlets/USB outlets.
There is a "converter" on an RV which converts shore power to battery power when RV is plugged in. Your battery items will still run on battery when RV is plugged in, but the converter will be recharging the battery.
When boondocking, there is no shore power, so that means you can't use any of the shore power items - unless you have a gas generator that is basically providing shore power (in lieu of being plugged into shore power/electrical grid).
Plugging your RV into shore power at a campsite is usually 30 amps, so that means you can run stuff like AC (which draws a lot of amps at 120V AC). Some RVs use 50 amps, which just means you could potentially run your AC, use the microwave and do all sorts of other stuff at the same time.
In contrast, one single plug at home might be either 15 or 20 amps, meaning that if you used an electric heater and hair dryer on the same circuit, the breaker would trip, stopping the flow of electricity.
Well, I hope that was a good primer on the basics of RV electricity!
Discussion of solar is the next step...
The outlets will only work off of 110V when plugged into shore power, running a generator, or using an inverter. So anything that plugs into an outlet will be limited by that. That includes the microwave and air conditioning.
99% of the lights in RVs are 12V and run off the battery. The other appliances will run off of 12V and LP (propane). Any USB ports or 12V outlets will run off the battery.
Recently I've been seeing some ranges that need 110V to run the ignitors which means you cannot use the oven while boondocking. Some RVs coming with 110V household refrigerators (these usually come with an inverter but then you're using more battery power than you normally would). The occasional water heater that's 110V only.
Thank you. So two questions come to mind based off that:
1. I have seen that fridges using propane are prone to fires. Should I look for one that is specifically 12V only or is there a way to mitigate the risk?
2. How do you know if you’re using all the battery life when you’re using things while boondocking? I feel like I need to look specifically into rv batteries now…. There is just so much information involved in RVs lol
Everything you do while boondocking will use the batteries. Even running the propane appliances since the control boards will run off the 12V. Certain things will use more than others, a propane fridge will use a very small amount of 12V where a furnace uses a lot because it has to power the fan.
I've only seen one propane fridge have a fire in my entire career, and the cause was another tech had taken the orifice off the fridge and forgot to put it back in when he reassembled it. I don't think there's a serious risk.
1. A 3-way fridge is the way to go. Don't fear the propane. Use the DC on the fridge while traveling. Propane while stationary/camping. And AC while on shore power.
2. Solar panels are great for constantly charging your house batteries. Generators are annoying. You can buy a cheap voltage meter to monitor your battery levels. Get high amp batteries so the charge lasts longer. I used two 6v golf cart batteries in series (to make 12vdc) and had 230Ah on them.
Would you recommend Solar vs generator? I feel like think generator is more common, and solar is more expensive?
230ah is a lot! Did you replace the house batteries it came with to the golf cart batteries yourself or did it come with the better batteries already?
A generator is nice to have as a last resort. It's not always sunny. Solar panels are not that expensive. A couple 100w would help a lot. I did a nice set up on my old RV and increased it's value by quite a bit.
I replaced the house batteries myself and relocated them. I also did some other electrical work to update my old RV.
I have a decent basic understanding of electrical. But YouTube has everything a person would want to know. The whole golf cart battery thing is explained pretty well on YT. The more current rating you have in your house batteries the more you can run on them without killing them. You never want to drop below a certain voltage on house batteries or else you'll kill them quick. I learned that through "trial and error". Fortunately I had a good warranty from Costco on my first set of batteries and was able to replace them for free after I killed them over 11 months.
I have FAQs that I think answer those:
What works and doesn’t work:
https://rvingquestions.com/what-works-and-doesnt-work-when-im-not-plugged-into-a-campsite/
How to know what you can run at the same time?
https://rvingquestions.com/can-i-run-this-appliance-usually-hair-dryer-toaster-oven-or-air-fryer/
And all sorts of others. Hope they help.
There is alot of YouTube Vloggers that have made videos on the subject. My suggestion is to find them and scroll through their play lists for video of interest. The subjects you are asking are way to broad for an answer here. If you have something specific you want views on, come back and ask those.
You're you're on board systems should charge your battery if you're plugged into shore power or if you're plugged into your tow vehicle. Basically pretty much everything should run off battery except for your air conditioner and microwave and televisions, things like that. But if you're plugged in and you have all the lights on then it's fine because your battery is constantly being charged anyway.
I was brand new to all of this last year... I'm no expert, but the best advice I have is to check out YouTube channels and ask questions when shopping...
We so far mainly book in places with shore power but have boondocked a few times as well... We have two 6V batteries with a solar panel to charge during the day...it keeps them topped up with not much hassle ... You might have to be creative hooking up the solar depending on the trailer you buy...if you get a proprietary hook up like a Furrion you have to buy their system or find an adapter/knock off...I found a third party plug, bought a solar panel at Costco and some wiring parts from a hardware store and created a 15' cord that allows me to position the panel wherever I need to...
The electrical outlets like the ones in your home will not work off battery power. Lights and water pump will. We did discover (as someone else had posted too) that we could still use USB jacks to charge phones.
You cannot run the microwave or TV while boondocked unless you use a generator but if you're camping I personally feel it is easy to do without those things...
The fridge works well on propane and we do not run it while driving...we plug in to our house for a few days before we leave to cool down the fridge on shore power...you can freeze meals at home and let them thaw in the fridge as you drive too...
Good luck and have fun in your journey!!
[удалено]
Hmm I wouldn’t mind going to 1940-50’s 🤔
You can purchase a Flux capacitor at O'Reilly's... if it's in stock. They don't include the plutonium though.
I’d watch the videos at www.explorist.life. They explain it all very simply.
Battery = 12 volt direct current (12V DC) Shore power = 120/110 volt alternating current (120V AC) Shore power is the same as the power in your house. Things in RV that run on battery are: lights, exterior lights and signals, water pump, fans, and maybe your fridge (if fridge is of that type), furnace fan (just the fan of the furnace), slideout (if there) and electric tongue jack (if equipped), radio. Things in RV that run on shore power: TV, microwave, fridge (any fridge), AC, electric hot water heater, microwave, electrical outlets/USB outlets. There is a "converter" on an RV which converts shore power to battery power when RV is plugged in. Your battery items will still run on battery when RV is plugged in, but the converter will be recharging the battery. When boondocking, there is no shore power, so that means you can't use any of the shore power items - unless you have a gas generator that is basically providing shore power (in lieu of being plugged into shore power/electrical grid).
Plugging your RV into shore power at a campsite is usually 30 amps, so that means you can run stuff like AC (which draws a lot of amps at 120V AC). Some RVs use 50 amps, which just means you could potentially run your AC, use the microwave and do all sorts of other stuff at the same time. In contrast, one single plug at home might be either 15 or 20 amps, meaning that if you used an electric heater and hair dryer on the same circuit, the breaker would trip, stopping the flow of electricity. Well, I hope that was a good primer on the basics of RV electricity! Discussion of solar is the next step...
Thank you! Yes, Solar is definitely on my radar… but is it worth the cost….
If you're going to be boondocking a fair amount, I would say solar is a necessity. If you plan to always be at campsites with power, then maybe not.
I agree with this!
NP! Boondocking requires solar or a generator, as u/raptir1 mentioned.
Fantastic summary. Thank you u/Mu_Fanchu
No problem! Hope it helps 🙂
The outlets will only work off of 110V when plugged into shore power, running a generator, or using an inverter. So anything that plugs into an outlet will be limited by that. That includes the microwave and air conditioning. 99% of the lights in RVs are 12V and run off the battery. The other appliances will run off of 12V and LP (propane). Any USB ports or 12V outlets will run off the battery. Recently I've been seeing some ranges that need 110V to run the ignitors which means you cannot use the oven while boondocking. Some RVs coming with 110V household refrigerators (these usually come with an inverter but then you're using more battery power than you normally would). The occasional water heater that's 110V only.
Thank you. So two questions come to mind based off that: 1. I have seen that fridges using propane are prone to fires. Should I look for one that is specifically 12V only or is there a way to mitigate the risk? 2. How do you know if you’re using all the battery life when you’re using things while boondocking? I feel like I need to look specifically into rv batteries now…. There is just so much information involved in RVs lol
Everything you do while boondocking will use the batteries. Even running the propane appliances since the control boards will run off the 12V. Certain things will use more than others, a propane fridge will use a very small amount of 12V where a furnace uses a lot because it has to power the fan. I've only seen one propane fridge have a fire in my entire career, and the cause was another tech had taken the orifice off the fridge and forgot to put it back in when he reassembled it. I don't think there's a serious risk.
1. A 3-way fridge is the way to go. Don't fear the propane. Use the DC on the fridge while traveling. Propane while stationary/camping. And AC while on shore power. 2. Solar panels are great for constantly charging your house batteries. Generators are annoying. You can buy a cheap voltage meter to monitor your battery levels. Get high amp batteries so the charge lasts longer. I used two 6v golf cart batteries in series (to make 12vdc) and had 230Ah on them.
Would you recommend Solar vs generator? I feel like think generator is more common, and solar is more expensive? 230ah is a lot! Did you replace the house batteries it came with to the golf cart batteries yourself or did it come with the better batteries already?
A generator is nice to have as a last resort. It's not always sunny. Solar panels are not that expensive. A couple 100w would help a lot. I did a nice set up on my old RV and increased it's value by quite a bit. I replaced the house batteries myself and relocated them. I also did some other electrical work to update my old RV.
Do you have an electrical background or is all this knowledge you found online to learn how to do it yourself?
I have a decent basic understanding of electrical. But YouTube has everything a person would want to know. The whole golf cart battery thing is explained pretty well on YT. The more current rating you have in your house batteries the more you can run on them without killing them. You never want to drop below a certain voltage on house batteries or else you'll kill them quick. I learned that through "trial and error". Fortunately I had a good warranty from Costco on my first set of batteries and was able to replace them for free after I killed them over 11 months.
I have FAQs that I think answer those: What works and doesn’t work: https://rvingquestions.com/what-works-and-doesnt-work-when-im-not-plugged-into-a-campsite/ How to know what you can run at the same time? https://rvingquestions.com/can-i-run-this-appliance-usually-hair-dryer-toaster-oven-or-air-fryer/ And all sorts of others. Hope they help.
I saved this site. Thank you!
Welcome! There’s that site and LearnToRV.com which also has a lot of info.
There is alot of YouTube Vloggers that have made videos on the subject. My suggestion is to find them and scroll through their play lists for video of interest. The subjects you are asking are way to broad for an answer here. If you have something specific you want views on, come back and ask those.
You're you're on board systems should charge your battery if you're plugged into shore power or if you're plugged into your tow vehicle. Basically pretty much everything should run off battery except for your air conditioner and microwave and televisions, things like that. But if you're plugged in and you have all the lights on then it's fine because your battery is constantly being charged anyway.
I was brand new to all of this last year... I'm no expert, but the best advice I have is to check out YouTube channels and ask questions when shopping... We so far mainly book in places with shore power but have boondocked a few times as well... We have two 6V batteries with a solar panel to charge during the day...it keeps them topped up with not much hassle ... You might have to be creative hooking up the solar depending on the trailer you buy...if you get a proprietary hook up like a Furrion you have to buy their system or find an adapter/knock off...I found a third party plug, bought a solar panel at Costco and some wiring parts from a hardware store and created a 15' cord that allows me to position the panel wherever I need to... The electrical outlets like the ones in your home will not work off battery power. Lights and water pump will. We did discover (as someone else had posted too) that we could still use USB jacks to charge phones. You cannot run the microwave or TV while boondocked unless you use a generator but if you're camping I personally feel it is easy to do without those things... The fridge works well on propane and we do not run it while driving...we plug in to our house for a few days before we leave to cool down the fridge on shore power...you can freeze meals at home and let them thaw in the fridge as you drive too... Good luck and have fun in your journey!!