RV Electrical 101 | Newbie guide to RV electrical systems
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- RV Electrical 101 explains the basics of how RV electrical systems work. How does an RV electrical system work? There are two electrical systems in an RV: The 12-volt DC system, and the 110-volt AC system. What appliances can be used in an RV when plugged in and not plugged in? This video will help you understand what can be used with plugged into power and when running off the RV battery. Can I run an RV air conditioner (a/c) on solar power? This video will explain the basics of solar and battery power in an RV.
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0:00 Chapters
0:22 Measuring electricity
3:14 AC/DC
4:23 Generating & converting
6:25 Solar power
7:39 Storing power
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This is the best rv electrical video I've seen in at least a dozen I've watched. Super thorough, informative,and comprehensive. Subbed.
Thanks so much for the kind comment. Glad you found our video useful.
This was incredibly informative. Though we don’t currently own an rv, we have been considering one for the future and this video is a huge help! Thank you! 🙏
Thanks for your insight ☺️ RVs are such a great way for traveling around the continent. They're your hotel, vehicle, and pit stop all in one!
The mother of a friend of a friend of mine passed away about a month ago. She lived out of state. When his dad died, he left a whole bunch of "toys" behind. So when his mother died, those toys passed to him.
He spent two weeks selling off all the fancy stuff for practically nothing and listing the home. He just wanted to get it over with, so he sold everything hella cheap.
One of the toys that she left behind was a 2001 Winnebago brave 30w. Once everything was settled, he loaded the rv up with a few keepsakes and drove it back home.
A week later, he told my friend it made him feel sick every time he looked at it, and he just wanted it gone. As a joke, my friend said he'd give him $2500 for it. Dude said yes.
My friend didn't have the cash, but I did. So now I have an rv, and I know nothing about rvs. Neither did the guy who sold it to me.
This thing has so many switches and levers on the dash. I have no idea how any of it works. All figured out so far is how to start the thing, release the parking brake, and drive it. I can't even figure out how to turn on the radio because the radio has a switch to use either "aux" power or "main."
When I switch it to main, it does nothing. When I switch it to aux, the rv starts playing one long continuous "beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-" tone, and it still doesn't come on.
Like I said, I know nothing about rvs. I know the engine battery is good, but from this video I'm guessing there's a second battery cache for the coach that I have yet to locate. The engine battery has a 2023 sticker, so the guy obviously replaced that before he drove back home. But now I know there's probably a second set of batteries, which the aftermarket head unit is probably wired to.
We just started our journey and wouldn't turn back for anything! 🎉
Sub. First RV this week. I’m electrical trained. Retired and this video is tge best I’ve seen. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind message, it means a lot to hear that people appreciate the hard work we put into our videos.
Have an amazing time with your new rig! There is a learning curve, as there is with anything new, but it's so fun and worth the effort. Enjoy!
Do you know why our house batteries aren't charging when we are hooked up to shore power? All new batteries, 1994 pace arrow.
Awesome, super clear, easy-to-follow explanation on how it all works!
Thanks!
This really helps . I keep watching
Glad to hear it helped out!
Thank you. I’ve been watching many videos on this topic but this is finally one that shows one close to my own rv - which I really needed 😂
Yeah there are lots of videos to choose from on this topic. So glad our video helped. Happy camping!
Excellent instructional video. Definitely saving for later!
Thanks! Hope it covered all your questions.
Thank you so very much this was by far the best advice and information video on generating for solar and in general . Understanding electricity. Ty
Great video guys. Lots of good info. 🙂
Thanks! Hope it helps someone one day ☺️
Another great one guys. Enjoyed it.
Thanks!
Well done guys!
Thanks, after building out our entire lithium and solar system himself, Jay learned a lot about RV electrical systems and wanted to help save others time figuring things out, too.
dang, you guys know your stuff... awesome job!!!!
Thanks! It was so confusing when we started out that we thought it would be helpful if we shared what we learned.
Great video
Thanks, hope you found it helpful and useful 😀
Thank you. I learned a lot.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts 😀
Great info thanks
Hope it helps!
Excellent!
Thanks, glad we could help!
Very helpful although next year we'd like to switch up to a LiFePo4 battery as we only boondock and this year we ran out of power twice. 2 seniors so our needs are modest but I have some concerns about our 2008 Rockwood RV. I imagine I can't simply drop in a high tech battery so jury still out on that idea.
Thanks for the electrical help and BTW, we know and easily recognized your opening video location. Great Pike spot as well and the three ships make for great photography.
Cheers from Northern Ontario and we're trying for your province next year.
Hello! Yeah, running out of power is definitely a pain in the butt. We've been there, which is what prompted us to change our system to LiFePo4 batteries, too. Jay did the work himself and made a couple of videos about it too. He even shares a list of all the equipment needed. Since making the change we can boondock (almost) indefinitely. It is worth the money and effort, but you're right, not as easy as just switching out the battery.
Maybe we'll see you around BC next summer! Happy camping!
If your rig is that old you'll probably have to upgrade you charger controller to a newer one that will charge lipo 4 batteries. Battlefborn batteries are xlnt and they can also provide the right charger controller for your rig. You'll probably need 200-300amp batteries. That will cost you probably $2,000 or less to upgrade. Another $1,000 or so to install 400-600w solar. So for about $3k you can be of grid indefinitely. You can save a lot of your handy, not that hard to do. I highly recommend it, it will change your adventure and save you money in the long run.
V should be thought of as the pressure the amount of water (current) applies on a system.
👍 That's a good way to think of it.
I have a
GEARGO RV Surge Protector that protects my RV from blackouts so the electrical system doesn't burn out?
Always good to have some sort of surge protector. 👍
just bought our first RV. it's a 2016 pleasureway plateau. Unfortunately we did not get a walk through at purchase and so we have many questions. today I need to better understand the electrical sytem basics. in particular, I want to know how smart my RV is when on shore power. When using my cpap via 12V outlet am I accesing the battery or does the system know I'm on 120V shore power and draws from that system.
Typically, being plugged into shore power means that everything is running off that. Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you. Don't worry though, you'll get the hang of things soon enough.
@@HomeARoam thanks very much for the info (that clears it up) and the encourage to go forth and enjoy:)
im planning to power a small cabin with 2 battery's using a trolling motor charging system will it run a small fan night light small gas heater over night??
Hi, we aren't sure if that would work or not, sorry. What is a trolling motor?
What is used to connect the RV alternator and Solar panels to the house batteries?
Hi there, you need a charge controller to hook up solar to your batteries. I recommend an MPPT charge controller as they're the most efficient. They cost a bit more, but it will be well worth the added output.
Can you help me out? I just bought a 94 class c. The outlets don't work even after I press the reset button on the outlet in the kitchen. The outlets only work when the generator is on. I thought they didn't work because the house batteries were dead. I charged up the house batteries. But they still don't work. Stumped .
Hi there, yes unfortunately your AC 110v sockets will only work when you're plugged into "shore power" at a campground or if you're running a generator. The only way to get them to work otherwise is to install a large lithium battery bank and run an inverter. And even then you'll still need a way to charge the batteries using either a large solar array or with your generator. Typical lead acid batteries don't have enough power to run your AC sockets.
@@HomeARoam thanks! I'm still a bit stumped though. When I first bought my rv, I recall the outlets worked even without the generator on. Then a few days later, they stopped working .
I'd like to know what to do for a noisy fan in the rv control panel
That sounds like the converter fan, and ours is loud too when it's running. Most of them are loud because they have a lot of heat to dissipate. You may be able to find a quieter replacement.
Why do my aux batteries keep draining dead when we are plugged into shore power?
Sounds like a converter issue, sorry to say. That's what converts your 110v AC shore power into 12v DC power that charges your battery. Check the breaker that powers your converter. If it's on, you'll need to do a bit more electrical diagnosis or try replacing it. Hope you're able to get it sorted!
Gee Chuck, i hope my Harvard education will suffice 🙄
I'm sorry, I was going to refrain, but my salty attitude against overly testosterone-laden comments got in my way.
I'd like to ask you two how you genuinely feel about your solar system. We're researching it and wonder how much we're told is exaggerated. I haven't checked to see if you have a video about your solar setup, but if you don't have one, that would be helpful.
New follower and appreciating your content!
❤❤❤❤❤
Hahah, yeah good old Chuck. You never know what you're going to get with TH-cam comments. 😁 Yes, we have two videos on our solar install: th-cam.com/video/1FSQP9GhG0w/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/ipgUaOgem40/w-d-xo.html -- Our solar has been amazing! The only thing I would say is always get more than you need. We have 400W which was great before we got Starlink. That plus our laptops can easily draw 300W+ which we only get with full sun. Keep in mind on a cloudy day you might only get 5-10% of your total capacity, if that. Thanks for dropping us a line!
so if the converter in a camper/rv steps down the 120v shore power to 12v to charge the battery, then the battery powers the 12v accessories like lights, but the battery cant be used to run the 120v because theres no default inverter then whats the point of the battery? why couldnt you just run the 12v accessories off the converter's 12v since youll only have power while plugged in anyway?
Yes, you're right. If have you a trailer plugged into shore power all the time, there's really no need for the battery. The converter supplies 12v power. But, if the power gets cut for any reason, that's when the battery takes over and continues to power those essential items until you're able to get shore power again. So I wouldn't recommend using a trailer with just the converter and no battery.
@@HomeARoam I actually just found out last night when my main breaker in the garage popped for the second time (I have a 30A camper on a 20A breaker(it's been fine 99% of the time)) that even when there's no shore power the battery still powers the lights. I thought once you unplug the shore power you had zero anything. No 12v lights, no 120v outlets, etc. the only other time I popped a breaker was this summer when I turned on the microwave while my AC was on high and there was nothing. No lights, no anything. But it was during the day so I might not have had the lights on. Can't remember tbh. But up till last night I was under the impression when there's no shore power there was no power at all. That's why I was confused about the battery.
12v system doesn't have enough current for long enough to power the 120 system
My converter messed up. I bypass it. No AC power. My fridge has a plug for 120 volt . I plugged it in to a 20 amp plug I put on power pole. It worked for about 10 minutes. Then went off. Is my fridge fryed. And my hot water heater won't work hooked straight to 120 volts. Any ideas
Hi there, so if your converter isn't working, you won't be able to charge your DC system or battery, which will affect your lighting, water pump, propane detectors, etc. It's pretty important that you get your battery charging again. However, your fridge and water heater should both work off 120v AC power, but you often need to use a different switch to switch it from propane to AC. You may want to check out our other video about replacing your converter: th-cam.com/video/8fg6S5PqxA8/w-d-xo.html or you may need to contact a repair person.
@@HomeARoam thank you. I'm a electrician. But never messed with a converter. My fridge is plugged in to a 120 volt plug. I plugged it in to a extension cord. Nothing. I will watch the video you left. Thanks again
@musclecars4635
0 seconds ago
I noticed in your video, you have a black 15 amp fuse for the radio. Any insight to a regular size "black" blade fuse (15 amp) that is "special", usually 15 amp fuses are light blue. I have a 2022 Thor class-a and it has a 15 amp black fuse for the radio that doesn't look like a typical regular size blade fuse like the others in the panel under the bed. This "special" black fuse has a tiny resistor inside but it fits like the regular size blade fuses. When I replace this special fuse with a regular size 15 amp (light blue) blade fuse, it always blows, so I have to put back in the special fuse then its fine. I cant find this type of fuse anywhere online. I have since reached out to Thor thru their owners portal, but no response yet. any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hmm.. I bought all my fuses in a "variety pack" on Amazon. That might be worth a try. Otherwise maybe a small auto/electronics shop with a knowledgeable employee might be able to pin it down.
@@HomeARoam I bought the variety pack but most if not all only contain micro, mini and standard sizes. I checked with a reputable sound/electronics place and they never saw the fuse before. go figure. Like all of us RV'ers, we're always investigating and fixing issues ourselves! happy rv'ing!
Why are RV electrical panels always placed on the floor with no back access?
That's a great question that we wish we knew the answer to. Definitely not a design with ergonomics in mind.
Hello I have trailer and I used the appliances at the same time and now my plug is not working how can I fix it normally I press the push button it's like rebot but now I can't press it anymore its stock please help
It sounds like maybe a breaker was popping and you were resetting it? If it's stuck now it's likely the breaker itself has broken and needs to be replaced. Hope that helps!
I don't see on any videos why a furnace won't come on at all! Nothing! Replaced cir. brd. good fuse checked sail switch. 3 yr. old travel trailer! Help!
Hi there Audrey, have you tried our step-by-step RV furnace troubleshooting video at th-cam.com/video/Gm_xbVpDOGs/w-d-xo.html ? We also have a printable quick reference PDF on our website at homearoam.com/how-to/rv-furnace-troubleshooting/ -- Please let us know if that helps. Usually no indication of power at all means a burnt fuse somewhere, or a problem with the thermostat.
@@HomeARoam Hi! Turns out one of the pins on the circuit board (rectangular block w/row of pins) was slightly bent and was enough to not turn on the furnace! I must have done that putting in the circuit board myself. I will look on your website for more info! Thank you for the timely reply
@@audreybarka5893 Wow! Glad you were able to find the cause and sounds like it should be a somewhat easy repair? Good luck with the repairs 😀
Opening analogy is absolutely wrong. Current is the analogy to the volume of water. Voltage us the pressure the water is being pushed by....totally wrong info
Well, electricity behaves nothing like water really, but I think the different analogies can help people visualize. Everyone has their favorite one I'm sure!
@HomeARoam electricity behaves EXACTLY like water. Where did your degree come from? Mines from the US coast guard school of engineering. Dont talk if you havent a clue.
Faster flowing electricity ?? LOL
The analogy seems to work. 😀💦