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12V DC AND 120V AC POWER
What powers the accessories in an RV? Electrical power to operate lights, jacks, slide-outs and other 12V powered accessories comes from a 12V battery or a battery bank consisting of two or more batteries joined together. Microwave ovens, most TVs and VCRs, toasters, blenders and other 120V accessories must be powered by AC from shore power, a generator or from an inverter which changes 12V DC power to 120V AC power.
SHORE POWER
Most RV parks and campgrounds have AC power of various voltages available fro almost every site, except designated tent camping areas. A typical campsite’s power pedestal will have three types of plug-in receptacles: 15 amp, 30 amp and 50 amp. Most RVs can hook up to the 30 amp receptacle; larger coaches and fifth wheels require 50 amps, though adapters are available to allow them to use the 30 amp connection, with limited use of on-board accessories like air conditioners. Smaller RVs like pop-up campers may only be fitted for 15 amp household-type connections, though pop-ups now frequently sport rooftop air conditioners, just like larger RVs, and are wired for 30 amp connections.
No matter what kind of power your RV uses, always use a heavy-duty, outdoor grade, grounded electrical cord to connect between the RV and the power pedestal. If your RV is 30 or 50 amp, use a 30 or 50 amp cord to make the connection. Avoid connecting your 30 amp system to an adapter and a 15 amp extension cord to reach the pedestal outlet; use an approved 30 amp extension cord. The smaller cord can overheat, plus it cannot provide enough power to safely operate appliances like air conditioners without risking brown-out damage to compressors and motors. Brown-out conditions mean not enough electrical power is reaching an appliance to operate it at peak efficiency. Continuing to operate an appliance on too-low power causes overheating of components and premature failure.
When your RV is connected to AC power, a converter transforms the 120V AC to 12V DC power to operate 12V accessories, such as light fixtures and water pumps, inside the RV. Converters also recharge the RV coach battery whenever 120V AC is available.
GENERATORS
Gasoline, diesel or LP-powered generators are a source of 120V power when shore power is unavailable. Generator power gives you all the convenience of AC power for your accessories, whether you are sitting in the stadium parking lot before the big game or on the banks of your favorite trout stream. Portable generators give you power to go for use at home, at the jobsite or while camping. Built-in generators in an RV can power all its AC accessories. Motorhomes typically have large generators that operate on the same fuel type(gasoline, diesel or LP) as the engine. These generators can even provide AC power while the motorhome is traveling down the road, making it possible to operate air conditioners or other AC-powered accessories en route to your destination. Trailer and fifth wheel generators usually operate on LP. Today’s generators are lighter, quieter and more compact than ever before. There are even generators small enough to fit some pickup and van campers.
INVERTERS
Inverters draw 12V power from a 12V battery and convert it to 120V power, letting you operate AC accessories without shore power or a generator. Inverters operate quietly and without the exhaust of generators, providing AC on demand from your 12V battery without cranking the generator. Inverter/charger combos are engineered to not only provide AC power for appliances and accessories, but also DC power to recharge your battery when your generator is running or when you are plugged into shore power. Inverters come in a variety of power levels, from portables that plug into a 12V accessory outlet to power a laptop or game to inline models that power selected AC outlets in your RV.
SOLAR PANELS
You can help keep your battery bank charged so your inverter always has DC power available by mounting one or more solar panels to the roof of your RV. Solar panels convert sunlight to electrical power that can be used to charge batteries or operate appliances via the inverter. Like inverters, solar panel kits come in various sizes and configurations. Portable models are small enough to set on the vehicle’s dashboard and plug into the accessory outlet to charge the chassis battery while the vehicle is parked. Link two or more roof-mounted panels together to keep the coach batteries charged.
By combining DC and AC power sources, your RV can be self-sufficient when it comes to electrical power, giving you the freedom to take the comfort and convenience of home wherever you go.
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