Most RV grounds and parks offer electrical hookups known as shore power. Hookups often come in 20, 30, and 50 AMP outputs. The type of hookup depends on your RV, smaller RVs, pop up campers, and travel trailers often use 30 amps, while larger trailers and fifth wheels use 50 amps. Most sites have started to do away with amp connections. Shore power is usually AC current to power the appliances in your RV. In some situations, it may be necessary for you to convert or invert your power supply for a variety of purposes.
To switch DC power to AC power, you will use an inverter. Inverters come in various sizes depending on how many appliances or systems you need to power. While inverters are useful, they can be pricey. A converter is used to convert AC into DC power for powering or charging small devices that are unable to handle the volts of a standard alternating current outlet.
Converters are referred to as chargers. Just a few years ago, solar systems were impractical for most RVers. The old systems were bulky, unreliable, and expensive. With the advent of new technologies, solar panels and electrical systems have become cheaper, more reliable, and customizable. They are also popular among dry campers and those who wish to stay off the grid. For snowbirders looking to get away from the cold weather, having solar energy is one way to take advantage of good weather away from home.
They are just like shore power that provides AC power to your RV. The electricity is measured in watts other than amps and a small RV can do well with a W generator. Most of the RVs will need a generator for running big appliances like air conditioners.
There are some major disadvantages in using a generator. You need to understand that renewable energy sources are designed not to provide on-demand power requirements but to charge the batteries. They generate direct current rather than the alternating current which you get from generators or shore power.
Hence you will be limited by the power your battery will produce. But you can keep the battery running on for several hours by recharging them via solar panels without the need for powering them from a grid. Propane tanks can be useful for people where there are no hookups available and they can fill their tanks at almost every truck stops, campgrounds, or gas companies. Propane gas can run almost all the electronic appliances in your RV. The propane may not be cheaper compared to shore power.
This is another means of getting electricity in an RV and they generate it from vehicle engines, batteries, solar panels, or generators. By using inverters you can save money by limiting the usage of fuels on generators. They produce enough power to run appliances like fans, TV, heating pads, and so on. But you cannot run bigger appliances, and they have to depend on other equipment for performing. The exact power that will be required for an RV to run will depend on the appliances that are a necessity while staying in it.
You should take into consideration how each appliance can use power. Generally, every appliance will need more watts to start and then run on lower power. For example, an RV refrigerator will need around watts to start and need watts for smooth running.
Similarly, cookers will need for starting and for running, and so on. But air conditioners and microwaves will need more power, which can go up to watts. Power Stations can easily be used to provide a steady supply of power without being plugged-in, especially if you have a plan to keep them charged.
How many panels and batteries you will need depends on what you need to power. I know Nomads that do just fine with one watt panel and one amp hour battery to charge laptops, phones and maybe a car vacuum. How much you might need depends on your individual camping style. If you need a guide to help you add up how much power you need, check out this Power Station Comparisons that illustrates the average energy draw of common appliances.
Personally, I have watts of solar with two watt batteries and a watt inverter. This set-up powers multiple devices, thanks to the combination of my solar and my portable power station. I use the solar to keep my house batteries and power station charged.
The solar powers me during the day, and the power stations power me at night. If you only need a small amount of solar, like watts, a Solar Suitcase might be a good option to consider. The benefit of the suitcase or an unmounted panel is that you can position the panel toward the sun as it moves across the sky, giving you the most effective charge. The downside is that it must be stored in a small space, packed and unpacked and moved periodically to be effective.
If you want a heftier solar set-up, Mounted Panels are a necessity. Multiple panels can be mounted on the roof of your rig, with real estate and cost being the only limiting factors. The downside of mounting solar panels is that you need to park your vehicle in the sun if you want to get a solid charge, which can make your rig warmer in the summer months. In the winter when the sun is at a different angle, it can take longer to charge your batteries, unless you have them mounted on a system that tilts to maximize the sun exposure.
Charge with a Generator. Portable generators convert fuel to electricity. They come in various sizes depending on what wattage amount you need to run and charge your stuff. Some are hefty in size and weight and usually come with wheels to be moved around. Portable generators should only be used outdoors with good ventilation. Therefore, portable generators do require some work to move and set-up to be operated safely.
Most RVs have built-in, onboard generators. The fuel source for an onboard generator is the engine fuel or propane tank. This type of generator is great to easily charge your coach batteries.
Even nomads who have solar sometimes to need to supplement their battery charge on cloudy days. They are also great to power appliances that are too power-hungry for your inverter to handle, like perhaps a blowdryer, blender or InstantPot. There are some nomads who use a generator to power their batteries, without the use of solar or a campground hook-up.
Most RV parks and campgrounds have quiet hours between 10 pm and 7 am when you cannot run a generator. Still, it is a workhorse for power and most nomads in motorhomes consider it to be an essential form of power at least as a backup to other power sources. Creating off-grid power is only the first step when you want to disperse camp, boondock, or dry camp.
Never waste an opportunity to charge smart. Use this time wisely to power as many electrical items as you can. So many of the electronic items we use are now available in USB form. From curling irons to bug-zappers you can find rechargeable versions of your favorite items.
Instead of drawing power from your house batteries to light your rig, use solar lights that you can charge during the day. Then you have extra power to run anything else you need when the sun goes down.
Just be smart about what you have and how you use it! I have been following you for some time. We repaired our house, sold it, bought class B and quit our jobs.
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