The Practical Basics Of RV Electrical Systems

The electrical systems on your RV can be a confusing subject. What you as an owner really need is a basic understanding of your RV electrical systems so you can be prepared not only to use your RV anywhere you need to, but to protect your appliances from expensive electrical damage.

If you are looking for a technical explanation of RV power and how it works you are in the wrong place. This page is designed with straightforward practicality in mind, to prepare you as an RVer with the knowledge necessary to safely and effectively operate an RV. No math equations, no scientific explanations, just what you really want to know as an RV owner.

First things first, your RV electrical systems can be broken down into two categories: 12 volt systems, and 110/120 volt systems. Your 12 volt systems are run by your RV batteries. Your 110/120 volt systems are run by plugging your RV in or turning on your generator.

Some might say, Wait, I've been told there are actually three electrical systems, and yes, that could also be true by dividing your 12 volt systems into two categories: automotive and house systems. For simplicity and for our purposes of RV practicality, we will ignore the automotive systems in this article because they are very closely similar to the automotive systems found in a car.

Ready? Okay, let's dive right in.

12 Volt DC System

In today's RVs everything relies on 12-volt batteries to function--everything from the roof air conditioner to the refrigerator. Once the roof air conditioner or the refrigerator are turned on they run on 110/120 volt, but it's the 12-volt that powers the computer that starts them up.

In addition, your water heater and your furnace are also all 12-volt computer operated.

The biggest key to keeping your 12 volt DC system working is keeping your batteries charged. There are four effective methods used to keep your batteries charged and in working order: hookups, your engine, your generator and solar power. Learn more about all of them and the 12 volt DC system here.

110/120 Volt AC system

Your 110/120 volt electrical systems run many of your daily electrical functions, including most all of your appliances.

In this section we try to answer all your questions involving your 110/120 volt electrical systems. Most importantly you will learn how to save money by protecting your appliances with your new knowledge of RV electrical systems.

Check out the questions below and click through to read the full answers of the ones that interest you the most.

How much power can I use in my RV?

The first thing you need to know about your RV electrical systems is how much power you can use. There is two parts to determining this. First you need to know how much power is available to you, and secondly you need to know how much power your RV is capable of handling... (Read full answer)

How many appliances can I run at once?

If you have a 30 amp RV and simply plug into a 30 amp outlet you can run your air conditioner and a couple other appliances at once. I've heard of people being able to run two air conditioners at once, but this is rare, and depends on your air conditioners. If you are plugging a 50 amp plug into a 50 amp outlet.... (Read full answer)

Which appliances use the most power?

To get a better feel of which appliances you can run at once you should know which appliances use the most power. In general, the appliances used to heat and cool will.... (Read full answer)

How to protect your RV appliances with a voltmeter.

Whenever your appliances are receiving too much or too little power, they are at risk of major damage. There are many ways you could be receiving the wrong amount of power.... (Read full answer)

What adapters do I need for my RV?

The answer to this question depends on whether your RV has 30 amp or 50 amp capabilities. You can easily know which you have by.... (Read full answer)

Conclusion

There is truly an endless amount of things to talk about with your RV electrical systems. This page was strictly designed only for the most basic and general understanding of your RV electrical systems--the stuff you should really know for practical purposes. I hope you feel better equipped to run your vehicle efficiently after reading it.

If you have a question or comment about this page or your own electrical system feel free to ask using the form below. If you think I left something out that could benefit those reading this page please let me; you can use the same form below.

---

Enjoy this page? Please help us pay it forward to others who would find it valuable by Liking, Sharing, Tweeting, Stumbling, and/or Voting below.

Have a question about this topic?

Have a question about your RV? Chat with an expert one-on-one now.*

*Chat provided by JustAnswer.com, a third party not affiliated with MSRVR