This text is a small guide that will serve to acquaint you with the parts of an RV electrical system that is rigged to function on renewable energy . The goal is that you will be comfortable enough with the parts to install your own RV solar panels. I will give details on each part.
Battery – most are 12 volts. They often say 12V, but in realism they are 13.8 volts. The voltage they write on the batteries themselves has actually been rounded to a lower level. This won’t affect you, since most things made to use 12 volts are in fact designed for 13.8. Note that one of the most electricity hungry devices in an RV is more often than not the microwave oven. If you’re planning on getting one in your RV, you’ll probably need at least three batteries, as a normal estimate knowing the power requirements you’ll face for the standard microwave and battery capacities.
Battery Cables – don’t ever underestimate the importance of good , thick battery cables. DC electricity is infamous for requiring big cables. This is because the resistance intrinsic in some cable you’ll use has additional loss than would happen for AC power. Always make sure to obtain good thick cables. See references to AWG (Wire Gauge charts) to discover how large of wire you’ll need based on your power requirements. OKAY! Let’s move on.
Inverter – This machine will get the DC power supplied to it from your batteries, which came from the RV solar panels (also in DC form), and convert it to AC shape that can be used by the majority of appliances you’d bring in into your RV from your home . A television , for example , unless specifically designed to run on DC power, will need AC (like you’d obtain from an electrical outlet in your home ).
AC Breaker Panel – You’ll want a panel on the AC side of the inverter that is similar or even identical to the panel in your cellar at home that is full of circuit breakers. These will trip when power usage exceeds the ability of the breakers, just like blowing a fuse, only without the hassle of having to replace the fuse…simply reset the tripped breaker. Note that these can be, but often aren’t wanted on the side of the inverter fed by the batteries and RV solar panels. Protection is recommended, but usually a fuse is sufficient here.
Generator – I normally don’t like to advocate these, since I’m a gentleman who likes to play it au natural, and who relies completely on my RV solar panels, but sometimes a backup generator is nice if you’re out in the open and just plain don’t want to wait for the sun. I apologize, Mother Earth.
Charge Controller – The electricity produced by your RV solar panels will be required to be regulated when you are charging your batteries. The reason is that a battery is only able to fit into it a certain amount of “juice”, and your RV solar panels may make them rupture , spill or blow up with no charge controller! Not good ! It’s sure a safety issue and can be very boring , but if you have a desire to, you can monitor the battery voltage levels by yourself. Don’t underestimate their importance .
That’s all. Look for future write-ups concerning the importance of additional parts, and how to install them. For additional info on RV Solar Panels, be sure to visit newenergytips.com.
Chapter 3 of 3, This is the ultimate 4WD campervan for those who want a real adventure in the outback of Australia. The rear cabin is very spacious and has plenty of ventilation with side flyscreens along the pop top roof. The vehicle is fitted with a large retractable side awning, which you can cook and eat under. At night you can even plug into caravan park power and enjoy home comforts of air conditioning. Comes with many special 4wd extras such as a Safety & Survival Guide, air jack and …
Chapter 2 of 3, This is the ultimate 4WD campervan for thosewho want a real adventure in the outback of Australia. The rear cabin is very spacious and has plenty of ventilation with side flyscreens along the pop top roof.
Chapter 1 of 3, This is the ultimate 4WD campervan for those who want a real adventure in the outback of Australia. The rear cabin is very spacious and has plenty of ventilation with side flyscreens along the pop top roof. The vehicle is fitted with a large retractable side awning, which you can cook and eat under. At night you can even plug into caravan park power and enjoy home comforts of air conditioning. Comes with many special 4wd extras such as a Safety & Survival Guide, air jack and …
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