RV Power Options: How to Keep Your Portable Home Running When You’re on the Road
Did you know that over 11 million households owned RVs in 2021?
Camping became a popular form of travel in 2020, and it’s something that’s only become more common over the last two years. Whether you’re new to owning a camper or you’re just looking for something new, our guide is here to help you learn everything you need.
Read on to learn more about RV power and how to find what works for you.
Plug-in Inverters
An RV power inverter is a great option for powering small items, or even your laptop. They come in a range of sizes and their accessibility (both price and ease of purchasing) makes them a great option for short-term powering.
They’re not great for things other than charging, though, and they can drain your vehicle’s battery if you’re not careful.
Generator
From there, your next logical step is a portable generator. They’re reliable if properly maintained, and most RVs come equipped with one to keep up with your basics — like recharging the RV’s battery, running the AC, and providing power to your wall outlets.
If your RV doesn’t have a generator, though, it’s important to know which one to buy.
The generators used for your home are not the ones you should use for your RV. You’re going to look for an inverter-style generator in this case. They’re not as loud, they’re more fuel-efficient, and they’re also lightweight and portable.
If you don’t want to deal with noise or fuel, though, you do have a third option.
Solar Power
Solar is a great thing to invest in for your RV. You won’t have to deal with generator noise, moving parts, maintenance, or even any additional fuel cost to keep things up.
There is an initial upfront cost to get your system running, but once it is you’re going to be saving a lot by not having to stay hooked up to anything in campsites. Shopping for parts like solar batteries on sites like relionbattery.com is also a great way to save on your initial costs.
Other Things to Consider
Remember, you can mix and match your power sources. If you invest in a solar system, you can still use inverters to power your electronics when it’s necessary.
Also, make sure you know how much voltage your devices use before buying any source of power. You want to make sure your supply is powerful enough to run everything, but you also don’t want to overdo it and end up wasting money.
Ready to Find Your RV Power?
The more you use your RV, the easier it’ll be to know how much power you need. It’s best to test different RV power methods if you can, and then pick the one that works for you and your trips. Remember, though, that what works for one person might not work for another, so be sure to test things for yourself and decide from there.
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