There are multiple ways to charge your RV battery, which is great news for those who rely on electricity. Having multiple charging options in your RV is a smart move, especially for those adventurers who like to camp in the wilderness.
How many ways are there to charge an RV battery?
Since RVs use a lot of energy to run lights, appliances, and equipment, it’s crucial to charge your RV battery while on the road. Luckily, there are a variety of options available to keep you charged up.
Charging while traveling
The first type of charging is line charging, which uses the engine’s own generator to charge the RV’s battery while the engine is running. This type of charging is something that every RV has, and is one of the most prominent ways to charge an RV, normally charging the battery by about 1 degree for every hour of driving.
Solar Charging
The second type is solar charging, solar energy is known for its green and environmental protection, and does not require any human operation, as long as there is light, it will automatically generate electricity, and automatically stop charging after it is full, among all the charging methods, he is the only charging method that does not require you to spend extra money on generating energy, so it is said that solar energy is the most worthwhile investment in the generation of electricity.
Shore power
Shore power, sometimes referred to as a power pedestal, is a plug-in, stationary source of AC power. Most campgrounds and RV parks usually have outlets available.
Since external plugs use AC power, they will run your AC appliances directly. Most RVs have a built-in converter that converts AC to DC, allowing you to charge your 12V battery by simply plugging into AC power.
12V Power Supply for Towed Trailers
This is for towed fifth wheels and travel trailers only. In this case, wires are connected to the brake lights and signals to match your tow vehicle for increased safety while driving. If wired correctly, this auxiliary power supply can also provide 12V power to the fifth wheel from the tractor-trailer alternator.
The downside is wear and tear on the trailer alternator. Some tractor trailers have a separate dedicated alternator to avoid this problem. Otherwise, make sure the batteries are charged before going on an extended adventure to avoid unnecessarily wearing out the alternator.
How long does it take to charge an RV battery?
How long it takes to charge a battery depends on the type you are using, how depleted the battery is, the charger and the energy source.
Lead-acid batteries take much longer to charge than the new lithium iron phosphate batteries and can charge up to five times faster. It also depends on your input.
To get a rough estimate, divide the rated amp hours (Ah) by the number of amps supplied by the solar panel, charger, AC plug or alternator.
For example, if your 200 amp-hour (Ah) battery is completely dead and you use a 10-amp service to charge it, it could take up to 20 hours. This is a slight simplification because you shouldn’t and usually can’t drain your battery that low.
How do I charge my RV battery?
Charging an RV battery is easy; be sure to follow these simple steps.
- Make sure the connections are clean and dry.
- Install the charger in a clean, dry, and accessible location.
- Park your RV in a level position and engage the parking brake.
- Remove the cables from the battery leads, removing the negative (black) terminal first, then the positive (red) terminal.
- For lead-acid models, remove all corrosion and add distilled water if necessary.
- Plug the charger or converter into a power source.
- Connect the charger cable to the positive terminal of the battery (or converter cable) first, then to the negative terminal.
- The indicator light on the charger or smartphone app (when using the LFP model) will let you know that it is charging.
- Turn off the power and disconnect the battery.
How do I configure solar panels for my RV electrical system?
There is some space on the top of the RV to install solar panels. According to our research, the average RV solar panel is 400W-800W.
Usually, we choose an even number when installing solar panels because we need to involve series and parallel connection. If your RV is a 12V system, the best working voltage for MPPT solar controller is 24V-36V.
Of course, many MPPT controllers also state that it can work at 3V higher than the batteries, but RVs are not like off-grid solar systems. Lighting and mounting angles are extremely demanding for RVs.
If you are using 800W solar panels, a 12V / 80A MPPT solar charge controller would be ideal.
We’ve seen a lot of solar panels installed, but the actual controller doesn’t arrive and it still doesn’t produce much power. Since lighting varies from place to place and riders park in different locations, it’s impossible to answer exactly how much power an 800W solar panel can produce.
However, we surveyed most of the RVers who have installed 800W and they can generate about 2 kWh of electricity in 3 hours from 11:00-14:00 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any safety tips?
When using a battery charger, make sure it is compatible with your model (lead-acid, AGM, or lithium battery) as well as the rated voltage and current strength to prevent thermal runaway.
Can an RV be plugged in all the time?
If the caravan is used regularly then yes, as you are constantly using the power supply and charging it. However, you shouldn’t leave it plugged in all winter when storing it as this can overcharge the battery, damage it and even cause thermal runaway.
How many amps does it take to charge an RV battery?
It depends on your battery; they can only be charged at a maximum of 20% of their amp-hour (Ah) rating. For example, if you have a 200 Ah battery, which is common in RVs, it will only charge at 40 amps or less.
