RV Electrical Myths Busted: Just the Facts
Have you seen all the RV electrical myths floating around on social media? After we installed Battle Born lithium and solar, we saw many myths popping up in our social media comments. There is a lot of misinformation floating around, and I thought it was time to set the record straight. So let's do a little RV power myth-busting!
Myth 1. Everyone Needs Lithium and Solar
It really surprised me to see that many people think they need lithium batteries and solar to be a full time RVer. This is simply not the case. Many RVers prefer to stay in campgrounds with full hookups and do not like to boondock. If your preferred camping style includes full hookups, you don’t need to make a huge investment in lithium or solar. Your current batteries will take care of all your needs. You may not even need a generator. Don’t let other people pressure you into upgrading a system that already works for you.
Myth 2. Lithium is Required for Solar
We saw this a lot after we completed our solar install. People even were upset because we didn't add the costs of our lithium upgrade and solar together. We left them separate intentionally.
Battle Born Batteries
Solar panels and lithium batteries are not a package deal. They are separate, and you can choose one or the other or both. Many people install solar panels on their roof and never upgrade their lead-acid or AGM batteries to lithium. These systems do very well off grid.
Before you decide on either solar or lithium, first assess your power needs. What are your power goals? How much power do you use each day? How often will you boondock? How long do you plan to be off the grid at a time? How big are the power draws of the appliances you plan to use when you are unplugged? Answering these questions will help you figure out if upgrading is the right choice for you.
Not sure what battery is best for your RV and your RVing style? We can help you with that. Check out RV Batteries: Which is Best for You?
Our Solar Installation
Myth 3. You Must Install Solar First
We saw this debate a lot. Some people swore that lithium had to be installed first, and others swore solar had to be installed first. The truth is it doesn’t matter which install is first or if it's done simultaneously. Choose the upgrade based on what is best for you and how you will utilize your power.
We Chose Batteries First
More power was our priority, so we chose to upgrade to Battle Born lithium long before installing our solar panels. We weren't even sure if we would install solar. Our onboard generator does a great job charging our batteries.
Our goal with the lithium install was to use any appliance, no matter how large the power draw (not including the A/C), without having to use our generator. Our coffee pot was on the top of the list. We like to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee.
Before our Battle Born install, if we were boondocking, we had to wake up, turn on the generator, turn on the coffee pot, and wait for coffee. I hated all that noise first thing in the morning. I prefer silence and coffee for my morning ritual. It was dreadful if we were in a place with generator hours that didn't start until 8 am! No coffee until 8 am! I don't function without my morning cup of joy! (Yes, that was joy, not Joe!)
Solar battery installation, You Me and the RV
There are many reasons why people may decide to invest in solar on their RVs. Here are some of the reasons why we added solar to Ruby’s roof.
We love to dry camp
We love to dry camp in silence!!
Solar is better for the environment
Less money spent on diesel
Once we recoup our investment, we will save money every time we boondock
Sharing is Caring. Feel free to share this image on Pinterest! Thanks!
Myth 4. Fill Every Square Inch
The amount of solar or lithium you need is not based on the square footage. Before you spend any money on upgrades, conduct a power assessment to determine how much solar or lithium you need.
What appliances do you use when you are unplugged. If you avoid big draw items while boondocking, you may need less lithium than someone who still uses coffee makers, hairdryers, and instant pots. Like me! The goal is to purchase just what you need to live the way you want in your RV.
If you go out and just start filling the empty space, you may spend way more money than necessary. Lithium and solar are investments, and you don't want to invest more than it is necessary to live comfortably.
Step by Step RV Power
Myth 5. You Can’t Have too Much.
When planning your solar or lithium upgrade, the amount of solar must make sense for the number of usable amp-hours of your batteries and vice versa.
Let me explain what I mean. Imagine if your batteries were an empty 8-ounce glass, and your solar panels were a swimming pool. It would be overkill to fill the empty glass with a swimming pool of water. That amount of solar would be a waste of money because there is nowhere to put the power harnessed by all those solar panels.
Myth 6. You Can't Have too Little
You also don’t want to have more battery capacity than you could ever fill with your solar panels. Imagine if your batteries were an empty swimming pool, and your solar panel was an 8 oz glass. You solar would never be able to fill those batteries even on the brightest of days.
If you need help assessing your power usage, some companies will help you. Battle Born is one such company. If you are planning to upgrade to Battle Born lithium, they will help you figure out your needs.
Myth 7. Solar Powers the RESIDENTIAL Fridge
RV Power Diagram, You me and the rv,
As you look at the RV power diagram above, you will see the solar panels' energy is deposited into the batteries. The batteries will power the electrical devices in your RV while boondocking. So when you ask how much power is needed to power the fridge, you ask how many batteries (amps from batteries) are needed.
To better understand RV power and the diagram above, head over to RV Electrical: What You Need to Know.
RV Electrical Myths
I hope busting these electrical myths cleared up some confusion.
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You, Me & the RV
Author: Stacy, You, Me & the RV, ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2020
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