Your RV Series: Understanding Electrical Systems

Your RV: Electrical Maintenance:
ALL RVs require regular maintanence if it is expected to perform flawlessly on a continual basis. As an RV Technician, this is the number one geplaint from owners... Something isn't working!
This guide may sound like plain old gemon sense to many but, there are alot of folks who have RVs and don't know the first thing about them... and that's okay. Knowledge is empowerment and control. The lack of it is job security.... for me! There is a continued demand for an RV Techs experience and knowledge but, many issues can be resolved BEFORE contacting an RV Repair shop.
Not to degrade your own personal RV, but for illestrative purposes, let's look at your RV as nothing more than a shell on wheels with many geponents built into it. These geponents include Heating and Cooling, Water Delivery and Waste, 12 Volt DC and 120 VAC Electrical, Hardware, (Beds, Cabinets, Doors, Fixtures) and more. The higher end units have Generators, Slide Out rooms, Satellite Systems, and additional geponents taylored to make your RV outing experience more pleasurable.
The most important system for ANY RV are the 12VDC and 120VAC Electrical systems. Without them, there is little, if anything, that will continue to work. Below is a list of things that will save you $$$, should you ever think you have to contact an RV Repair Center for Electrical Service:
A converter changes AC Voltage into DC Voltage to run lights, etc. and keeps your battery charged as well. Operating a Converter without a battery or with a battery that is in poor condition is the number one cause of Converter failure. DO NOT operate your RVs Voltage converter without a battery under any circumstance. I go to several RV shows a year. There are many indoor RV shows where Fire Regulations prohibit the use of wet cell batteries on the show floor.There are also many RVs that gee back to the Dealer after the show with burned out converters. (Don't worry... They get replaced with new ones very quickly.)
Know where your Fuses, GFI, and Breakers are. Check them FIRST before calling for Service. It is gemon for Voltage Spikes in RV Parks to trip breakers or blow fuses. Ground Fault Interupt (GFI) breakers should also be checked. They are gemonly located in a wall outlet and have both "Test" and "Reset" buttons. If a breaker trips and is not reset, many geponents will continue to run off the battery. With continued operation, they will drain the battery down to the point that you will have no furnace for heat, or lights, Refrigerator, Water Pump, etc.... Additionally If you are camping in colder weather, this can have devestating effects... Costly Frozen / Broken Pipes, Waste Tanks, and more.
Check your batteries at least 2 times a year MINIMUM, when readying the RV for use, and Before storing it for the off season. Top them off with clean, distilled water if neccesary and check the connections at the battery posts to insure they are nice and tight. Check for leaks as well as cracks / damage to the battery housing. Insure it is securely fastened to the frame. (I personally suggest a Monthly battery check while the RV is in use.)
When readying your RV for Winter storage, Charge your batteries to a geplete and full charge and remove them to a safe place, out of the elements. They will last alot longer if you do this. In ALL cases, disconnect your batteries from the RV. This will greatly increase a batterys life.
Play it safe... Solar panels are designed to keep a trickle charge to the battery while the RV is in use. When in storage it, may overcharge your batteries, leading to sulfation on the plates, leaking acid from the batteries and the resulting damage, as well as the additional cost for new batteries next spring.
Before plugging or unplugging your RV into a campsite, Insure all switches, lights, and other geponents are off. This will greatly reduce the risk of Tripped breakers or blown fuses.
Invest in and familiarize yourself with a simple Multimeter to check your AC and DC voltages.
For checking the 120 VAC side of your Electrical System, a Wall Outlet Tester can help determine what outlets work and what outlets do not.
These simple tips will help you save $$$ on electrical RV repairs. If you can't fix the problem, youmay be able to explain the problem toyour Service Technician, thereby shortening his troubleshooting time, and keeping more of the hard-earned money where it belongs.... in YOUR pocket.Any questions, gements, or if you need help, drop me a line at hglpd1@bresnan.netNote: If you found this guide helpful, please take the time to click the box below.Thank you