RV Electrical System: Batteries & Solar Panels

PREVIOUS: RV Electrical System: Design Batteries Central to the system and most visible are the batteries, which have to supply the electricity during the days when a hookup is not available. Two basic types are currently used in RV’s: Lead-Acid Batteries Types: Starting Battery – Use only to start the vehicle; its plates are too… Continue reading RV Electrical System: Batteries & Solar Panels

RV Electrical System: Design

PREVIOUS: RV Electrical System: History Two recent developments will change the future of RV living: flexible panels and Lithium batteries. Neither will benefit everybody, as the extra cost tends to favor boondockers, who receive a greater payback on their investment. Lower prices will inevitably lead to wider use and greater implementation by most, if not… Continue reading RV Electrical System: Design

RV Fridge Checklist: How To Store Your Food On The Road

RV fridges come in all sizes, and more importantly as a single 12V or three-way unit. For years, the three-way fridge has been the traditional unit for use in RV’s, yet it had two major drawbacks: The absorption type fridge requires leveling of the vehicle. It has complicated power source requirements: 12V + 120V wiring… Continue reading RV Fridge Checklist: How To Store Your Food On The Road

Is The RV At The Forefront Of Low Voltage Home Wiring?

There are many similarities between a solar installation in an RV and a regular single-family home. OK, some differences are quite fundamental, like the total number of available PV panels and their orientation, yet with respect to the system wiring, differences are less apparent. The RV and the Marine environment have accumulated heaps of solar… Continue reading Is The RV At The Forefront Of Low Voltage Home Wiring?

“Intel: Little Stick, Big Surprise.” How To Successfully Integrate A Computer In Your RV

Long before I install solar in my RV, I have to think about power use of my electronics, that is the amps and type of voltage (12V/110V). Computer use in a RV has become easier since laptops became available. Battery use is always an issue in a recreational vehicle and certainly with computers that may… Continue reading “Intel: Little Stick, Big Surprise.” How To Successfully Integrate A Computer In Your RV

Fulltime RVing Is The Right Choice (If You Can!)

Before deciding to convert your own cargo van, you should find out if full-time living in an RV will fit your lifestyle and your budget. Or you may choose for extended RV camping, where you use leave home for a few months, like the Canadian snowbirds each winter. You can go from a small Class… Continue reading Fulltime RVing Is The Right Choice (If You Can!)

Pressurized Solar Water Heater

A few gallons of hot water for a shower or just to clean up. It’s solar, so no electricity needed and you can pressurize it too. The tube-like structure is attached to a roof rack and features a short hose with sprayer. The sun heats the water inside during the day. From roadshower.com

8 Critical Elements Of A Modern Van Conversion

THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO HAVE A CONVERSION VAN. MOST FOLKS WILL USE IT FOR AFFORDABLE TRAVEL, AND SOME DOING THE MORE EXTREME BOONDOCKING AND EVEN LESS LIVING IN IT PERMANENTLY. Some use it as their mobile office, while traveling around the country, others have made it part of the Tiny House Movement. For me… Continue reading 8 Critical Elements Of A Modern Van Conversion

Solar Panel Guide (2)

New approaches for small RV’s. PHOTOVOLTAIC FACTS After I introduced Semi Flexible Solar Panels in my previous post, questions remain about the performance of these new semi flexible modules. SOLAR PANEL TYPES Rigid Residential Flexible Amorphous Thin Film Semi Flexible average cost per watt 1 $ 0.80-2.00 $ 1.50 $ 2.00-7.00 low light performance average… Continue reading Solar Panel Guide (2)