There are several methods to charge RV batteries.
You’re in luck if you don’t know much about RV battery charging systems and want to give your battery the greatest possible charge.
How to effectively charge your RV batteries will be shared by our team of professionals.
Table of Contents
How to Charge Batteries in an RV
RV owners have access to a variety of power sources for charging their vehicles.
There’s a strong possibility you utilize more than one of the following power sources if you prefer operating your RV off-grid.
#1. Shore Power and Converter
The majority of RVs on the market now come with converters.
From a shore power connection, this gadget converts AC.
It then transforms it into DC so that it may be used to recharge a battery.
The converters are often hidden in a storage area or the underneath of the vehicle.
However, they are often not far from the battery bank.
An inverter may sometimes double as a converter.
Depending on the gadget, yes.
To provide AC power to your plug-in gadgets, inverters convert DC electricity.
Have a licensed electrician check this equipment for correct operation if your batteries aren’t charging from your shore power connection.
Additionally, they could be connected to a breaker in your electrical panel.
Check to see whether the breaker hasn’t tripped.
Have the converter tested by a specialist and/or replaced if a reset triggers it once again.
#2. Generators for camping
Many RVers enjoy boondocking on public lands or other appropriate spots to escape the crowds.
There won’t be any shore power available under these circumstances.
Some RVs have built-in generators.
Your vendor may sometimes offer to install one.
Portable generators are a must for those smaller setups.
There are also “contractor grade” generators available.
These are often noisier and bigger.
We would not advocate one.
If you use them, your neighbors won’t be appreciative.
Some of the most effective generators can also replenish your batteries using DC electricity.
However, have “inverter” outputs as well to directly power AC appliances, similar to the example above.
Batteries may be charged directly from a generator if it has the right connectors and cabling.
If not, connect your shore power line to the AC outlet on the generator to charge your RV’s batteries.
(To protect today’s delicate electronics, always make sure any inverter generator is a “pure sine” (not “modified sine”) version.)
Fuel for these generators is commonly gasoline.
However, they may sometimes be modified to utilize propane as a source as well.
Larger RVs’ onboard generators may run only on propane.
The propane source for your heater, stove, and other propane-powered appliances will usually always be the same as this one.
Be aware of your levels!
Suggestion reading: Walmart RV Battery: Worth It or Nah?
#3. Solar Energy
The RV sector is witnessing many more solar power implementations than it did only a decade ago due to the ongoing price decreases in solar panels and solar kits.
Other, more recent vehicles could even come with solar panels already placed on top.
Some manufacturers will install “solar ready” kits designed for transportable solar panels.
The fact that utilizing the sun is really free after solar recharging is installed is its finest perk.
Many RVers start out with a smaller, lower-output panel and gradually expand the number or output size as their requirements and finances change.
You must have a solid grasp of electricity and how it works in order to install solar.
For instance, you can’t simply connect your batteries and a solar panel straight! The output of solar panels may vary from very little to a lot of amperage.
A “controller” is part of a correctly constructed comprehensive solar power system and will monitor and regulate amperage for securely charging batteries.
PWM and MPPT are the two kinds of controllers employed in contemporary setups.
PWM is often less costly but less effective than MPPT.
However, both of them need to be properly sized for your battery bank and electrical system.
To be sure you obtain the best fit for your battery bank and your budget, speak with a certified solar installation.
#4. An RV’s Motor
The battery bank is incorporated charging from the vehicle’s motor in many bigger Class A and large Class C rigs, as well as some Class B rigs nowadays.
This implies that the engine that drives the truck when you move it from one location to another also serves as an on-board generator! This setup will keep your batteries charged as long as everything is operating as it should, regardless of whether the RV is fueled by gasoline or diesel.
#5. 12v feed from towed vehicle
This also only applies to fifth wheels and travel trailers, as #4 above.
These RVs include wire connections to the trailer to make sure that when the tow vehicle operates the lights and turn signals, the trailer does too.
Larger trailers often feature a 7-prong connector.
An “auxiliary power” connection is sent by a single connection between the trailer chord connector and outlet.
This may provide a 12-volt power supply from your tow vehicle’s alternator—the same one that recharges your truck battery—and transmit extra power back to the RV if it is configured properly.
When everything is set up properly, your journey will be filling up the batteries so that you are prepared to switch on the lights and start the laptop when you get there.
Some tow trucks might even have an additional, special alternator fitted for this circuit.
Basics of RV Batteries for Beginners
Know what kind of batteries your RV has before figuring out how to charge them.
In general, there are three distinct typical kinds of RV batteries.
Types of RV Battery Chargers
There are a few charger varieties that, in our opinion, merit discussion when it comes to recharging your RV battery.
For information on each, keep reading.
#1. Charger for converter (AC charger)
In the RV sector, the integrated battery charger is most often referred to as a “converter”.
Simple 120V to 12V converter, akin to a vehicle battery charger, is all that this item is.
Direct current (DC) electricity is created by converting alternating current (AC) power via a converter charger.
Your RV converts incoming AC electricity to DC to run its principal appliances, 12V system, and charge its batteries.
Since a converter charger is necessary for the DC system to function even when plugged in, every RV has one.
Since you won’t need to access it often, it will probably be tucked away or placed in the undercarriage of an RV so that it works without you having to worry about it.
It’s crucial to understand that although a converter can convert electricity, it cannot reverse it.
Another sort of charger that RVers often utilize is an inverter charger.
#2. Charger Inverter
RV owners who operate their vehicles off the grid adore inverter chargers.
These can convert 12-volt DC electricity into 120-volt AC power and function as both chargers and inverters.
This implies that you may use the RV battery bank to power appliances that are powered by your inverter charger.
While you may be able to use the microwave, watch TV, or do other tasks using the power outlets in your RV using an inverter charger, they’re not ideal.
Depending on what you’re powering, the maximum amount of power that inverter chargers can invert implies that you need be careful not to use too much electricity.
Perform an energy audit before purchasing your equipment to be sure your inverter charger can manage the load.
Related Also: How to Hook Up RV Battery Cables with Diagram?
#3. Solar RV Battery Charge Controller
The amount of electricity going to your battery bank from the solar panel(s) on your RV roof is controlled by a solar RV battery charge controller.
The regulator prevents batteries from being overcharged, thus extending their life.
Make sure you have the right size solar charge controller to match your solar capacity since a solar charge controller has a restriction on how much electricity it can send to your battery bank.
#4. DC to DC Battery Chargers
When connecting one battery system to another, DC to DC RV battery chargers may be utilized.
A motorhome’s house batteries, for instance, might get charged from the alternator if they were connected to the chassis batteries.
Between various battery types, such as a lead-acid starting battery and lithium home batteries, DC-DC chargers are also used.
#5. Multi-Battery Chargers
When using numerous batteries, they are often mounted in a single huge bank either in series or parallel.
The chargers indicated above can charge all the batteries at once in these circumstances.
In certain cases, multi-battery chargers could be necessary if the batteries are linked to several systems.
RV Batteries: Charging Lithium vs. Lead-Acid
Lead-acid and lithium batteries are the two most popular kinds of RV batteries, however they have different charging and operating characteristics.
Lithium RV batteries may be bulk-charged up to 100%.
A lead-acid battery, however, may be charged in bulk charge mode up to 80%.
From 80% to 95%, it must then enter absorption (charging at a high voltage), and from 95% to 100%, it must float (keep capacity without overcharging).
Lithium batteries, however, can absorb greater charge currents continually, charging the bank much more quickly.
You may have fully charged batteries in only a few hours since they never reach an absorption stage.
When using a lithium battery, you don’t need to fully charge it since the battery output performance is constant whether the battery is charged to 95% or 20%.
Lead-acid batteries must be fully charged to operate at their best, and using them seldom and at low discharge rates can limit their lifetime.
Additionally, lithium-ion batteries, like those in our product range, have very low internal resistance, which results in much higher efficiency.
This implies that while utilizing the batteries, you obtain the majority of the power you put in.
You do not get close to the same amount of power out as you do in with lead-acid batteries since there are considerable losses that go place.
Every drop of gasoline and ray of sunlight matters when using a generator or solar power, thus it is preferable to avoid wasting either.
Recommended reading: Why Do You Need RV Battery Locks?
What Kind of RV Battery Charger is Best?
Your preferred travel style and battery type will determine the optimum kind of RV battery charger.
The best charger is often a multi-stage, programmable one since it offers the greatest adaptability and best charging for all battery types.
To get the ideal model for you, do some research and compare and contrast several models.
Even if it takes some time, it’s not as irritating as having your RV battery die in the midst of a camping vacation!
FAQ
Can I simultaneously charge my batteries from numerous sources?
You may charge your batteries simultaneously from numerous sources without harming them.
You may, for instance, connect your solar panels while still connecting to shore electricity.
Your system will guard against overcharging your batteries.
Can I charge my battery too much?
You may overcharge your battery, which is harmful for the battery and perhaps potentially deadly.
This is why purchasing the necessary tools is essential before using any source to charge your batteries.
Can a battery be damaged by over discharging it?
Yes, batteries should never be discharged below the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
For instance, when drained below 50%, the majority of deep cycle marine batteries would have a shorter lifetime.
Typically, lithium batteries may be discharged to roughly 20%.
A typical automotive battery may fail after just a few runs down.
This is why driving your automobile after the alternator has failed is never a smart idea.
Conclusion
A camper’s battery may be charged in a variety of ways.
The majority of individuals will use many charging sources.
Depending on where you are using your camper and what you are using its batteries for will determine how you charge your battery.
Regardless of the charging solution you choose, be sure you only use the approved charging equipment to avoid damaging your battery.
