How To Troubleshoot RV Electrical Problems?
The RV is a short form of recreational vehicle. The core concept of the RV can be said to be a house that can move with engines and four tires. Based on the region, the term RV changes; in some places, they call it a ‘caravan’, and in some locations, people call it a ‘campervan’.
Most of us do not understand an RV’s electronics and electrical system (Recreational Vehicle). People decide that the RV electrical connections and the electrical problems are just a piece of cake. Yes, it will be like rocket science unless you know the procedure to solve those issues. Let us see the troubleshooting of RV electrical problems.
Your Guidelines for RV Electrical Problems
The first lesson I learned from the RV technical system is that it has a two-volt system, which is 12 volts. However, before that, safety advice is that while dealing with electronic stuff, do not forget to be alert or remember to safeguard yourself. Electricity can kill anyone with unsafe operation.
You will obviously be enjoying your vacation in the RV until the cracking of the electrical issue happens. No worries, here we have the perfect solution for your electrical problems in your RV. When the silly things regarding the electric power in your RV happen, you have to raise the questions.
Did the power go off? Does the EMS unit shut the power because it could find some problems? What should I do? These are the main questions that you should ask yourself because only questions can help you find an answer or solution to the problem. First, go to your RV’s breaker and check whether the trips in it go up.
Photo Credit: https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-distribution-center-troubleshooting-007934/
After checking the fuses, check all the fuses in the breaker to see if any of them are damaged. If so, then the fuses need an immediate replacement to turn on the power in your RV. Secondly, the portion that should be checked is the actual source of energy, where you will find a plug socket to plug up the power for your RV.
Make sure that you have a perfect checklist of your RV toolbox. The RV toolbox equipment contains regular hardware and should carry electrical stuff like the voltmeter, torchlight, spare headlamp batteries, frequency meter, and wire cutters.
To avoid and solve these electrical problems, absorb how they work. The working process can illustrate the problem-solving idea. All you need is to know the three facts about the electrical system in an RV.
1. RV 12-volt system
The RV 12-volt system is deep cycle batteries, which can power the light that contains 12-volt, circuit boards, propane detector, and leveling jacks. The RV has a converter inside that converts the 120-volts into 12-volts.
2. Chassis 12-Volt System
The chassis batteries discharge the power to the exterior running light as well as the turn signals of the RV.
3. The House 120 Volt System
Just the way we have in our regular home (bricks and sticks). The alternating current with 120 volts needs the power to operate the air conditioner units, the electric water heater, and the microwave. Almost every household product is 120 volts.
The electrical products have their volt description on their labels: amps, volts, and watts. Thus, the consumer must know what these are and should be aware of which product they consume the most. Understanding the watts, amps, and volts can easily solve the troubles faced by RV users.
The Knowledge of W.A.V.
What are Watts, Amps, and Volts? In our RVs, most of the electrical problems occur when there is no proper understanding of the WAV. It pays the way for an overload of an RV. A volt is nothing but the capacity of electricity through the wire.
Amp is the short form of an ampere, which is called an average flow of electricity. If you overload these wires with power, it gets heated up. Thus, the ampere is the average movement of the power.
Watts is nothing but the multiplication of volt and ampere (V x amp). For example, your RV has a volt as 120 volts and an ampere of 30 amps. Thus, the watt of your RV is 120 x 30, which is 3600 watts.
The remedies to avoid RV electrical problems rely on a simple format of the power usage. The user should not forget to turn off the appliances before shutting off the main power of the RV. The user should not forget to put out the devices that draw more amperes.
It will avoid tripping in the breakers of the RV. Turn the devices on when you need them but, on the other hand, do not turn the entire device at a time, especially the device with an ampere of 30 amps.
While using your air conditioner, do not plug the device directly into the 15 amp outlet. Try using an adaptor, then connect the best RV air conditioner. If you attempt connecting the RV air conditioner to the 15 amp, you will find a ruined AC and burnt-up wires.
Along with the instructions mentioned above, the RV users are advised not to plug the RV park electric pedestal without examining the power source of the RV park electric stand. Your RV is at risk. If you have no idea how to use a voltmeter, then learn how to use it or try to get an electrical management device. These devices are specially designed to detect electrical issues before plugging into the socket.
Summing Up…
Via: http://www.modmyrv.com/2008/06/14/rv-ac-dc-power-inverter
Do not attempt running all of the equipment in your RV. You can turn on all the devices in your RV unless you know the ampere flow in the RV. Along with the ampere, if you have no idea about the watts required, then use the equipment in a limited manner. If you are confident in the flow of amperes, use the one that is 30 or 50 amperes in the RV electrical system.
Sometimes you can also come up with the breakage of the fuse, so the best solution to get rid of that fuse problem is to replace it with a new one. Do not feel annoyed when there is trouble in your RV. It is a problem that has an easy solution.
The moment you encounter the RV electrical problem, check the tripping area, then the fuse area, then the power area. Try resetting the power. However, the best way to avoid the electrical problem is to consume less electricity at a time.
