https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/ 2026-05-15T23:44:38+00:00 https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/ https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/lib/tpl/dokuwiki/images/favicon.ico text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:aio&rev=1766617112&do=diff All-in-One inverter/chargers AIO devices combine inverter, solar charge controller, and converter in one device. While more common on very large RVs with frequent access to pedestal power at campgrounds they are gaining popularity with other RV types. seamless power The selling point is the AIO seamlessly takes power from the grid text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:autonomy&rev=1766617112&do=diff [draft] Days of Autonomy TL;DR * Days of autonomy (or reserve) is the number of days of power one stores for days when charging is unavailable. It is planning for the Worst Case Scenario. * A system whose capacity == daily power requirements has one day of autonomy; 24 hours after a full charge there will be no usable capacity left. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:batterycide&rev=1766617112&do=diff Words of Wisdom: " Over many years of capacity testing hundreds and hundreds of batteries, flooded, GEL and AGM I have yet to see a lead acid battery that could delivers its full storage potential at anything less than 0.75% in tail current at absorption voltage. MaineSail text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:converter&rev=1766617112&do=diff Converters <https://amzn.to/2RuAVjw> A converter (a.k.a. converter/charger) handles power and charging needs when connected to shore power: * charge the house battery * provide 12v to power house loads For turning 12v into 110v see inverters. providing 12v OEM converters generally do a good job of providing 12v to the house. They can do this even if the battery is absent or dead. All the RVer has to check is if the converter Amperage rating is sufficient for present needs. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:depth_of_discharge&rev=1766617112&do=diff Depth of discharge / State of Charge Depth-of-discharge (DoD or DOD) refers to how low a deep cycle battery is taken between full charges. Specifically, what percentage of the rated capacity remains at a given point? Example: For solar powered systems the greatest DoD (and therefore lowest SoC) will be in early morning just before the panels start creating power again. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:generator&rev=1766617112&do=diff Generators <http://amzn.to/2qVHopt> A generator is a device that creates electricity from some other form of energy. In RV terms this usually means a gasoline powered generator, but they can also run on propane or diesel. Residential generators sometimes run on natural gas. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:intro&rev=1766617112&do=diff RV electrical power “It is easier and much less expensive to use less electricity than it is to create and store gobs of it.” -- Sternwake Access and use of electrical power is crucial to RVers, whether plugged into RV park hookups or boondocking off-grid. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:inverter&rev=1766617112&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “Inverters are excellent battery depleters.” -- sternwake Words of Wisdom: “One can only put so much inverter on so much battery... A lot of people will put a 2KW inverter, or larger, on a single 12v battery, but this can be compared to a 5 second drag car, which uses 5 gallons of gas to run the 1/4 mile, but then only having a 2 gallon gas tank. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:nominal&rev=1766617112&do=diff What does nominal mean? Nominal refers to a thing's name, rather than its actual status in the present moment. The point of the term is to keep new folk from thinking that 12v literally means the system or device is running at 12.0 volts. It's usually not. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:32+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:relay&rev=1766617112&do=diff Relays Electrical relays are devices used to turn relatively heavy loads on/off. They are triggered by small amounts of power from an external source (usually a switch operated by the user) but can pass larger amounts of power to the load. This reduces the cost and physical requirements of the switch and can help automate some processes. A typical setup looks like this: switch (and house power) text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:severe_battery_use&rev=1766617114&do=diff Intentionally severe battery use Lead-acid chemistries prefer light cycling and full recharge between those cycles. Lead-acid batteries are traditional cycled to 50% depth of discharge because it offers a balance between duty life (years between failure) and bank size. Pulling the bank below 50% DoD in emergnecies will not automatically cause damage text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:shore_power&rev=1766617114&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “...most people think that to have “RV” type shore power you need those special 30/50 amp plugs. I have a 115v plug. The male end of an extension cord (heavy gauge) that I have cable tied to the inside of my receiver hitch so it’s hidden.” text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:solar&rev=1766617114&do=diff Words of Wisdom: I'm not sure people always grasp the concept of “minimum” either; they tend to think it means “all that you really need” when it fact it means “the least you can get away with provided everything else goes right”. After all, the sun does not shine brightly every day. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:switches&rev=1766617114&do=diff Electrical switches fixme AC switches can be used in DC applications, with the exception of switches controlling “high current or large inductive loads”. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:temperature_control&rev=1766617114&do=diff temperature controllers Temp controllers are devices that enable control of other devices above/below a given temperature. Most controllers used in vans will be 12v, but 120vac controllers also exist. example uses * add low-temperature cutoff to chargers that lack that feature by either text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:triac&rev=1766617114&do=diff DRAFT / EXPERIMENTAL Reducing the wattage pulled by some devices TL;DR * some devices can work on less power than they naturally pull. Examples: resistance loads like coil hot plates, simple coffeemakers, normal electric motors * a TRIAC is a particular circuit component used to do this magic. They are often found in , but also refers to a controller device that uses that internal component to adjust the power a device consumes. They are often sold as text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:usb&rev=1766617114&do=diff USB outlets USB outlets are commonly used to charge devices and run small electronics like personal fans. specs USB is 5v, unlike the house power system which is 12v. Since the voltage is downconverted for use, USB voltage can remain stable while the van's electrical system voltage fluctuates. The lower voltage means extension cords or long wiring runs may not work well. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:34+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=electrical:wind&rev=1766617114&do=diff Words of wisdom: “I would recommend you add more solar first. Only once you've topped out with that would I suggest a windgen. -- Mike OReilley” wind power Small wind power generators (sometimes called turbines) are popular with homesteaders and cruising boats. Wind works at night when solar does not, and also works in heavy weather when