Power To Go: Doubling My RV’s Battery Capacity!

When I first installed the inverter it was simply hooking it to the appropriate positive and negative sources so that it had power. Then it was running an armoured wire (I chose armoured because it offers protection from road debris as this wire is exposed on the underside of the RV floor. Finding a suitable location with access from the bottom and access from within a cupboard up top for the wire to be fed through, I drilled a hole through the floor of the RV. I chose a cupboard so that the wire was hidden and then I could install the electrical outlet to the wall – just as one would in your home. Once the wire was in place, the opening in the floor was filled with foam insulation to stop air flow but also any critters that might decide to enlarge the opening so that they could come to visit. Then it was simply a matter of installing a typical home electrical box and outlet. I chose an outlet faceplate of a completely different colour so that it would be obvious to people that it was different. Everyone who uses the RV knows that this outlet is unique and active when the inverter is on. The other outlets are only active when the generator is running or when we are plugged into shore power (shore power does sound funny, but that term comes from the boating world and is also used in the RV world).

There are limitations with a 300 watt inverter. For example, most microwaves, hair dryers (on hot setting), and drip coffee makers require 3 to 4 times that much wattage. For our purposes, we can live without those devices. For a year we have run with this 300 watt pure wave setup and it is great for almost two days. I say almost because when the batteries run low then the inverter alarm sounds, the fridge alarm sounds, the CO2 alarm sounds, and all of Emmett’s medical devices sound their alarms. When that happens at 5 a.m., you know that your power supply is great for almost two days. Now I should also point out that in a normal setting without several pieces of medical grade equipment, this amount of power would be supported by this Group 27 batteries for twice as long if not more. We are a power intensive user when we go out with my grandson; but the joy on his face when he goes camping and exploring means that we will make it happen.

We have a Honda 2000 generator that we use when possible to charge up the batteries. Of course, almost every campground has regulated the hours that you can use a generator. This is absolutely understandable, even with a quiet generator it still disrupts the calm of nature that most campers are seeking. In the midst of this project and research, Kyle at Cottonwood RV in Chilliwack, B.C. has been an outstanding resource. One tip that I got from Kyle was that when charging the batteries with the generator, I was severely limiting the charge by using the RV house charging system. He advised me to use my automotive battery charger and have that hooked up directly to the battery. The reason being is the RV house charging system provides 3-5 amps per hour – this is not much more than some trickle chargers. Meanwhile, plugging an automotive battery charger into the generator will provide 15 or more amps per hour. Obviously this is going to help significantly.

Another step that we have taken is that we have added a 100 watt solar panel to our assortment of RV equipment. We got a Noma brand solar panel complete with a charge controller on sale at Canadian Tire (to my American readers and friends, when the border re-opens it’s worth a trip to Canada just to go to Canadian Tire. Shop ahead and plan your purchase, wait for a sale, and then take advantage of it. As great as this source of free power is, providing output of 5.5 amps, a huge drawback is that sun is required. The beautiful provincial parks that we have mentioned as our favourite camping spots are engulfed by massive trees and forests that block the sun thus limit the effectiveness of the solar power.

We have also replaced all of the interior lighting with LED bulbs. Over the last few years the cost of LED bulbs has come down and the range of what is available has hugely multiplied. This has resulted in a dramatic drop in the normal power requirements for the house, which means more power for the inverter and subsequently the equipment. While doing this I also replaced the ineffective RV porch light with two powerful LED porchlights – an added benefit is that it’s great for working on a car in the late hours of the evening at the track.