Easy electrical set up

[drcurran]

Now that I've gotten started I need some advice for an easy way to set up my electrical system. I will always have a 110 volt power source (plug in or gen) and the only thing I will require for 12v is a fantastic fan, two lights and maybe a 12v power plug (cig. lighter type). From what I have been reading here the 110 system is pretty easy. But for the 12v what do I need - I'm guessing some sort of battery charger (is there a special kind for this type of RV application?), and a deep cycle battery. Also the two lights that came with the trailer work when the trailer is "plugged into" the tow vehicle and the lights (on the truck) are on, so do I have to
rewire the lights in some way. Thanks for any help folks can provide.

Dan

[jwhite]

For now mine is a simple old school trickle charger that was given to me.


I have 2 deep cycle batteries that I have the stereo hooked to 1 and I have the 12 volt lights and the water pump on the other.
I can hook all on to one battery while I charge the other.
I got tired of hauling the batteries out to charge them so I bought the lockable aluminum tool box off ebay and moved them outside.
I recently bought a 1100 watt inverter so I plan on buying a gel type battery that I don't have to move while it is charging that I can plug my mini fridge and tv into so I don't have to run my generator for those 2 things.
I would like to get a solar panel and have a better way running things but for now this works fine.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

If you're ALWAYS going to have 110V to plug in to, then you wouldn't even need an on-board battery. A simple 12V converter would be fine.

If you'd like to be prepared in case you ever want to have a battery on board, then go with a smaller smart charger like a Deltran Battery Tender. That one will provide up to 5 amps of 12VDC with OR without a battery connected, and is waterproof.

[pete42]

Dan just look at any travel trailer to see what they have.

most have a 12 volt converter/battery charger an a deep cycle battery.

the tow vehicle Charges the battery when towing and the converter charges the battery when hooked into 120 volts.

the converters are rated by amps IE: 55 amp 25 amp what this means is they can a draw of 25 or 55 amps.

and it has fuses so your 12 volt and 120 volt circuits are protected.

there are several brands none that come to mind as I'm typing this

others will chime in and offer more help.

Pete

[eamarquardt]

If you are always gonna have 120 volts a/c why bother with a battery. Just buy a converter and use the 120 volts to make 12 volts. That's exactly what the converters are designed to do. No battery, no maintenance!



Cheers,

Gus

[Wolfscout]

I ended up going with a converter because I wanted 12v lights and I wanted the battery charged by the converter for when I wasn't at the campsite yet. example I might stop over night on along the way at a Walmart parking lot... chuckles
Sometimes, when I've unplugged the camper from shore power when there's a storm, and I run outside to the camper to load or retrieve an item, I'm sure glad there's a 12v battery in it for power.

[Kharn]

I'm with Wolfscout, you never know what might happen on a road trip and being able to be comfortable regardless of the available facilities is important. Even if its just needing a nap at a rest stop, or killing time until your campground is available, having the ability to run the roof fan and interior lights would be nice.

[drcurran]

Yes, while I always have a gen with me, I also want to have a battery so I don't have to fire up the gen for a little light for a couple of min.

[eamarquardt]

Yes, while I always have a gen with me, I also want to have a battery so I don't have to fire up the gen for a little light for a couple of min.

The plan changes. Using a converter will consolidate all of the a/c and d/c wiring for you. The only difference in installing it with a battery versus w/o a battery is that you'll mount your battery and run wires from the converter to the battery (and perhaps wires from the battery to your tow vehicle). Saves you a bit of effort.

Cheers,

Gus

[Wolfscout]

a plus to it is the converter is always charging as long as you have shore power. A huge plus for those of us who take a boat and trolling motor sometimes.