Aliner electrical question

[happytrails]

Hi everyone, I'm long time lurker who finally decided to buy an Aliner. I just had it out for the first time, and to my surprise found that the electrical outlets do not work off the battery. I now know from doing some reading on this site that most RVs are wired to have the outlets run off AC rather than the battery. My question is how can I make it so the outlets at least run off the battery? Having the AC use the battery would be good, but I'm more interested in the outlets. I'm a rockhound, so most of my camping will be off the grid. Feel free to point me to previous posts if this has already been discussed.

Thanks, Andrea

[Miriam C.]

My first question is are your outlets the kind you have in your house?

If they are then you will need an converter to use 12vdc. Most AC powered appliances and light will drain the battery pretty fast though.

Do you have outlets that are intended for 12v dc also? I would encourage you to read the Sticky's in the electical and pay particular attention to converters, solar panels and generators.

You might also look at how to charge a battery with solar or with your tow vehicle.

[happytrails]

The outlets in the trailer are the same type that I have in the house. Whether or not they can are intended for 12V, I don't know as I didn't even know there was such a thing. I guess my main question is whether this would be a complicated rewiring that might be beyond me, or whether I just need a converter. It sounds like the latter, so I'll read up on that section. My main interest in getting some 12v power going is so that I can use my coffee maker and use a fan during the summer. But maybe it's easier to use battery operated appliances...

Andrea

[bobhenry]

PLease please please do not wire a 120 volt ac outlet for 12 volt. This is a recipe for disaster. Toss the electric coffeemaker and put your new coffeepot on the fire if you are off the grid. A little fan and 12 volt lights will run for days on a well charged battery but anything with a heating element is a battery killer.

Purchase a few 12 volt outlets and plugs. They look like a cigarette lighter. Any auto parts house and most retail stores that have an auto section will have them.

[Miriam C.]

The outlets in the trailer are the same type that I have in the house. Whether or not they can are intended for 12V, I don't know as I didn't even know there was such a thing. I guess my main question is whether this would be a complicated rewiring that might be beyond me, or whether I just need a converter. It sounds like the latter, so I'll read up on that section. My main interest in getting some 12v power going is so that I can use my coffee maker and use a fan during the summer. But maybe it's easier to use battery operated appliances...

Andrea

12volt direct current is battery power----or more specifically 12 volt battery power.....there are different kinds of battery power.

Yours is probably a marine deep cycle type battery. It will not, unless it is real big, run your household coffee pot for very long. You really need a generator do this right.

Look on the back/bottom of your appliances and you will see how many watts or amps you need then convert them. If it has a motor or a heating element you will do better with propane or a generator....or a really big battery/solar.

Some serious study of the sticky's will bring you up to speed fast.

[Shadow Catcher]

There should be two separate circuits present, one for when you are hooked to "shore power" (the 110 AC) and the other when you are running from the battery (12V). You will need to read up on the care and feeding of a deep cycle battery i.e. you need to add distilled water periodically unless it is a sealed battery or AGM... There is a good bit to learn