A trailer’s electrical system is an essential aspect that every RV owner and tiny home owner must know before connecting with a tiny home builder. One must prioritize power over everything when venturing on road trips. Electricity is one such thing that can help cater to all your needs and comfort requirements when you are living in a tiny house or away from home in an RV.
However, you must learn everything about the system to ensure a continuous power supply. It will help you to understand how much electricity you can consume, how much energy you can save, and keep your appliances safe from electrical damage. Besides, you can also succeed in repairing minor problems or reporting issues to the mechanics.
The Different Kinds of Electrical Systems Present in a Trailer
Your tiny house or camper comprises three electrical systems. All of the electrical systems undergo special design to ensure seamless appliance operation. It is essential to know about these electrical systems to keep them ready before you look for an ideal tiny house builder from Tiny House Me. The systems utilize AC and DC power supplies. The systems are:
12V DC Automotive System
The 12V DC automotive system flows from the chassis on either class A or C units. It can even emanate from the tow vehicles on RVs. It balances the lightning outside your recreational vehicle that works as you keep driving around the roads but cannot deliver power to the 12V DC electrical system. Instead, the 12V battery offers the required energy to start the vehicle.
When the engine starts, the alternator is responsible for charging the battery, generating the vital energy to supply power to the brake lights, marker lights, headlights, and signal lights.
Pro Tip: If the trailer lights are not working, you must look into the fuses in the tow vehicle. Check the connected wire grounding with the metal trailer chassis if you go across blown fuses.
12V DC RV System
This system is either battery-powered or your trailer witnesses the installation of various batteries. You can count on the RV’s electrical system to charge these batteries. You can also maintain them using a charger by connecting them to the AC electrical system in your trailer. This system powers appliances like coffee makers, refrigerators, blends, and exterior and interior lighting.
Pro Tip: If you are choosing a tiny house container with a DC system, choose the DC breaker panel over the fuse box as per the expert’s recommendation. Choosing a DC breaker will ensure that you have to move around with additional fuses.
120V AC Electrical System
The 120V AC is the last electrical system in your recreational vehicle. It can supply power to all the outlets like microwaves, dryers, and washers. When you connect this system to either a generator or shore power, the system will start. You can count on the following cords to supply power:
- 20 amps
- 30 amps
- 40 amps
How Can You Maintain the RV and Tiny House Electrical System?
Proper maintenance is key to preventing major problems in your trailer electrical system. First, check with the electrical system’s batteries, followed by all the connections, to ensure they are safe and clean. Also, ensure that all the electrical panels are working fine and supplying abundant power. Finally, to ensure the system is in perfect condition, don’t forget to look for corrosion.
Electrical systems might look complicated, especially if you aren’t an expert on electrical matters. But once you understand its basics and how it works, you can proceed forward to learn about it in detail.
The mentioned guideline here offers all the important information you can use to maintain the electrical system for your RV and tiny house container and ensure you have an undisrupted power supply when you are out on an adventure.
