The Basics of Rv Electrical Systems | Understanding RV Electrical

Interested in learning the basics on RV electrical basics and off-grid power systems? Join me as I cover the basics, from lithium vs. lead acid batteries, how to charge batteries, AC (alternating current) vs. DC (direct current) and other basics. I'll also share the resources I've used for my own off-grid truck camper as well as learnings on my first install.
Whether you're a seasoned RVer or just starting your journey, understanding RV electrical systems is crucial for a comfortable and worry-free experience. I'll demystify the key components that make up your RV's electrical setup, including inverters, converters, batteries, and more.
Thank you to Battle Born Batteries for partnering with me on this install! I've been using their batteries since my first year with the Airstream (all the way back in 2019) and trust their reliability and power to keep our travels going.
@battlebornbatteries #battleborn #battlebornfamily #leadisdead
✧ Discounts! ✧
✔️ $50 off any Battle Born Battery!: bit.ly/50offbattery
✧ Installation Tools & Equipment ✧
✔️ Battle Born Batteries: bit.ly/3StmvgO
✔️ Hydraulic Crimping Tool and Cable Cutter: amzn.to/43NlvIG
✔️ Crimper Plier: amzn.to/43SeLZU
✔️ Cutting / Crimping Tool: amzn.to/3WWtkJK
✔️ DEWALT Hole Saw Kit: amzn.to/3qCgjZV
✧ Resources ✧
✔️ Explorist.life 2000W Wiring Diagram: bit.ly/3WUrSb3
🛡️ Safety is paramount when dealing with electricity. This channel is for entertainment purposes only. I am not an expert and simply share my personal experiences. I encourage you to do your own research.~
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00:00 Intro
00:21 Disclaimer
01:46 Battery Basics
03:00 Types of Batteries
05:45 My Battery Bank
06:29 Battery Charging Options
07:44 AC vs. DC Power
09:11 DC to DC Charger
09:43 Using DC 12V Battery Power in your Rig
10:20 Inverters and 120V Power
12:06 Battery Monitor
13:09 Lynx Distributor
13:24 Resources
14:39 Personal Experiences
15:38 Electrical Install Lessons Learned
17:49 Outro

[@64maxpower]

The good part of Social Media is meeting amazing people like you Cass

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you!!

[@Gman-qm6bv]

Excellent job Cass! I am a retired electronics tech and you never missed a step in your superb presentation and knowledge! Love your videos!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Wow, thank you!

[@josephbarnum507]

For a person who says “ I’m not an expert” I have to say I beg to differ. You have enough knowledge to give feedback to your audience with enough to help about their issues or startup processes. This is some good information. You can really tell by your presentation and your voice. Positive and confident. Well done and wish you all the best with your continuing adventures. Always looking forward to see what happens next!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you so much!!!

[@source5729]

Thank you. This was the easiest understood explanation I’ve come across. 👍🏼

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nevrstopdrivin]

I purchased my system from Battleborn. 2 100ah batteries and the Victron 2000 multiplex.The cold protection of the Battleborn is great. I discovered that the batteries will warm themselves rather quickly when a moderate load is placed on them. After a warm up they'll take a charge from shore power or the DC to DC charger/solar. Battleborn's technical advice is great.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Agree, they are great to work with. Glad you had a good experience!

[@chelseab5467]

Thank you so much. I don't have RV yet but your videos are always helpful and enjoyable!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad you like them!

[@anthonyveritas2551]

Your bf is a lucky Man. I’m still searching for a Woman who enjoys the outdoors. Ty for your videos regarding your units, places to stay and apps 👍🏼 🤗

[@amberatartimec2564]

What a great explanation. Many of my questions were answered. Thank you

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad it was helpful!

[@diffusesden5455]

Fantastic basics video Cass. A great resource i used was will prowse, a lot of his early videos explain a good amount of basic knowledge in wiring, another great resource for full diagram wiring schematics is Nate with Explorist life, his videos were instrumental as your skill level and confidence grows. The biggest piece of advice I can give when looking into wiring your system, always go bigger if you are unsure, smaller wire gauge can lead you to problems. Knowing and understanding your current draws is key in this process. Both were great resources when wiring up my entire enclosed cargo trailer conversion. I was able to build a 30 amp system (using 10 ga wire), using 400 AH of capacity, and 800 W of solar. I am able to run sufficiently my hot water heater, Air Conditioner and Space heater (individually of course) for upto 5-6 hours with good sunshine, without sunshine I can run them for about 3-4 hours.

[@jamesalles139]

Mad respect. many experts can't explain all this so clearly. thanks

[@TailsofWanderlust]

I appreciate that!

[@d14551]

I seriously doubt I will ever wire up an RV, but I still found this informative and very interesting.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Very glad to hear!

[@bonnieson4989]

After your done with the renovations it will look 100% better. Seems like u like to push the needle forward. I suppose ur needs out grew the basecamp and u did all the upgrades you could. Hope u and Leopold have safe travels.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you!

[@carriemainquist757]

Wow! Well done! Being in MN, the cold kills my Yeti 500x lithium ion battery. I would so go with Battleborn for an upgrade in the future. They have a heated box for the battery. Great job on the definitions & descriptions. Thank you so much!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Good call on the heating. Mine has the heating element, so I’ll be interested to try it out this winter!

[@stevenz495]

+1 on adding 12V outlets and getting USB-C power adapters, so useful with both phones and laptops using the same connector now! Also having lots of 12V outlets are useful for DC appliances! I use a 12V kettle for my tea or coffee and don't have to worry about an inverter. I got a small 300W pure sine wave inverter that I use for Starlink and wireless router because it also has a much smaller idle power draw than a 2000-3000W one.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

I was just looking at electric kettles, and had no idea they had a DC version. Thanks!

[@cj9667]

Poppin in to see what you are up to! Hope all is well!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

2 more classes until I graduate with my Master's! Then we'll be back! Hope you are doing well also!

[@bobculhane4746]

Ty for all the details on charging systems Cass. Man you learned alot in the last 5yrs about power 🔋 efficiency 😃

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Sure have! Especially the last year and renovations has taught me a lot!

[@Powerstroke98]

I too have been using Battleborn, for about a year and a half now in our motorhome....four in parallel, and have never had an issue. I can also remotely check on them via my iPhone, which is such an easy task now. Thanks for the video, and always look forward to your next one!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Love hearing that!

[@carls4552]

Great video Cass. So glad to see you back making videos. Had missed you over the past few months.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thanks!! Hopefully we'll be back on a more semi regular basis now!

[@frankroznik3751]

Excellent video as always. Easy to understand. Thanks for all the information.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leewestfall5713]

Well done & thanks. You explained ac DC so well I finally get it. Thanks much. Happy trails & adventures 😊

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@terib6166]

WOW!!! Thank you, of the KZbin channels I have watched, this is hands down the most informative. Seeing how it's done is one thing but you explained the differences and reasons for your choices. You have just helped immensely 😊 thank you 😊

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad it was helpful!!!

[@HawaiianStyle1994]

Very informative video from your history and stand point. Love these videos.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KariAndresen]

Loved this! It was so understandable even for someone like me that knew nothing about this electrical systems. I was taking notes the whole way through.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

So glad to hear it!!

[@MikeB-in1nd]

Your a great source of knowledge.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

I appreciate that!

[@brunnie]

Excellent coverage of general information and explanation of how things tie together.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you very much!

[@toddhoseaauthor]

Hi Cass! Hope you're doing well. Great video. Very informative. Safe travels!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you!

[@bobbates7343]

Please include some of the outdoors showing where you have been on your travels. I bet you and your dog see lots of wonderful places

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Well, definitely have some in the future!

[@danrandall794]

Great job!! I did a ton of research before I did my system. Here are two thoughts that I think are a consideration. The first is add as much solar as you possibly can. No one has ever said I built the garage to big or I put to much solar on. Also chances are you will add more electrical demand over the years. Second thing I did despite all the prevailing wisdom is I did not add extra batteries for those few occasions of bad weather or what ever. Now I had the room for this solution and some won't. I bought a 1000 watt generator that cost about $300.00. Last winter in the SW I might have needed it 4 or 5 times. My 635 watts of solar will run my 5000 BTU window AC when the sun is out and at a decent angle. The nice thing is when the sun starts going down and it hasn't started cooling down yet the generator runs the AC unit just fine including initial start up surge. Just some additional thoughts for the folks to think about.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Really appreciate you adding that. It’s very helpful for those considering different set ups. Thank you!

[@danrandall794]

Thank you and happy travels

[@guywood67]

Very good job on the video

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you very much!

[@mgysgtk8835]

Perhaps i missed it, but of top 2 why i have lithium is safety. I miss you in your basecamp. I almost bought a basecamp after watching you. But you got rid of yours and i went Ember Overland RV trailer. For beginners to watch you, I thought your presentation was great for the newbie to solar.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Great point on the safety of them as well! And thank you, glad you thought it was helpful!

[@mgysgtk8835]

@@TailsofWanderlust you did a good job. 👍

[@Flap999]

Wow it’s been way too long. Very happy to see again and I hope everything is going well for you. Very informative video, I’m still on hold but keeping Faith that I Will be on the road before too much longer Best regards to you🙂

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you make it on the road soon!

[@desiderioyanez6272]

Darn it's 58 degrees it's cold again hope you had a good thankgiving and Christmas as well been a while

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thanks for checking in, hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! Merry Christmas to you!

[@kevinwilliams2261]

Well done

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you!

[@anthonyveritas2551]

Ugggh, I went with a Ram Rebel 5.7 Hemi. Plenty of power+ towing but not liking having a short bed 5 7’. I guess it’s 6 4’ with tailgate down. Only thing about my truck (air suspension 👍🏼) but it seems everything is for a long bed. Ideas for options that I could go with? Looking at RTT but I like the safety aspects that you’ve discussed in your videos. Thank you again for your videos ❤. ~ From Michigan 👉🏻✋🏼

[@imeabmusic]

I was a certified marine electrician... great job!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Awesome thank you!

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thanks!

[@adventureoverland2984]

Loved your video. Would love to have seen the whole process. You told me one time you wer'nt an expert so you didn't want to show everything. Just do disclaimers like with this video. Working through problems and troubleshooting are very inspirational for others. I"ve heard KZbinrs say those kind of videos are their most popular.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Interesting, thank you! I have a painting one coming out so we'll see how that does and I may add more in the future then.

[@CowboyStag]

Better than I could do by a lot!!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you!

[@larryhunter8245]

Will Prowse has a bunch of great info as well.

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Good to know

[@reginaldwalton]

Welcome back! Where's the dog?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thanks! He was hanging out in the house. I just didn’t have him when I was filming this video.

[@grayfox9911]

Thanks! I hope Rue is doing good... :)

[@TailsofWanderlust]

All good!

[@DrXtoph]

You're doing a lot of great informing here. Why leave the Basecamp?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Still need to make a video on all the reasons why. Will try this spring!

[@leeeverett8109]

wow, you got really good at this! I ended up building a 2017 Honda Pilot AWD Overlander. List of stuff: 2.5" lift kit, Nitto Ridge Grappler Offroad tires, Black Rhino Arsenal Rims, FlowMaster Super 10 Exhaust System, JL Audio Sound System, 72x56 Rhino Rack, 42" High Lift Jack, Nomadic OVS 270 degree Batwing Awning (Passenger side), 70mai Dash Cam, All-Top Air Compressor kit, Rhino USA Offroad recovery gear Traction boards, Shackles, Straps....etc. (to many to list), Lasfit: 42" LED Light Bar, 32" Amber Fog LED Light Bar, (2) 3" Pod Lights: Flood Beams, Gang Switches and I may or may not add a Thule Approach M rooftop tent. Tomorrow, I'm driving from LA to ABQ! My friend is going to help me build out the interior Flooring, Shelving and Drawer system. Anyways these projects are so much fun. I really love watching all your passion projects. See you soon!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Safe travels and excited to hear how the interior build goes!!

[@leeeverett8109]

My friend got a call from his son. He's got cancer so ABQ is on hold. I'm praying for his family. I'll just build it here in LA. My skills aren't as good so it will probably be a little janky @@TailsofWanderlust

[@RobinAngel61]

You make the greatest videos/ keep up the great work....Hows Jasper & Napoleon?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

They are doing great! Thank you for checking in on them!

[@ericerven5456]

Hope you are doing well We all miss your videos

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thank you!! I’m finishing up my masters degree but will be back after that!

[@richrosenbaum8621]

Great explanations, really. Hopefully I'll be in the market for a truck camper somewhat soon. Do you have, or have you ever felt the need for AC?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Air conditioning? I’ve used that only two or three times so I’m planning on replacing my AC unit with a rooftop fan.

[@SuperMaosy]

dang it... I just come here to see your cat Napoleon 😺... I wasn't expect a lesson. 😂😅

[@TailsofWanderlust]

😂. Next one will be a lesson too. Then Napoleon will be back!

[@YSBRYD-CATH]

Cass, where are you? Missing you and your vids! Please come back!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Thanks for checking in! I'm finishing up my Master's degree, so KZbin is on pause for now. Just released a video today and will be back regularly in 2024!

[@YSBRYD-CATH]

So glad to hear! Congrats on the degree! Best of the holidays to you and yours! Have a Merry and a Happy! Looking forward to seeing you in the new year!@@TailsofWanderlust

[@movingkindaslow]

Good information, thanks. It’s my understanding, though, that you don’t need AC power to charge a laptop since many modern computers have USB-C connections that can connect directly to a 12V DC system. Have you looked into this?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Yes, there are USB C charging and also DC chargers for older laptops available as well. It was an example of a common AC appliance many are familiar with, but good point it can be both.

[@Umi-imU-We-Are-One]

This video is from your 610 NL that you sold, unless I am mistaken?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

You are correct! This is older footage that I never got around to editing, but wanted to get the info out there. That's the last of the NL610 video, so onto Lance content!

[@mpprocter]

Hi Cass! Quick question: I have an Aliner with a converter. Currently I have a lead-acid battery, but I’d like to switch to Lithium-ion. Can I just swap the lead-acid for the lithium-ion, or do I need to add something else to handle the different battery? Thanks!

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Hi! It's going to depend on your converter. Some newer ones are lithium compatible while many are not. I'd recommend calling the company you are considering ordering your lithium from (if it's Battle Born, I've called their support several times to help with builds). Let them know the model of your converter (should be a sticker on the side of it) and they can tell you. If it's not compatible, they can help you with what models would be.

[@mpprocter]

@@TailsofWanderlust thank you for the information. Happy camping!

[@JohnSmith-ev1sm]

Can you not just buy something like a jackery or ecoflow delta and install that? Run small extension cords through the wall to power your one or two outlets? It has everything all builtin in, inverter + batter + charge controller etc etc. It's all figured out for us, isn't that cheaper and more efficient than doing it all ourself with various mismatched parts?

[@jimbluebaugh6090]

At $2400 for a battery, how long can you expect them to last?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Able to run 3,000 cycles, most people will have these batteries for 10 to 15 years.

[@remibelanger784]

What happen with the project to buy a new truck camper?

[@TailsofWanderlust]

This video is older, I just didn't edit it until now. The camper in this video is sold and I have the Lance now.

[@kersonperez1003]

I thought you sold the camper

[@TailsofWanderlust]

This is an old video I had just never edited.

[@philt5782]

I learnt something today

[@TailsofWanderlust]

Glad to hear it!