Power failures are irritating not just at home but at RV camping too. The RV traveling season is upon us, and many people are thinking about how to save money on their travel. If you are planning to travel in an RV, then you need to be aware of some of the ways to use your electricity wisely. This is because of improper planning while heading out for the RV camping. You should start by knowing exactly how much power your RV uses. This will help you determine where you can make changes to save money on your power bill –
Get A Clear Picture Of Your Power Requirement
If you have decided on your appliance requirements, then probably you can conclude on the power consumption as well. Calculate the power consumption of each appliance with usage hours. Buy an appropriate battery or fix the solar panels as per requirement for the camping trip to avoid power supply issues.
Know Your Batteries
Know the battery bank and make sure you have enough reserve power to charge your RV batteries. A full 100-amp service panel is a good start, but if you have more than that, this is where it can get tricky. RV generators are known for lacking power, so if you do have more than 100 amps, be prepared to run your generator until you can plug into shore power or another source of the power you need.
If you’re an RV owner living off-grid and relying on solar panels for all of your energy needs, then this will be something that could affect your travels. While deciding on the batteries you would come across the Amp and watts written on the battery that might be confusing. Amp is used for the current flow, whereas the watt is used for the various forms of energy. Amp is simpler to calculate than watts.
Have A Battery Check Monthly Or Before Every Trip.
If you have worn out or discharged batteries, this could be your chance to make it up. Regular check-ups can save you from costly repairs and battery replacements.
Practice smart power consumption and recharge your batteries responsibly. Turn off electronics when not in use. There are many ways to save RV power consumption that will also make your travel more enjoyable. It is possible to save energy while taking power-hungry appliances on an RV road trip. RV travel will be better if you can conserve power resources. Make your RV camping at College Station, Texas memorable with Karstens RV Park.
Stay Away From High Power Consuming Appliances
It could be your favorite coffee brewer or luxurious AC, you need to stay away from them as they are going to consume a chuck of your battery. If you are planning to boondock or planning to head out for a long trip, consider dropping these appliances at your home. You would need the power supply to be ‘ON’ till you reach your nearest RV campground in Texas.
Use DC lights Where Possible
Many RV owners need to be made aware of how much they can save on their power consumption by simply adjusting their behavior. For example, some RVers may think that they have to turn all their lights on at night. However, most RVs come with DC lighting systems that allow you to use your RV’s AC outlets to power your DC lights. This is a great way to save energy and money.
DC lights use less power than AC lights, but can also be harder to find parts for when they go out in the field. You may end up purchasing a new light every time one goes out, which can add up quickly after several months of travel! The best way around this issue is to use LED lights whenever possible instead of fluorescent bulbs (which use 60% less energy). When compared with the standard bulbs available in the market, LED bulbs consume low power. They also last longer and save money in the long run because they don’t break as often.
For example – if the standard bulb consumes 2-3 Amp, then LED consumes 10 times less power than that.
Another way to save energy is by using DC outlets for appliances that don’t require AC power. You can even use DC outlets for any extra electrical devices you want to install in your RV. It’s important to know what kind of battery bank you have so that you can plan out how many batteries you need for your RV’s needs. If it has an inverter, then it will be able to handle any additional appliances or devices that need DC power.
Modify Your Thermostat Settings
The thermostat is one of the most crucial parts of your RV’s electrical system. To prevent problems while traveling, travelers need to make sure they have set the device at an apt temperature. For example – if you set it too low, then you might end up with a cold home at night or a hot house during the day. If you set it too high, you could end up with a home that does not have enough heat for everyone.
Learn About How To Use RV Generators
If you want to use an RV generator for power when you are away from home, then there are some things that you should know about it. Primarily make sure that the generator has enough fuel in it. So that it will be able to run properly, when needed. Make sure that there is enough room in the generator compartment to prevent the chance of overheating or overheating components of the engine itself because this could damage them over time.
Solar Panels Could Be Your Option
As people are becoming more aware of climate change, there is a significant shift in their preferences as well. Solar panels are one of the efficient options for the current situation. The best way to save money on fuel costs is by using solar panels as part of your power supply system. Solar panels can be purchased at most hardware stores, and they are very easy to install yourself. You can choose from several types of solar panels depending on what type of energy you want to generate (e.g., grid-tie or off-grid). You can even get solar panels that are portable so that they can be used while traveling as well.