Whether you’re new to RVing or Tiny House living, or very experienced, we should talk about electricity.
First, you should know that there are two basic types of electrical current, AC and DC.
AC is short for Alternating Current; the outlets in your home are AC, and most of the things you plug into the wall run on AC power (most, but not all).
DC is the abbreviation for Direct Current; Your car battery supplies the systems in your car with DC power, the stuff you plug into the accessory outlet in the car run on DC power (again, most, but not all).
If you’re wondering why we bring this up, it’s because living in an RV or a Tiny House is most likely going to present you with using a mix of these two very incompatible forms of electric current. Understanding this is important to living safely and comfortably in a tiny space.
For the purposes of Tiny Space Living, we’ll keep our conversation simple, and centered on systems most relevant to RVs and Tiny Houses.
Power sources
RV’s usually have a power interface, also called a “hook-up”, that allows you to plug directly into a grid-sourced power cable and supplies your RV with all the AC power you need while you’re parked in an RV camp ground. This allows you to use conventional small appliances in your RV.
The majority of RVs rely on using these ‘hook-ups’ to power their systems. The same kind of system can be installed in a Tiny House.
RVs also generally have a small back-up generator and battery bank for times when hook-ups are not available. The generator produces AC power, and can run household appliances directly while it’s running. It also charges the battery bank. The battery bank, like the generator, can also run your household appliances.
Here’s where it gets tricky: The generator produces AC power, but to charge the battery bank you’ll need DC power. The battery bank supplies DC power for use without the generator, but your household appliances need AC power to operate.
Fun, right? Electricity is vexing.
As luck would have it, this confusing situation has been worked out by brains bigger than my own. Two devices, the Inverter and the Converter, are used to change the current types so that our systems can integrate and seamlessly provide your tiny living space with electricity.
Let’s take a tour of what these three components, the generator, inverter, and converter do, to make life good.
First, Generators make electricity
Most small gasoline powered generators produce AC power, which is most useful from a consumer’s point of view.
The generator produces usable power only while it’s running and doesn’t store any energy for future use. You can plug directly in to most generators. Most folks put the generator where the noise won’t be bothersome, and run extension cords to where they need power. Some RVs have integrated generators in sound-dampening spaces.
Solar generation has a few more steps.
Solar panels generate power only when enough direct sunlight is hitting them. The DC current produced is then stored in a battery bank.
Because DC power needs to be consumed in very specific voltages, few devices can run directly off of a solar panel generating electricity without first running it through either an Inverter, or DC adapter.
Still with me? Good.
You can buy all the components for solar generation separately and assemble a system to accommodate your specific needs, or you can purchase a “Solar Generator” which also includes the battery bank and inverter, usually as an integrated unit.
Both types of power generators have obvious advantages and disadvantages. A long stretch of rainy days can leave your solar power running low, but an extended stay off the grid might leave you without fuel to run the gasoline powered generator.
Moreover, a good RV serves as a comfortable home outside of your actual home. You may fill it up with modern appliances or other comforts unique to you. In this case, the best RV generator is a great option that helps you to make your RV modern and functional. It is also necessary to consult some RV generator reviews to get a good camping generator.
See also: What Size Generator Do I Need for My RV?
Many use a combination of both, but either one will probably require the use of inverters and converters.