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RV Electrical: Shore Power, Panel Switches and Batteries

How an RV gets its power, what the switches on the control panel do, and what to do when the battery is dead, with two of Freedom Rentals’ own videos.

Two kinds of power

An RV has two kinds of power. Plugged into the post at a campsite, called shore power, it runs on household current: the air conditioning, the microwave and the outlets. Off the post, the house batteries run the lights, the water pump and the fans, and a generator, if the RV has one, can supply the rest.

The engine has its own battery for starting. Knowing which is which makes a flat battery a small problem instead of a ruined morning.

What you need

  • The RV’s power cord
  • An adapter, if the post and the cord do not match

Video by Freedom Rentals. It plays from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play.

Plugging into shore power, step by step

Breaker off, plug in, breaker on, and do not ask the post for more than it can give.

  1. Check the post

    Make sure the breaker on the campsite post is off before you plug in.

  2. Match the plug

    RV cords come in 30-amp and 50-amp versions. If the post does not match the cord, use the right adapter rather than forcing it.

  3. Plug in, then switch on

    Connect the cord to the post, then turn the post’s breaker on. Unplug in the reverse order: breaker off first.

  4. Spread the load

    Running the air conditioning, the microwave and a hair dryer at once can trip a breaker. Turn one off and reset it.

The switches on the control panel

The panel in Freedom Rentals’ control panel video has these. Panels differ from RV to RV, so check the one you rent.

Water pump
On when you use the fresh water tank, off when you are on city water.
Tank heaters
For freezing weather, to keep the tanks from freezing.
LP gas
Lets propane reach the stove and the other gas appliances.
Battery and tank monitor
Shows how charged the batteries are and how full the tanks are.

If the engine battery is dead

Many motorhomes have an auxiliary start button on the dash for exactly this. Holding it while you turn the key lets the house batteries help start the engine. The second video shows where the button is in the RV.

Saving the batteries

Turn off lights and fans when you leave the RV, to save the house batteries.

Watch out for

  • Keep the power cord out of standing water.
  • If the RV still will not start, stop and call for help.

Electrical and Batteries: questions

Not covered here? Call (210) 899-7016.

All questions about renting
What is shore power?

Shore power is electricity from the post at a campsite, through the RV’s power cord. It runs the air conditioning, the microwave and the outlets.

What is the difference between 30-amp and 50-amp?

They are two sizes of RV power connection. A 50-amp connection carries more power, for bigger RVs. Match the RV’s cord to the post, or use the right adapter.

What does the auxiliary start button do?

On many motorhomes, holding the auxiliary start button while turning the key lets the house batteries help start the engine when the engine battery is low.

Why did the power go out inside?

Usually a breaker has tripped, at the post or inside the RV, from running too much at once. Turn something off and reset the breaker.

The other setup guides

Each one comes with Freedom Rentals’ own video.

Plan your RV trip

Call with your dates and what you are planning, Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

  1. You call (210) 899-7016 with your dates.
  2. You talk it through and get a quote for your dates.
  3. You book and stay out past sunset.
Open
Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM
Closed
Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Call for a quote

(210) 899-7016

Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Or email [email protected]

Have these ready: your dates, what you want to rent, where it is going and how many people.