Sometimes you might get confused about converter and inverter and how this works. Besides, there are other electric work and basics you need to understand.
Many of us get confused and wonder, does RV inverter charge battery?
In short, yes, it does. The inverter charges the battery when you plug your RV into any external power source.
There are other essential things we need to know about. Tag along to learn more!
Table of Contents
How Does An RV Inverter and Converter Work?
In the new model, campers already come with a built-in converter. But they don’t have any built-in inverter.
The main idea about converters and inverters is that when you plug your camper into any external power source, the converter transforms the power from alternating current to direct current.
On the other hand, when you need to run the appliances, the inverter converts the power from direct current to alternating current. It is the way how this works.
Does RV Inverter Charge Battery? [EXPLAINED]
Yes, the RV inverter charges the battery because it is supposed to do that. As discussed, the primary purpose of an inverter is to convert the power from direct current to alternate current.
In our case, the RV batteries provide direct current. This means the camper is plugged into shore power or generator, and the alternating current is stored in the battery.
The converter converts the alternative current to the direct current. This results in charging the battery. Direct current is what is stored in the batteries.
For example, you’re running low on power, and you park your camper in any RV park. There you’ll find external sources to supply the power to your trailer.
Those grids or generators provide 120-volt, which converts into 12-volt and is stored in your camper battery. The whole process is completed through an inverter.
Now, you might question how long or hours it takes to charge the battery of a camper. Let’s find out!
>>Read More: Can I Use Jumper Cables for the Inverter? [Things to Know]
How Long Does It Take An RV Inverter To Charge The Battery?
In most of the modern and even analog days, campers have a meter to see where their battery percentage is at. Although, how many hours it will take depends on your battery size.
While buying an RV, you might find that most batteries are labeled group 24 or 27. However, there are other types of RV batteries on the market.
The purpose of discussing the battery size is to understand how many hours it usually takes to charge these batteries.
There are five types of RV batteries on the market. Those are labeled as Group and have serial numbers 24, 27, 31, 4D, and 8D.
Now, these batteries come with specific amps. For example, if your camper battery is labeled as 100AH, it supplies 10amp to any appliance for the next ten hours. Then, it will run out of power.
Charging these types of batteries might take 14 to 16 hours in total. But, experts advise never to get below fifty percent of the charge.
In that situation, it might take around seven hours to fully charge if the battery percentage is below fifty percent.
But, on the bright side, smart inverters are available on the market. Those are known as the four-stage smart chargers. It will take not more than three hours to charge your batteries fully.
FAQs
Will A RV Battery Recharge When The Rv Is Plugged In?
Yes, an RV battery will recharge when plugged in. when you connect your camper with a grid, generator, or any external power sources, the charger or inverter automatically converts them from AC to DC and stores the power into your batteries.
Should I Leave My RV Inverter On All The Time?
No, you shouldn’t leave your RV inverter on all the time. Experts suggest not to turn in the inverter except necessary, such as while charging. Letting it on for a long time might affect the overall battery health.
Can I Drive My RV With The Inverter On?
Yes, you can drive your RV with the inverter on. But you need to be careful about not draining the charge altogether. As the power from the battery converts from DC to AC, leaving the inverter on all the time might not be a good idea.
Final Words
We hope this article answers your question. We tried discussing your question and all the related topics that might help you get an overall and complete idea.
In detail, we discussed all the topics in our other guidelines and AC vs DC. Besides, the battery size is also essential to consider.
Safe traveling!