Is Your Camper Electrical Summer Ready?
As summer approaches, it's important to ensure that your off-grid electrical system in your camper is in good working order before embarking on any adventures. When we pull into our favorite camping spot, crack open a cold beverage, and experience that deep exhale that comes with being in nature we want our electrical system to work properly! Here at Joule Adventures we recommend checking in on your electrical system once every six months to ensure that it keeps supporting your off-grid power needs.
Here are some steps you can take to check your off-grid electrical system in your camper:
Check the battery
The batteries are the heart of your off-grid electrical system. Check the voltage of your battery to make sure it's fully charged. If you have a battery management system, such as the Victron Connect App, you can check the history of your battery within the app. You can also check your battery voltage by using a multimeter. If the voltage is low, charge the battery fully before your trip. We recommend doing this a few days prior to leaving so you can make sure your batteries are holding charge. You can find the float voltage of your batteries in your user manuals.
Inspect the wiring
Look for any loose connections, frayed wires, or damage to the wiring. We recommend going through each wire connection and giving it a little tug, making sure they still have a tight connection. Our campers are constantly vibrating down pavement and dirt roads which can lead to bolts becoming loose and wire fraying, leading to larger problems within your electrical systems. Make sure all connections are secure and that the wiring is in good condition. See frayed wires? These should be fix before turning the system on!
Hot tip: Turn your system off when checking wire connections and tightening bolts!
Test the solar panels
If you have solar panels, test them to make sure they are working properly. Check the output voltage to ensure it's within the manufacturer's recommended range. If your solar panels are running through a Victron MPPT Solar Controller you can check the history of your solar panels voltage on your Victron Connect App. If you do not have an app tracking solar panel voltage history, you can check each panel using a multimeter. Check your MC4 connectors to make sure they are still in good shape.
Hot tip: Check your mounting brackets, no one wants a solar panel flying off their roof!
Check the inverter
The inverter is what converts the DC power from your battery to AC power that you can use to power your appliances. Make sure the inverter is in good working order and check the output voltage to ensure it's within the manufacturer's recommended range. You can find the manufacturer’s recommended range in your inverter user manual.
Test your appliances
Test all of your appliances to make sure they are working properly. If you are looking to power any new appliances in your camper this summer, make sure they are compatible with your off-grid electrical system. It is important to make sure that they are not drawing more power than your system can handle. We recommend checking all appliance wire connections to make sure all connections are safe.
Check the fuses
Make sure all of the fuses in your system are in good working order. Every system has fuses in a variety of spots depending on the design and components used. Check the fuses within the DC panel, AC panel, alternator compartment, and your Lynx Distributor. Replace any blown fuses before your trip.
Hot tip: Make sure you have the right fuse sizes in the correct places!
Inspect the charge controller
If you have a charge controller, check to make sure it's working properly. The charge controller regulates the amount of charge going into your battery from the solar panels. You can make sure your charge controller is in working order via the Victron Connect app if you have a Victron MPPT solar controller. Most solar controllers will have specific settings that need to be set for it to charge your battery bank correctly, check your user manual to make sure your settings are set to your systems specifications.
Review the user manual
Review the user manual for your off-grid electrical system to make sure you are following all of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance and operation procedures. Pack up your user manuals and put them in your camper, just in case you have to troubleshoot on the road.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your off-grid electrical system is in good working order before your summer adventures. Don't forget to bring along any spare parts and tools you may need in case of any unexpected issues. We recommend keeping a multimeter with you in your camper to help with any troubleshooting.
Need support in checking in on your off-grid electrical system before summer? We offer consulting support and off-grid electrical upgrades. It is our goal to make sure you are safely powered on all of your summer adventures!
Happy camping!
Joule Adventures
