Best RV Power Converter Reviews and Guide

Introduction

If you intend to live in a van full-time or even for a few weeks at a time, you’ve most likely already planned your solar setup to keep the battery bank charged. But what if the weather isn’t cooperating for days on end? For this, we have compiled a list of the best RV Power Converter in this article.

When the battery levels on the RV battery meter begin to plummet as the clouds stubbornly refuse to lift, it is important to be more aware of your electrical usage.

Charging the batteries while driving can help, but running the engine long enough to acquire a good charge is not always feasible.

The ability to recharge the battery bank from a power supply or electrical connection (EHU) is an excellent backup option.

You can spend time at a campground with hookups or recharge your batteries at home.

An RV power converter is a necessary electrical component in the connect-up installation for battery charging.

When planning an outing, it is critical to outfit your RV with various accessories/appliances. The RV’s electrical system is essential for powering various items. Because each appliance operates at a different voltage level, adequate power regulation is required. In such cases, RV power converters come into play.

RV power converters are electrical devices that convert a higher AC input voltage to a lower DC voltage.
This conversion is required since most camping power outlets operate at 120 to 240V, whereas the RV electrical circuit operates at 12V DC. Because these converters entail power conversion, several critical elements must be considered.

Power output:

The power output of a power converter is the most critical metric. The many pieces of equipment attached to the RV’s electrical system need varying amounts of power. Knowing the overall power requirements aids in the selection of a converter with a higher output. The power converters are typically chosen to have a higher power output than the RV’s total power requirement.

Type of converter:

There are various types of power converters available, each with its own operating principles. They can be chosen according to the type of RV appliances connected. To provide safer power output for small devices, multi-stage converters use equal stages of power conversion. Other models provide more power and portability.

Input voltage:

The amount of voltage required to run a power converter is determined by its input voltage. Different voltage outputs are available from the campground and domestic electrical outlets. As a result, when connected to a power outlet, the converter must be able to withstand these voltages.

Keeping these criteria in mind, you may purchase a good power converter for your RV. Several firms have introduced high-quality power converters with unrivaled performance. These alternatives are presented in-depth, along with their key specifications.
A “Buying Guide” is also discussed to clear up any confusion about the power converter.

Best RV Power Converter 2023

Buying Guide for the Best RV Power Converters

The power converter is an important device for your RV’s electrical system. It promotes safer running of the connected devices by converting the electrical grid’s higher voltage into a lower voltage. We have already discussed various power converters from different brands along with their specification. These specifications play an important role when selecting a power converter. To clear any confusion regarding these specifications, we advise you to go through this buying guide.

Power Output

The appliances that are connected to the RV’s electrical circuit use varying amounts of power. The overall power requirements of the appliances must be less than the power converter’s maximum output.
Installing a low-power output converter may overload and perhaps destroy the converter. To avoid overloading, a converter with 15 to 20% more power output than the gross power needed is chosen. The converter must be capable of producing an efficient power output while converting energy without loss.

Type Of Converter

An RV contains both heavy electrical appliances like air conditioning and refrigerators, as well as light electrical appliances such as smartphone chargers, lamps, and so on. As a result, several types of converters are developed with specific purposes in mind. To provide lower voltage output for compact devices, multistage converters go through numerous steps of power conversion.

A high-output converter, similarly, may give larger power output without overloading. They are appropriate for heavy-duty applications. Deck-mounted converters are a portable alternative that can be put anywhere the user desires.

Input Voltage

As previously stated, the power converter must convert the electrical grid voltage to the battery voltage of the RV. As a result, the input voltage to a power converter must be within its permitted range. In a single or three-phase design, the power converters accept AC or DC voltage.

The standard electrical voltage supply range is 120V to 240V. The input voltage level varies depending on the power converter model. A power converter will not function if the provided voltage is less than the specified amount.

Size

When it comes to choosing a power converter, size is always the most overlooked element. The converters cannot be mounted or stored in the RV due to space constraints. A large converter will take up a lot of room and may not fit in the RV. A small and compact power converter, on the other hand, saves space and may be put anywhere. The size must be chosen without sacrificing power output.

RV Power Converter Charger vs. Battery Charger | What’s the Difference?

Every car has a starter battery, however, these are not the same as deep cycle or leisure batteries.

Assume your camper’s starter battery is dead. In that scenario, remove it and connect it to a regular vehicle battery charger.

They’re ideal for use at home or in the garage, but not so much for use in an RV or camper.

They’re frequently intended to be portable; we want a component that we can install and forget about, taking up as little space as feasible in a camper.

This component is known as a campervan battery charger in Europe. In the United States, we refer to it as an RV power converter or converter charger.

They’re the same thing, and the names are used interchangeably depending on whose side of the Atlantic you’re on.

What Does A Converter Do In An RV?

In layman’s terms, a power converter converts alternating electricity to direct current (DC). However, why would you?

Only DC power can be used to charge a battery bank.

To top up the batteries, the primary AC supply must be switched to take advantage of a shore connection up at a campsite or house.

There are some RV owners that have DC equipment but no battery bank. However, DC appliances cannot be powered directly by an AC power supply.

The mains voltage must first be stepped down and converted from 110v or 240v AC to 12v DC.

Some 12v appliances already have a converter built in.

LED lights are a fantastic example of a cable with a transformer pre-installed so that they may be linked to your home’s main circuit. Before reaching the lamps, the transformer transforms the alternating current into the direct current.

The same is true for laptop computers. They have a transformer box between the end that is plugged into the main power source and the end that is plugged into the device. That box is converting the alternating current source to direct current.

However, most other DC appliances require a DC power supply to function.

A converter is already fitted in certain RVs. However, if your camper is not one of them, the in-built converter has failed, or you are constructing a camper conversion, you can purchase a separate converter charger.

Why Do I Need A Converter In My RV?

If you don’t have a battery bank in your camper and merely have domestic appliances, you don’t need a converter.

All of the appliances will be powered by the campground’s power source.

A power converter or campervan battery charger is needed if you have a battery bank and wish to recharge it from the main supply.
They are an excellent addition to the battery charging system of a camper.

When connected, some people use the power converter to power their DC appliances.

While the converter allows for this, we recommend:

• If you have a battery bank, connect the DC appliances to the battery rather than the converter.
• Then you can use them to charge the battery while hooked up, use them off the grid, and get away with a smaller converter.
• If you don’t have a battery bank, whenever possible, use AC appliances instead of DC equivalents.
• They’re also less expensive, and you won’t need to purchase a converter.
• You can’t use anything off-grid without a battery bank, thus this isn’t really an issue.
• Keep the number of DC appliances to a minimum if you don’t have a battery bank.
• Fuse blocks and switches must be installed between the converter and each appliance.

FAQs

Can you choose any power converter for your RV?

The power requirements must be considered while selecting a power converter. Because the converters have varied amperage ratings, they can manage varying quantities of electricity at the same time. Along with this, battery compatibility and size are important considerations when selecting the correct power converter for your RV.

Are power converters suitable for charging RV batteries?

RV power converters are specifically intended to convert greater voltage levels to battery voltage levels.
As a result, the converters enable safe battery charging without overloading. The charging speed, on the other hand, is determined by the load that a converter must endure while connected to a battery. Faster charging results from lower loads.

Why does higher amperage matter?

The amperage rating of a power converter aids in determining the device’s electrical flow rate. A converter with a higher amperage rating can deliver more electricity and thus more power to the connected devices.

What voltage input will be good for an RV power converter?

A campsite’s or residential area’s electrical system carries a normal 110V to 240V electric current. As a result, the power converter is built to accept this voltage range as input. Voltage inputs of 440V and higher can also be supported by higher-capacity converters.

Conclusion

Power converters, being a key component of the RV’s electrical circuit, assist in supplying a proper electric current. These gadgets become necessary for the safe operation of your RV’s appliances. A complete list of such converters, together with their technical specifications, is provided above. A purchasing guide and other typical FAQs were also discussed to avoid any confusion.