How is your RV wired?

1. This is shore power

2. This is the solar panel

3. This is the charge controller

4. These are your deep cycle batteries

5. This is your fuse block

6. This in your inverter

7. This is your transfer switch that switches between inputs automatically ( shore power or batteries)

8. This is your converter/charger

9. This is your distribution panel for AC power to your loads

This is how your RV works when you are plugged in. When you are not plugged in, the #4,and #6 are in use (assuming you don't have solar or fuse blocks)

Converter/chargers take 110 volts from shore power (AC) and convert it to 12 volts (DC) to charge your batteries.

Inverters take that 12 volts (DC) and bring it back up to 110 volts (AC) so you can plug your appliances into the Inverter when on just battery power.

Batteries would blow up if charged at 110 volts so they must be stepped down by the Converter/charger to 12 volts

Typical appliances will not work on 12 volts so the Inverter must increase that voltage back up to 110 volts.

A stand alone system not using the RV wiring itself is common for weekend get aways too. It is the same idea. A simple system would be:

The solar panel collects energy and passes it to the charge controller

The charge controller regulates that energy and uses it to charge the batteries.

The charge controller hooks up to one side of the batteries and is the incoming energy.

Then the Inverter hooks up to the other side of the battery and takes the energy out to power your appliances. This side takes the thicker cables.

If you took just batteries and an Inverter out with your tent you can camp and use your appliances.

You would charge the batteries on a battery charger when you got home.

If you took a solar panel complete fold up kit with you with your tent, you would be able to recharge your batteries as you camp IF it is sunny. This would let you stay out longer between recharges on your batteries.

We are always available to answer your questions, don't be afraid to go camping off or on grid, it can be made quite simple. No really!