If you’re planning to live in a van full time or even for a few weeks at a time, you’ve probably already got your solar setup worked out to keep the battery bank charged.īut what about when the weather is against you for days on end? This guide will help you find the best RV power converter for your rig. 88%).An RV converter charger keeps batteries charged from a shore power hookup, helping maintain them in tip-top condition, ready for your next boondocking trip. These inverters are also about 4% more efficient (92% vs. AIMS also sells 1,000W and 1,500WUL certified inverters/chargers at a higher price point. Take note this inverter is not UL certified. AIMS sells a few different external switches for different inverter types, make sure to buy this LED Remote Panel which is compatible with this inverter/charger. You will want to get an external switch for this unit. Unless you are drawing significant 120V AC power all the time, we don’t see that this feature is worth the extra cost. Hybrids recharge the batteries when there is surplus power or deliver more power to the loads if they require more than the AC input can supply by itself. Inverters/chargers with this capability are marketed as “hybrid” and are quite a bit more expensive. The main limitation of this product is does not use hybrid technology through the inverter while also plugged in to shore power. The inverter has industry standard features such as low-voltage battery alarm, GFCI outlets, and a 3x surge capability. The charger is “smart” and will adjust charging profiles based on the battery state. For most van lifers this will be adequate capacity, but RVers may want the power of their 70A charger/2,000W inverter or 100A charger/3,000W inverter This unit is a 35 amp charger and 1,250 watt inverter. The AIMS inverter/charger is only about $100 more than equivalent inverter and charger separately. It’s also smaller and lighter than installing the devices separately. This significantly simplifies your system, and cuts down on cabling and fuses to buy. Combo inverters and chargers have all the functionality of the separate units, but in one package. This AIMS unit isn’t actually just a charger, it’s a combo inverter AND charger. (The term confused us at first, but turns out it originated in the boating industry which is obvious in retrospect). This can be hook-ups at an RV campground or just a standard outlet at a friend’s house. Shore power is just a funky term for any energy source outside your van.It “inverts” your battery’s 12V power to 120V power for household appliances.) Chargersare also called “ converters” because they convert the 120V power to 12V power that the battery can use. Let’s define some terminology real quick. How to Choose a Charger that is Compatible with your Batteries.For power users with a big solar array and high usage of 120V AC:.If you have a smaller battery bank (less than 150Ah of AGM):.If you’re designing a new system and don’t have a shore power charger OR inverter yet:.If you need only a charger converter, our recommended:.Best Battery Charger Converters for Van and RV Shore Power.How to Select the Size of Amps for a Charger Converter.
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