Does 12v really make sense in a luxury RV?

If you are interested in the Travel Home and the idea of "Uncompromised Life on the Road™", you also likely enjoy the high end amenities found in a traditional home such as those pictured above. High end refrigerators and freezers, ovens, cappuccino machines, washer and dryers, high capacity kitchen exhaust fans, and mini-split heating and cooling systems, all run on 110v and some even on 220v. Yet almost every RV on the market today is running a 12v based system. These systems then either have to run 12v based appliances, or use inverters to create a 110v power source. In the Barclay Travel Homes, we use a 48v based system that drives large size inverters (sized for your demands) which in turn drive a residential 220V panel. Yes, that is right, the base system is 110/220. The implications are many and in this post we will try to compare and contrast some of the considerations.

12v vs. 48v Systems: A Deeper Look

1. Energy Efficiency

12v System : The 12v system is a standard choice for most RVs, offering decent energy efficiency for powering essential appliances and devices. However, it may struggle to handle larger loads efficiently. This is why you often see rigs needing to connect in order to effectively running larger systems and they have a requirement for 50AMP, struggling to run on 30AMP. We have even seen some parks advertising 100AMP pedestals as some larger coaches require this to run their systems (Read this blog post on Mini-splits versus traditional roof top A/Cs)

48v System : On the other hand, a 48v system is known for its superior energy efficiency, making it a preferred choice for RV owners looking to power multiple high-energy appliances simultaneously. As mentioned above, our 48v system drives a 220v panel, feeding all the appliances at their native voltage. Perhaps what is even more significant, when connecting to shore power, it is not directly driving any of the appliances, but in the default mode is only charging the battery. Everything runs on battery as the default and this way, you can run all the appliances and yet only be hooked up to a 15amp house plug.

2. Battery Life

12v System : 12v systems commonly use lead-acid batteries, which can wear out faster due to greater strain from providing continuous power. There are of course lithium batteries in 12v configuration today.

48v System : In contrast, 48v systems often utilize lithium batteries, which have a longer lifespan, a deeper cycle capacity, and can endure more charge cycles, resulting in a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

3. Wiring Complexity

12v System : 12v systems require thicker wiring to handle larger currents, potentially adding to the complexity of installation and maintenance.

48v System : With a 48v system, the higher voltage allows for the use of thinner wiring, simplifying installation and reducing the risk of voltage drop over longer wire runs. A traditional electrician will be very familiar with wiring on our Travel Homes.

4. Cost Considerations

12v System : Opting for a 12v system may be more budget-friendly initially, as 12v components are generally more readily available and affordable.

48v System : While a 48v system may incur higher upfront costs due to specialized components, the long-term savings from increased energy efficiency, battery longevity, and more optimized power for the higher end appliances, could offset the initial investment.

So does a 12v based system make sense?

In the high end luxury RV market, the naswer is simply no. There are some RV components that will only run on 12v and for those we simply introduce a small inverter. For the overall system, in our case, creating a true residential feel Travel Home RV, the efficiency, flexibility, and long battery life of a 48v system is vastly superior. Its ability to feed larger scale inverter and subsequently drive residential 220v panels is a game changer. Properly configured and with adequate solar panel support, it will perform very well and will handle both boon-docking and shore energy connection with ease. We have had our system for 5 years and have not even needed a generator.