Choosing the right power management system for your caravan

I recently received a question from a Caravan World

As you will see from my response, bigger is not necessarily better.

Sometimes the power management systems which have been supplied with caravans don’t really match the true requirements and practicality of the circumstances. There are heaps of caravans and campers out there which are being sold with power systems that either are total overkill or the opposite and very underwhelming. 

Many of the sales staff don’t really know what is happening in the power management side, and the customer is consequently sold a van, only for it to need rework or modifications to get it to how they are truly going to use it. During a walk around some of the caravans on display at a recent caravan and camping show, I saw caravans with USB/power points mounted in doorways, power management systems with wires and cabling running everywhere, electrical devices installed in the back of unreachable cupboards and the list goes on.

Last year, on a return trip through the Simpson Desert, I wasn't surprised to see a caravan on the back on a flatbed tray truck that was being transported from Birdsville back to Brisbane to repair the power system which had failed such that there were no lights or any power whatsoever. Knowing the system which had been installed it wasn’t surprising. The power management system was designed more for a space shuttle than for taking into the Australian outback. I bet the wife and kids weren’t too happy.

Our research shows that a small recoverable drama on a holiday is a great story to embellish upon while recalling the challenges over a few beers, whereas a trip written off is a waste of annual leave and an upset family. 

My tips

Here are my tips for ensuring you have the right system for your travels.

Firstly, buy or build something practical. Think through what you really need and the practicalities of how you expect to use the caravan. If you are heading to the same caravan park powered site that you have for the past 20 years, then buying a caravan with four solar panels and lithium batteries is money better spent on the kids. You want a system which is reliable and not overly complex. Conversely, if you are planning to tackle the Big Lap and plan to free camp regularly, then you will need to be hands on and practical.  

Secondly, understand how the basics work. There is an assumption that electrical systems in RVs will work as reliably as those in our cars. Unlike cars, which have electrical systems that are used almost daily and without fail (due to the millions of units and experience in same), unfortunately caravan power management systems are an afterthought by many and not designed accordingly. They sit in storage for months every year and then are expected to perform without fault instantly. You will need to understand the basics if you expect to troubleshoot. Understand how the flow of energy moves through the system and to avoid the frustration, be pragmatic about your approach when diagnosing.

Thirdly, appreciate the need for regular checking of your system and carry spare parts and tools. A loose wire or cracked solder joint at a terminal connection will derail any holiday. Manage your battery during long periods of storage and test run your power system before starting your next trip. A simple tool kit of multi meter, screwdrivers, socket set along with electrical tape, fuses and spare wire will be the minimum basics you should start with. If you are unsure in this regard check with your local RV store and they can help set you up. Hopefully you will never need it.