Electrical Power and Voltage Systems

Introduction to electrical basics:

• VOLTS = pressure

• AMPS = volume

• WATTS = VOLTS x AMPS

○ The higher the VOLTAGE the lower your AMPS, when the power usage (WATTS) remains constant.

This is good!

Example: Microwave Oven: Power Usage = 1200 Watts

Different battery voltage systems:

(12) volts x 100 amps = 1200 watts
(24) volts x 50 amps = 1200 watts
(48) volts x 25 amps = 1200 watts

Which means:

The higher the (Battery Voltage System), the lower the AMPS needed to accommodate the same power usage.

The lower the AMPS, the smaller the size copper wire is needed to accommodate the lower current.

The lower the Amps, the less heat will be generated. The less heat, the more efficient your electrical system will be.

So, a 48v system is more efficient than a 24v system.

And a 24v system is more efficient than a 12v system.

Advantages of a 12v system:

Here are some 12v system advantages.
A 12v system refers to the nominal voltage of your battery bank.
Most RV DC appliances run on 12v. This includes refrigerators, lights, fans, coffee makers, etc.
With a 12v battery bank system, you can power these 12v loads “directly” from a distribution block “straight from the battery,” eliminating the inverter, which will save battery power due to inverters “idle consumption.” In other words, your inverter burns battery power just by being turned on.

With a 24v or 48v battery bank systems, you need to “step down” the voltage to 12V with a “DC to DC” converter. This creates a more complex and costly system.