Thor Forums

[Chance]

Originally Posted by gmc

.....cut....

Not a bad suggestion as the higher voltage would cut the amps required from the battery source in half... but likely not practical in many cases to carry 4 additional batteries just for the inverter.
Now I know Chance would like to see a 24V RV...

GMC, not at all. The right answer is 48 Volts.


Seriously though, as RVs become more dependent on electrical power, it will make sense to have a dedicated higher-voltage battery bank to power larger loads (most things from inverter) like refrigerator, air conditioners, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryers, etc. In the interim since some loads will still require 12-Volts, it will be necessary to have at least one small battery to power lights, water pump, 12-Volt control circuits, etc. In time once 48-Volt is adopted in large volume, manufacturers will start making water pumps and the like to run directly off 48-Volts.

This same problem is happening in the Auto industry, where 48-Volt is starting to be integrated to power large loads, but the old 12-Volt is still kept to power radios, instruments, etc.

For RVs switching to 48-Volts will also help lower current from solar panels, and reduce current through chargers and inverters.

Volta went to 48-Volt stand-alone system, but Xantrex appears to have stayed with 12-Volts (smaller system), even though I don't see how they can power 3,000-watt inverters with 6,000-watt surge (required to start air conditioners). That's so much current at 12 Volts, but I guess Xantrex may not have 48-Volt inverters (at least not listed in Xantrex site) so they may have not had a choice anyway.