48V Power System Overview

Why 48V system?

Our RVs usually run on a 12V power system, using 12V batteries to power appliances like lights, fridge, radio, and more. If an appliance requires 220V, we use an inverter to transform the 12V power to 220V. However, the 12V system can only handle a few low-power appliances. If we use high-power appliances like air conditioners or hot water services, the battery would drain quickly within a couple of hours.

Many people want more power during their travels to enjoy cold drinks, hot water, a comfortable climate, and use appliances like microwaves, hair dryers, TVs, and even coffee machines. They want their RV to feel like a real home, where they can plug in and use appliances whenever they need, even when camping without access to a 220V power grid.

The current 12V system is limited in supporting high-power appliances in such a small space. It’s not just about adding more batteries to the RV; it’s about making the system more efficient. For example, a 3000W appliance theoretically draws 250 Amps per hour from the battery in a 12V system. In a 48V system, it would only draw 62.5 Amps from the battery. This means a 48V system is four times more efficient than a 12V system, providing four times longer service time for appliances. For instance, an air conditioner would drain a 300 Amp battery in about one and a half hours in a 12V system, but it would run for approximately six hours in a 48V system using the same battery.

Another issue with the current 12V system is that all the components function independently. Each device, such as the inverter, charger, battery, and solar panel charger, operates on default settings without communicating with each other. This lack of coordination can lead to higher power consumption and potentially create safety hazards due to system disorder.

Design Goals:

1. Solve the problem of not having enough power in RVs, making them feel like a true home where you can easily use any household appliance and enjoy reasonable hours of service.
2. Establish a communication system where all devices involved in our power system can talk to each other using special cables. This makes power consumption even more efficient and enhances safety by automatically checking for system faults, reducing the risk of fire and electric shock.
3. Enable the possibility of electrical RVs that rely on electricity, eliminating the need for gas and the potential risks associated with gas leakage. We aim to simplify and optimize the power setup.