Are the outlets supposed to work when only the batteries are used for power? The lights all work but none of the outlets. At first I thought it was normal because plugs might be drawing too much from the batteries but the more I think about it the more I am wondering.Thanks!

The lights work off the battery (12 VDC) but the (120 VAC) outlets only work when plugged into shore power or a generator.Good basic question for all new RVers.

120 volt outlets (like in your house) only work when you have an outside source of power, either a generator, or your "shore power" cord is plugged into an outlet in the campground, or at your house.To have your outlets work when on batteries, you'll need an INVERTER (changes 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC). These devices will EAT battery life, and will only provide power to their rating - a 1000 watt inverter will only provide 1000 watts (think hair dryer), not provide enough power to turn on the microwave, AC, toaster, and the hair dryer.

Thanks for the quick response :)So if we stop at a rest area or Wally World for the night I guess I'm out of luck to make coffee in the morning lol

Marie,you are correct in assuming that the 110v outlets are only used when plugged in to shore power, unless you have an inverter unit. The converter unit in most RV's allows for the switching to 12v for lights, and other 12v devices. Hope this helps. By the way, there are no dumb questions. We have all started to learn about these things at some time. Macktee

Mjoseph320 wrote:Thanks for the quick response :)So if we stop at a rest area or Wally World for the night I guess I'm out of luck to make coffee in the morning lolWe have a drip coffee maker, a whistling teapot, and an airpot so we can make coffee anytime on the propane stovetop.

Dumb Question re: outlets | Good Sam Community

Mjoseph320
Explorer
May 15, 2013
You have convinced me...I'm gonna get the stove top percolator :)
thomasmnile
Explorer
May 15, 2013
Mjoseph320 wrote:
Thanks for the quick response :)

So if we stop at a rest area or Wally World for the night I guess I'm out of luck to make coffee in the morning lol

Not at all if you have a stove top percolator. Remember them? :B
Terryallan
Explorer II
May 15, 2013
Start perking it on the stove. It could ruin you. You might not want to go back to drip.
atreis
Explorer
May 14, 2013
We use a re-usable pour over cone filter for coffee. Small, lightweight (we also use it when backpacking), and makes a GREAT cup of coffee.

BTW - if using an inverter, divide watts by 10 to get a rough estimate of amperage. 1000W will pull close to 100 amps. Also, if you have a group 31 battery (~100 amp hours), you can draw it down to about 50%, which means it'll last for about half an hour at that rate with no other load. There are lots of other small loads though (refrigerator control circuit and propane solenoid, lights, water heater control circuit, igniter and solenoid, and more ...). Another big draw on the battery is the furnace - the blower motor draws a lot.
Dennis_M_M
Explorer
May 14, 2013
A lot of your questions will be answered here:

The 12 Volt Side of Life
nunuc2000
Explorer
May 14, 2013
the_happiestcamper wrote:
Mjoseph320 wrote:
Thanks for the quick response :)

So if we stop at a rest area or Wally World for the night I guess I'm out of luck to make coffee in the morning lol

I prefer using an old fashioned percolator, but Coleman does make a drip maker that sits on your gas stovetop - we have one and it works well.
nunuc2000
Explorer
May 14, 2013
the_happiestcamper wrote:
Mjoseph320 wrote:
Thanks for the quick response :)

So if we stop at a rest area or Wally World for the night I guess I'm out of luck to make coffee in the morning lol

I prefer using an old fashioned percolator, but Coleman does make a drip maker that sits on your gas stovetop - we have one and it works well.

x2 - we have the same Coleman drip coffee maker and really like it a lot!!
mdamerell
Explorer
May 14, 2013
Every 120v electrical question seems to stop for coffee :)
advntrs
Explorer
May 14, 2013
French presses are great. There is also another option, the European way. Pouring hot water over a cone filter containing coffee. You can find these anywhere.
WandaLust2
Explorer
May 14, 2013
Mjoseph320 wrote:
Thanks for the quick response :)

So if we stop at a rest area or Wally World for the night I guess I'm out of luck to make coffee in the morning lol

Not really. Carry a regular coffee perk-pot with you and use the kitchen stove. Perked coffee tastes better anyway but takes longer to make. I couldn't live without my coffee. We spend nights at Walmart also. We carry the perk pot and a propane lantern so as not to draw down the battery with the electric lights. When off to FL or NY we spend 2 to 3 nights on the road. We have no generator but plenty of coffee and light as needed. :)

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