RV Upgrade Glossary: 14 Terms Explained
The words that show up in RV upgrade specs, reviews and how-to guides, explained without jargon.
- Amp-hour (Ah)
- Battery capacity. Lead-acid batteries should not be regularly discharged below about half, while lithium can use most of its rating.
- Battery monitor
- A shunt-based meter that shows real state of charge, far more accurate than voltage alone.
- Related: Best RV Battery Monitors →
- BCI group size
- A standard for a battery's physical size and terminal layout, like group 24, 27 or 31. It says nothing about chemistry or capacity.
- Black and grey tanks
- Holding tanks for toilet waste and for sink and shower water.
- Related: Best RV Holding Tank Treatments →
- Boondocking
- Camping without hookups, relying on batteries, solar, tanks and a generator.
- Charge controller
- Regulates power from solar panels to the batteries. MPPT controllers harvest more energy than PWM in most conditions.
- Related: Best RV Solar Charge Controllers →
- House battery
- The battery bank that powers an RV's 12V lights, pump and fans, separate from the engine's starting battery.
- Related: Best RV Batteries →
- Inverter
- Converts 12V DC battery power to 120V AC for household appliances.
- Related: Best RV Inverters →
- Leveling blocks
- Stackable blocks placed under tires to level an RV on uneven ground.
- Related: Best RV Leveling Blocks →
- LiFePO4
- Lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry. Lighter than lead-acid with more usable capacity, but needs a compatible charger.
- Related: Best RV Batteries →
- Pure sine wave
- Inverter output that closely matches grid power, safer for sensitive electronics than modified sine wave.
- Shore power
- Plugging the RV into a campground pedestal, usually 30 or 50 amp.
- Related: Best RV Power Cords →
- Surge protector (EMS)
- A device between the pedestal and RV that blocks voltage spikes and, on EMS models, low voltage and miswiring.
- Related: Best RV Surge Protectors →
- Water pressure regulator
- A fitting that limits campground water pressure to protect RV plumbing.
- Related: Best RV Water Pressure Regulators →