Why are there two RV power build ladders instead of one?

Because RV power contains two genuinely different buyers. A rig plugged into a pedestal most nights needs shore power protection and a converter matched to its battery, and gains close to nothing from solar. A rig off grid for days needs usable capacity and a way to refill it without a pedestal. Telling the first buyer to spend on lithium and solar wastes their money, so the two get separate ladders.

Which build should I start with?

Decide how often you will be away from hookups. If the answer is rarely, start with the beginner campground build and put the money into pedestal protection. If you expect whole weekends or weeks off grid, start with the beginner boondocking build, which prioritises usable capacity and solar instead.

Are the prices on these builds accurate?

They are totalled from the listed price of every component at the time the catalog was last refreshed, at the quantities shown, rather than being typed by hand. Prices change often, so treat the total as a planning figure and check each listing before ordering.

Do I need to buy everything on a build list at once?

No, but buy in the order the page gives. On the campground ladder the protection comes before the battery, because one bad pedestal can cost more than the rest of the list. On the boondocking ladder the battery comes before the array, because generating more than the bank can store achieves nothing.

Builds

Complete RV power builds

Six complete systems, every part listed, costed and linked, with a running total. If you buy one of these lists you can finish the job rather than discovering a missing busbar halfway through.

Two ladders, not one

RV power has two genuinely different buyers. If you are plugged in most nights, your money belongs in shore power protection and a converter matched to your battery, and solar earns you almost nothing. If you are off grid for days, your money belongs in usable capacity and a way to refill it. One ladder cannot serve both without giving bad advice to one of them.

All six builds in one place

The complete shopping list

Every component across all six builds, grouped by function, with prices, quantities and a total per build. Built to print, so you can take it to the rig instead of the screen.

Campground ladder

For rigs that are plugged into a pedestal most nights. The spend goes on protecting the rig from bad shore power and on covering travel days, not on solar.

Beginner

Beginner RV Campground Power Setup

The lowest cost complete shore power setup: pedestal protection, a correct cord and adapter, and enough battery to cover travel days between hookups.

3 groups, every part linked

Intermediate

Intermediate RV Campground Power Setup

The buy-once campground setup: lithium capacity, a converter that can actually charge it, a shunt monitor and full pedestal protection.

4 groups, every part linked

Expert

Expert RV Campground Power Setup

A full-time 50 amp shore power system: hardwired EMS protection, an inverter/charger with transfer switching, a large lithium bank and air conditioning that starts on anything.

5 groups, every part linked

Boondocking ladder

For rigs that spend days away from hookups. The spend goes on usable capacity and on refilling it without a pedestal.

Beginner

Beginner RV Boondocking Power Setup

The cheapest honest way to spend a weekend off grid: one LiFePO4 battery, a small solar array with an MPPT controller, and a monitor that tells you the truth.

4 groups, every part linked

Intermediate

Intermediate RV Boondocking Power Setup

A week off grid: 200Ah of lithium, a 400W roof array with a proper MPPT controller, a 2000W inverter and DC-DC charging from the tow vehicle.

5 groups, every part linked

Expert

Expert RV Boondocking Power Setup

Full-time off grid in any season: 400Ah of self-heating lithium, a large roof array, an inverter/charger, DC-DC charging and a generator for air conditioning.

6 groups, every part linked

Frequently asked questions

Why are there two RV power build ladders instead of one?: Because RV power contains two genuinely different buyers. A rig plugged into a pedestal most nights needs shore power protection and a converter matched to its battery, and gains close to nothing from solar. A rig off grid for days needs usable capacity and a way to refill it without a pedestal. Telling the first buyer to spend on lithium and solar wastes their money, so the two get separate ladders.
Which build should I start with?: Decide how often you will be away from hookups. If the answer is rarely, start with the beginner campground build and put the money into pedestal protection. If you expect whole weekends or weeks off grid, start with the beginner boondocking build, which prioritises usable capacity and solar instead.
Are the prices on these builds accurate?: They are totalled from the listed price of every component at the time the catalog was last refreshed, at the quantities shown, rather than being typed by hand. Prices change often, so treat the total as a planning figure and check each listing before ordering.
Do I need to buy everything on a build list at once?: No, but buy in the order the page gives. On the campground ladder the protection comes before the battery, because one bad pedestal can cost more than the rest of the list. On the boondocking ladder the battery comes before the array, because generating more than the bank can store achieves nothing.