Saturday, September 30, 2023

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How do you measure your RV’s voltage output?

This week Mike Sokol explains how to set a meter to test outlet voltage. This article originally appeared on RVtravel.com in June 2021. Dear Mike, I...

RVelectricity: Power-hungry RVs, and appliances

Dear Mike, I would love to see an article about exactly what you can run on a 30-amp breaker. We have a COE campground with...

How does a 30-amp dogbone power a 50-amp RV?

This was originally posted in July 2019. Dear Mike, On one of your webcasts there was a question about the two legs of 50-amp service. What...

RVelectricity: Can you get a shock from an unplugged RV?

Everyone: Here's an article I wrote in 2017 about getting shocked from an RV that's parked under high-voltage power lines. Yes, you can get...

RVelectricity: SoftStartHome test on a Honda EU7000i generator

Dear Readers, I've been continuing my experiments with the new SoftStartHome™ controller. I don't have a full report yet since it's too cold and windy...

RVelectricity: Charging a Jackery Explorer with a CarGenerator

Dear Readers, Continuing my experiments with solar panels and portable Lithium Battery Power Stations, I had a brainstorm last week about how to power a...

RVelectricity: Introducing SoftStartHome for residential air conditioners

Dear Readers, As you may know, I've been doing field and lab testing on a number of different SoftStart products over the last two years....

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Solar generator updates – Bring your band!

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: DIY generator neutral-ground bonding plug

Dear Readers, In response to several inquiries about how to make your own neutral/ground generator bonding plug, here's the full DIY generator bonding plug article...

Using a 15-amp bonding plug in a 20-amp generator outlet

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Get the right tool for the job!

Dear Readers, It's been a fun week at the old homestead. A steam pipe buried under the cement floor in the basement of my...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): How many batteries are in a tank of propane?

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: More on EVs and a survey: Are you ready to purchase an EV in 2023?

Dear Readers, Last week's RVelectricity article focused on how the vehicle manufacturers were marketing their upcoming electric vehicle offerings. I noted that they were busy...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Flooded lead acid battery safety reminders

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: An open letter to the Electric Vehicle industry

Dear EV manufacturers, Last week I spent two days at the Detroit Auto Show with a focus on studying electric vehicles. I rode the Lightning...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): COVID Nose and propane gas—Danger!

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Is generator bonding really necessary?

Dear Mike, I just read your article regarding generator bonding. I'm curious if using a bonding plug in a floating neutral generator vs. just using...

RVelectricity: Mike goes to Detroit (Rock City) to check out EVs

Here's a hint as to where I am this weekend (checking out EVs)... I feel uptight on a Saturday nightNine o'clock, the radio's the only...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): How much solar power do I need?

Hey Mike, One of the RVs I'm looking at has 150 watts of solar panels and a 100 amp-hr lithium battery. The salesman says that...

RVelectricity: Hershey RV Show—First look at new electrical trends

Dear Readers, Yes, I made it to the Hershey RV Show this week in the sweetest city on earth. This is just a preliminary report...

RVelectricity: Do coiled extension cords heat up from inductive heating?

Dear Mike, Our all-electric coach has a 36-foot-long 50-amp cable wound up on a motorized cable reel. Is it necessary to completely unwind it...

RVelectricity: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Solar Generator goes Pro!

Dear Readers, It's starting to be a whirlwind month for me. After being flat on my back from COVID for three weeks in August, I'm...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Should I upgrade to a 24-volt battery?

Mike Sokol wrote this when he was a columnist for RVtravel.com. He has since moved on and is therefore unable to respond to comments. Hey...

RVelectricity: See you at the Hershey RV Show, September 14–18

Dear Readers, Guess where I'll be hanging out and teaching seminars in two weeks? Yup, the sweetest place on Earth. That's where the Hershey...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): How many kWh in a gallon of gasoline?

Mike Sokol wrote this when he was a columnist for RVtravel.com. He has since moved on and is therefore unable to respond to comments. Dear...

RVelectricity: Why does electrical adapter trip the circuit breaker?

Dear Readers, This question comes up time and time again: "Why does my 50-amp RV trip the 30-amp circuit breaker when I need to use...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): How many batteries equal a propane tank of energy?

Dear Mike, I'm curious just how much battery power is needed to equal a 20-lb. tank of propane? For example, my 3-way fridge can run...

RVelectricity: Doing my RVelectricity virtual seminars at the FROG Rally

Dear Readers, Unfortunately, I caught COVID 10 days ago, which triggered my bronchitis and laid me flat on my back for a week. I asked...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Can a solar panel overcharge your battery?

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: How many lithium batteries needed for two CPAP machines?

Everyone... I get questions like this one every week, and it's a great opportunity to show you the basic math that goes into figuring...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Don’t take shelter under a tree during a storm

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Is towing a camper trailer with an EV truck practical?

Dear Readers, There's been a lot of reports about attempted trailer towing with an EV truck, specifically a Ford F-150 Lightning. And the big question...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Why does the 30-amp plug burn up with two ACs?

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Why you need a multimeter for your RV

Dear Readers, I'm in the middle of creating a new training video about using a multimeter for RV electrical system testing. One of the...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Predator powering a 5th wheel RV

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Always unplug your RV while working on wiring

Dear Readers, This was just posted on my RVelectricity Facebook group a few days ago. It's an important reminder to unplug your RV from the...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Up in Smoke: Hemp-powered batteries?

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Battery safety, plus Mike’s new SoftStartUp video

Today I discuss safety when working with flooded cell batteries, and in particular when used with a solar panel charge controller. Also, I introduce...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Answers to your questions on the new SoftStartUp controller

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: New SoftStartUp is a game changer!

Dear Readers, I've been getting emails about this product release for months ... but now it can be told! NetworkRV announces plug-in version of their SoftStartRV...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): More power from a Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Don’t use a Non-Contact Voltage Tester on a DC fuse….

Dear Readers, Last week there was a reader on my RVelectricity Facebook Group who was having all sorts of electrical problems with his RV, including...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Ketchup update: Popsicles?

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: Charging batteries in parallel

Dear Mike, I really like your articles, but now have questions of my own. I want to hook up two 12v lead acid batteries in...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Solar power backup while boondocking

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RVelectricity: 50-amp vs. 30-amp twist-lock comparison

Dear Readers, I have been getting questions about my article from 2018 on why you can't use an adapter on a 240-volt welding outlet to...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): That ’70s Hot Dog Show and portable solar power stations

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

RV Electricity – Generator Noise Pollution – Part 1

Generator Noise Pollution - Part 1 by Mike Sokol - All Rights Reserved I've had several recent emails about noisy generators bothering nearby campers. I...

RVelectricity: A reminder of open neutral dangers

Dear Readers, This photo and story recently showed up on the RVelectricity Facebook group. It's a great reminder of why you really need an advanced...

RVelectricity – Just Ask Mike (J.A.M.): Mike gets “So kool” with an O2COOL personal fan

Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you're a newbie who's never...

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