Shore power setup for vans and RVs

Shore power essentials you actually need

Shore power setup means bringing campground or household AC into your mobile rig safely and distributing it to outlets and appliances. Start by selecting an inlet that matches your expected service. Common options are 15 amp household, 30 amp RV style, or 50 amp for large loads. A twist lock 30 amp inlet with a proper shore cord is the most common on camper vans.

After the inlet, route power to a transfer device. This can be a manual selector or an automatic transfer switch that chooses between shore power and inverter output. Then feed a breaker panel with appropriately sized main and branch breakers to protect circuits like galley outlets, air conditioning, and chargers.

The final piece is protection and monitoring. Add GFCI protection for outlets near sinks and showers, consider an ELCI device for whole system protection, and include a surge protector or electrical management system to guard against low voltage and miswired pedestals. A compact voltmeter or smart monitor helps you catch issues before they damage gear.

Inlets and cords

Choose a weather rated inlet with a secure gasket and strain relief. Use a matching shore cord with intact blades and no cracks. Carry adapters to step between 15, 30, and 50 amp sources, but remember adapters do not increase capacity.

Transfer switching

An automatic transfer switch creates seamless handoff between inverter and shore power. Manual transfer switches cost less and keep you in direct control. Either way, labeling the switch positions prevents mistakes.

Breakers and distribution

Size the main breaker to match the inlet rating. Use branch breakers sized to the wire and load. Keep neutral and ground isolated in the subpanel to avoid objectionable currents.

Wiring safety and code minded practices

Treat your mobile AC system like a small house with motion. That means mechanical protection, strain relief, and clear labeling. Use marine grade or UL listed components where possible and follow manufacturer instructions for every device in the chain.

Grounding and bonding are not the same. Grounding provides a return path for fault current to trip breakers. Bonding ensures metallic parts share the same potential, reducing shock risk. In mobile systems, the neutral is bonded to ground in one place only, typically inside the inverter when it is the source, or upstream at the pedestal when on shore power. Your transfer device must manage this bond correctly.

GFCI devices help prevent shock by sensing imbalance and tripping fast. Place the first outlet in a daisy chain as a GFCI to protect downstream receptacles, or use GFCI breakers in the panel. For whole system protection near water, ELCI breakers sense leakage current at a higher threshold and can add another safety layer.

Wire gauge matters. Size conductors based on continuous load and length. For most 30 amp runs, use 10 gauge copper for the main feed and size branch circuits according to their breakers and appliance requirements. Protect conductors where they pass through metal with grommets and route cables away from heat sources and moving parts.

Grounding and bonding clarity

Allow only one neutral to ground bond at a time. Use an inverter charger with an internal switching relay or a listed transfer switch that manages the bond automatically.

GFCI and ELCI placement

Place GFCI where users plug in devices. Use ELCI near the inlet to protect the entire system against leakage faults.

Cable routing and strain relief

Secure cables every few feet with cushioned clamps. Use strain relief at inlets, panels, and appliances so vibration does not loosen terminations.

Planning the system and integrating batteries

Most modern rigs pair shore power with an inverter charger and a lithium battery bank. When you plug in, the inverter charger passes AC through to loads and charges batteries with configurable profiles for lithium or AGM. When you unplug, it inverts DC to AC so outlets stay alive. Choose an inverter charger with enough continuous output for your largest simultaneous loads and verify surge capacity for motor start ups.

Add an AC bypass plan. If the inverter fails, you still want shore power to feed essential circuits. Many transfer switches include a fail safe mechanical path from shore to panel. Label this clearly.

Include surge protection. Campground power can drop voltage during peak times or present open neutrals. A dedicated surge protector or electrical management system that checks for reverse polarity, pedestal miswiring, and low voltage can save appliances and chargers.

Test and maintain. Use a receptacle tester to check pedestal wiring, verify GFCI trips, and confirm transfer operation under load. Tighten terminal screws after the first few hundred miles since vibration can loosen connections. Keep a simple log of tests and breaker settings.

Inverter chargers and batteries

Match charger current to battery size and chemistry. Enable temperature compensation if using lead acid. For lithium, use the manufacturer charging profile to protect the BMS.

Surge and monitoring

Install a hardwired surge unit and add a panel mounted meter for voltage and frequency. A glance at 108 volts can prompt you to shed loads before problems start.

Troubleshooting quick wins

If a breaker trips repeatedly, isolate the circuit and test loads one by one. Warm plugs indicate poor connections. Replace damaged cords immediately.

Where a professional install pays off

A clean shore power setup blends safety, convenience, and future ready expansion. If you want this system integrated with heating, air conditioning, or high output charging, professional planning avoids corner cases like improper neutral bonding or mis sized conductors.

At OZK Customs, we design and build complete AC systems that pair shore power, inverter chargers, and lithium banks with labeled panels and documented schematics. Explore our recreational vans, see what a custom build van can include, or review mainstream vans that fit common use cases.

Ready to plug in with confidence

Tell us how you travel, what you power, and where you camp. We will engineer a shore power setup that charges fast, switches cleanly, and protects your investment. Submit the form and let us build it right the first time.