AC-powered vs. DC-powered Devices in the Vandoit Van

AC-powered vs. DC-powered Devices in the Vandoit Van

Article Objective: 
In this article, you will learn which devices in your van are powered by AC power, which are powered by DC power, and why understanding the difference is helpful.

What's the difference?
DC current powers smaller electronics and camper van batteries whether you have lithium or AGM batteries.  Devices in the van that are DC-powered do not require the inverter to be on in order to run. Our system uses a 12 volt DC current. Alternating current ( AC-power) is used for higher voltage components such as household items, hot water tank, or the Penguin II Air Conditioner and run off 110 volts. Devices in the van that are powered via AC current receive electricity through the inverter, (which takes 12 volt DC-power from the battery and inverts it to higher 110 volt AC-power) or when the van is plugged into shore power (which is just running AC power from source of shore power you are plugged into, into the van). Below you will find a complete list of what is DC-powered vs. AC-powered. 

Read the lists below carefully; the power to certain devices can vary depending on the van model (DO/LIV) and other factors.

AC-powered Devices
Require inverter to be on
  1. Any device plugged into the 3-pronged, household-style wall outlets
  2. USB ports on the wall outlets
  3. TV (It is hard-wired to AC power)
  4. Hot water heater
  5. Penguin II Dometic Air Conditioner (Note: If your van has the AGM battery system, it is recommended that the air conditioner run when plugged into shore power, not by running the inverter only.  If your van has the lithium battery system, you can run the air conditioner off of the battery system for approximately 3 hours with a 10-degree variance from outside temperatures.)
  6. Hot Water Box (DO model only)
  7. Cold Water Box (DO model only)
  8. Air Compressor (if it is not operated from a rocker switch)
  9. Dometic Cooler Refrigerator/Freezer (if plugged into a 3-pronged wall outlet)
DC-powered Devices
Do not require inverter to be on
  1. Espar Airtronic Heater
  2. Dometic RTX2000 Air Conditioner (Note: Requires lithium battery system)
  3. Rocker switches
  4. Dome lights
  5. Accent lights
  6. Cargo light (all LIV vans, and DO vans that add the optional gear slide)
  7. MaxxAir Fan
  8. Pioneer head unit audio system
  9. Water pump (LIV model only)
  10. 12 volt outlet and USB outlets on the power box
  11. USB port on the GoPower solar controller
  12. Dometic Cooler Refrigerator/Freezer (if plugged into a 12 volt outlet)
  13. Battery heating pad (only in lithium vans built after September 1, 2021)
If this article prompts questions about your van or its devices, please email support@vandoit.com or submit a ticket through the Customer Support portal. Please provide as many details and photos as possible. 

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