Keep Your Devices Powered in a Cruisin' Motorhome

When you’re on a road trip in a Cruisin’ Motorhome, staying connected and keeping your essential devices charged is important. Whether you're relying on Maps for navigation, capturing stunning travel moments on your phone, or simply ensuring you have enough power for your laptop or camera, understanding your motorhome’s power system can help you manage energy efficiently—both on and off the grid.

Did you know? The house battery and engine battery operate separately, meaning you can use your appliances, charge devices, and stay comfortable without worrying about draining the battery needed to start the motorhome.

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1.  Understanding the Power System in Your Cruisin Motorhome

Our Cruisin’ 4- and 6-berth vehicles have three batteries: the main cabin crank battery and two house/auxiliary batteries (2x100Ah) for the inside of the vehicle. The engine compartment battery is located under the passenger’s side cabin floor in the main driver’s cabin.

• Main Battery

The main battery starts the engine and is necessary for running the vehicle. It provides a quick burst of power to get the engine going.

• House/Auxiliary Batteries (100Ah)

The house batteries power all the electrical systems in the motorhome, including lights, water pumps, the TV, the fridge and other 12V appliances. They can be charged by plugging into a power source, by driving or by using solar panels.

Each house battery has a capacity of 100Ah (amp-hours). This means it can provide 100 amps for one hour or 10 amps for 10 hours.

• Solar Battery (150W)

This battery stores energy from solar panels, letting you use solar power to run your appliances and lights.

The house battery recharges when the motorhome is plugged into mains power at a powered site or while driving. However, if you plan on free camping, it’s important to be mindful of your energy usage to avoid draining the battery.

2.  Which Power for Which Device?

When Connected to a Powered Site (240V Access)

• Use the motorhome’s power outlets to charge laptops, cameras, and other high-power devices.
• Run the microwave, reverse cycle air conditioning and heating system, and small appliances like toasters and kettles.
• The house battery recharges fully when plugged in, ensuring your motorhome stays powered.

We recommend that you plug the vehicle into the main power every second night to ensure the battery’s life.

When Off-Grid (12V System & Gas)

• USB ports in the motorhome allow you to charge phones, tablets, and small gadgets.
• The fridge will continue running on 12V or Gas, but power should be conserved. We recommend leaving the fridge on Auto mode.
• The stoves will work on the gas. One bottle should last up to 2 weeks, but a lot of cooking could cut this short by a few days. Our 4- and 6-berth motorhomes are supplied with 2x 4.5kg bottles. All 2 Berth Motorhomes are supplied with a 4kg bottle.

3.  Maximising Power While Free Camping

To extend battery life when not plugged into mains power:

• Turn off unnecessary appliances – Lights, water pumps, and devices that aren’t in use should be switched off to conserve energy.
• Use USB charging ports instead of power outlets for smaller devices.
• Run the fridge efficiently – Avoid opening the fridge frequently to maintain the cold temperature with minimal energy use.
• Do not use features like heating or air conditioning, as these require 240V power.
• Charge devices while driving – Use USB ports to charge phones and small gadgets while the engine is running. Regular power outlets (240V) require a powered site.
• Plan your stops strategically – If you're spending multiple nights off-grid, schedule a stay at a powered campsite periodically to recharge your battery fully.

4.  Extra Power-Saving Tips for Your Road Trip

• Bring a power bank for extra phone charging.
• Charge devices while driving to maximise available energy.
• Use solar chargers if you’re free camping for extended periods.
• Plan to stay at powered sites every second night to recharge the battery fully.

5.  Common Questions About Motorhome Power

What happens if the house battery runs out?

If the house battery runs out, essential systems like lighting, the fridge, and water pumps will stop working. To fix it, you’ll need to plug the vehicle into the main power, ideally overnight to ensure it is fully charged!

What works when a motorhome is NOT connected to a 240V power supply?

When your motorhome is not connected to a 240V power supply at a campsite, everything except the power outlets, house A/C, and microwave will run on the 12V battery (car battery).

The TV, fridge, and house lights will run off the 12V batteries in the vehicle if you are not at a powered campsite.

How long do motorhome batteries last when free camping?

Your motorhome has two type of batteries – one that runs the engine (12V) and another that operates the living equipment such as the fridge and lights.

Battery life varies based on usage. With light energy consumption, it may last up to 12-14 hours, but frequent use of appliances will drain it faster.

Will the fridge keep running if I’m parked off-grid?

Yes, the fridge runs on the 12V system. Our fridges are easy to use and operate on either a 2-way or 3-way battery, which you will need to charge regularly to avoid any mishaps.

For a full tutorial, head to our YouTube channel. There are also printed user guides in your vehicle.

Is power required to use a motorhome’s air conditioning?

The driver’s cabin will be air-conditioned as normal. However, you will need to be plugged into a powered campsite with 240V mains to use the air-conditioning in the motorhome’s living area.

How can I check my power levels?

Your motorhome has a battery monitor, located near the control panel, which shows the current charge level.

For more planning tips, check out our Best Tips To Plan Your Adventure!

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Are You Ready To Create Memories On The Road?

It's time to book your motorhome rentals in Australia and start exploring the breathtaking surroundings!

Ready to explore the best places to visit in a motorhome in Australia? Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the motorhomes we have available at our branches!

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