Electrical and Generators
We repair RV batteries, converters, inverters, wiring and onboard generators at your site or our San Marcos shop. The service call covers the diagnosis, and the repair quote comes in writing.
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RV solar installation lets the sun charge your RV batteries when there is no shore power to plug into. River Cities RV Service installs solar panels on the roofs of travel trailers, fifth wheels, motorhomes and campers. We wire the panels to a solar charge controller and seal every roof penetration. We also install lithium battery banks and inverter chargers to store and use that power.
The work happens where the RV sits, at an RV park, a campground, a storage lot or your driveway. You can also bring it to our San Marcos shop. As with all of our mobile RV repair in San Marcos, the service call covers the diagnosis and the trip. We look at the RV and how you camp, then put the quote in writing.
Tell us about your RV, what is wrong and where it is parked. We diagnose the problem and put the repair quote in writing.
Sizing starts with how you camp. One solar maker's sizing worksheet lists each appliance you run and how many hours a day it runs. That adds up to the amp hours you use in a day. The worksheet then multiplies that by the days you camp each week: two for a weekend, seven for full-time camping.
That weekly total points to the size of the battery bank and the solar panels that refill it. The same worksheet assumes about six hours of charging a day. It notes that real output varies with the time of year, the location and the weather.
A boondocking weekend at a campsite with no hookups needs less than living off the grid full time. Roof space sets a limit too, since vents and the air conditioner take up room. We ask how you camp and what you run, then size the system to fit.
Long summer days give solar panels more hours of sun, but heat works against them. The U.S. Department of Energy says solar cells generally work best at low temperatures. Higher temperatures bring a slight gain in current but a much larger drop in voltage. Extreme heat can also damage the cells and other panel materials and shorten their working life.
The same page says managing that heat improves both efficiency and the life of the panels. Shade cuts output too, whether it falls from the air conditioner or a tree. We lay out the panels with both in mind.
Batteries feel the heat as well. A lithium battery maker says lithium iron phosphate batteries are typically rated to run up to about 135 degrees F. It also warns that long exposure to high heat can speed up wear. That maker calls for good airflow in warm places, so we plan where the battery bank sits.
An RV lithium battery upgrade replaces lead-acid house batteries with lithium ones. One solar maker's guide says lithium batteries charge efficiently in a low-weight package and offer a long cycle life. It names cost as the drawback.
The same guide says every part of the system must match in type and capacity. We set the solar charge controller for lithium and check the RV's other charging sources. The guide says the controller keeps the batteries from overcharging. It rates MPPT controllers up to 30 percent more efficient than PWM controllers, though they cost more.
An inverter charger turns 12-volt battery power into 120-volt power for the outlets. It also charges the batteries on shore power or the generator. The guide says many appliances and sensitive electronics run better on a pure sine inverter. Repairs to an existing battery, converter or inverter are RV electrical repair work.
Call or text for a written quote. We work about 50 miles around San Marcos across the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor.
(512) 850-7257From the first call or text to the finished work, here is how it goes.
Call or text (512) 850-7257. Tell us what the RV is doing and where it is parked.
We come to the RV and find the cause of the problem. The service call covers the diagnosis and the trip. If you bring the RV to our shop, the diagnosis happens there.
After the diagnosis, we put the quote for the repair in writing. The repair goes on the schedule once you say yes.
When the repair needs parts, we order them. Once the parts arrive, we set a time to make the repair.
We make the repair where the RV sits, or at our shop if you brought it in. On RV warranty and insurance repairs, the work starts once the claim is approved.
Common questions about solar installation around San Marcos and the Hill Country. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
We repair RV batteries, converters, inverters, wiring and onboard generators at your site or our San Marcos shop. The service call covers the diagnosis, and the repair quote comes in writing.
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We reseal RV roofs and repair leaks and torn membranes. When a roof is past repair, we replace it, at your site or our San Marcos shop.
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We repair rooftop RV air conditioners that blow warm air or will not start. When a unit is done, we replace it at your RV or at our San Marcos shop.
Learn MoreThe service call comes to the RV, within about 50 miles of San Marcos. That covers the I-35 corridor and the Texas Hill Country around it.
If you would rather bring the RV to us, our shop is in San Marcos. Call or text first to set a time.
The service call covers the diagnosis and the trip. Then the repair quote comes to you in writing.
Real reviews of our RV repair work, 34 reviews on Google.
Josh replaced the a/c and heater control board in my travel trailer he did an awesome job I highly recommend him
We discovered just 4 days before our Thanksgiving trip that our RV slide-out wasn’t working. We contacted Josh, and he came out the very same day to diagnose the issue. He quickly ordered the necessary parts and managed to get everything repaired in time for our trip. Josh was professional, efficient, and highly communicative throughout the entire process, keeping us informed every step of the way. His pricing is very reasonable, and we truly appreciate the extra effort he put in to ensure we were able to leave on time. Highly recommend his RV repair services!
Josh and his team are amazing. He replaced my roof on my wildcat 5th wheel. And once it rained he returned twice to assess any leaks and concerns. He’s my repair guy now! Thank you Josh!!!!
Tell us what the RV is doing and where it sits. Call or text (512) 850-7257 or use the form, and we will get back to you.
Tell us about your RV, what is wrong and where it is parked. We diagnose the problem and put the repair quote in writing.