RVTI EXAM: ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 TEST FOR RV TECHNICIANS
VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - CURRENT VERSION
Covers: Electrical · LP Gas · Plumbing · HVAC · Chassis & Slide-Outs · Safety &
Codes
Q1. What is the standard voltage for RV 120V AC shore power
connections?
ANSWER 120 volts AC at 60 Hz. RVs connect to either 30-amp (3,600 watts
max) or 50-amp (12,000 watts max) shore power pedestals.
Q2. What is the difference between a 30-amp and 50-amp RV shore power
service?
ANSWER 30-amp service uses a 3-prong TT-30 plug providing a single 120V
leg (3,600W max). 50-amp service uses a 4-prong 14-50 plug providing two
120V legs (12,000W max total).
Q3. What does a converter do in an RV electrical system?
ANSWER A converter converts 120V AC shore power or generator power
into 12V DC to power 12V appliances and charge the house batteries.
Q4. What is the purpose of an inverter in an RV?
ANSWER An inverter converts 12V DC battery power into 120V AC power,
allowing use of AC appliances when not connected to shore power or a
generator.
Q5. What is a battery disconnect switch used for in an RV?
ANSWER It disconnects the house batteries from the RV's 12V electrical
system to prevent parasitic drain when the RV is in storage or not in use.
Q6. What are the two types of batteries commonly used in RVs?
ANSWER Starting (chassis) batteries for the engine and house (deep-cycle)
batteries for powering the living area. Deep-cycle batteries are designed for
repeated discharge and recharge cycles.
Q7. What is a shore power pedestal GFCI used for?
, ANSWER A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protects against electric
shock by detecting current leakage to ground and quickly interrupting the
circuit.
Q8. What voltage should be present across the terminals of a fully charged
12V lead-acid battery?
ANSWER Approximately 12.6 to 12.8 volts with no load. Under load, it should
maintain above 11.8 volts for proper operation.
Q9. What causes a converter to overcharge house batteries?
ANSWER A faulty voltage regulator, incorrect charge set point, or a defective
converter board can cause overcharging, leading to boiling electrolyte and
reduced battery life.
Q10. What is the purpose of a transfer switch in an RV?
ANSWER A transfer switch automatically or manually switches the RV's AC
power source between shore power and the onboard generator to prevent
backfeed and ensure safe power delivery.
Q11. What is 'polarity reversal' in an RV campground hookup?
ANSWER Polarity reversal occurs when the hot and neutral wires at the
campground pedestal are wired backwards. An EMS or surge protector will
detect and alert the user to this dangerous condition.
Q12. What does EMS stand for and what does it do?
ANSWER Electrical Management System. It monitors incoming shore power
for low/high voltage, miswiring, open neutral, and other faults, disconnecting
power to protect the RV's systems.
Q13. What is the correct wire color code for a 120V AC circuit in North
America?
ANSWER Black = hot, white = neutral, green or bare copper = ground.
Q14. What is the minimum wire gauge for a 30-amp RV shore power cord?
ANSWER 10 AWG wire is the minimum for a 30-amp circuit. The shore
power cord should be rated for at least 30 amps at 125V.
Q15. What is a parasitic drain in an RV electrical system?
ANSWER A parasitic drain is an unintended continuous draw on the battery
when the RV is not in use, caused by clocks, LP detectors, slide-out controls,
or faulty components.
Q16. What is the purpose of a battery isolation solenoid?
, ANSWER It prevents the chassis battery from being drained by the house
loads while also allowing the alternator to charge the house batteries when the
engine is running.
Q17. How do you test for a ground fault in a 12V DC RV circuit?
ANSWER Disconnect the battery negative, connect a test light or ammeter in
series between the battery negative terminal and the chassis ground, then
identify circuits drawing current with the key off.
Q18. What is a Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C?
ANSWER A hardwired 50-amp Electrical Management System that monitors
shore power quality, protecting the RV from surges, low/high voltage, open
ground, reverse polarity, and miswiring.
Q19. What is the typical charging voltage of a multi-stage
converter/charger?
ANSWER Bulk stage: 14.4–14.8V; Absorption stage: 14.1–14.4V;
Float/maintenance stage: 13.2–13.6V for flooded lead-acid batteries.
Q20. What is AGM battery and what are its advantages in an RV?
ANSWER Absorbed Glass Mat battery is sealed and maintenance-free,
vibration-resistant, spill-proof, has lower self-discharge, and can be mounted
in any orientation — ideal for RV applications.
Q21. What is the purpose of a DC-to-DC charger in an RV?
ANSWER It efficiently charges the house batteries from the chassis
alternator, maintaining proper charging voltage regardless of chassis battery
voltage, especially important with lithium house batteries.
Q22. How should you size a solar panel system for an RV?
ANSWER Calculate daily amp-hour consumption, account for battery
capacity, solar irradiance (peak sun hours), and panel efficiency. General rule:
100W panel generates ~30Ah per day in good sun.
Q23. What is the purpose of a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar
charge controller?
ANSWER MPPT controllers optimize the solar panel output voltage to
maximize charge current to the battery, achieving 93–97% efficiency versus
65–80% for PWM controllers.
Q24. What is the function of a residential refrigerator in an RV versus an
absorption refrigerator?
, ANSWER A residential fridge uses a compressor and 120V AC power only.
An absorption fridge can run on 120V AC, 12V DC, or LP gas, offering
flexibility in off-grid use.
Q25. What is the minimum battery bank size recommended for a 2,000W
inverter?
ANSWER At least 200Ah of usable capacity (400Ah for lead-acid at 50%
DOD). A 2,000W inverter at full load draws ~167 amps from a 12V battery, so
capacity and cable sizing are critical.
Q26. What causes flickering lights in a 12V RV system?
ANSWER Common causes include loose or corroded battery connections,
undersized wiring, failing battery with high internal resistance, or a loose
ground connection.
Q27. What is 'voltage drop' and why is it important in RV wiring?
ANSWER Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage along a conductor due to
resistance. Excessive drop (over 3% recommended) causes poor appliance
performance and overheating. Longer runs require larger wire gauges.
Q28. What is the purpose of a surge protector in an RV?
ANSWER It protects the RV's electronics and appliances from voltage spikes
and surges that can occur from lightning strikes or fluctuating campground
power quality.
Q29. What is a lithium (LiFePO4) battery's recommended depth of
discharge (DOD)?
ANSWER Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries can safely discharge to 80–90%
DOD, compared to 50% for lead-acid, effectively doubling usable capacity for
the same nominal rating.
Q30. What safety feature must be present on all RV shore power cords?
ANSWER A strain relief and weatherproof/UV-resistant insulation. The cord
must be rated for outdoor use and the appropriate amperage, and connections
must be secure with no exposed conductors.
Q31. What is a Battery Management System (BMS) in lithium batteries?
ANSWER A BMS monitors and protects lithium battery cells from overcharge,
over-discharge, over-current, and overtemperature conditions, balancing cells
and extending battery life.
Q32. How do you properly load-test an RV house battery?
VERIFIED EXAM SOLUTIONS - COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - CURRENT VERSION
Covers: Electrical · LP Gas · Plumbing · HVAC · Chassis & Slide-Outs · Safety &
Codes
Q1. What is the standard voltage for RV 120V AC shore power
connections?
ANSWER 120 volts AC at 60 Hz. RVs connect to either 30-amp (3,600 watts
max) or 50-amp (12,000 watts max) shore power pedestals.
Q2. What is the difference between a 30-amp and 50-amp RV shore power
service?
ANSWER 30-amp service uses a 3-prong TT-30 plug providing a single 120V
leg (3,600W max). 50-amp service uses a 4-prong 14-50 plug providing two
120V legs (12,000W max total).
Q3. What does a converter do in an RV electrical system?
ANSWER A converter converts 120V AC shore power or generator power
into 12V DC to power 12V appliances and charge the house batteries.
Q4. What is the purpose of an inverter in an RV?
ANSWER An inverter converts 12V DC battery power into 120V AC power,
allowing use of AC appliances when not connected to shore power or a
generator.
Q5. What is a battery disconnect switch used for in an RV?
ANSWER It disconnects the house batteries from the RV's 12V electrical
system to prevent parasitic drain when the RV is in storage or not in use.
Q6. What are the two types of batteries commonly used in RVs?
ANSWER Starting (chassis) batteries for the engine and house (deep-cycle)
batteries for powering the living area. Deep-cycle batteries are designed for
repeated discharge and recharge cycles.
Q7. What is a shore power pedestal GFCI used for?
, ANSWER A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protects against electric
shock by detecting current leakage to ground and quickly interrupting the
circuit.
Q8. What voltage should be present across the terminals of a fully charged
12V lead-acid battery?
ANSWER Approximately 12.6 to 12.8 volts with no load. Under load, it should
maintain above 11.8 volts for proper operation.
Q9. What causes a converter to overcharge house batteries?
ANSWER A faulty voltage regulator, incorrect charge set point, or a defective
converter board can cause overcharging, leading to boiling electrolyte and
reduced battery life.
Q10. What is the purpose of a transfer switch in an RV?
ANSWER A transfer switch automatically or manually switches the RV's AC
power source between shore power and the onboard generator to prevent
backfeed and ensure safe power delivery.
Q11. What is 'polarity reversal' in an RV campground hookup?
ANSWER Polarity reversal occurs when the hot and neutral wires at the
campground pedestal are wired backwards. An EMS or surge protector will
detect and alert the user to this dangerous condition.
Q12. What does EMS stand for and what does it do?
ANSWER Electrical Management System. It monitors incoming shore power
for low/high voltage, miswiring, open neutral, and other faults, disconnecting
power to protect the RV's systems.
Q13. What is the correct wire color code for a 120V AC circuit in North
America?
ANSWER Black = hot, white = neutral, green or bare copper = ground.
Q14. What is the minimum wire gauge for a 30-amp RV shore power cord?
ANSWER 10 AWG wire is the minimum for a 30-amp circuit. The shore
power cord should be rated for at least 30 amps at 125V.
Q15. What is a parasitic drain in an RV electrical system?
ANSWER A parasitic drain is an unintended continuous draw on the battery
when the RV is not in use, caused by clocks, LP detectors, slide-out controls,
or faulty components.
Q16. What is the purpose of a battery isolation solenoid?
, ANSWER It prevents the chassis battery from being drained by the house
loads while also allowing the alternator to charge the house batteries when the
engine is running.
Q17. How do you test for a ground fault in a 12V DC RV circuit?
ANSWER Disconnect the battery negative, connect a test light or ammeter in
series between the battery negative terminal and the chassis ground, then
identify circuits drawing current with the key off.
Q18. What is a Progressive Industries EMS-HW50C?
ANSWER A hardwired 50-amp Electrical Management System that monitors
shore power quality, protecting the RV from surges, low/high voltage, open
ground, reverse polarity, and miswiring.
Q19. What is the typical charging voltage of a multi-stage
converter/charger?
ANSWER Bulk stage: 14.4–14.8V; Absorption stage: 14.1–14.4V;
Float/maintenance stage: 13.2–13.6V for flooded lead-acid batteries.
Q20. What is AGM battery and what are its advantages in an RV?
ANSWER Absorbed Glass Mat battery is sealed and maintenance-free,
vibration-resistant, spill-proof, has lower self-discharge, and can be mounted
in any orientation — ideal for RV applications.
Q21. What is the purpose of a DC-to-DC charger in an RV?
ANSWER It efficiently charges the house batteries from the chassis
alternator, maintaining proper charging voltage regardless of chassis battery
voltage, especially important with lithium house batteries.
Q22. How should you size a solar panel system for an RV?
ANSWER Calculate daily amp-hour consumption, account for battery
capacity, solar irradiance (peak sun hours), and panel efficiency. General rule:
100W panel generates ~30Ah per day in good sun.
Q23. What is the purpose of a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar
charge controller?
ANSWER MPPT controllers optimize the solar panel output voltage to
maximize charge current to the battery, achieving 93–97% efficiency versus
65–80% for PWM controllers.
Q24. What is the function of a residential refrigerator in an RV versus an
absorption refrigerator?
, ANSWER A residential fridge uses a compressor and 120V AC power only.
An absorption fridge can run on 120V AC, 12V DC, or LP gas, offering
flexibility in off-grid use.
Q25. What is the minimum battery bank size recommended for a 2,000W
inverter?
ANSWER At least 200Ah of usable capacity (400Ah for lead-acid at 50%
DOD). A 2,000W inverter at full load draws ~167 amps from a 12V battery, so
capacity and cable sizing are critical.
Q26. What causes flickering lights in a 12V RV system?
ANSWER Common causes include loose or corroded battery connections,
undersized wiring, failing battery with high internal resistance, or a loose
ground connection.
Q27. What is 'voltage drop' and why is it important in RV wiring?
ANSWER Voltage drop is the reduction in voltage along a conductor due to
resistance. Excessive drop (over 3% recommended) causes poor appliance
performance and overheating. Longer runs require larger wire gauges.
Q28. What is the purpose of a surge protector in an RV?
ANSWER It protects the RV's electronics and appliances from voltage spikes
and surges that can occur from lightning strikes or fluctuating campground
power quality.
Q29. What is a lithium (LiFePO4) battery's recommended depth of
discharge (DOD)?
ANSWER Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries can safely discharge to 80–90%
DOD, compared to 50% for lead-acid, effectively doubling usable capacity for
the same nominal rating.
Q30. What safety feature must be present on all RV shore power cords?
ANSWER A strain relief and weatherproof/UV-resistant insulation. The cord
must be rated for outdoor use and the appropriate amperage, and connections
must be secure with no exposed conductors.
Q31. What is a Battery Management System (BMS) in lithium batteries?
ANSWER A BMS monitors and protects lithium battery cells from overcharge,
over-discharge, over-current, and overtemperature conditions, balancing cells
and extending battery life.
Q32. How do you properly load-test an RV house battery?
