Electricity service is highly valued by motorhome travelers and can represent an interesting source of revenue for professionals. The ability to charge electronic devices, use appliances, and stay comfortable inside the vehicle makes access to electricity a deciding factor when choosing a motorhome area. However, managing electrical point control can be complex, especially in automatic or large-scale areas.
We’ll explore how to optimize the control and management of these electrical points to improve the user experience and maximize revenue.
Do my users need electricity?
Definitely yes — travelers need electrical supply. The comfort and convenience of being able to use appliances, charge electronic devices… What’s more, more and more users work remotely while traveling in their camper, which makes power outlets increasingly valued. Offering electrical hookups not only attracts and retains more customers, but can also significantly increase revenue for areas.
How much power do they need?
A 100Ah battery — a standard size — equals 1.2kWh, and is usually enough for normal use. However, working remotely on a laptop can consume up to 0.7kWh per day. Consumption increases significantly with the use of electric heaters or air conditioning, which requires greater capacity.
What are the initial and maintenance costs for installing electrical points?
Initial costs include the purchase and installation of electrical equipment, automated control systems, and possible infrastructure work. Maintenance costs can vary depending on the system used, but generally include equipment repair, technical monitoring, and software updates.
What kind of infrastructure is needed to support electrical points?
To control electrical points in an area, you need a robust electrical infrastructure that can support user demand, including proper wiring, electrical panels, monitoring systems, and, in some cases, backup generators.
How can I control my customers' consumption?
As a professional, you can combine different strategies to control electricity consumption at your camper area:
- Activate only the outlets for paid plots: Systems like TripStop can automate this process by assigning a plot to a user and deactivating it at checkout.
- Limit the power delivered to the user: It’s common to limit power to 10A, 6A, or even 4A to prevent overloads and control consumption.
- Limit to a number of hours per day: A 1.2 kWh battery should charge in a few hours, depending on the power delivered. This can be automated to prevent excessive use.
- Limit the service to a daily kWh package: Automation can simplify this control, since there’s equipment that measures energy use. It does involve a cost, but it ensures the service isn’t abused.
- Measure exact consumption and bill each customer accordingly: Although “reselling” energy isn’t permitted in Spain, this strategy can be useful in other legal contexts.
For all these reasons, controlling electricity consumption in motorhome areas is essential to offering a quality service, optimizing resources, and increasing revenue. Implementing automated systems and limitation strategies guarantees efficient management, improves the user experience, and ensures legal compliance.
If you’re interested in setting up an area, check out How to Create a Motorhome Area or How a Motorhome Area Works.