At the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), one of the things we value most is answering real questions from real RV owners. In this edition of Todd’s Two Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, Todd is back in the saddle, taking time to respond directly to viewer questions covering everything from water system sanitization to electrical upgrades and safety concerns under your RV.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing things the right way—or just wanted confirmation before tackling a project—this Tech Tip is for you.
Sanitizing Your RV Water System: Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide?
One common question RV owners ask is whether bleach is the best option for sanitizing their water system—especially when tankless water heaters are involved.
Todd explains that whether you can bypass a tankless water heater depends entirely on how the manufacturer installed it. Some units have dedicated bypass valves, while others do not. You’ll need access to the back of the water heater to confirm what valves are present.
If bleach makes you hesitant, hydrogen peroxide is a solid alternative. A standard 32-ounce bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide can be poured directly into the freshwater tank, filled, and circulated through the system to sanitize it effectively.
Bleach can still be used, but only at the proper concentration—generally 50 parts per million or less—to avoid damaging copper and plastic components. The goal isn’t to flush aggressively, but simply to eliminate biological growth inside the system.
Using Hydraulic Leveling Jacks to Lift Your RV: Is It Safe?
Another viewer asked whether hydraulic leveling jacks can be used to lift an RV for wheel bearing maintenance when traveling full-time without traditional jack stands.
Todd’s answer is clear: safety comes first.
While some RV hydraulic systems are strong enough to lift the coach, relying on hydraulics alone is risky. A leak or system failure while you’re underneath the RV could lead to serious injury. That’s why professional technicians always use additional support—such as jack stands or cribbing—under the RV.
Is it possible to lift an RV this way? Yes.
Is it recommended without secondary support? No.
When it comes to working under your RV, redundancy is not optional.
30 Amp to 50 Amp Upgrade: Do You Need New Surge Protection?
If you’ve upgraded from a 30-amp RV to a 50-amp rig, your old surge protector won’t cut it anymore.
Todd explains that a 30-amp load protector isn’t designed to monitor or protect a 50-amp system correctly. Voltage monitoring, neutral detection, and load balancing all differ between the two systems.
The bottom line: yes, you should upgrade to a 50-amp surge protector to properly protect your new RV’s electrical system.
12-Volt Refrigerator Errors: What Does E3 Mean?
Twelve-volt refrigerators are becoming more common—and so are the questions about them.
An E3 error code often points to a low-voltage issue, especially with brands like Dometic or Norcold. Todd recommends starting with the basics:
- Check battery voltage
- Confirm charging sources
- Consider how long the fridge has been running, especially off-grid
Brand matters here, so providing the refrigerator make and model is critical for accurate troubleshooting.
Switching from Lead-Acid to Lithium Batteries
For RV owners looking to upgrade to lithium batteries, Todd highlights one of the most commonly overlooked issues: your converter.
If your existing power center isn’t lithium-compatible, your new battery won’t charge correctly. The simplest and most reliable solution is to replace the converter with one designed specifically for lithium batteries—or one with a dedicated lithium mode.
An alternative option is adding a standalone lithium charger, such as the Victron IP22, which is affordable and effective for most RV applications.
Lithium batteries don’t need massive charging amperage, but they do need the right charging profile.
Learn More with NRVTA
These Tech Tip Tuesdays offer a glimpse into the real-world knowledge taught every day at the National RV Training Academy. Whether you want to maintain your own RV more confidently or start a mobile RV repair business, hands-on training makes all the difference.
If you’re ready to take the next step, visit nrvta.com, talk with a student advisor, and learn how you can turn RV knowledge into opportunity.