Vanair Manufacturing, a Lincoln Electric Company, is introducing an RV OEM Solutions Program built around its EPEQ Electrified Power Equipment ecosystem for the RV market, to be presented at the Elkhart RV Open House in booth 207/209 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame Supplier Showcase.
The program gives RV manufacturers one supplier for the complete energy system on a coach, replacing the practice of sourcing batteries from one vendor, inverters from another and connectors from a third. For OEM procurement and engineering teams, that consolidation means one warranty process, one technical support resource and verified compatibility across every major component.
Buyer expectations have already moved. Larger lithium battery banks, induction cooktops and residential refrigeration are now common requests, along with the ability to run house loads overnight without starting an engine and to operate in parks and campgrounds where generator use is restricted. For manufacturers, the question is no longer whether coaches need more capable energy systems, but which supplier can deliver one that installs cleanly on a production line and performs across the life of the unit.
Storage Augments Generation
EPEQ is not a generator replacement. Power generation remains foundational to the coach, whether energy comes from a generator, an alternator, shore power or solar. EPEQ is an integrated architecture that works alongside existing generation, storing energy efficiently, converting it cleanly and giving the owner more usable power between starts.
“I don’t view energy storage as a move away from generation,” said Kai Justice, director of engineering for Vanair. “The coach still needs a way to produce power. Storage extends the life of the generator, saves fuel, cuts down on noise and increases the overall reliability and efficiency of the system. The strongest story here is not about eliminating a component, it’s about delivering a complete, integrated energy ecosystem that combines generation integration, storage, power conversion, serviceability and support in one solution.”
Engineered Around AC Loads
Most of what an RV owner plugs in runs on AC, and that is where EPEQ concentrates. The 48-volt inverter line includes the INVERTER3600 at 3.6kW and 120VAC, the INVERTER5000 at 5kW and 240VAC with stacking to 10kW, and the INVERTER6000 at 6kW and 120/240VAC with a low-frequency design and 300 percent surge capability. Every inverter is UL 458 certified, the standard written specifically for inverters in mobile applications.
ELiMENT 48-volt lithium iron phosphate batteries form the foundation of the system. They carry an IP67 rating sealed against dust and temporary water immersion, UL 1973 certification, RV-C CAN communication, a dedicated solar port built into the battery, simultaneous charging and discharging, and individual cell monitoring through the integrated battery management system. Because no special venting is required, enclosed compartments, underbody mounting and van-style builds all remain available to the designer.
EPEQ Solar Assist tends and supplements the battery bank on both 12-volt and 48-volt platforms. The patented flexible panels measure 1/8-inch thick and conform to curved roof surfaces without traditional mounting hardware. The EPEQ Smart Display consolidates battery state of charge, inverter status, solar input and diagnostics into a single interface.
The architecture also supports load-transfer technologies and supporting modules, allowing 12-volt systems and existing platform components to integrate rather than compete.
Built for Production and Service
Sealed quick-connect plugs replace butt splices and field-cut wiring throughout the system.
“Plug-and-play connections give you repeatability on the line and durability in the field,” Justice said. “Every butt splice is a future warranty claim waiting to happen. When a dealer technician can disconnect and reconnect a sealed plug three years into the life of a coach, that changes what service looks like for the manufacturer and for the owner.”
Vanair supports OEMs through nationwide mobile service technicians, weekly and monthly factory audits, local just-in-time delivery, dealer service network training, and technical documentation and parts availability. The company’s Michigan City, Indiana operations sit roughly an hour from the center of RV manufacturing.
EPEQ components are engineered for military, mining, oil and gas and utility service, where equipment operates from -40F to 120F.
Vanair has built Mobile Power Solutions since 1972. As part of Lincoln Electric, founded in 1895 and the manufacturer of vehicle chargers as far back as 1914 for the Baker Electric automobile, that expertise now carries the financial strength, manufacturing capacity and global supply chain of a publicly traded industrial manufacturer.
The Elkhart RV Open House runs September 28 through 30 at venues across Elkhart, and Vanair’s booth 207/209 can be found at the Supplier Showcase housed at the RV/MH Hall of Fame.
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