RV / Caravan Lithium Batteries

How to choose a suitable RV/Cravan batteries? Depends on whether you need a large battery that can provide more power, or a battery for small things? There are various battery sizes depending on how much power you need – the most common being Group 24 battery and Group 31 battery, also known as “household batteries”. The group 24 battery is a great option if you have limited space or only smaller accessories to power.

The most important thing to consider when buying batteries for your trailer is the amount of power you need. Deep cycle batteries come in a variety of different sizes. Some are specified by group size, such as groups 21, 24, and 31. The bigger the battery, the more amp hours you will get.

RV/Cravan batteries can have multiple component options, lithium batteries, lead acid batteries, AGM batteries, and more. With so many types of RV Cravan batteries to choose from, it can be difficult to know which type of battery you need, so let’s take a closer look at each type of battery.

What is a RV battery?

RV batteries are often used to store electricity. There are usually three types of batteries in the market – VRLA batteries, AGM batteries, Lithium batteries.

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced RVer, it’s important to be familiar with the type of RV battery you need. It’s also good to know about the various batteries so you can become familiar with the options. Learn the pros and cons of different RV batteries and how to maximize battery life below.

Types of RV batteries

The RV Caravan batteries is the power source for the systems that control the taillights, interior loads, electric wheel brakes, marker lights and all accessories on the dashboard.

RV batteries are typically provide 12 volts DC to all components of the trailer. Almost all components in the trailer run on 12 volts. Shore power is typically 120-volt alternating current (AC) power for charging the RV battery. The electricity is convert to 12 volts, which can generate power for the appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, etc.

Value Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Batteries.

This type of electrolyte is suspended in a GEL or fiberglass mat. When gel acid is used, the battery is called a GEL battery.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery

A fiber mat is sandwiched between the plates of this battery, which is more expensive than a regular deep-cycle battery. You can charge them like lead-acid batteries, but they’re leak-proof, can’t freeze at low temperatures, and are mostly maintenance-free.

Lithium-ion battery

RV Caravan Lithium batteries used to lack deep-cycle applications, but more is now being produced for this purpose. Lithium batteries have an internal management system for maximum safety. they provide more power than many other types of batteries and they are lighter and more compact than lead-acid batteries. Also 4 times lifespan than normal lead acid batteries.

What is the best RV batteries?

With the popularization and maturity of lithium battery technology, RV Caravan Lithium batteries are being adopted by more and more people. The following details the reasons why we are updating lead-acid batteries to lithium batteries.

• Environmentally Friendly
• Lightweight And Compact
• High Energy Density
• Low Maintenance
• Long Lifespan
• Low Self-discharge Rate

For more details, please visit article <Benefits Of Lithium Batteries>

How long does a RV / Cravan batteries last?

Obviously, when someone asks me about how long do RV / Cravan batteries last, we should distinguish between lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries, because the lifespan of the two is very different, which is determined by the internal chemistry of the two. Below I talk about the lifespan of lithium and lead acid batteries separately.

Lifespan of lead acid RV / Cravan batteries

The above diagram is the cycle life of Trojan Deep-Cycle Gel Batteries, the lifespan is 500times@80%DOD.That means if you charge/discharge your RV one time per day, your RV battery can last 500/365=1.36years. And if you charge/discharge your recreational vehicle one time per two day, your RV battery can last 500/365*2=2.72years.

Lifespan of Lithium RV / Cravan batteries

The above diagram is the cycle life of ELB Deep Cycle lithium Batteries, the lifespan is more than 6000times@80%DOD.That means if you charge/discharge your RV one time per day, your RV Caravan lithium batteries can last 7000/365=16.43years. And if you charge/discharge your RVs one time per two day, your RV Caravan lithium batteries can last 7000/365*2=32.86years.

In summary,

Lead-acid RV / Cravan batteries can last 1-3years

Lithium RV / Cravan batteries can last 10-20 years.

How to prolong the lifespan of RV Caravan lithium batteries?

As we all know, Proper maintenance of  RV Caravan lithium batteries , and compliance with the principles of battery use, which can greatly extend the life of the battery.

Improper use of the battery will also shorten the life of the battery.

Anyway, here are a few tips to keep in mind to enable your battery last longer.

Charging tips

• Regularly Charging. Under normal circumstances, when the battery is too low, there will be a reminder when the battery has no electricity. At this time, you need to replenish the RV / Cravan battery in time. Although the battery is too low, it will not lead to a direct safety accident, but excessive use will lead to over time. Damage to the battery structure.

(For more details about the lithium battery charging, please check our artricle 《Lithium Battery Charging: The Definitive Guide》)

• Do not overcharge. The inside of the lithium battery cell is also composed of many components. The RV / Cravan battery is fine. If we use it in a long time, the function of which component may decline, so there will be an overcharge safety risk. Generally, Overcharging your RV battery cause damage to it in the long run.
• Use a suitable charger. Do not charge batteries with inappropriate chargers.

Using tips

Avoid Completely Draining RV / Cravan batteries

Once the battery indicator on your RVs shows that the battery is getting low, proceed straightaway to charge it.

Allowing the battery to completely drain out has an adverse effect on the lifespan of the battery. It could hamper performance.

When the battery is used up, please recharge the RV Cravan batteries in time.

Maintenance tips

The purpose of daily maintenance is to place theRV Cravan batteries in a suitable environment, thereby delaying the aging of the battery.

Here is two maintenance tips that we need comply with.

1. Protect against moisture.
2. And avoid direct sunlight.

Also you can check below article to get more ideas.

(How to extend the battery life?)