Your camping experience couldn’t get any better with an ample supply of batteries. Power sources are essential, most especially when you decide to go off-the-grid. RV batteries are pivotal for providing you with your dose of power to produce electricity to utilize your appliances and get on with your day-to-day camping activities.
While rvcamping.com provides us with a comprehensive review of deep cycle battery chargers, this article shall focus on the kinds of batteries that recreational vehicles utilize. RV batteries’ vitality stems from the fact that they may facilitate your mobility and daily routine in your boondocking adventure. Without batteries, you might find yourself in an extremely stressful situation.
What are RV Batteries
RV owners look at RV batteries as their power sources. These batteries generate the electrical energy for the appliances and other electronics onboard the recreational vehicle. Arguably, you can say that RV batteries are the lifeblood of a camper. Thus, reliance on top-caliber, high-quality RV batteries is necessary for a fun-filled and hassle-free camping experience.
Kinds of RV Batteries
The general categorization of RV batteries splits into two; the deep-cycle batteries and the Lithium batteries.
Deep Cycle Batteries
The deep cycle batteries fall under the lead-acid battery type. Their produced amount of current is steady and lasts longer than other car batteries. The Flooded lead-acid, absorbed glass mat (AGM), and the gel-type are the subcategories of deep cycle batteries.
Flooded lead-acid
The Flooded batteries have an absorption voltage range of 14.4V to 14.9V. Its typical float voltage range from 13.1V to 13.4V. When batteries shut down, the RV owner needs to put water. Apart from RV batteries, this is utilized for motorcycle batteries, ATV batteries, golf cart batteries, and the likes. Flooded lead-acid RV batteries are renowned since they are budget-friendly and available everywhere.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)
The absorbed glass mat has an absorption voltage range of 14.4 to 15.0V. Its typical float voltage range from 13.2V to 13.8V. AGM has fiberglass mats that absorb liquid electrolytes. Absorbed glass mat gets charged faster than the flooded lead-acid RV battery. It also does not suffer from sulfation. Apart from RV batteries, AGM is famously found in boat batteries, motorcycle batteries, ATV batteries, and the likes.
Gel
The Gel has an absorption voltage range of 14.4 to 15.0V. Its typical float voltage range from 13.2V to 13.8V. The electrolytes on these batteries are gelled, making them not prone to spills and are usable in environments with little to no ventilation. Gel cells are utilized for wheelchair and medical mobility batteries, trolling motor batteries, and the likes.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are known to be more expensive than deep cycle batteries. They rated for 5,000 cycles compared to the 400 cycles of the lead-acid batteries. While deep cycle batteries are cheaper, Lithium batteries are expensive but known to have a longer lifespan. They do not need maintenance and battery memory. Lithium batteries have high energy density and are smaller and lighter compared to the deep cycle batteries.
Specific Batteries for RV
These are the particular batteries you might want to consider.
Universal Power Group Deep Cycle AGM Battery
The Universal Power Group Deep Cycle AGM Battery weighs 60 pounds. The model is a shock-absorber that does not let you lose power while driving. The battery can also function as a power source for golf carts, cabin, lights, and the likes.
Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
The Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery weighs 29 pounds. The product is 12V with 100 AH. This battery has a safety feature that automatically shuts off when its Battery Management System detects something extraordinary. It also includes a safety feature that prevents it from overheating.
VMAXTANKS VMAXSLR125 AGM Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery
The VMAXTANKS VMAXSLR125 AGM Rechargeable Deep Cycle Battery weighs 75 pounds. The product is 12V, 125 AH is a heavy-duty battery. While this model is a bit pricey, it has custom-built military-grade plates. The lifespan of the battery is ten years.
Conclusion
There are two main categories of RV batteries: deep cycle batteries and Lithium batteries. Under the deep cycle are the flooded lead-acid, AGM, and Gel. Generally, deep-cycle batteries are more affordable than Lithium batteries. It is prudent to study and analyze the configuration of your vehicle or to consult a professional.
There are numerous RV batteries on the market nowadays. It will help if you consider personal preferences, RV Configuration, frequency of travel, destination, and the likes to decide which RV batteries you should invest in. You also have to consider the charging method/style, Amp-hour capacity, voltage, vibration resistance, and shock resistance.
Once you have already selected a battery that suits your needs, do not forget to enjoy your camping activities!
