Caravan Battery Buying Guide
Caravan Battery Buying Guide
Caravan batteries are considered one of the most important devices in your RV. Reason being is they are the power source to all the other appliances in your van. Camping without a power source in your van renders appliances such as your fridge, lights, tv, microwave and the water pump to your taps unusable. It is obvious that since you have invested significantly in having the luxury of an RV you want all the additional opulence to operate too. With the humble battery playing such a critical function in your RV there is a few points to consider.
First, ensure you purchase a battery specifically designed for the use in a caravan or RV. Car batteries are not a suitable alternative to RV batteries, as they are designed to provide an electrical charge to start your vehicle motor. That is, it. A car battery is not designed to be drawn on continuously. Conversely, a caravan RV battery is designed to power 12V appliances and other electronic devices for extended periods of time.
Next, consider the different RV battery types currently available on the market. Namely, sealed lead acid deep-cycle, with either Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) or Gel Lead-acid (Gel), and lithium batteries. Here is an explanation of the deep cycle batteries available:
1. Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) deep-cycle batteries
Gel and AGM are both Lead Acid caravan batteries. These are a traditional type of deep-cycle battery, with a typical size being around 100-to-120-amp hours.
- AGM – Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery. The AGM is a lead acid battery, it has fibreglass matting to absorb its electrolyte and does not vent gas to the atmosphere unless overcharging. AGMs (Absorbed Glass Mat) have much lower resistance than wet-cell batteries, so they charge more quickly and perform better when under heavy load.
- Gel – Gel lead-acid battery, suspends electrolyte in a gel paste. The gel battery does not vent to the atmosphere and if you do flatten it, it will handle it better than any other lead-acid battery. The gel lead-acid battery type can only take a low rate of charge.
For most deep-cycle batteries, voltage slowly falls during discharge, but voltage also decreases as load increases. They are not good at discharging quickly. The deep-cycle battery is designed to take slow, regular current draws until about 50 per cent charge remains.
2. Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries will give the peak power required and maintain constant voltage regardless of the load. In practice that voltage is likely to be up to about 13 volts. A lithium battery sees a reasonable amount of RV electrical appliances running simultaneously if required, including high-current draw equipment such as 240-volt air conditioners. Note: you will need enough inverter capacity in addition to the battery output to operate an air-conditioner.
Recharging lithium is quicker than other battery types. Plus, lithium batteries can often last approximately four times longer than an AGM battery. Lithium batteries are also a lightweight option in comparison to Lead Acid batteries, weighing approximately 50% less than the alternative.
However, on the downside of lithium, be sure not run the battery down to empty. Lithium battery manufacturers warn that this can result in permanent damage to the cell, making it impossible to recover the battery. Which means you will not be able to recharge the battery. If this happens, the only option is to replace the lithium battery.
Other Considerations
Budget
Another consideration is your budget. At the time of writing, AGM and Gel batteries are cheaper than Lithium. With the cost of a new RV battery ranging from a few hundred for an AMG battery to several thousand for a good quality lithium battery, the amount you can afford to spend is a factor. Regardless of the budget you allocate to purchasing a new battery, rest assured the quality of any battery available today should be sufficient when taken in consideration with these other factors.
Space
Batteries are often located in storage compartments within the RV such as under the dinette seats, or under the bed. Considering that storage space is of a premium, factor in how much space the new batteries can occupy without compromising available storage for other items. Take the dimensions of the new batteries and ensure they will fit in the space you have allocated for the new system by measuring the space in your RV.
Weight
Another important consideration is the weight of the RV battery. With overweight caravans and legal towing capacities being breached, van weight is a contemporary road safety issue. Ensure you are installing batteries that keep the weight of your van within the legal limits. Rest assured; light weight innovations see lithium batteries weighing less than alternatives.
How many appliances
Next, consider how many appliances you need to power by the RV batteries and for how long you wish to run them. Lithium batteries can power a reasonable amount of RV electrical appliances running simultaneously if required.
Battery system
Keep in mind, RV batteries do not operate in isolation. The battery is at the core of a 12v power system and will require additional equipment for energy supply such as solar to charge. You may also require other components depending on your power needs, in which case it is best to speak to qualified caravan electrician for expert advice.
Read on for more details about batteries available for installation.
ENERDRIVE ePower B-TEC 300amp 12v LiFePO4 Battery BT Lithium
The ENERDRIVE EPL-300BT-12V-G2 ePower B-TEC 300amp 12v LiFePO4 Battery BT G2 battery is a lithium battery that incorporates wireless Battery Monitoring Technology.
The battery is equipped with an innovative design internal Battery Management System (BMS) that can monitor and optimise each Prismatic cell within the battery during normal operation. The BMS will protect the battery pack from over charge, over discharge, over temperature and short circuit. Overall, the BMS helps to ensure safe and accurate operation of the battery.
300Ah Lithium = 480Ah AGM
Enerdrive B-TEC 12V 200Ah G2 Lithium Battery
The Enerdrive B-TEC G2 lithium battery is designed and intended for use in deep cycle applications where a single battery is required that meets the amp hour capacity.
This battery is also equipped with a BMS which will protect the battery pack from over charge, over discharge, over temperature and short circuit. The BMS helps to ensure safe and accurate operation of the battery.
The Enerdrive B-TEC G2 battery provides 60% more usable power than its equivalent lead acid cousin and being close to 50% lighter and 30% smaller makes for a superior alternative.
200Ah Lithium G2 = 320Ah AGM
Camec 100AH SLA AGM Deep Cycle Battery
Perfect for use with Camec Solar Panels, Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are ideal for RV and Marine use.
They are completely sealed and can be stored at any angle with great vibration resistance, meaning they are ideal for 4 x 4 use as well. The tough and high-quality ABS housing will last for decades without aging or deforming keeping your battery in perfect condition.
High purity, thick lead-calcium alloy plates ensure a long lifespan of up to 8 years under correct operating conditions and the quality copper-silver terminals have a small contact resistance and high corrosion resistance.
Camec 120AH SLA AGM Deep Cycle Battery
Camec’s 120AH Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) deep cycle battery is ideal for Caravan, RV and Marine use.
The battery is completely sealed and can be stored at any angle with great vibration resistance, making it a great option as a second storage battery for 4x4s.
High purity, thick lead-calcium alloy plates ensure a long lifespan of up to 8 years under, correct operating conditions and the quality copper silver terminals have a low contact resistance and high corrosion resistance.
Camec 120AH Slimline Battery
Designed for easy storage in cupboards, small spaces, and compartments. With front terminals – installation, maintenance and supervision are easy to access.
With all the same functionality as the other Camec range of batteries you are assured a high quality and reliable battery with a 26-month warranty, now in a compact easy to use size.
DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature, and we strongly recommend consulting a professional installer.
Please ensure that this product is installed by a Licensed Technician and compliant with Australian Standards, as improper installation can lead to serious injury or death.
PLEASE NOTE: Freight forwarders/Shipping consider Lithium Batteries ‘Dangerous Goods’. As a result, shipping times may be longer than usual. Pleaser allow additional days for delivery.
