Best Lithium Batteries For RV
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Lithium batteries are one of the latest innovations in the camping and RV industry. As the world’s technology advances, the power required to light up these new technologies increases as well.
After all, RV is essentially a home on wheels. Compared to before, now there are more and more electrical products which improve the quality of life. And they are pouring into the camping and RV market.
If you are going off-grid regularly with your RV, you’d definitely want to consider using lithium batteries.
Yes, lithium batteries are very expensive. But bear with us, we’ll explain how it’s actually more affordable to use lithium batteries in the long run. If you cannot wait and need to get the Best Lithium Batteries for RV, check out Battle Born Batteries.
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Lithium Battery Vs Lead Acid Battery
The initial price tag is the only aspect that lead acid battery is advantageous. But if you look deeper and factor in the long-run cost, you’ll soon realize that lithium batteries are actually cheaper.
Lithium can charge faster
Since lithium batteries are more efficient, it charges up faster. Most lithium batteries are at most 95% efficient. Meaning that up to 95% of the energy stored can be discharged. On the other hand, lead acid batteries are usually 80% to 85% efficient only.
For convenience’s sake, most campers prefer their batteries to charge up faster. Especially if you’re preparing to move immediately.
Furthermore, time is always important in RV activities. So, the faster your battery charges, the better it is for you. It’s always good to have power when you needed it.
Lithium batteries are more durable
Durability in this sense refers to the battery charge cycle and its lifespan. An average lithium battery can have up to 10 times more charge cycles. That means you can charge and discharge a lithium battery 10 times more.
Hence, 1 lithium battery is practically worth at least 10 lead acid batteries. It also saves you from the hassle of replacing the old batteries 10 times too.
In terms of lifespan, lithium batteries generally have 3 times longer lifespan. A battery lifespan is how long it can charge and discharge based on its original capacity.
Remember how old batteries discharge very fast? Then you need to recharge it again. So, that’s a battery with a degraded lifespan.
Because of this, lithium batteries are actually more economical in the long run.
Lithium batteries can store more energy
In other words, lithium has more capacity. So, more energy can be stored in a lithium battery than in a lead acid battery, assuming that both are the same physical size.
Owing to its higher capacity, lithium battery is lighter and less bulky too. This is a big plus point for RV or anything that are weight sensitive. You need to always keep track of the weight of your RV after all.
Lithium batteries has lesser energy wastage
Not only it can store more energy, lithium batteries can store unused energy for a longer period of time. So, the energy you’ve spent storing will not immediately leak away just because you didn’t use them immediately.
Since the energy wastage is lesser, you’ll save a lot more money if you’re charging up a lithium battery. Especially if you’re paying to charge up your batteries. For instance, if you’re charging from a power source or a gasoline generator.
Lithium battery requires little to no maintenance
This is a little convenience that many could appreciate. If you’ve been using lead acid batteries, you need to maintain them regularly to keep them in tip-top shape. Lead acid batteries can break down and lose their capacity if not well maintained.
With lithium battery, no more checking for battery water level. No need for a battery water filler system. With lesser things to worry about, you can focus more on your trips.
The only maintenance you probably need for a lithium battery is to wipe it clean periodically. Just use a dry cloth to wipe the dirt or dust off your battery.
How To Choose The Best Lithium Battery For RV
Now that you understand the advantages of lithium camper batteries over lead acid batteries, you should discover how to choose the best one for your RV.
There are many choices of lithium rv batteries in the market. Each is suitable for different purposes and uses. So, the best one is actually highly dependent on how you will be using it.
We have listed several aspects that you should consider when picking a lithium rv battery.
Easy and convenient to use
Being the better technology, lithium batteries are supposed to be easier to use. If it’s inconvenient for you to use, it hardly makes any sense to switch over in the first place.
So, what you should look out for is the flexibility in charging up the battery. Ideally, it can be charged with a few different sources. For instance, direct power supply, solar panels or even gasoline generators. And those sources should be easily accessible to you.
Lastly, ensure the battery can operate while you’re driving as well. This will truly alleviate your boondocking experience.
Having a battery management system (BMS)
A BMS will help to protect your battery from various problems. For instance, short circuit, overcharge, over-discharge and even thermal protection too. It’ll turn off the battery if there’re any issues.
All those protection helps to prolong the battery lifespan. Plus, keeping your RV and electrical appliances in it safe too.
So, a BMS acts as an insurance in the event of an electrical mishap. We highly advise you to ensure whichever lithium battery you get has one.
Reliability of the RV lithium battery
Many veteran campers can agree with this, “When it comes to living off-grid, reliability is the most important aspect”. This is especially true for utilities. And power is one of the most important utilities.
If your RV power system fails you, very likely you have to cut short your trip and come back home severely disappointed. Hence, the company you are buying the battery from is super important.
Never skimp on power supply. Always research the brand and company in great detail. That’ll ensure a safe camping trip for you and your family.
5 Top Lithium Battery
If you are looking the best RV lithium batteries, we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you. After spending hours and hours researching, we have narrowed down 5 of the best lithium RV battery in the market for your RV.
Here’s our humble lithium RV battery review of each of them. Hopefully, you’ll find these useful in your search for the best lithium battery.
Redodo Specs:
Weight: 49.6 lbs
Capacity: 200Ah
Voltage: 12.8V
Charge Cycles: 4000+
Redodo is formerly known as Zooms Power. They have rebranded themselves in May 2022. And committed to continue offering top-tiered quality batteries and outstanding customer service. Redodo even continued to honour the 5 years warranty on all Zooms batteries.
All of Redodo’s batteries are UL certified. That means their batteries have been tested and certified safe by UL Solution, a global leader in applied safety science. So, you can rest assured that Redodo is definitely safe and reliable to use in your RV.
Furthermore, this battery is guarded by built-in BMS. So it’s protected from short circuits, overheating, overloading, and high or low discharge.
Redodo’s battery is the heaviest one in our review. Weighing at 49.6 pounds, you can accidentally hurt your back if you attempt to carry it on your own.
In terms of charging, this battery has 3 charging options. Firstly is it’s default charger. Secondly, it can be charged by solar panels. Lastly, you can also hook it up to a generator with DC to DC charger.
[ Read more: Best Portable Solar Panels For RV]
If you have a large RV with a bigger power requirement, fret not. Redodo batteries support modular expansions. They can be connected in series or parallel to achieve larger capacity and higher voltage.
Up to 16 of these batteries can be connected together and power up your home for a few days.
Pros
- Highest charge cycles
- Has multiple charging options
- Can be connected together
Cons
- Very heavy
PROS
CONS
- Highest charge cycles
- Has multiple charging options
- Can be connected together
- Very heavy
Ampere Time Specs:
Weight: 24.3 lbs
Capacity: 100Ah
Voltage: 12V
Charge Cycles: 4000+
Ampere Time is another well-known brand in the lithium battery space. It has 19 years of experience in the energy industry with a strong R&D team to continuously innovate.
This battery works well between 32 to 122 Fahrenheit. So, if you’re often out camping in the colder region, this would be a great choice.
In terms of safety and reliability, Ampere Time got that well covered. Their batteries are UL certified. Plus, there are built-in BMS to keep them safe too.
Similarly to other leading brands, there 3 ways to charge this battery. Plus, they can be connected in parallel or in series too in case you need more power in the future.
One of the aspects we like the most with Ampere Time is how compact it is. It’s only 24.3 pounds but it has a whopping 4000+ charge cycles!
Pros
- Most compact battery
- Highest charge cycles
- Has multiple charging options
- Can be connected together
Cons
- Mediocre customer support
PROS
CONS
- Most compact battery
- Highest charge cycles
- Has multiple charging options
- Can be connected together
- Mediocre customer support
Moseworth Specs:
Weight: 28.6 lbs
Capacity: 60Ah
Voltage: 24V
Charge Cycles: 3500+
Moseworth batteries are very popular among anglers. Mainly used to power up the trolling motor for their boat. The low price tag made this a very attractive option.
It works well between 32 to 122 Fahrenheit. That temperature range is very suitable for most RV experiences unless you tend to go out during extreme weather.
From our research, there is very limited info regarding Moseworth. It’s hardly available outside of Amazon. But to put buyers at ease, they’re offering a whopping 5 years warranty on their battery. In addition to that, this battery has a BMS built in for safety.
However, there are growing comments on their mediocre customer support.
Pros
- Can be connected together
- Very long warranty
Cons
- Mediocre customer support
- Very little history of the brand
PROS
CONS
- Can be connected together
- Very long warranty
- Mediocre customer support
- Very little history of the brand
Battle Born Specs:
Weight: 31 lbs
Capacity: 100Ah
Voltage: 12V
Charge Cycles: 3000+
Battle Born Batteries is proudly made in Nevada. It’s the best place for lithium battery manufacturers because Humboldt County in Nevada is the largest lithium deposit in USA.
As expected from a top brand, their batteries are protected by BMS. Plus they can be connected in parallel and series to achieve larger capacity and higher voltage.
With 8 years of experience in lithium-powered green energy, this company has extensive knowledge of lithium batteries and their applications for RV. The support that they provide is truly undisputed.
They even offer physical consultations to access your current batteries and components. Then advise you on how to build the most suitable lithium power system for all your outdoor adventures.
Highly recommended if you’re new to lithium power and may need a lot of support.
Pros
- Top-tier customer support
- Very experienced in the RV industry too
- Can be connected together
- Has multiple charging options
Cons
- Steep price tag
PROS
CONS
- Top-tier customer support
- Very experienced in the RV industry too
- Can be connected together
- Has multiple charging options
- Steep price tag
ExpertPower Specs:
Weight: 27 lbs
Capacity: 100Ah
Voltage: 12V
Charge Cycles: 2500+
ExpertPower does live up to its reputation. Established in Los Angeles in 1987, they have built a solid reputation in the energy storage industry. For more than 35 years, they have been offering a full spectrum of energy storage solutions. From design, manufacture, build and even distributing too.
So, powering your off-grid living is what they do best. Branching out to lithium batteries is a natural progression for ExpertPower.
That’s why their 12V 100Ah lithium battery for RV has been nothing short of impressive. It has a built-in BMS for safety, UL certified and can be connected together too.
In terms of support, you won’t find anything lacking as well. Many customers commented how patient and helpful their customer support was. They had a defect on their BMS whereby the low-temperature cut-off didn’t work as intended. And the support went beyond to rectify the matter.
Pros
- Top-tier customer service
- Can be connected together
Cons
- Low charge cycles
- Had a manufacturing defect on their BMS
PROS
CONS
- Top-tier customer service
- Can be connected together
- Low charge cycles
- Had a manufacturing defect on their BMS
Our Verdict
From the 5 batteries that we reviewed. We can only recommend Battle Born Batteries with confidence as the best lithium battery. While they have a steep price, we believe it’s truly justified by the amount of effort they poured in to ensure you a pleasant experience.
Ampere Time2 is another good alternative in terms of value. But still lacking in terms of customer support compared to Battle Born Batteries.
Frequently Asked Questions (Faq)
Q: Are lithium batteries really worth the upgrade?
A: Yes. Lithium batteries for RV may come at a shocking price. But we’ve discussed above that it has a lot of advantages over lead acid batteries. In the long run, lithium batteries are practically more affordable.
Q: Can an RV alternator charge a lithium battery?
A: Yes, but you need to install a DC to DC controller/converter that can limit current/voltage as alternators can be damaged severely when charging LiFePO4 chemistry.
Q: What’s the safe operating temperature for lithium battery
A: Between 50 to 140 Fahrenheit. But when charging, it’s highly advisable to charge at 50 to 86 Fahrenheit only for safety reasons.
Closing Thoughts
There is a lot of buzz and hype around lithium batteries. While the advantages are real, the industry itself is relatively new. If you are completely unfamiliar with electrical equipment, it’s highly advisable that you have an experienced electrician that can assist you with the installation.
When done correctly, your outdoor experience would completely be different. Plus, you’re doing nature a favor by choosing green energy too.
What’s Next
If you are looking for extra power or another alternative source of energy, check out our article on RV Generators.
Jules and Ken
Hi! We are Jules and Ken. We are outdoor lovers, travellers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.
We hope you enjoyed this article and if you have questions about Best Lithium Batteries for RV or want to leave your own personal comments, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
