How Long Do RV Batteries Last? RV Tips

If you are planning to go camping in your RV to a place that does not have a connection to the grid, you will want to know how long do RV batteries last? If power ends whilst you are camping, you will get stressed out. This is annoying when it goes out at night time. If you want to avoid this, you should be prepared.

In normal use instances, if you use lights, a propane refrigerator, charging your phone, water pump, etc. a 12v battery can last for 2-3 days. It is possible to increase this time if you conserve electricity, water, and also shut off the lights when you do not need them. You can even upgrade or add some extra batteries.

Boondocking whilst on battery power

Dry camping or boondocking tends to be the activity of RV camping. You will not have any hookups when you are doing this. The required services need to be given by the camper. This is why the camper should have the potential to generate as well as store electricity for their employment. It is possible to supply power with the help of solar power or some portable inverter generator. The storage gets supplied by employing batteries.

Many RVs have at least one battery that is from the manufacturer. These batteries are okay for short overnight road trips and weekend camping trips. However, they are usually not able to handle longer stays. For those who wish to often use their RV and go on adventures in it, you can consider getting a battery upgrade.

So, How Long Do RV Batteries Last?

It is important to continue maintaining your RV. This is why you need to keep in mind the kind of battery that you want to install in the vehicle. It is important to know that the total lifespan of some batteries for the RV depends on some factors.

When you decide to get high quality and powerful battery moreover you take care of this, analyze your power employment along with your power demands, it is possible to get around six years of use from this battery and even more.

If you select a lower quality battery then do not treat this in a good way and also do not focus on your power needs, it may only remain for two or even three years. If you maintain it, you can increase its life.

Different types of RV batteries

RVs often employ a lead-acid kind of battery. These are comparatively inexpensive to some other kinds. They are also rather reliable when you care for them properly. They are the type of batteries that have been employed within automobiles, but there is a difference present here.

When it comes to the battery in your car, this is a “chassis” kind of battery. It is made to store power as well as discharge it within a short burst (at the time you start the engine).

The batteries are made to give power in lower amounts and that over some longer period. These tend to be discharged deeply then charged up again. The cycle keeps on happening over and over again. For those who are boondocking, this charge/discharge cycle may happen daily. The battery is known as the “Deep Cycle” because of the deep discharge.

When you are looking for a good battery system for a rig, you have to know the amount of power that you will use during your normal day.

Deep cycle batteries get designated by “Amp Hours or AH.” The amp hours tend to be the complete amount of power that you will receive pulling a consistent amount of amps.

It is possible to wire multiple batteries together in “parallel” to give more amp hours, particularly to the coach.

A common alteration that RVers make tends to be to alter from 12v batteries going to 6v batteries. The 6v Deep Cycle batteries get made for golf carts. The batteries are said to contain a lot of discharge cycles. They are made to possess a long life as well as higher amp-hours in comparison to 12v batteries. These are made for employment in an RV.

AGM batteries are another kind of lead-acid battery that is maintenance-free. They can be discharged down to 80%. These are slightly more costly in comparison to “wet” lead-acid batteries.

The lithium-Ion RV battery is said to be lighter weight. They can be discharged going all the way down. You can get double the usage power like lead-acid batteries. The battery is rather costly.

When should a battery be replaced?

There are some signs you should know about which will allow you to know it is time to replace the battery.

Look to see when there is no fluid or only a low level of fluid within it. The levels of fluids can be said to be a helpful indicator of when you may have to replace the battery. At the time that the fluid goes below the amount needed, one can refill it. However, when the fluid levels are dried up, the battery will have to be replaced.

When there is swelling in the battery, this is a sign that your cells have gotten damaged. It is important to get the battery replaced immediately when this happens.

If there is any fluid that is leaking from your battery this means that there is some damage in the casing or maybe the cells. It is necessary to replace the battery.

If you see any corrosion or even rust on the terminals of your battery, this can cause problems with the power output of your battery. Try and clean this off. If you cannot clean it then you must replace the battery.

How to increase the life of the RV battery?

You probably know that the battery is a vital part of the RV. This is why you should care for it properly. The following are some tips on how you can do this:

Sulfation tends to be the main reason for a dead lead-acid battery. When you recharge a battery that has been discharged immediately, this can aid in increasing the life of this battery. At the time that the batteries go to a low charge state, crystal begins to form upon the plates.

When it remains in this condition for much time and without being charged, your battery can get ruined. Sulfation starts at the time that the charge state is less than 80 percent. If you recharge the battery timely this can aid in stopping sulfation from happening.

When it comes to a 12-volt battery, this must not be discharged to less than 12 volts. When you have a fully charged 12-volt battery, this will read 12.7 volts. At the time that the reading is at 12 volts, this will be at a fifty percent charge. Employ a digital voltmeter to measure voltage. When you measure this, it will give you some idea of the depth that the discharge of the battery is. This will let you know when you should recharge it.

When owners of RVs overcharge the batteries, this and hot temperatures can kill the battery. At the time that things get really hot outside moreover when there is much battery being used, you should keep on checking the water levels of the battery. Look at the electrolyte levels. It should be maintained by adding distilled water when required. This can save the lead-acid battery. When proper care is taken you can extend its life.

Charge the batteries in stages. Bulk charging must be done to return your battery to a 90 percent charge within the initial two hours. This is the typical condition. Absorption charges must then be employed for the final ten percent. This is designed to stop the loss of water and also the battery gassing. Then use an afloat charge to maintain the full charge.

Now that you know how long do RV batteries last, you can effectively take care of yours.