Originally posted on https://www.lithiumbatterypower.com/blogs/news/on-the-road-again-choosing-the-best-lithium-battery-for-your-rv

 

LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR RVS ARE THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE.

Did you know that lithium batteries can last up to 2000 cycles?

It’s no wonder that more people are moving away from lead-acid batteries and towards lithium batteries.

If you travel a lot you need a battery that can keep up.

Keep reading to find out how to choose the best lithium RV battery.

Choosing the Best Lithium RV Battery

Lithium batteries have quite a few advantages over lead-acid such as charge efficiency and long life span just to name a few. Their low maintenance and long life make them a perfect investment for an RV battery.

Weight

One of the things you want to look for is how heavy the battery is. Lithium batteries are already lighter than lead acid but you want to compare different lithium batteries to see which one is lightest. RV’s have weight limits and choosing the right lithium battery will save you from adding unnecessary weight.

Charge

You want to compare how quickly the battery can be charged. There are many lithium batteries in the market that can be charged in one hour. A plus side to lithium batteries is that they have a low self-discharge rate.

You want to find a lithium battery that can be completely discharged without causing damage to the battery.

Warranty

You want to look for a battery that’s backed up by a long warranty. This shows that the company behind the battery is confident in what they sold you. If you do your research you will find companies that give a ten-year warranty.

That’s a whole decade of peace of mind!

Benefits of Lithium

Lithium batteries are a popular choice for RVs because they are the best to store extra solar power when an RV decides to install solar for off-grid camping.

Better Discharge Rate

The discharge rate is low for lithium compared to lead-acid batteries. Due to their low discharge rate, the storage capacity is constant. Lithium batteries can be discharged down to 80% charge or less unlike lead-acid which are around 50%.

Better Charge and Discharge Speed

Lithium batteries are able to be charged and discharged continuously at high amp rates without causing harm. Lead-acid batteries aren’t able to handle high charge and discharge currents. Those high currents reduce their life cycle and vent hydrogen gas in large amounts putting the battery at high risk of fire.

Lead acid batteries have three stages to charge and each stage the charge current is lowered. Lithium, on the other hand, is able to handle the same charge all the way to 100% charge. Thanks to the constant high charge capability it charges much faster.

Lighter

Lithium batteries are lighter than lead-acid batteries and are able to provide a long cycle life. They weigh about 1/3 of a lead-acid battery comparable in size. If your battery has to be in the front of your RV and it’s lead-acid you have to be careful if you use lead acid that you don’t exceed the hitch weight limit.

With lithium, you don’t have to worry about the weight as much which gives you the ability to add more batteries if needed.

Longer Lifespan

The average lead-acid battery is rated for 400 cycles or less, unlike lithium which is rated for 2000+ cycles. Depends on the size of the battery. Thanks to them being able to be discharged it doesn’t affect their lifespan as much as lead-acid is.

Less Maintenance

Lithium batteries don’t have to be periodically checked like certain lead-acid batteries. They don’t have liquid electrolytes that have to be checked and they don’t have terminals that corrode. Lead-acid batteries are famous for needing the terminals cleaned with an alkaline solution to take off corrosion.

No Venting Needed

Lithium batteries don’t vent which means you can store them anywhere in your RV. If you’re installing a whole solar system this is very convenient because you have more options of where to store your RVs without a fire worry like lead-acid. If you want to store them under your bed you can go right ahead without the worry that lead-acid would cause.

Lead acid batteries vent toxic, acidic vapors when they’re charged and discharged. This means they have to be in an area where the vapors can escape and go outside.

Smaller

Lithium batteries are not only lighter they are also smaller in size. They take up less space than lead-acid batteries. If you have to fit your batteries in a small compartment the smaller lithium size will make a difference.

Even Discharge

When lithium batteries discharge they maintain their voltage. Lead acid, on the other hand, loses voltage when they discharge. This makes the lifespan of lithium batteries longer and more efficient.

Lithium batteries have a high-performance quality which is why the Tesla Power Wall Elon Musk designed was around a lithium battery.

Are You Feeling Lithium Ready?

With all of the benefits and comparisons you just read above are you feeling lithium knowledgable? Your RV battery can be a quality battery that will give you peace of mind whether you’re replacing the battery for it to drive, for your RV generator or installing a whole solar setup on your RV lithium will be a great upgrade for you.

Take the points above while you do your homework on your lithium battery options. You want to make sure that the company you buy from also has customer service available to answer your questions.

If you want to talk to an expert about the best lithium option for you, please contact us today and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.