Choosing the perfect house battery for your rig isn’t the easiest thing to figure out. It’s just not something RVers think about much when they first start, and there’s a reason for that. It can be complicated.
When you think about traveling in your new RV, are batteries the first thing to pop into your head? Of course not! You see yourself driving down the road less traveled, embarking on new adventures into the wild, parking your motorhome at a gorgeous site in the forest with mountains looming majestically in the background. You know, the good stuff.
But without the right deep cycle battery, you won’t be able to do any of that or any of the other recreational joys you envision. So let’s cover exactly that – choosing the most ideal house batteries for your rig. To help you become more familiar with this motorhome essential, we’ve outlined everything you need to know in our guide below.
Why Do You Need A Special Battery?
As you know, RVs are more than your typical automobile. They come equipped with bathrooms, kitchens, televisions, and many other “home” amenities. That means that a standard auto battery won’t cut it with a motorhome. Instead, you’ll need a battery that can provide long-lasting power and one that can support all your motorhome’s electrical needs. And most RV power devices require 12v power from the battery system.
What Should You Look For In A House Battery?
If you’ve never shopped for a deep-cycle battery before, don’t worry – you came to the right place. As long as you take into account these important factors below, you’ll be on the right track with choosing RV house batteries that will last.
Amp-Hour Rating
The amp-hour rating will inform you how much electric capacity that battery has. The amp-hour rating will tell you how much amperage your battery can provide for one hour. Most batteries will come with this rating displayed on them, so you won’t have to worry about calculating it yourself.
Required Maintenance
Some battery types need more maintenance while others need less. AGM batteries are closer than lead acid to being maintenance free because they’re sealed. But they still require some maintenance. Lead acid deep cycle batteries require a lot compared to lithium batteries, which require none. To cut down on required maintenance, you can opt for a lithium battery. This comes at a higher initial cost, but over time, it becomes much more cost-efficient than lead acid.
Expected Lifespan
As you think about the next factor, cost, you’ll want to first consider how long your battery will last. Lithium batteries often last 10 years and longer, but gel cell batteries and many lead acid batteries may only last 2 or 3 years (depending on several things). To prolong your battery’s lifespan, seek out an RV battery that comes with a good warranty. (And always read them, some warranties are useless.)
Cost Of The Battery
Everyone would love to buy the longest-lasting, top-of-the-line RV deep-cycle battery if they could. If you have a tighter budget, you may need to look at options that come with a shorter lifespan or less power. If you have more money to spare upfront though, acquiring the best batteries (lithium) will make a massive difference over the long haul.
Top-shelf lithium batteries will save you a lot of money in the long term. Plus, they come with a lot of other advantages like being smaller, lighter, no-maintenance, and longer lasting. Lithium batteries have a longer lifespan than AGM batteries, which can justify their higher initial cost. (Ionic batteries, for example, should last well over a decade, and that’s reflected in the 11-year warranty.)
Anticipated Motorhome Usage
A final consideration is based on how often you plan to use your RV. If you don’t plan on using it much, and you’re great at battery maintenance, you may be able to get away with purchasing a cheaper lead-acid battery with a shorter lifespan. But if you’re planning to use your RV often, for regular weekend camping trips and travel, a high-quality battery will be worth the investment.
If You’re a Full Time Off Grid Boondocker
If you’re living off the grid, consider these factors: the battery, solar power, and weather. Try to stay in temperate areas (around 70 degrees) so you don’t have to use your air conditioning much. Your battery should be large enough to last a full day without sunshine. Your solar setup also needs to efficiently charge your batteries during winter when sunlight is limited and days are shorter. This approach helps in maintaining a sustainable off-grid lifestyle.
What Are The Different Types Of Batteries?
There’s lead acid, the most common RV battery (although that is rapidly changing because of the new and improved lithium batteries). Then there’s AGM and Gel Cell. And then there’s lithium. You might be able to guess which we think is best. Let’s start with lead acid.
Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
The most affordable RV battery option short term is a flooded-lead-acid battery. Let’s start with the cons. Although they’re super cheap short term, they’re relatively expensive long term. They require a good bit of maintenance or they’ll die on you quickly, and they last many years less than lithium batteries regardless.
With this type, you’ll also want to install it somewhere with adequate ventilation. They emit flammable and poisonous fumes that can harm you and your environment. They’re also bigger and heavier. And lastly, they lose their maximum capacity over time. A few months later, a lead battery’s max charge will be a portion of what it was before. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, don’t have this problem.
Now, the pros. They are cheaper on the front end. And can last a decent amount of time if they’re properly maintained AND aren’t used much. So they can be the best option for some buyers for that reason.
Ever wonder how long marine batteries should last? Find out here!
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries
Unlike the flooded lead-acid batteries, these AGM batteries are stored within an absorbent mat. Like lithium batteries, these batteries don’t require ventilation. AGM batteries can also handle more extreme temperatures, unlike some other types. And here’s another advantage. AGM batteries typically charge and perform well in cold weather, including freezing temperatures.
Also, lead acid batteries generally last 400 cycles/recharges, roughly speaking. AGM batteries can last 500 cycles and sometimes more. That’s a solid advantage over lead acid. That said, lithium batteries outlast them all, rated to last 3,000 to 5,000 cycles.
Gel Cell Batteries
Gel cell batteries provide electricity from a gel instead of an electrolyte solution. These batteries do not require extra ventilation or any maintenance. These batteries have a fairly impressive lifespan (unless you’re comparing them to lithium batteries), achieving a max cycle life of 1,000 cycles. They’re heavier than lithium batteries but lighter than lead acid. And finally, they’re more expensive than lead acid but cheaper than lithium batteries.
Lithium (LiFePO4) Batteries
In our humble opinion, the best battery you can purchase for your RV or camper is the LiFePO4 battery. (Unless you need the cheap short-term option, which is understandable.)
In our humble opinion, the best battery you can purchase for your RV or camper is the LiFePO4 battery. (Unless you need the cheap short-term option, which is understandable.) Lithium batteries are lighter than the other types and are the longest-lasting batteries you can get. They also don’t emit toxic fumes or require ventilation. And they don’t need any maintenance. If you’re looking for a battery that’ll last long enough to be more cost-efficient than the rest, lithium is likely your best bet. That said, they’re not for everybody (most maybe, but not everybody).
Anyway, let’s cover the price factor. Lead acid and other batteries can seem more attractive to some because of the price tag. But here’s the thing. That’s just the initial cost.
Lead acid, AGM, and Gel batteries are cheaper up front, but like we said earlier, they only last around 400-1,000 cycles. That’s compared to lithium’s 3,000 to 5,000 cycles. With that much longer of a lifespan (no maintenance required), they should cost a lot less in the long run.
Did you enjoy this post? You’ll probably like this one too: Can You Put a LiFePO4 Battery in Your Car? What You Need to Know and LiFePO4 Battery Life: How Long Do They Really Last?
The Final Verdict
While we would love to be able to tell you which battery is best for you, we can’t. (Not without a conversation between you and our experts.) Because it comes down to your unique RV and situation. This varies for everyone, but after this guide, we hope you’ll be able to choose the right RV battery for your specific needs.
When you’re ready to shop for your motorhome’s house battery, browse our wide collection of lithium batteries at LithiumHub.
Here’s what you can expect from LithiumHub’s batteries:
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An industry-best 11-year warranty
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2x the power
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1/2 the weight
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5x the charging speed
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A state-of-the-art battery management system to protect it from overcharging, discharging too much, and more
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Mobile device Bluetooth to monitor your battery on your phone
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And they’ll last 4x longer than other leading batteries!
If you want to learn more about our products, head to our website or contact a member of our team today.
