What is an RV battery

RV owners see the RV battery as their power source. These batteries generate power for appliances and other electronic devices on the recreational vehicle. Suffice to say, you could say that the RV battery is the lifeblood of a camper. So, for a fun and hassle-free camping experience, relying on top-quality RV batteries is a must.

Various RV Batteries

There are two general classifications of RV batteries; deep cycle batteries and lithium batteries.

deep cycle battery

Deep cycle batteries are of the lead-acid battery type. The amount of current they produce is consistent and lasts longer than other car batteries. Flooded lead acid, absorbed glass mats (AGM), and gel types are subcategories of deep cycle batteries.

flooded lead acid

Flooded cells have a sink voltage range of 14.4V to 14.9V. Its typical float voltage range is 13.1V to 13.4V. RV owners need to drain water when the battery is off. In addition to RV batteries, this is also used in motorcycle batteries, ATV batteries, golf cart batteries, and more. Liquid-filled lead-acid RV batteries are known for being affordable and available everywhere.

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)

The absorption voltage of the absorbed glass mat is in the range of 14.4 to 15.0V. Its typical float voltage range is 13.2V to 13.8V. AGM has a fiberglass mat that absorbs liquid electrolytes. Absorbent glass pads charge faster than submerged lead-acid RV batteries. It also does not suffer from sulfation. Besides RV batteries, AGM is also widely used in marine batteries, motorcycle batteries, ATV batteries, etc.

gel

The absorption voltage of the gel ranges from 14.4 to 15.0V. Its typical float voltage range is 13.2V to 13.8V. The electrolyte on these batteries is gel-like, making it less prone to spillage and can be used in environments with little ventilation. Gel batteries are used in wheelchair and medical mobile batteries, trolling motor batteries, etc.

lithium battery

Lithium batteries are known to be more expensive than deep cycle batteries. They are rated at 5,000 cycles compared to 400 cycles for lead-acid batteries. While deep cycle batteries are cheaper, lithium batteries are expensive but are known to last longer. They require no maintenance and battery memory. Compared with deep cycle batteries, lithium batteries have high energy density, smaller size and lighter weight.

in conclusion

There are two main categories of RV batteries: deep cycle batteries and lithium batteries. Under deep cycle are submerged lead acid, AGM and gel. Generally speaking, deep cycle batteries are more affordable than lithium batteries. Carefully research and analyze your vehicle configuration or consult a professional.

Today, there are many RV batteries on the market. It helps if you consider personal preferences, RV configuration, frequency of travel, destinations, etc. to decide which RV battery you should invest in. You must also consider charging method/style, amp-hour capacity, voltage, vibration resistance and shock resistance.