With the rise of RV travel, a comfortable motorhome is not just a means of transportation but a mobile home on wheels. To ensure a continuous power supply during your travels, choosing the right battery configuration is crucial. Let’s explore what batteries RVs need, providing stable power for your journey of freedom.
What Batteries are Required for RVs?
There are basically two types of batteries for RVs, chassis batteries and case batteries.
Chassis Battery
The chassis battery is responsible for starting the engine. This battery is no different to the batteries used in passenger cars except that it has a higher Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA) to help it crank a large motorhome engine, when it comes time to replace the starter battery, be sure to select a battery with a similar CCA rating or a higher rating than the current one.
Do not use the starter battery for deep cycle applications such as powering other equipment. appliances, lights, and other electronic devices in the RV because they cannot supply a steady current for a sustained period of time.
Household Batteries
Household batteries provide the 12 V necessary to keep all electronic equipment working. These batteries are called deep cycle batteries and are designed for continuous deep discharge and recharge, and you can find deep cycle batteries in either 6v or 12v configurations. However, the total output must always be 12v. For example, you would need to purchase two 6v batteries and connect them in series to achieve 12v. Unlike starter batteries, which are rated in cold cranking amps, household batteries are rated in Reserve Capacity (RC) and Ampere-Hours (AH), which is an important distinction because it tells you exactly how the battery will perform!
Amp Hours determines the number of amps a battery can deliver for „X“ number of hours before it runs out of power. For example, if a battery is rated at 200 amp hours, that means it can deliver 10 amps per hour for 20 hours before discharging.
The reserve capacity rating is the number of minutes at which the battery can deliver 25 amps at 80 degrees Fahrenheit until the voltage drops below 10.5V. You can calculate the amp-hour rating by multiplying the RC rating by 60%.
By paying close attention to cycling, you can significantly extend the life of your RV battery. A cycle is considered to be from fully discharging the battery to about 50% and then charging it again.
If you discharge your battery to 50% every day, it will last up to two times longer than if you charge it at 80%. Another way to extend the life of your battery is to recharge it as soon as possible after it is depleted. For example, if you take a short road trip and return home having used only 20% of the battery’s available power, run your electronic devices a little bit to use up some of the remaining power until it is at or around 50%. capacity. Then fully charge it to 100 percent
It goes without saying, but they will last longer if you rely on mains power rather than battery power. However, not all campgrounds have electrical outlets, which severely limits where you can visit. If you do want to ‚get by‘ without a power connection at your campsite, make sure you buy as many batteries as you can find with a high amp-hour rating – in fact, if you have two or three spare back-up batteries, it will help give you peace of mind when you’re deep in the woods miles away from a gas station.
Choosing the right battery configuration for your RV needs is a key step in ensuring your journey is filled with energy. Let the battery be the solid backbone of your mobile home, unlocking a journey of freedom!
