Get the Most Out of Your RV Battery – How Lengthy Does an RV Battery Final?
Your RV battery is among the most underrated and but most necessary parts of your RV. It’s chargeable for powering your rig’s lights, retailers, and different electrical home equipment when tenting off-grid. In a motorhome, it additionally has the job of offering and sustaining energy when you’re driving down the freeway.
On common, a 12-volt RV battery has a lifespan just like a automotive battery, lasting a median of three to six years. Nonetheless, the whole lifespan of your battery will rely on many components, together with the battery kind and high quality, how nicely you keep it, and the place you retailer it.
With RV batteries reaching worth tags of over $1000, maximizing your RV battery’s lifespan is greater than only a security measure however a cost-cutting measure, too.
Key Takeaways
- Lead acid batteries have an extended life span when maintained with common charging. (Observe: You’ll wish to keep away from discharges under 50%.)
- AGM batteries supply a low self-discharge charge however require a specified charger for optimum efficiency.
- Lithium RV batteries boast higher lifespans and elevated effectivity.
Understanding RV Battery Lifespan
Many various components can have an effect on the lifespan of your RV battery. The principle one, nonetheless, is the kind of battery that you’ve and its inner parts.
For extra data on the variations between AGM vs. Lithium batteries, in addition to the variations between different varieties of RV batteries, maintain studying.
Lead Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are the most typical kind of RV battery and have been a dependable selection for a few years. These batteries, such because the deep cycle battery, sometimes have a lifespan of 3-6 years if correctly maintained.
One essential side of sustaining lead-acid deep cycle batteries is making certain they stay submerged in liquid sulfuric acid and by no means absolutely lose their cost.
Permitting them to deplete utterly, even as soon as, can drastically shorten their life expectancy.
AGM Batteries
AGM (“Absorbed Glass Mat”) batteries are a sealed, low-maintenance various to conventional lead-acid batteries.
These batteries sometimes have a 6-10-year lifespan, relying on utilization and charging practices. AGM batteries want particular chargers for optimum efficiency, so all the time use the charger specified by the producer.
Lithium RV Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries, which make the most of lithium-ion battery expertise, are the cream of the crop concerning battery expertise. With a lifespan of over ten years, these batteries are a preferred selection amongst RV lovers who worth efficiency and reliability.
Along with their lengthy lifespan, lithium batteries are extraordinarily low upkeep, have a fast cost time, and supply elevated power effectivity in comparison with lead-acid and AGM batteries. Nonetheless, as anticipated, lithium batteries are a lot dearer than the alternate options.
Suggestions for Extending the Lifetime of Your RV Battery
Now that you already know the three major varieties of RV batteries, let’s take a look at the right way to get probably the most use out of them. Whereas every of those batteries is exclusive and has completely different options, these RV battery upkeep suggestions apply universally, no matter battery kind.
Charging and Discharging Habits
As a result of RV batteries self-discharge over time, you have to recharge them periodically.
The tactic of recharging will inform your RV battery’s lifespan probably the most.
In contrast to with cell telephones, you don’t wish to wait till the battery is absolutely discharged earlier than recharging. As an alternative, it’s best to cost the battery as soon as it’s 50% discharged, no extra and no much less.
It’s additionally important that you simply don’t depart the charger linked to the battery 24/7. Overcharging can negatively influence the battery and should ultimately result in “battery gassing.” Due to this fact, you’ll wish to spend money on a voltmeter to measure how a lot battery energy you have got left. That manner, you possibly can cost and discharge it appropriately.
Use a Battery Disconnect Swap
The difficult factor about an RV battery is that it’ll proceed powering your RV so long as it’s connected, even when you aren’t utilizing it. The RV additionally has parts, generally known as “parasitic hundreds,” that drain energy anytime the battery is linked and charged.
Due to this fact, when maximizing your RV battery’s lifespan, it’s necessary to have a battery disconnect change put in which you could activate and off.
When it’s within the OFF place, the change will be sure that the battery doesn’t present energy to the RV’s inner programs when unused.
If you could use your RV, you possibly can merely flip the change again to the ON place, and also you’ll be good to go.
Whereas most newer RVs include a battery disconnect change pre-installed, older fashions might not have them, that means you’ll must spend money on after-market set up.
Monitoring Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity can considerably influence your battery’s efficiency and lifespan. Excessive temperatures, moisture, and humidity can kill battery cells and trigger corrosion, resulting in decreased capability and decreased battery life.
To keep away from these points, use a thermometer and hygrometer to observe the temperature and humidity ranges round your battery. By monitoring temperature and humidity and storing your RV battery in a cool, dry location, you possibly can lengthen its lifespan to the max.
Don’t Neglect the Water
In case you have a conventional lead acid battery, you shouldn’t overlook to verify your battery’s water ranges periodically. Water performs a essential position in your battery and helps it generate electrical energy via ion switch and trade. As a result of your battery will lose water over time, periodically checking the degrees is necessary.
Take away the Battery Throughout Outside Storage
When you plan to retailer your RV outdoor throughout the winter, it’s essential that you simply first take away the battery. Chilly climate will kill particular person battery cells and considerably cut back battery voltage when absolutely charged.
Test and Clear Your Terminals
Along with correct charging and monitoring water ranges, checking and cleansing your battery terminals is among the most necessary points of extending your battery’s lifespan.
Irrespective of how nicely you take care of your batteries, rust and corrosion will ultimately kind on the terminals. Due to this fact, you’ll want to wash them clear with a mushy brush each couple of months. (Observe: Earlier than you do, you should definitely disconnect the terminals).
The best way to Deal With a Useless Battery
Along with correct upkeep and charging habits, it’s important to know the right way to correctly recharge a lifeless battery when one happens. Irrespective of how vigilant you might be, there’s a very good likelihood your battery will begin dying extra typically because it nears the top of its lifespan.
Listed here are the steps to comply with:
- Test the connections to make sure they’re safe and freed from corrosion.
- If the connections are safe, you could must jump-start the battery.
- If jump-starting doesn’t work, you could want to interchange the battery.
The best way to Bounce-Begin a Useless Battery
When jump-starting a lifeless battery, comply with these steps:
- Join the lifeless battery’s optimistic terminal to the working battery’s optimistic terminal.
- Join the lifeless battery’s unfavourable terminal to the working battery’s unfavourable terminal.
- Be certain that the cables are linked within the right order.
In case your battery can’t be revived, eliminate it safely by taking it to a recycling middle that focuses on battery disposal. From there, buy a brand new battery of the identical dimension and voltage.
Remaining Ideas
Due to how important your RV battery is, it’s essential to do every part you possibly can to keep up and shield it. Along with correct battery utilization and charging habits, it’s necessary that you’ve a protected, clear, and dry place to retailer your RV battery.
When you don’t wish to disconnect the battery each time you place the RV in storage, which means having a protected, dry place to retailer your RV. Think about using Neighbor, a peer-to-peer market for RV storage, the place you possibly can select the proper lodging to your RV and battery.
Browse all our RV storage guides:
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
How Lengthy Do RV Batteries Final on a Cost?
On common, deep-cycle RV batteries final 3-6 years and can energy an RV for as much as 24 hours earlier than absolutely discharging. Nonetheless, with correct upkeep and use, AGM and lithium batteries can last as long as 10 years.
How Do I Know if My RV Wants a New Battery?
In case your RV battery is consistently dying, struggles to carry a cost, or has extreme corrosion on the terminals, it might be time for a brand new battery.
How Usually Ought to RV Batteries Be Modified?
RV batteries sometimes final three to seven years however can work for as much as ten years with correct upkeep. When you’re nearing the seven-year mark, it might be time to think about changing your RV battery or batteries. To increase their life, contemplate disconnecting them when storing your RV.
What Drains an RV Battery?
Parasitic hundreds, like TV antenna boosters and 12-volt lights, can rapidly drain energy from the RV battery. Moreover, digital gadgets and circuit boards can steadily deplete the cost over time.
Ought to I Disconnect My RV Battery When Plugged into Shore Energy?
Typically, it’s okay to maintain your RV battery linked once you’re linked to shore energy.
