Many RVers fantasize of boondocking for many days or weeks.
However, if you learn that your camper’s stock batteries won’t work, your aspirations will become a reality.
You should continue reading if you wish to use your RV off the grid.
We’re going to explain to you today how to update and replace your camper battery.
Let’s get going!
Table of Contents
How to Upgrade and Replace the Battery System in Your Camper
Step 1. Cut off ALL power sources (Shore power, solar panels, truck, generator turned off, etc).
Grab a sturdy pair of gloves and safety eyewear as well to guard against any battery spills.
Step 2. Use a solution of baking soda and water to clean the used batteries.
Even though they are garbage, it will aid in neutralizing any excess acid on the exterior and in the trays.
Before I began this regimen, acid burns caused holes to appear in more than one piece of clothing.
Step 3. Disconnect the negative battery connection from the batteries before the positive cable.
Most RVs and trailers contain two to six batteries.
It’s often easy to snap a photo with your phone of a convoluted wiring tangle and use it as a guide if necessary when you reinstall.
I often engage in it.
Step 4. Cleaning the battery tray and taking the time to polish the battery cable ends are wise once the batteries have been taken out.
Without the batteries in the way, it is much simpler to complete the task.
One of the primary reasons for decreased battery performance is unclean and damaged wires.
Step 5. Install the new batteries and secure them.
Step 6. Reattach the cords.
Cables should be linked positively first, then negatively.
Arcing will be less likely as a result.
Step 7. To reduce corrosion from the battery fumes, it is a good idea to employ a protective terminal coating.
Make careful to only use it after all of the connections have been made secure.
Step 8. Check that everything is charging and turning on properly by testing the system.
It’s time to travel!
NOTE: Check the voltage of your house batteries if your RV is equipped with a voltage meter.
The battery is in excellent condition if it reads above 13 Volts of Direct Current (VDC).
Batteries that can’t sustain more than 10–11VDC should be replaced.
Try charging the batteries and re-testing if your batteries show low voltage.
NOTE: Batteries must not be thrown away with regular garbage.
Please bring your used batteries to the closest service station and inquire how to dispose of them there.
What Purpose Serves a Camper Battery?
When there is no access to shore power, camper batteries store and provide energy for the 12-volt electrical system in your RV.
The 12-volt system is often used to power lights, USB connections, and even an RV’s leveling mechanism.
You may also connect your camper batteries to an inverter to power your 120-volt appliances.
Manage the charge level and cycle count of your camper batteries if you want to have electricity when boondocking or camping off-grid.
The Advantages of Using Lithium Camper Batteries
A game-changing update is deciding to switch to a lithium battery for your camper.
Let’s examine a couple of the advantages of this upgrade in more detail.
Longer life Expectancy
With a 10-year guarantee, manufacturers like Battle Born Batteries stand behind their lithium batteries, which generally have a lifespan of more than 5,000 charge cycles.
In contrast, an AGM battery only lasts 500 complete cycles, whereas lead-acid batteries last 200–300 cycles.
As we previously said, a lithium battery has a far longer lifetime than its rivals.
Very little to no upkeep
Lithium batteries need minimal to no maintenance after installation.
As a result of the absence of maintenance, you won’t need to worry about checking the water level or avoiding liquid spills near your devices.
The internal battery management system (BMS) in lithium batteries also keeps track of the battery’s condition and makes sure it works within safe parameters.
Your lithium batteries won’t be one of the many upkeep duties and products that come with RVing.
Extended Warranty
Companies that manufacture lithium batteries often provide their products with 10-year or longer guarantees.
These batteries are still quite new on the market, therefore we anticipate that warranty periods may lengthen as they are used more often.
Currently, the complete battery portfolio from our firm is covered by a 10-year warranty.
Recommended reading: RV Lithium Battery Conversion: The Ultimate Guide
More Effective
Lithium batteries have the notable benefit of being able to be discharged up to 80% of their capacity (you may drain Battle Born Batteries to 100%) without suffering any harm.
This implies that a lithium battery with the same capacity as a lead-acid battery provides almost twice as much useful energy.
The charge rate is another reason why lithium batteries are more effective than AGM or lead-acid batteries.
A 100 Ah AGM battery will recharge completely in around eight hours, but a 100 Ah lithium battery will do so in as little as two.
You may lessen your reliance on using a generator or prolonged sun exposure by charging your batteries quickly.
Less Heavy
If you’ve ever had to remove your regular lead-acid battery from your RV, you know how hefty it is.
A 100 Ah lithium battery weighs 30-35 pounds, compared to 60-65 pounds for a 100 Ah lead-acid battery.
Lithium batteries offer double the useable capacity of lead-acid batteries while weighing just half as much.
Lithium benefits from this situation.
It’s crucial to keep your RV as light as possible.
We strongly advise losing weight whenever you can.
Less Expensive with Time
Although lithium batteries are more expensive upfront, they have a longer lifespan than lead-acid or AGM batteries.
AGM or lead-acid batteries may be less expensive up front, but you’ll wind up spending more money replacing them over time than if you chose lithium.
Related Also: What is Trickle Charge RV Battery?
Conclusion
You can utilize your RV better and in more places if you upgrade your camper batteries.
Although there are some initial costs, you will undoubtedly value them in the long run.
Additionally, you’ll be better prepared to take your camper off-grid for boondocking, which in our opinion is perhaps the finest camping method.
Have you thought about switching to lithium batteries for your camper?
Tell us in the comments section below.
