- Longer Lifespan
- Faster Charging
- Reliable High-Power Output
- Low Self-Discharge
- Lighter Weight
- Advanced Battery Management
- Bluetooth App Monitoring
- Other Benefits
- Cost Considerations
- Sizing Your Lithium RV Battery Bank
- Lithium RV Battery Brand Comparison
- Installation Tips
- Going Off-Grid
- Experience the Benefits Yourself
Like any home, an RV needs a power system you can rely on. More and more RVers are upgrading from traditional lead-acid batteries to advanced lithium batteries for their coaches. Lithium RV batteries provide longer life, faster charging, maintenance-free operation, and lighter weight than lead-acid batteries.
Longer Lifespan
One of the biggest advantages of lithium batteries over lead-acid is dramatically longer lifespan. The average lead-acid battery lasts 2-4 years. Lithium batteries can last 6-10 years or longer.
My wife and I upgraded to lithium batteries in our RV about 5 years ago. Our two time lead-acid batteries lasted less than 3 years before needing replacement. The lithium batteries have been going strong since their install with no noticeable degradation in capacity.
Lithium batteries typically maintain 80% of rated capacity for 3000-5000 cycles. Compare that to just 500 cycles for a lead-acid battery before significant capacity loss. That means a lithium RV battery could potentially last 10 times longer than a comparable lead-acid battery.
What makes lithium batteries so long-lasting? A few key factors:
- Low internal resistance allows efficient charge/discharge cycles
- No sulfation issues like lead-acid batteries
- Advanced battery management systems prevent damage
The longer lifespan means you save money over time, with fewer battery replacements. It also provides confidence in your RV’s electrical system. Nothing’s worse than unexpected RV battery failure far from help. With lithium batteries, you can count on reliable power, year after year.
Faster Charging
Another major benefit of lithium RV batteries is rapid recharging. Lithium batteries can charge 2-3 times faster than lead-acid batteries.
My old lead-acid batteries would take 8-12 hours to fully recharge from your RV’s alternator while driving. With the 50 amp lithium batteries in my RV, I can fully recharge in just 3-4 hours of driving. That’s invaluable when you’re on the road full-time.
Some factors that allow lithium batteries to charge faster include:
- Lower internal resistance
- Can withstand higher charging currents
- Charge efficiency of 98%+
The ability to recharge quickly makes dry camping and boondocking easier. Say you’re staying at a remote BLM camping area with no hookups. You can recharge your lithium batteries to full in just a few hours running your RV’s generator or idling the engine.
With lead-acid batteries, you may have had to run a generator for 8+ hours to top up your batteries. That burns a lot more fuel while making more noise and emissions. The rapid charging of lithium RV batteries lets you get the power you need without as much generator runtime.
Reliable High-Power Output
Lithium batteries deliver extremely reliable power output, even under heavy loads. The low internal resistance allows lithium batteries to produce full rated power continuously, unlike lead-acid batteries which gradually lose voltage under load.
This reliable high-power output makes lithium batteries ideal for running RV appliances and electronics. You can run your air conditioner, microwave, and other high-draw appliances without the voltage fluctuations you may experience with lead-acid batteries. Very handy on a hot summer day when you need the A/C!
The lithium batteries in my RV have run my 15,000 BTU air conditioner for 5+ hours straight in 95°F heat without any voltage issues. Impressive performance that would challenge most lead-acid setups.
Reliable power output and low internal resistance also mean less voltage drop during charging. Lead-acid batteries can lose up to 30% of alternator charging voltage due to resistance. Lithium batteries lose very little, maximizing charging efficiency.
Low Self-Discharge
One problem with lead-acid batteries is they discharge themselves over time even when not in use. This self-discharge can be 5% per month or more for lead-acid batteries.
Lithium batteries have extremely low self-discharge of just 1-2% per month. That means lithium RV batteries can sit unused for long periods without losing much capacity.
Last winter I left my lithium batteries sit in storage for 3 months unused. When I took the RV out again in spring, the batteries still had 90%+ charge remaining. Try that with lead-acid and you may end up with a dead battery bank.
The low self-discharge of lithium batteries is another advantage for infrequent RVers. Your batteries will remain topped off and ready to go even if your rig sits for weeks or months between trips. No more worrying about your batteries discharging themselves during long-term storage.
Lighter Weight
Lithium RV batteries are much lighter than lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries provide about 3X the power for the same weight.
Upgrading to lithium can save hundreds of pounds of battery weight in your RV. This lightens the load on your motorhome drivetrain, improving fuel economy and performance.
In my travel trailer upgrade, I saved almost 200lbs going from two 125Ah lead-acid batteries to two 100Ah lithium batteries. Yet I tripled my usable energy storage capacity. The lighter weight also gives me more overall cargo capacity.
RV manufacturers are increasingly using lithium batteries from the factory to allow bigger battery banks without the weight penalty. Look for brands like Grand Design, NuCamp, Airstream, and Winnebago installing lithium batteries on select new models.
Advanced Battery Management
One key advantage lithium batteries have over lead-acid is sophisticated battery management systems. These BMS’s protect lithium cells from damage while optimizing performance and life.
Lithium batteries require more active monitoring and management than lead-acid. The BMS performs vital functions like:
- Cell balancing – Ensures all cells charge/discharge evenly
- Overcharge protection
- Low voltage protection
- Over current/thermal protection
Lithium batteries will automatically disconnect or limit current if outside safe operating ranges. This prevents damage from overheating, overcharging, or excessive loads.
Quality lithium batteries for RVs also offer Bluetooth app connectivity. This allows remote monitoring and control of lithium batteries through your smartphone. More on that next.
Bluetooth App Monitoring
Bluetooth-enabled lithium batteries take all the advantages mentioned so far and add app monitoring and control. With a Bluetooth-connected lithium battery like the Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries, you can:
- View current battery state of charge
- See voltage/current/temperature stats
- Estimate time remaining on charge/discharge
- Program charging parameters
- Get push notifications of status changes
- View charging/discharging history
- Update BMS firmware
This allows unprecedented visibility into your RV electrical system. You always know your current battery bank status without having to physically check it.
The app connectivity is invaluable while dry camping or boondocking off-grid. You can maximize your lithium battery capacity by fine-tuning your usage based on the remaining charge.
In cold weather, I can bump up the charging voltage limits on my Battle Born batteries to account for voltage drop. You can even set charging profiles for different power sources like solar, alternator, shore power etc.
Other Benefits
Beyond the major advantages covered already, lithium RV batteries offer a few other benefits over lead-acid batteries:
- Maintenance-free – No need to check electrolyte levels or add water as required for lead-acid batteries
- No corrosion – Lithium batteries produce no corrosive fumes or moisture
- Compact size – Up to 40% smaller than comparable lead-acid batteries
- Fast DC charging – Can charge from solar, alternators, DC converters etc.
- Improved cold weather performance – Less capacity loss in cold temperatures
Lithium RV batteries require no regular maintenance like lead-acid batteries. They are sealed units that don’t emit fumes or flammable gasses. And the small size and modular design makes lithium batteries easy to install and integrate into your existing RV electrical setup.
Cost Considerations
There’s no question, lithium batteries are more expensive upfront than equivalent lead-acid batteries. Expect to pay 2X – 5X more for a comparable lithium battery bank.
Cost varies based on battery capacity, included features like Bluetooth, and the quality of cells used. Budget lithium batteries start around $1000 for 100Ah capacity. Premium batteries from top manufacturers run $2000+.
However, the total cost of ownership over your RV battery bank lifespan is lower with lithium batteries. The dramatically longer service life means fewer replacements over time.
If a lead-acid battery lasts 2-4 years and a lithium battery lasts 6-10 years, the cost difference narrows. When you account for maintenance and the hassle of replacing dead lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries can actually save money in the long run.
My recommendation is to start small if the upfront cost seems high. For example, replace just one or two of your lead-acid batteries with lithium to test them out. You’ll immediately notice the benefits in faster charging and reliability. And lithium batteries can be added modularly over time as budget allows.
Sizing Your Lithium RV Battery Bank
If you decide to upgrade to lithium batteries, the first step is calculating your battery bank size. RV lithium batteries are sold by rated capacity, usually given in amp-hours (Ah).
Size your lithium battery bank to hold 2-3X the power you need between recharges. For a typical RV using 50Ah per day, choose a 100Ah – 150Ah lithium battery capacity.
Factor in how you use your RV power. Do you frequently run high-draw appliances like A/C? How many days do you typically go between plugging in to shore power or running a generator?
Also consider expanding capacity above your current lead-acid bank, since lithium batteries are much lighter. You may be able to double or triple capacity while still reducing weight.
Many RVers add 400-600Ah or more of lithium batteries to enable multi-week boondocking trips. Careful planning and monitoring usage can stretch even small lithium banks a long way.
Lithium RV Battery Brand Comparison
If you decide to upgrade to lithium batteries, you’ll find many lithium battery companies marketing to RVers today. Major lithium RV battery brands include:
- Battle Born Batteries – Reliable lithium batteries made in Reno, Nevada. Offer Bluetooth monitoring and app.
- Renogy – Budget-friendly lithium batteries popular for solar applications.
- Relion – Top seller of lithium batteries for RVs and other deep cycle uses. Owned by EnerSys.
- Trojan – Leading maker of traditional batteries now offers Trojan Lithium line.
- Weize – Import lithium batteries with bluetooth connectivity at lower prices.
I’ve had excellent results from Battle Born Batteries in my RV. But there are several reputable lithium battery companies to choose from. Look for true deep cycle lithium batteries designed for RV use.
Avoid no-name import lithium batteries with exaggerated capacity ratings from Amazon/AliExpress. Stick with proven brands that provide a warranty and test their actual battery capacities.
Installation Tips
Installing lithium batteries is straightforward for anyone comfortable working on RV electrical systems. A DIY lithium battery install is definitely achievable.
If you’re new to RV batteries, have an experienced service tech install lithiums for peace of mind. Reputable lithium battery sellers can recommend certified installers in your area.
A few quick lithium battery installation tips:
- Select an appropriate mounting location that’s clean, dry, and ventilated
- Measure carefully to ensure batteries fit in desired install location
- Use battery trays intended for lithium batteries (plastic, not metal)
- Include a DC battery isolator for charging from alternator while driving
- Wire in-line fuses rated for maximum lithium battery discharge current
- Take precautions against short circuits when connecting terminals
- Ensure existing RV chargers/converters are lithium-compatible or replace
- Program bluetooth batteries with charging profiles tailored for your electrical setup
With proper installation, lithium batteries should work seamlessly with your existing RV electrical system. Their flexible nature makes lithium batteries easy to retrofit.
Going Off-Grid
A larger lithium battery bank, paired with solar and a power inverter, allows you to use your RV appliances and electronics without shore power or a generator. This “off-grid” setup takes RV independence and self-sufficiency to the next level.
To upgrade your RV for off-grid use:
- Install 400Ah+ of lithium batteries for extended dry camping
- Add solar panels and charge controller to recharge batteries
- Wire in a 3000W+ power inverter to AC power from batteries
- Ensure appliances and lighting use efficient LED bulbs
- Take steps to manage and reduce electrical loads
With careful power budgeting, even a small lithium battery bank and 100W+ solar can sustain an RV off-grid for weeks. Having the freedom to camp anywhere, without hookups or fuel costs, is an amazing benefit.
Experience the Benefits Yourself
Hopefully this overview has shown the compelling advantages lithium batteries, especially Bluetooth-connected batteries, provide for RVs. If you’re still using old lead-acid batteries, consider upgrading to lithium for longer lifespan, better performance, and easier management.
I know the upfront investment seems steep. But in the long run, you’ll save money and hassle. You’ll have power you can rely on year after year, with full visibility into battery status from your phone. And you’ll shave hundreds of pounds off your RV’s weight.
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