Getting the simplest Motor-home, RV & Caravan Batteries shouldn't be confusing!! Our customers often ask what's the simplest caravan battery or AGM battery for my caravan? Let's check out a number of the foremost popular batteries for Caravans, RV's & Motorhomes. This guide will check out your options when it involves getting the simplest power solutions and what size battery you would like for your caravan setup.
Multiple RV batteries could also be wired together to form one power source. These house batteries have different characteristics than the batteries wont to start an engine.
Motorhomes, of course, have an engine and need an engine starting (chassis) RV battery, but this is often always break away the house battery system.
The starting (chassis) battery during a motorhome is that the same type as utilized in a car, though often with a bigger CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating because the engine is larger.
Choosing the proper RV battery is just a matter of getting enough CCA to try to to the work and usually , meaning replacing the battery with another of an equivalent or larger CCA rating, an equivalent as you'd do for your car.
House RV Battery
The best house RV batteries are a special breed altogether.
Starting batteries are designed to supply an enormous amount of power (amps) during a short burst (a few seconds) to urge an engine going, but house RV batteries are designed to supply a way smaller amount of amps but over an extended period of your time , hours rather than seconds.
Furthermore, the house RV battery is usually heavily discharged before being fully recharged again, what's known a “deep cycling”.
An RV battery designed for lower power and deep cycling will last longer and perform better than an engine starting battery. the simplest deep cycle batteries will last three to fourfold longer than a starting RV battery under an equivalent conditions.
Deep cycle battery capacity is measured in AH (Amp-Hours), meaning the entire number of amps of power it can deliver over a 20 hour period.
An alternative measurement is named RC (Reserve Capacity), which is that the number of minutes the battery can sustain a 25 amp load.
You don’t need to understand the tactic of measuring to understand that “more is better”, so A battery with a bigger AH or RC rating is best (more capacity) than a smaller one. Unfortunately, there's no meaningful thanks to compare AH and RC values, so confirm you compare apples to apples.
Useful Technology for a RV Battery
Currently, all RV batteries use lead-acid technology but it comes in several packages.
The basic package is named a “flooded cell” battery, during which the lead is bathed during a liquid water/acid solution (the electrolyte).
This type loses a touch of the answer whenever it's charged, so requires the addition of some water once during a while.
So-called “maintenance free” batteries plan to reduce the loss of electrolyte by sealing the cells apart from a small vent hole, but this isn’t effective under the frequent heavy charging that's typical of deep cycle use.
It is not an honest choice for a house RV battery. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries retain the electrolyte solution during a sponge made from glass fibers and are totally sealed apart from a security valve. this sort is extremely effective in reducing the loss of electrolyte during charging and is a superb technology choice.
Gel type batteries use a thick paste electrolyte and also are fully sealed, in order that they are an honest choice also . However, AGM has largely replaced Gel technology for RV use.
What’s the simplest RV Battery for My Situation?
Your most suitable option depends on the budget and your sort of RVing. A deep cycle RV battery will always last longer than a marine battery but at a somewhat greater cost.
If you're seldom without shore power, maybe just driving from home to a campground, you don’t need tons of capacity (AH or RC) so there's no got to buy larger sizes of deep cycle RV batteries.
For that usage, a standard size 24 or 27 12v RV battery will serve you adequately.
Get a 12v marine type if low price is your priority, but a top quality 12v deep cycle just like the BULLSBATTERY BPD or BPDG will offer you a few years of service and make it’s higher initial cost a bargain within the end of the day .
However, if you regularly camp without being plugged to shore power (boondocking), you would like both high capacity and good deep cycling capability, so a top quality deep cycle is best.
The best combination of capacity, life, and price comes via a flooded cell, golf cart deep cycle, but you've got to be willing to offer it some attention occasionally.
For those that tend to be forgetful about monitoring the electrolyte in flooded cell batteries or cleaning the terminals, an AGM battery provides freedom from those chores while also delivering excellent performance and long life.
Both 6v golf cart and 12 deep cycle batteries are available within the AGM technology. BULLS battery is that the premier name in AGM batteries for RVs, but BSLBATT also makes excellent ones.
Consider your needs then go searching for prices on the varied RV battery types. Prices on deep cycles can vary immensely, so don’t hand over on them if the primary price quotes are high.
Conventional vehicle batteries may be a cheap option but need to be kept fully charged by your car’s regulator in order to function. After a few days of camping, don’t be surprised if your battery has run flat. Caravan batteries are designed to provide a specific number of what are called "deep discharge cycles". Depending on the type of battery, you are using one can achieve 20 to 300 cycles (Flooded or Cheap Batteries), 400 to 500 cycles (Gel) or 600 to 800 cycles or higher with AGM Deep Cycle Batteries. For best results whenever your battery charge falls below 75% re-charge it and try not to let it fall below 50%. Using a digital voltmeter, will ensure that your battery is charging and discharging power appropriately.
The best options for caravan and campers are Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Deep Cycle Batteries which can be recharged when flat (better to keep a constant charging cycle) from Solar Panels or charger and are designed to have power drawn from them over a longer period of time. Gel Batteries also provide sustained power and produce no gas when charging, making them perfect for use in your caravan, motor home or boat.
Choosing the best Deep Cycle Battery for your Caravan or RV application is important. The size and type of Deep Cycle Battery that you select is dependent on the application and operating conditions. It is important to ensure there is sufficient battery capacity (Amp Hours) to power the equipment you intend to use. The most popular Deep Cycle Batteries for Caravans are Gel Deep Cycle Batteries and AGM Deep Cycle Batteries (Absorbed Glass Mat); and in more recent times Lithium-Ion and Carbon Lead.
CARING FOR YOUR RV BATTERY:
Now, after you select the proper RV battery for you, you’ll want to require the simplest care possible of it so it doesn’t fail on you within the future. Really only starting batteries and flooded electrolyte deep-cycle batteries require maintenance. the method is extremely almost like caring for automotive batteries and involves cleaning corrosion off of the terminals, cleaning the highest of the battery, checking water levels within the cells, and replenishing liquid with water when necessary. All RV batteries should be disconnected when not in use because small amounts of current are going to be drawn from them even when the batteries aren't active.
For help identifying the proper RV battery to fit your needs, questions on wiring batteries, or to possess a service professional install new batteries for you, contact us today, or come on by.
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