Best RV Batteries: Powering Your RV

Find the best RV batteries to keep your camping or living off-grid out of the dark. If you love traveling outdoors, an RV is a comfortable way to travel. While most campgrounds have power connections, making it easy to power your RV, a high-quality RV battery is still a must for all RV owners. Having a reliable RV battery will help power your RV between campsites or if you need to spend the night in a remote location on a scenic route.

You can discuss it with a reputed mobile rv repair near me and find out the best batteries to use for your RV. Whether you’re looking for great value, reliability, durability, or versatility, we looked at the best RV batteries. Read on to see the best options to power your RV reliably.

Benefits of RV Batteries

• Generate electricity. The battery works as a power source when you need it most. They are especially useful when the RV is off, parked, or parked at camp.
• Provides a comfortable camping experience. When camping, the battery ensures you’re comfortable when it’s dark, with the heater on when it’s cold and the air conditioner on when it’s hot.
• Save gas and money. The battery can power the electronics in the car without having to start the RV, saving you money and gas. When turned on, the RV’s engine can power all the equipment. However, leaving it running will consume fuel and cost you money to refill it.
• Other vehicles. Batteries not only power recreational vehicles, but can also be used to power small vehicles such as boats, electric wheelchairs, scooters, and bicycles.

RV battery type

Wet battery

This battery type is the most common. Maintenance is required to keep it working properly. This comes in the form of adding water. They charge well, but they aren’t the hardest design in terms of durability and impact resistance. So a tougher journey could shake their confidence.

AGM battery

Known as absorbent glass mats (AGM), these sealed lead acid batteries contain an electrolyte mixed with sulfuric acid and fiberglass materials. These materials make the battery leak-proof, allowing it to be moved around without shutting down. They are light because they do not contain water. Due to its design, AGM technology can keep charging longer and powering devices faster.

Gel battery

The electrolyte and materials power the gel batteries are sulfuric acid mixed with fumed silica. This creates an immovable gel-like substance, meaning the battery can be placed on either side and remains charged over rough roads and bumpy conditions.

Optima has been in business for over 40 years. It manufactured the first maintenance-free lead-acid/high-performance AGM car batteries in the 1970s and recently released new sizes of AGM batteries. One of its top products is the Optima deep-cycle marine battery.

Produced by EngerSys Energy Products Inc., Odyssey has made batteries for cars, SUVs, boats, and more for over 100 years. It has two headquarters: one in Missouri and one in Wales. It makes the Odyssey PC680 battery.

RV Battery Pricing

$45 and $150: These RV batteries tend to have lower amp-hour outputs. They are also smaller in size, between 6 volts and 12 volts.

$150: Here, you’ll get into the battery, which provides more power. These generally provide more amp hours and are more durable.

Battery Size

The size of the battery changes the amount of energy it can hold. You’ll find that larger batteries tend to have more power, which means your appliances can last longer. However, keep in mind that not all RVs can accommodate larger batteries.

Getting everything powered up depends on how much power the battery consumes. This power is calculated in ampere-hours. Amp-hours detail how many amps the battery will discharge in 20 hours, while RC, or reserve capacity, is related to the number of minutes the battery lasts while providing amp output. To keep it simple, you’ll want more amp hours and the RC to keep things powered for longer.

Other Considerations

Type. Finding the best RV battery depends on what style you prefer. Flooded batteries require more maintenance, like topping up water, to keep them working; AGM or acid-based batteries are more durable and can withstand long trips without shutting down the RV.

Life expectancy. Battery life depends entirely on the number of devices in your RV that needs to be powered. It also depends on how often you plan to use the battery. You can save battery life by monitoring the power inside your RV. Charging or even overcharging the battery can shorten battery life.

Best RV Battery Reviews and Recommendations for 2022

Renogy Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery

Renogy Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are one of the best lightweight, durable options. This is the perfect choice for those RVs who like to spend a lot of time traveling on the open road. This battery is pricier, but it’s innovative and easy to use. One of the best features is the user-friendly LCD output monitoring. There is also a low self-discharge, giving the battery a longer shelf life than some competitors. In addition to easily powering your RV, this energy-efficient and the leak-proof battery is perfect for cabins, solar/wind systems, medical equipment, and more. Such batteries are generally safer, lighter, and more powerful than most gel or lead-acid batteries.

Renogy Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are currently the most expensive RV batteries on our list. However, if you’re willing to pay a premium, this is one of the best, most durable, and most reliable products on the market.

General Dynamics Group AGM Deep Cycle Batteries

Here are our picks for the best deep-cycle RV batteries. We found this reliable for maintaining the RV’s constant power (100 AH). Depending on how much power you use, it can last a few days before needing to be recharged. To help control how long it lasts, turn off appliances and lights when they’re not needed.

This battery can be installed at any angle and in any position. It can also power boats, golf carts, lights, and cabins. The battery is strong and absorbs shocks while driving without losing any power. Plus, it has a one-year warranty for long life.

While it might fit anywhere and provide power to your RV’s appliances, it’s a bit heavier. It weighs 60 pounds, and you need to mount it in a place that can handle the weight without popping out.

General Dynamics Sealed Lead Acid Battery

These batteries are a great power source and run noticeably smaller than most other batteries. The compact design makes it easy to fit multiple batteries together. Only a larger one can fit.

Not only is this lead-acid battery lightweight at just 22 pounds, but it also comes with a handle for easy portability. While powering appliances and lights in RVs, it also works on motorcycles, electric wheelchairs, and bicycles.

The downside is that a single battery is only 35ah, so depending on how long you need to power the RV, you may need multiple batteries. We’ve found that one can provide a few hours of power, but if you’re going to be without power for a few days, you’ll need to recharge it several times.

Optima deep cycle marine battery

This deep-cycle RV battery is prized for its long-lasting, reliable charging. Its power output is huge for a battery and will power your RV for hours.

Being smaller means these Optima batteries are also lighter than other RV batteries. Its lightweight design means it can be installed anywhere; not just on RVs but on boats and other things. Its durability is anti-vibration. It can stand up to the harshest bumpy roads and even start when the weather is bad.

While it’s one of the best RV batteries we’ve found, it’s something we’re respected for its price. The cost is higher, but it also gives you up to 120 minutes of spare capacity when you need it most.

VMAXTANKS Sealed Marine AGM Batteries

VMAXTANKS RV batteries are a heavy-duty option for your camper. A 12-volt AGM deep cycle battery is great for powering your vehicle. It has a maximum lifespan of 10 years and a strong lead/tin alloy that helps boost the current, making it run longer and more efficiently. It’s also completely maintenance-free, so there’s no need to check it for tilt or add water during the ride.

The battery is also pretty well designed to withstand shocks from bumps or vibrations. Its absorbing glass matt construction makes it sturdy and able to absorb electrolytes. It can even be mounted on its side and is still functional, saving space.

However, one of the reasons it can withstand this penalty is its build quality. This makes it quite heavy at 25 pounds. It’s also only 35ah which, as we mentioned earlier, is lower.

Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery

The Renogy Deep Cycle AGM battery is another high-quality product capable of powering your RV. This battery is specifically designed for solar energy storage applications. In addition, to use in RVs, the battery can also be used for offshore and off-grid use. One of the main advantages of this type of battery is that it can provide high current demand for a long time and very low self-discharge. Batteries are highly durable and constructed of high-quality, corrosion-resistant metal alloys. It has optimized instant high current discharge capability. Always charge at the recommended voltage to ensure the battery is fully charged.

One problem is that it’s pretty heavy compared to other batteries of the same quality. Another complaint is that some customers received packages without studs, so make sure to check the package for any damage or missing parts upon delivery.

Kind Tips

Be sure to get the best RV deep-cycle battery that suits your needs. The 6-volt battery is lighter and easier to fit into the area on the RV, while the 12 volt battery is heavier and provides more power.

If you need more power but lack space, two 6-volts can replace a full 12-volts.

Install a battery monitor to keep track of how much power is left in the battery. That way, you’ll know when the battery is running low and, thus, when to recharge. Batteries with low power can fail if they continue to power appliances and lights.

You’ll want to make sure to buy a battery charger so you can charge the battery when you need it.

FAQ

Q: How to install the RV battery?

Installing an RV battery can be difficult, but after some practice, it should be relatively straightforward:

Make sure all appliances, lights, and equipment are turned off.

Find the base that will place the battery inside the RV. Place the battery on the stand, connect the cable, and activate the compression hardware.

Test lights and appliances.

Q: How long should the RV’s battery last?

It all depends on how long you spend powering the lights, appliances, and other things in your RV. With proper use, most batteries will last a few days before recharging.

Q: Where should I put the battery?

You can protect your deep cycle RV battery by keeping it in a room temperature location such as a house or storage unit. Make sure that no matter where you are, the temperature does not drop below zero.