7 Things You Should Know About Your RV Battery

 

If you're not connected to electricity, your RV batteries will be able to supply enough power for you to live there. It can also cause harm to the electronics of your RV and vehicle, such as short circuits or complete failure. There are seven points to know about the battery of your RV. We'll also explain the reasons why this knowledge is essential in avoiding costly mistakes.

Not All Batteries Are The Same

The voltage differences are very evident. 12 Volts is the standard voltage used by RV batteries. This powers your appliances like water pump and lighting. You can use six-volt batteries for a flashlight, or two 6-volt batteries in parallel.

There are numerous types of batteries. Flooded lead acid batteries are the most common and cost-effective kind of battery. Although they are the same dimensions deep cycle batteries are bigger plates and offer more power until the battery discharges. They also require different maintenance requirements than conventional lead acid batteries.

Lead acid batteries that are maintenance-free do not require the same care like traditional batteries, but they come with some of the same safety risks. The battery products constructed from absorbent glass mats, AGM or gel cells are newer and have different settings from traditional batteries. Lithium Ion batteries are often used in RVs beyond what is charged by your cell phone.

Be aware of the type of battery you own so you can adhere to the correct charging cycle and maintenance routine.

Even batteries of similar designs can serve different features

When you're thinking of a lead acid or AGM battery, you may hear terms like deep cycle, marine and starting battery being used interchangeably. There are differences in how they work and the way they're charged. A starter battery is utilized to light, start or ignite an engine.

This includes your boat's engine and car battery. They provide a brief high-current surge. They should not be totally or mostly discharged. Deep cycle batteries are extensively "cycled" and discharged. Although they can be used to start your car in the event of an emergency, they won't provide the same amount of energy as a start-up battery.

They also cost more than starter batteries, which is why they are used only in emergencies. Marine batteries are somewhere between deep cycle and start batteries with regard to discharge profiles. Marine batteries are able to be utilized as RV batteries.

The Relationship between Amps and Voltage

While 12 volt household batteries might be the most popular kind of battery, they are actually measured in amp hours. One amp equals one hour.

In most batteries, they can provide the same amount of power for twenty hours if fully charged. But, if you're drawing lots of power from your battery, it will die more quickly.

The significance of devices that Prevent Battery Drain

It is evident that turning the lights on can draw the battery to a minimum. However, the battery can gradually lose power via any connection. A battery disconnect is available to campers in order to stop the subtle power loss even when the battery isn't active.

If your house battery or other batteries are connected to solar panels, then you may need an solar power charge controller so that the solar panels don't draw power even when they are in darkness. Investigate this website for effective information RV batteries now.

How to Store Your RV Batteries

The best way to store the battery is one that increases its lifespan and charge. An RV battery must be kept away from direct sunlight, where it won't freeze, will not overheat, and away from wires made of metal which could lead to it draining. Don't let it become wet, for instance as if you keep it in a building where it floods.

To ensure that your battery's charge is maintained Take it out of storage and charge it fully one time per month. It is possible to reduce the necessity for this by using the trickle charge method, provided you have a charge controller that ensures the battery isn't over-charged.

Cleaning It Is Essential

RV batteries need maintenance. You're probably aware of the need to check the battery for cracks and bloating before you use it and not to use it if you observe these warning signs. Many people check for deposits of corrosive and only then clean the battery.

The issue is that, by the time you spot these deposits the battery might already be damaged. Clean the contacts regularly and clamps on the battery.

This allows you to identify any cracks or damage that may have been concealed beneath the grime.

There are many possibilities to charge the battery

It is possible to charge a home battery using shore power, however, you'll require a converter to accomplish it safely since shore power is typically 120 volts. While there are many RVs have a built-in power converter to recharge house batteries from shore power, make sure you've got a converter that's functional instead of just assuming that it can be able to do the job. However, be aware that a house battery will take hours to replenish.

Many RV owners have solar panels to recharge their batteries. However, this can take a lot of time to fully recharge the batteries.

Conclusion

RV owners end up learning a lot of about technology and electrical engineering through the use of batteries, and sometimes, renewable energy sources.

It's not worth burning out batteries, let alone the electrical system of your RV, so you should know what you need to know before connecting things.