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Looking for the best RV battery you can depend on? Then a deep-cycle battery purchase might be in your future.
Need a battery to power 12 volt RV system?
Then it is time to lean about deep cycle RV batteries. The reason why deep-cycle batteries are used for RVs is for the singular reason of powering the 12-Volts system that all RV appliances operate on. Some other types of batteries can also handle that, but deep-cycle is best suited for it because it can power appliances for a long time after starting the vehicle. Learn about RV battery options before you buy.
Advantages of a deep cycle battery for RV travel
The deep-cycle battery will afford your RV the luxury of lasting long before becoming drained. So in the absence of any power supply to power the deep-cycle battery, you can be rest assured it’s gonna cover a great distance of your trip before it becomes completely drained and will require recharging.
Go Boondocking Much Longer with a Deep Cycle Battery
The deep-cycle battery can comfortably power the numerous appliances inside your RV ( showers, refrigerators, electric furnaces, dehumidifiers, microwave ), much more than any other battery will for a long time.
Non Leaking Battery
In the most common deep-cycle battery called the AGM battery, its electrolyte is contained in a sealed container, ensuring it never leaks out of the battery. Something prevalent among other non-deep-cycle batteries.
Maintenance Free RV Battery
These AGM battery type of deep-cycle battery is maintenance-free. This is because the electrolyte can not freeze due to it being sealed in a safe container. Extra bucks saved.
How does the deep cycle battery power work?
Before I get to tell you how it works, I’ll let tell you what the internal parts of the deep-cycle battery are:
- The battery walls ( are thick walls and built with antimony alloy to make it corrosion-resistant).
- Two electrodes ( the positive electrode contains Lead-acid, whereas the negative electrode contains Lead Dioxide).
- A dilute Sulfuric acid serves as the electrolyte of the deep-cycle battery.
The two electrodes and electrolyte play useful roles in galvanization.
Now, let’s get to the part of describing how it works. The whole configuration is founded based on electrochemistry or electrolysis. The deep-cycle battery has two electrodes, and like we had indicated. One is made of lead-acid, while the other is made up of lead dioxide. The two are dipped inside the sulfuric acid, which is the battery’s electrolyte.
Lead-acid battery process
The electrodes cause a chemical reaction that generates electricity. Now, the deep-cycle battery is just another lead-acid battery able to discharge and charge current cyclically. This lead-acid battery operates based on galvanization, a process of generating electrical energy through a chemical reaction.
What to look out for when buying batteries for an RV?
So you’re probably thinking about buying an RV battery but maybe still a little confused on which battery to pick. We won’t choose for you. However, we’ll try to expose you to some factors that will greatly influence you in picking the right battery for your RV.
Best RV Battery for Portability
Most deep-cycle batteries are portable and light in weight. If you want a battery that won’t be heavy to remove and install, then pick your choice among other deep-cycles in battery stores around town. WindyNation 12 Volt Deep Cycle RV Batteries is actually portable enough for whatever purpose you may have. How frequently you travel: If you travel frequently, then a deep-cycle battery should serve you comfortably. Otherwise, a marine battery can do you well.
Best RV Batteries for Your Locality
Different batteries suit different terrains. So if your locality has got rough or rocky terrain, Odyssey PC680 Battery is ideal for your camper. Or, if your area is fond of getting colder than -10 degree centigrade, you get an AMG deep-cycle battery whose electrolyte is saturated and so resistant to spillage or freezing. For cities in the equator that can get extremely hot, AMG deep-cycle batteries are as well recommended.
Easiest RV Batteries to Install
Many RVs come with RV marine batteries, which are like hybrids of starting batteries and deep-cycle batteries. Most likely, you want to replace this hybrid with a better deep-cycle battery. In that case, get one with big amp-hour ratings. Ensure you get two new batteries of the same brand, age, and capacity and install both simultaneously.
Steps to Installing an RV Battery
First, you loosen the screws of the positive and negative battery clamps in the old battery. The positives are usually black in color, while the negatives are white. The negative clamp is usually unscrewed before the positive. Note: While replacing the battery, to avoid short circuits, those two clamps are normally the last to be screwed.
Then you install the new batteries in their new positions and fix them in parallel to one another ( positive connects to positive while negative connects to negative ). The Camper’s positive lead should be joined with the first battery’s positive line.
Afterward, join the two positive posts using charger wire, also fasten their clamps. Perform in the same manner for the negative posts. The battery’s negative lead is joined with the first battery’s negative end. It is wise to use a new charger wire that is not smaller than the old charger wire in doing these.
RV Battery Installation: Use Best Safety
Try to prevent the rise of Hydrogen. It is important to provide adequate air around the battery. When you don’t do this, and the Hydrogen level rises, it can cause ignition and, subsequently, an explosion. So always maintain enough ventilation around the battery.
Always be careful when dealing with electricity and use your best judgement. If you don’t feel comfortable or safe installing your RV battery yourself. Seek professional help from a mobile RV service or RV service garage.
Best types of batteries for your RV setup
Technically, the RV has two different battery types that serve different purposes; the starting battery is the same battery used in small-sized vehicles. However, this RV’s starting battery has a bigger CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rate simply because it operates on a bigger engine.
RV Starting Batteries vs House Battery
Now, this starting battery serves the purpose of starting the RV, and its usefulness ends there. Now the RV’s other battery, called the house RV battery, is responsible for powering all the appliances inside the motorhome and keeping the RV running after the period of “starting” the vehicle.
So essentially, the RV uses two types of batteries:
- Starting battery.
- House RV battery ( otherwise called a deep-cycle battery).
Marine battery: RV battery makers attempted to unify the starting battery and the house RV battery so RV owners can have one battery that serves two purposes; the marine battery is a product of that attempt. As with many hybrids, they are not too good in RV starting nor in the deep discharging accustomed to the deep-cycle / house RV batteries. It is not ideal yet for an RV, but its major advantage is that it is much more a less expensive battery than the deep-cycle battery.
Frequently Asked Battery Questions
A battery is an appliance used to store electrical energy. Countering ignorance; batteries do not generate electricity. They merely store them. These electric current are thereafter transferred to another device that requires electricity to work.
The lifespan of a deep-cycle battery is heavily dependent on some factors. Namely;
- How it is used and charged.
- Maintenance.
In other words, big capacity deep-cycle batteries can have a very short lifespan when misused and mismanaged, and small capacity ones can last as long as they should when handled right. However, we’re gonna give an approximate after running little research and statistics.
- Starting battery: 3 – 12 Months.
- House RV battery or deep-cycle battery: 4 – 8 years.
- Marine battery: 1 – 6 years.
This type of deep-cycle battery is the most recent as well as the best battery. This battery has Absorbed Glass Mats (AGM) in the middle of the plates. Well-known AMG deep-cycle battery brands include Fullriver Battery, Concorde SunXtender, and Universal Power group. These batteries can handle more misuse than any other type of deep-cycle battery. Their mats are over 90% saturated, ensuring that their acid does not overflow even when ruptured.
The reason why AGM’s are the best deep cell battery for RV and are much more preferred over gelled or flooded deep-cycle batteries is that their electrolytes cannot spill when spoilt. And since they poise no dangers, they cost less for shipping. And since their electrolytes are saturated, this kind of deep-cycle battery is not prone to freezing.
Also, there is very minimal water loss. And have a meager discharge rate of about 1% monthly, meaning that over months they’re able to retain their top charge without being used.
Another advantage it has is that it requires very minimal maintenance.
Best Deep Cycle Battery Conclusion
Deep-cycle batteries are lead-acid batteries able to power an automobile cyclically. Because they repeatedly discharge their current deeply and go through charging, they are used to power you Recreational Vehicle’s appliances. The major benefit of a deep-cycle battery is its ability to offer consistent power to all the RV appliances in the absence of an alternative power source for a longer period of time.
The best battery for RV in markets is the AMG deep cycles because they’re the cheapest to maintain and can function in extreme weather. And also because their electrolytes do not spill due to firm enclosure.
