Tech Spotlight: All About Lithium RV Batteries
Over the past decade, battery technology has evolved rapidly. And with that evolution comes a vocabulary reminiscent of high-school chemistry class: Lithium, iron, phosphate—better known as (LiFePO4). Lithium is the primary component here, while the other elements make these new-gen batteries arguably safer on the road than tech that’s been around for awhile.
“This has changed exponentially in the last 10 years,” says Tyler Bourns, chief marketing officer at Dragonfly Energy, which brought one of the first lithium RV batteries to market. “A decade ago, lithium wasn’t really on the radar for campers, but now we have power that can open up people’s worlds.”
Lithium batteries have key advantages for RVers: They’re lighter than their lead acid counterparts, they hold a charge longer (the overall lifespan is also much longer) and they’re less likely to be damaged when drained completely. And while they’re not cheap, they can power more appliances and keep you off grid for longer stretches.
Here, four popular lithium RV batteries—and what makes them ideal for creatures of the road.
Photo Credit: Battle Born
Battle Born: 100-Amp-Hour 12-Volt LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery
The flagship lithium battery from Dragonfly Energy, the Battle Born weighs just 31 pounds and comes with a 10-year warranty. One of the most trusted batteries in the RV space, these come standard on new Airstream models and other rigs. $749
Photo Credit: Royer
Royer Batteries: Micro 12-Volt 320-Amp-Hour Smart Heated LiFePO4 Battery
Because lithium batteries typically cannot be charged at low temperatures, manufacturers like Royer offer built-in heating so campers can retain power when the mercury plunges. Plus, thanks to Bluetooth compatibility, users can monitor real-time usage on their phones. $1,820
Photo Credit: Go Power!
Go Power! Sun Cycle 100-Amp-Hour Lithium Iron Phosphate Solar Battery
Designed for compatibility with Go Power!’s mobile solar systems, the Sun Cycle battery is only 24 pounds while also offering Bluetooth monitoring, internal heating and a built-in temperature monitoring system. $1,250
Photo Credit: Renogy
Renogy: 12-Volt 200-Amp-Hour Core Series Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
One of the most powerful lithium batteries, the Renogy’s Core Series is rated for 5,000 cycles (the number of times you can run it down to zero and recharge), and can easily be tied into other batteries to convert the 12-volt system to 24 or 48 volts. $1,379
There are numerous other lithium RV batteries on the market, beyond those listed above. But these are some of the best, most reliable options available today.
This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.
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